Cedarwood Essential Oil Uses & Benefits

Many people shy away from the deep, earthy scent of Cedarwood essential oil, though it has been used for thousands of years in a variety of ways. Clearly, we all recognize the ol’ cedar-and-moth-balls scent from our grandmother’s attic or cedar chest when she pulled out preserved treasures to share with us in our youth. And maybe we are scared to harness the power of this warm and woody base note due to its sometimes overwhelming scent. But, when used in the right amount and combined with the right complementary oils, Cedarwood just might become a new favorite in your house…especially among the male-folk! Steam-distilled directly from the wood of the mighty Red Cedar tree, Cedarwood essential oil packs a punch of sesquiterpenes that unleash a powerful grounding and balancing effect on your mind and body.

HISTORY OF CEDARWOOD

In ancient Egypt, the scent of Cedarwood permeated the land, as it was used not only in their cosmetics, but also as a natural insect repellant. It also held a stable place in the embalming process used before mummification. In Biblical times, Cedarwood represented abundance and fertility. The resin of the cedar trees has been found in remedies for both the endocrine system and the respiratory system throughout the years. Most notably, researchers began to utilize it for the treatment of bronchitis and other respiratory issues, which necessitated the essential oil in medicinal communities. Still, its brilliantly gorgeous red wood still finds popularity in the making of many closets and chests due to its natural insect-repelling properties and will probably be most famous for this throughout time.

BUG OFF!

Used for centuries as a natural insect repellant, Cedarwood can be added to your own products in a variety of ways. Gardeners will love the addition of Cedarwood to their mulch or topsoil, as the aroma will guard their precious crops from the hungry mouths of tiny predators. In addition, you can add it to your own DIY Bug Spray before gardening or any outdoor activity to keep the bugs away. The men that I know often prefer a bit of Cedarwood scent to the lighter Peppermint and Lemongrass bug spray that I love for the outdoors. In addition, don’t knock your grandma’s know-how. Adding a few drops of Cedarwood to some cotton balls and placing them in the deep recesses of closets or attics can help to keep moths at bay.

WORKOUT MAGIC

A common phrase in the essential oil community is “Cedar Chest,” meaning that Cedarwood can greatly improve your respiratory function while providing a relaxing and grounding feeling. Massaging 1-2 drops of Cedarwood into your chest with some fractionated coconut oil before a workout can amp up the power of your pumping. In addition, it will also add extra vitality to your overall workout sensation and even promote confidence if you are working out in an unfamiliar setting or in front of a crowd. After that workout, adding a few drops to your toner or moisturizer can improve the appearance of skin imperfections as well.

CALMING THE NERVES

Nervous tension due to unfamiliar surroundings or new experiences often get the best of us. The grounding and balancing effects of Cedarwood can promote your self-esteem and calm your mind and body so that you can focus. Providing emotional balance also leaves room for evoking feelings of overall wellness and vitality, and we all know that the better you feel, the more confident you become. Combining Cedarwood with Lavender, Juniper Berry, or Clary Sage can also increase the grounding calm that many of us need in those moments. It is also great as a natural odor-reducer, so be sure to add some to your DIY Deodorant recipe to help calm those nervous sweats.

BEARD OIL

All the rage these days, especially in November, men are flexing their testosterone by proudly displaying their facial hair growth. For the men in your lives, a bit of beard oil packed with tons of aromatic and topical benefits can be a fantastic gift. Combined with other essential oils, the recipe below promotes hair growth by stimulating follicles, relaxes and soothes both the skin and the mind, calms dry, flaky skin, and provides a natural insect repellant and musky scent that will ground and balance both the wearer and those around him. It is also a great addition to any shampoo or conditioner for those suffering from a dry scalp in the winter. Add this to your DIY list for the holidays!

NIGHT TERRORS

Having children waking up in the middle of the night incoherent and screaming can be too much to handle for almost every parent, especially when there is seemingly no cause and no way to stop it. Cedarwood essential oil has been known to promote feelings of peace and relaxation in a variety of circumstances, including with nightmares or night terrors. I am not saying that this will solve your problem, but calming nerves and promoting relaxation before bedtime may prevent them bubbling up through the middle of sleep and disrupting the mind-body connection at night. Also consider diffusing Cedarwood at night, and adding Lavender or Frankincense to the mix for an extra boost. As always, if you do have little ones suffering from night terrors, be sure to discuss them and essential oil usage with your trusted healthcare provider.

More than just a moth-repellant, Cedarwood essential oil can help to ground your mind and body while promoting vitality and balance. Dying to get your own Cedarwood? Contact me and we will get you started!

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