Cedarwood oil benefits are well known to mankind since ancient times. Cedarwood Oil was employed for relieving several health conditions and to refresh the air. It is an important plant essential oil, and can be used as a sedative, expectorant and antiseptic.

Cedarwood oil is light yellow to orange and is viscous. It is extracted from the wood chips and sawdust of various cedarwood species. There are basically three types of cedarwood trees which are used for extracting the oil. One is the evergreen tree Cedrus atlantica, which is known as the true cedar. Another is the Juniperus virginiana, which is popularly known as red cedar. The third is the majestic Cedrus Deodora, from the Himalayas, King of Cedars, and resembles the Cedar of Lebanon. In ancient times, it was the Cedars of Lebanon that were used in construction of Solomon's Temple. The wood chips and sawdust of these trees are steam distilled to extract the cedarwood essential oil.

Uses of Cedarwood Oil: Ancient and Modern
Cedarwood was of immense importance to the ancient world. It was the oil used by the ancient Egyptians for embalming the dead bodies during mummification. For the ancient Sumerian, it was the base for paint. Greeks also used cedarwood oil for preserving dead bodies. The Asian countries used Cedarwood oil for treating urinary tract infection and infection of the lungs and respiratory tract.

In Tibet, cedarwood oil is still a part of traditional medicine, and is used as incense in the temples. In the modern world, cedarwood oil has found applications as a bug repellent, sedative, expectorant, an ingredient in herbal antiseptic creams and an important aromatherapy oil. Cedarwood oil is used for repelling and other insects. Insect repellant is one one of the most popular uses of this oil.

Health Benefits of Cedarwood Essential Oil
Cedarwood oil is an essential oil, with a soothing, woody and spicy aroma. It has detoxifying properties and is widely used in aromatherapy, when combined with other oils. The sedative effect of the oil helps the body and the mind to relax. Due to this quality, cedarwood oil helps in relieving stress, anxiety, insomnia and depression. One of the most important cedarwood oil benefits is that it provides significant relief in nasal and respiratory congestion by helping to expel the phlegm and mucus from the lungs and the respiratory tract. These health benefits of cedarwood oil can be attributed to its expectorant quality.

This oil is known for many other therapeutic benefits due to its antiseptic, antispasmodic, fungicidal, anti seborrhoeic, astringent and emenagogue properties. Due to its anti seborrhoeic properties, it can regulate sebum production and hence, can prove quite beneficial for oily skin and acne. The same property makes it an effective home remedy for seborrheic eczema, caused by the excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands. Cedarwood oil can also be used for minor cuts or wound, as it is a natural antiseptic and healing agent.

Many people have used cedarwood oil for hair, finding considerable reduction in hair fall, and premature graying of hair. Dandruff often also responds to cedarwood oil. For women, cedarwood oil can ensure regular menstrual periods. It often relieve the discomforts like nausea and fatigue that usually accompany menstruation. Apart from these cedarwood benefits, the oil can improve over all health by improves metabolism while it promotes digestion and nerve health. Other important cedarwood oil benefits include relieving toothache, dermitis, skin rash, join pain and redness, spasms of the respiratory system, bronchial infections, muscle spasms, kidney disorders, hypertension, cystitis, arthritic conditions and gout.

No doubt, that with so many health benefits, cedarwood oil has found a wide range of applications in human society since ancient times. However, cedarwood oil and other essential oils should not be taken internally without consulting an appropriate health professional. Generally, essential oils are applied on the skin along with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. If used in higher concentration, cedarwood oil can cause skin irritation. Therefore, to realize the cedarwood oil benefits, it has be used with appropriate care and in the required amount under the guidance of a qualified care giver. Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid this oil.