Cedarwood is a staple.

The scent of Cedarwood essential oil will take you right into the forest. I love Cedarwood for its warm, fresh, grounding spirit. This is definitely an oil to have in your collection.

Calling it “cedarwood” is kind of vague. To be specific, Cedarwood essential oil is commonly made from Juniperus virginiana, or Virginian Cedarwood. The oil is steam distilled from the bark of the tree. It belongs to both the sesquiterpenes and the sesquiterpenol chemical families. There are two other main trees used to make “cedarwood” essential oil and these include Atlas Cedarwood (Cedrus Atlantica) and Himalayan Cedarwood (Cedrus deodara). These two other types will have different chemical components and different scents, so pay attention to what type of Cedarwood oil you are using, depending on what you are using it for. For the purposes of this blog, I am referencing Cedrus virginiana.

Cedarwood has many therapeutic benefits. It is antibacterial, astringent, anti inflammatory, a sedative for the Central Nervous System, and a decongestant, just to name a few. It is also an insecticide and is great for use as a bug repellant. Here at Pasithea’s Garden, we use Cedarwood in our bug spray!

Fun Fact: There’s a reason chests for storing clothes are often made of cedar. To keep the bugs out!

Cedarwood can be very supportive for your respiratory system. Use it in an inhaler or a steam to help with congestion, or add a few drops to an unscented lotion and massage onto your chest. It is also great in skincare and works as an astringent.

Cedarwood’s aroma is light and fresh, resinous and earthy, and as I mentioned above, grounding. In perfumery it is used as a base note. It blends well with juniper berry and cypress and with floral and herbal notes. I like to pair it with lavender and rosemary.

Energetically, Cedarwood is the Oil of Community. This oil helps us to foster bonds with friends and family and to accept the assistance of others. Cedarwood is helpful for those people who may have become too self-reliant and are hesitant to be vulnerable enough to rely on others. It can inspire a feeling of belonging and the joy of both giving and receiving. Cedarwood is a great essential oil for the Root and Sacral Chakras, and can also be a strengthening secondary oil for the Heart Chakra.