Cedarwood oil

Cedarwood oil

Scientific name: Cedrus deodora, Ayurveda name: Devdaru 

Oil made from the bark, needles, berries, and cones of cedar trees is commonly referred to as cedarwood oil. The woody and warm smell of this oil immediately transport one back to a rich evergreen forest brimming with flora and fauna. Apart from its aromatherapy properties, this oil has medicinal benefits like preventing headaches, respiratory problems, and even curing wounds. The oil made from cedar is used directly on the body and is incorporated into products like shampoos, candles, and deodorants as well. Native to the Himalayas, this tree is commonly found in the Mediterranean belt and parts of the USA. 

There are primarily two varieties/sources of cedarwood oil:

• Devdaru 
• Sarala Devdaru 

There are not many differences between these two varieties except for their physical appearance. 

Benefits of cedarwood oil:

• The primary quality of cedarwood is its ability to balance kapha and vata dosha which helps in preventing illnesses. 
• The topical application of this oil has a host of benefits for the skin including preventing skin diseases and microbial infections. This is described as kushtahara in Ayurveda. 
• Wounds that are infected might cause a lot of discomforts and using cedarwood oil helps prevent further infection and heals them faster. 
• Shophahara is another quality associated with cedarwood oil and it highlights the anti-inflammatory properties of this oil, its efficiency in reducing swelling, and the ability to relieve aches and pains in the body. 
• Illnesses caused by vata dosha imbalance like constipation, bloating, and even paralysis can be treated using cedarwood oil. Ayurveda refers to this property as anilahara. 

How can cedarwood oil be used?

Cedarwood essential oil is one way of incorporating this herb into one’s daily routine. Apart from using it on the skin, a few drops of cedarwood oil can be mixed with a base oil and massaged onto the scalp. Otherwise, adding a few drops of this oil to one’s shampoo and/or conditioner is also beneficial. Doing so will help prevent hair-related problems and makes one’s hair lustrous and healthy. 

While using it on the skin, a few drops of cedarwood oil can be mixed with base oils like grapeseed, neem, or sweet almond and applied onto the face. It must be left on for nearly twenty minutes before being washed off with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Doing this twice or thrice a week can help cure acne. Two or three drops of this oil can be added to bathwater to prevent sleep-related problems. 

Side effects:

There are no possible harmful side effects of using this product if one is not allergic to it. However, it is advisable to do a patch test before using this oil regularly. Children and lactating mothers can use cedarwood oil without any fear of drastic reactions. On the other hand, if pregnant women are planning on using it, they should seek advice from their physicians before doing so. It is always advisable to use organically sourced cedarwood oil for the best results.