Ways to Use Cedarwood Essential Oil
As a warm, woody essential oil, cedarwood produces an aroma that is reminiscent of the outdoors. It also promotes feelings of vitality and wellness.
Whether you are using cedarwood oil to improve skin, to keep insects at bay, or to promote vitality during a workout, the uses and benefits of this oil are almost limitless.
Chemical Components
Cedarwood essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of red cedar, which is the species that provides a very fragrant aroma and native to North America. It is also a species with an unusually long lifespan, with some trees reaching 900 years old.
Cedarwood falls under a group of chemicals known as sesquiterpenes. Essential oils that contain sesquiterpenes are commonly known for their ability to promote grounding and balance of emotions. Cedarwood oil includes the main sesquiterpene constituents cedrene, and thujopsene. These help improve the appearance of skin and promote emotional balance. Similar to vetiver, patchouli, and sandalwood oil, cedarwood is commonly known as a grounding oil because of its chemical makeup (source).
Benefits of Cedarwood Essential Oil
Promotes Emotional Balance
Known as an oil that can promote emotional balance, cedarwood is a good essential oil to diffuse at the end of a long day when you want to relax. It holds calming and grounding properties for both the mind and body, making it a popular oil for topical as well as aromatic use.
To use: use three to four drops in your favorite diffuser to enjoy the calming effects that this oil has to offer.
Boosts Energy
If you want to improve your exercise routine, cedarwood oil can provide an extra boost of energy before a workout. It is a fitting companion for any physical activity because it’s known to promote wellness and vitality.
To use: before exercising, massage one to two drops onto your chest to maintain energy throughout your workout.
Improves Skin
One study explored the skin-supporting benefits of cedrol. The results suggested that cedrol may be able to stimulate factors important to skin health and appearance, although additional studies would be needed (source).
To use: add a drop of Cedarwood essential oil to your favorite facial serum.
Repels Insects
The wood and oil from cedar are great for naturally repelling insects. That’s why cedar closets are recommended for keeping moths away from your clothes. And cedar mulch is used to keep insects away from your plants.
To use: you can create your own essential oil bug repellant formula using fractionated coconut oil and cedarwood oil (simply mix and apply to the body before going outside).
Calms the Mind
Human clinical trials have explored the effects cedrol can have on the nervous system, helping to calm the mind and body (source).
To use: add a few drops to your diffuser a half hour before bed to help quiet the mind and prepare the body to rest.
Boosts Confidence
The warm, herbaceous aroma of cedarwood oil is grounding and can help evoke feelings of wellness.
To use: diffuse two drops cedarwood oil with two drops of wintergreen oil in a diffuser.
Oils that Blend Well with Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood oil blends well with herbal oils like clary sage, woody oils like cypress, and even other spicy essential oils like frankincense. Cedarwood oil also blends well with bergamot, cinnamon bark, lemon, patchouli, sandalwood, thyme, and vetiver.
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