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Cedarleaf Essential Oil |
| Cedarleaf is a species of Thuja, an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae, native to the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada, from southern Alaska and British Columbia south to northwest California and inland to western Montana. Western Red Cedar is a large tree, to 50-60 m tall and 3 m (exceptionally 6 m) trunk diameter. It is among the most widespread trees in the Pacific Northwest, and is associated with Douglas-fir and Western hemlock in most places where it grows. Western Red Cedar is the Provincial tree of British Columbia. It is also known (mainly in the American horticultural trade) as Giant Arborvitae. The name Western Redcedar is also sometimes split into three words as 'Western Red Cedar', though this can cause confusion, as it is not a cedar. |
| Botanical Name: | Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don
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| Family: | Cupressaceae
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| Synonyms: | Pacific red cedar, giant-cedar, arborvitae, canoe-cedar, shinglewood, Western Red Cedar
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| Similar Oils: |
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| Parts Used: | Needles and twigs
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| Extraction Method: | Steam Distillation,
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| Appearance: | Colourless to yellow liquid.
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| Aroma Description: | Intensely sharp, fresh, camphor woody.
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| Perfume note: | Top
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| Blends well with: | Bergamot, birch, cedarwood and most spice oils.
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| Historical Uses: | Much used by native Americans for shelter, clothing and medicine, known as 'Tree of Life'.
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| Modern Uses: | Cedar leaf oil is used as a preservative and bonding agent in patent medicines such as vaporizing chest rubs, soaps, detergents and horse liniments. Other for cedar oil include cosmetics, perfumes, room deodorants, car fresheners, insecticides, soap and candle fragrance.
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| Cautions: | Cedarleaf oil is considered toxic, causing hypotension (low blood pressure), and convulsions. Fatalities have been reported. Do not use without medical supervision.
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| Aromatherapy Uses: |
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Not used in Modern Aromatherapy
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| Main Constituents, % |
| α-thujone |
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| β-thujone |
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| Sabinene |
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| α-pinene |
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| 4-terpineol |
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| Y-terpineol |
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| α-terpinene |
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| Myrcene |
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| Limonene |
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| Physical Actions |
| Antirheumatic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insect repellent, rubefacient, vermifuge. |
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| Toxicity |
LD50 - (oral) rat > 4g/kg; (dermal) rabbit >5g/kg.
Irritation/Sensitisation - Nil at 4% (Human)
Phototoxicity - Nil |
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