Cedarwood Essential Oil And The Many Benefits It Offers

Cedarwood use dates back to a thousand years ago, and this powerful essential oil variant has been the mainstay in ancient civilizations, from the Egyptians, Greeks and Sumerians, to the Tibetans and other civilizations in Asia and the Middle East. Ancient Egyptians would use the oil from cedarwood trees in the embalming process, which in effect helped to keep the insects from disturbing the body. Currently cedarwood essential oil is popularly used for aromatherapy and detoxifying, as well as for massage.

The cedarwood tree is a famous icon of the past. During the time of the ancient Jews, the cedar tree was frequently mentioned in the Bible as well as the Koran, and the cedar trees of Lebanon were both symbols of a golden age, as well as a turbulent time. Well, the cedar tree of Lebanon is but one of the major types of cedar trees. Two cedar tree variants serve as a major source for cedarwood essential oil. These are the evergreen tree and the red cedar tree. Cedarwood oil had a wide array of uses during the ancient times. The ancient Egyptians used this for manufacturing perfumes and cosmetics, as well as for embalming the dead, while the early Tibetans used them for a wide range of medicinal treatments. Cedarwood oil is also popular in many Asian countries, because of its many therapeutic benefits, because it’s used for treating many infections and disorders.

Other cedarwood variants include western red cedar, which is a  red-brown, aromatic and decay-resistant wood type; northern white cedar, which is popularly used for canoe-making and constructing log cabins; and Australian red cedar, which is highly-prized for use in making furniture and ships. Cedarwood is made from the steam distillation of sawdust and woodchips. Cedarwood is a tree that’s found in cold and mountainous regions of the planet. Whether it’s harvested from any of the major cedar species, its medicinal effects and therapeutic benefits are nevertheless the same. Cedarwood is composed of beneficial components namely cedrol, widdrol, cedrene, beta cedrene, alpha cedrene and  yhujopsene, along with a group of sesquiterpenes, which are known to possess proven health and medicinal benefits.

Cedarwood is an essential oil that offers a host of proven therapeutic benefits. It’s used as a sedative, health tonic, astringent, diuretic antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agent. When this is used as a tonic, it helps to stimulate and rejuvenate the nervous system, the brain, muscles, skin and digestive system. Here’s a more thorough description of the many benefits of using cedarwood essential oil. 

- Cedarwood Treats Eczema and Other Skin Infections
This popular essential oil contains potent antifungal ingredients, which help in the treatment of a variety of skin disorders such as eczema, as well as a host of other irritating fungal infections.

- Effective As An Antiseptic
Cedarwood is also potent when used as an antiseptic. It helps protects skin wounds from germs, bacteria and tetanus. It may be applied externally on the wound, and can also be added to other herbal antiseptic creams as well.

Cedarwood contains ingredients which serve as a wonderful and natural health tonic. This oil helps to tone and enhance the body’s metabolism, and it can also tone the muscles, skin, as well as the digestive and nervous system. 

- A Potent Diuretic Too
Cedarwood is also an effective diuretic. It aid in increasing urinary frequency, and is also a wonderful medication for removing excess water, fat and toxins from the body.

- Reduces High Blood Pressure, And Fights Obesity
If you’re overweight and have high blood pressure, then you need to use cedarwood oil. This essential oil variant aids in reducing high blood pressure and wards off hypertension, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, and also reduces blood sugar levels.

Cedarwood is great for reducing all types of spasms, whether they are plain body spasm or muscle and heart-related spasms. It also calms the nerves, and soothes the senses. It also works as an astringent. This oil helps relieve toothache, swollen gums, and also strengthens the grip of the gums on the teeth. Cedarwood is also great for relieving diarrhea and gas pain.

- Cedarwood Clears Coughs And Cold
If the cold weather is making you suffer from cough, colds and flu, then it would be better if you use cedarwood oil in tandem with your usual cough and cold medications. Cedarwood helps in the quick release pf phlegm, and in relieving the respiratory tract and lungs.

If you’re having difficulty with sleeping at night, then cedarwood oil may help you sleep right. It has excellent sedative properties, which soothe, calm and allow you to relax. It also helps relieve stress, anxiety and tension, and allows you to get your normal sleeping patterns back.

- It Works Well As A Natural Insecticide
Having problems with swarms of insects and flies at home? Then why don’t you try using cedarwood oil. When used with a vaporizer, it works much like a natural insect repellent. Apart from the benefits mentioned earlier, cedarwood also effective treats dandruff, cystitis, acne, oily skin, dermatitis, arthritis, and kidney disorders. The benefits mentioned above fully illustrate why cedarwood is a popular and potent essential oil variant. However, some users need to take extra caution, because this oil may produce skin irritations in some individuals, once it’s used in high concentrations, or ingested without the advice of a physician. To maximize cedarwood’s benefits, it would be wise to use it only in required amounts or servings, and never ingest it if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.