Cedarwood Red Essential Oil

Thuja plicata 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. The foliage forms in flat sprays with scale-like leaves in opposite pairs, the successive pairs at 90° to each other. 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.

Botanical Name:

Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don

Family:

Cupressaceae

Synonyms:

Pacific red cedar, giant-cedar, arborvitae, canoe-cedar, shinglewood, Western Red Cedar

Similar Oils:

Cedarwood Atlas, Cedarwood Virginian

Parts Used:

Needles and twigs

Extraction Method:

Steam Distillation,

Appearance:

Colourless to Yellow liquid.

Aroma Description:

Fresh, Sharp, Woody,

Perfume note:

Base

Blends well with:

Bergamot, cypress, clary sage, jasmine, juniper, neroli, rosemary, vetiver, ylang, ylang.

Historical Uses:

Much used by native Americans for shelter, clothing and medicine, known as 'Tree of Life'.

Modern Uses:

Cedar 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.

Cautions:

No date available

Aromatherapy Uses:

Not Used in Modern Aromatherapy

Main Constituents, %
α-thujone
β-thujone
Sabinene
α-pinene
4-terpineol
Y-terpineol
α-terpinene
Myrcene
Limonene

Physical Actions

Antirheumatic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insect repellent, rubefacient, vermifuge.

Toxicity

LD₅₀ - (oral) rat >not known. (dermal) rabbit >not known.
Irritation/Sensitisation - Not available
Phototoxicity - Not available