Cedarwood Atlas Essential Oil

Cedarwood Atlas

Cedarwood Atlas Cedrus atlantica The name cedar originated from the Arabic ‘kedron’ meaning ‘power’, which reflects the physical strength of the wood. The image of power, however, is most appropriate when linked to the action of cedarwood on emotions. Several oils are known by the name of cedarwood but the Atlas Cedar Cedrus atlantica is the most commonly used in aromarherapy, and is thought to have originated from the famous Lebanese cedar Cedrus libani. Himalayan cedar Cedrus deodara is botanically and therapeutically very similar, and is used extensively within Tibetan medicine or as an aid for meditation, but is not widely available in the West. The Atlas cedar is native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, and is a broad, pyramid-shaped tree which can grow up to 40m. An evergreen, with wide-spreading branches, the whole tree is fragrant due to its high percentage of aromatic compounds. The trees in Morocco are mostly grown for the production of essential oil, which is obtained through steam distillation, although very small quantities of the wood are used locally for furniture. Prior to distillation, the cedarwood is pulped or shredded to gain access to the secretory canals of the tree, which hold its aromatic essence. The oil extracted is a rich yellow to deep amber and is slightly viscous. A resinoid and absolute are also produced in small quantities for perfumery purposes. It has a warm, almost camphoraceous top note with a sweet, woody, deeper note. Although it has a more piercing odour than sandalwood, it’s fragrance is not harsh or aggressive. Since the days of King Solomon the wood has been highly prized for building because of its great strength, resistance to decay, and insect-repelling odour. The ancient Egyptians smeared cedarwood over the papyrus on which they wrote as well as using it as an ingredient in the mummification process to prevent the putrefaction of the body, while the ancient Mediterranean nations coveted the beautiful cedar trees native to Lebanon and Cypress. Around 1100BC, one of the early rulers of Mesopotamia left written records descriping the cedar and box trees that he brought back from the lands he had conquered.

Although the trees do not appear to have been part of the religious rituals of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, they revered the gifts of food, timber and shade that they gave. At the time, one of the more vengeful acts of war was to cut down an enemy’s trees. From ancient times cedars also featured prominently in parks and gardens, most famously in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon — one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The appeal of cedars as garden or park trees grew, and by 1659 the cedar of Lebanon had arrived in England, becoming a feature in many of the large estates across the country. George Washington, the first president of the United States, ordered cedars along with holly and pine to he planted at Mount Vernon, his estate on the Potomac River. Visitors to Lebanon in the 185 remarked that while many of the cedars growing in forests below the snow line of the mountains were no more than a hundred years old, others were undoubtedly as old as the Christian era, if not the age of Solomon. In modern Lebanon, cedarwood forests have been all but lost, although efforts to reestablish significant plantings of the trees are currently in progress. Compared with some essential oils, such as geranium or clary sage, which have hundreds of chemical constituents, cedarwood has a relitively simple chemical profile but has a 'sting' in its tail, which requires the oil to he used with care. Some of the chemical constituents are members of the ketone family, which can be toxic, and detrimental in pregnancy. The oil should not he used by women who are breast feeding, or for babies or small children. The predominant properties of cedarwood are antiseptic, antibacterial and wound healing, which make it very suitable for treating infected skin conditions on the face, body or scalp such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Tea tree oil enhances its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and the addition of lavender, geranium or bergamot essential oil also support its healing action. Cedarwood is also known for its decongestant properties. To help clear mucus from the respirarory tract, add frankincense, juniper berry, or eucalyptus oil to cedarwood oil. Add a couple of drops to 2tsp of carrier oil for a chest rub, or add a few drops directly to boiling water for an inhalation. The oil can fortify and strengthen at times of stress or emotional pressure, low self-esteem, or when there is a sense of disorientation following a crisis. At such times, what is needed is neither stimulation nor relaxation, but something that helps to maintain a sense of mental and emotional equilibrium. This is where the balancing effects of cedarwood can he really useful, particularly when blended with geranium, juniperberry, thyme or ylang ylang essential oil. Adulteration: There is substantial adulteration and blending among cedarwood oils and there is no demarcation between the commercial Cedarwood oils, although there is a botanical difference between the species and one of the cedarwoods (Texas) is even in a different family. GRAS Status: Properties, Indications and Uses: Properties: () Indicated for: () Uses: () Toxicity: LD50 - (oral) rat >5g/kg; (dermal) rabbit >5g/kg. Irritation/Sensitisation - Nil at 8% (Human) Phototoxicity - Nil reported Perfumery Uses:

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