What is Cedarwood Essential Oil? 8 Cedarwood Essential Oil Uses to Try
What is cedarwood essential oil good for? Perhaps, a better question is what isn’t cedarwood essential oil good for? When it comes to versatility, few oils can contend with cedarwood. Seemingly, this essential oil does it all, and we’re going to highlight our 8 favorite uses for cedarwood essential oil.
By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll see why so many individuals keep a bottle (or multiple bottles!) of cedarwood stocked in their arsenal. From managing pain to repelling insects, cedarwood oil uses are vast and numerous!
What is Cedarwood Essential Oil?
Cedarwood essential oil is derived from the wood of the Cedar tree and has a rich, woody, and balsamic aroma. There are many species of Cedar trees, but the essential oil is typically extracted from the Atlas Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), Himalayan Cedarwood (Cedrus deodara), or Virginian Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) trees.
Cedarwood oil has been used for centuries for its various therapeutic benefits and has a rich history in many cultures; having even been used in some cultures for the mummification process. Even though some of these ancient practices are no longer in use, many holistic remedies still include this powerhouse oil.
What is Cedarwood Essential Oil Good For? 8 Cedarwood Essential Oil Uses to Try
Now – what is cedarwood essential oil good for exactly? Why does this oil belong in your cabinet? Below, we’ll highlight 8 cedarwood essential oil uses you can try yourself.
Naturally Repels Insects
Whether you’re looking for an essential oil to get rid of ants or you’d like to keep the mosquitos at bay, you can count on cedarwood. In fact, we consider this to be one of the absolute best essential oils for repelling bugs. And we’re not the only ones who think that – this oil is used in many commercial & DIY pesticides for a reason!
All of this is possible because the oil contains natural compounds, such as cedrol and alpha-humulene, which are toxic to insects. The strong scent of cedarwood oil also acts as a natural repellent for pests like mosquitoes, flies, and ticks.
To use cedarwood oil as a natural insect repellent, simply mix a few drops of the oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to your skin or clothing. Additionally you may also like to bring your diffuser out on the back patio or porch and let it work its magic. If it’s too late and you’ve already gotten eaten alive by mosquitos or other pests, checkout our article on the best oil for bug bites.
Relieves Anxiety & Stress
Perhaps, one of the best uses for cedarwood essential oil is to help calm an anxious mind and alleviate stress. This oil has calming and grounding properties that promotes feelings of relaxation.
The reason this is one of the best essential oils for stress and anxiety can be attributed to the presence of cedrol, which is a natural sedative. To use Cedarwood oil for anxiety relief, add a few drops of the oil to a diffuser in your office, bedroom, or any other space you are in, or apply it topically to key trigger points and feel a sense of calm overtake you immediately.
Aids in Respiratory Issues
Perhaps, you’re currently struggling with a cold or some other respiratory issue, or you’d like to be prepared by getting the best essential oils for flu season.
Cedarwood oil has natural expectorant properties, which are properties that can help break down phlegm and mucus in the lungs. This results in congestion being cleared up and other cold symptoms being alleviated.
In addition to those properties, cedarwood oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the respiratory system. To use cedarwood oil for respiratory issues, add a few drops of the oil to a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam, or apply the oil topically to your chest and throat. To supercharge cedarwood, combine it with a few of the other best essential oil for sickness.
Promotes Hair Growth
If you’ve been struggling with hair loss, it can take a serious toll on your mental health. The good news? Cedarwood oil can help! It stimulates new hair growth by improving blood circulation to the scalp. Cedarwood oil also helps balance oil production in the scalp, which can help reduce dandruff and other scalp conditions.
What’s more, cedarwood’s anti-inflammatory properties can help fight free radicals at the scalp that inhibit hair growth and lead to hair loss. Finally, the oil has natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, which can help prevent scalp infections that can lead to hair loss.
To use Cedarwood oil for hair growth, mix a few drops of the oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or jojoba oil, and massage it into your scalp.
Improves Skin Health
The properties of cedarwood lend themselves to acne treatment – from helping you manage general skin irritation to treating acne. Likewise, we consider this powerful oil to be one of the very best essential oils for skin!
The reason it works so well is that cedarwood oil is a naturally-occurring astringent that can help control oil production, reduce inflammation, and prevent acne breakouts. Additionally, it also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, which can help prevent infection in acne-prone skin. Cedarwood oil is especially effective in treating acne caused by hormonal imbalances.
To use Cedarwood oil for acne treatment, mix a few drops of the oil with a carrier oil and apply it to your skin after cleansing. It’s that easy to use cedarwood to attain perfect skin!
Soothes Muscle Pain
We recently wrote an article on the best essential oil for sore muscles, and as you may have already guessed, cedarwood was one of our top picks.
Cedarwood oil has natural analgesic properties that can help soothe sore muscles and joints. This oil also helps improve blood circulation to the affected area, which can help reduce inflammation and pain. Excitingly enough, not only can you use it for muscle soreness, you can use it as one of the best essential oils for arthritis. Cedarwood oil is also effective in reducing muscle spasms and cramps (meaning its one of the best essential oils for period cramps, too!).
To use Cedarwood oil for sore muscles, mix a few drops of the oil with a carrier oil and massage it into the affected area.
Naturally Deodorizes
Have you ever considered using essential oils as deodorant? If not, you are missing out. They work incredibly well and help you avoid common chemicals in traditional anti-perspirants and deodorants that are linked to serious complications making this yet another possible use for cedarwood essential oil. In fact, many commercial products use cedarwood scent in their formulation!
Cedarwood is also considered to be one of the best essential oils for cleaning air in the home or office – just add it to a diffuser and let it purify your air.
Enhancing Sleep
Rounding out the list of uses for cedarwood is sleep enhancement. The sedative properties of this powerful oil can improve sleep quality and alleviate insomnia. It helps promote relaxation and calmness, which can make it easier to not only fall asleep – but also stay asleep all night long!
Cedarwood oil also helps regulate the production of melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates your Circadian rhythm.
To use Cedarwood oil for sleep improvement, add a few drops of the oil to a diffuser or mix it with a carrier oil and apply it to your skin before bed.
Are There Any Risks Associated With These Cedarwood Essential Oil Uses?
Now that you know all about the various uses of cedarwood oil, are there any risks you need to be aware of? When used as directed, cedarwood is quite safe – as are most essential oils. Issues may arise when you try to use the oil not as directed.
For example, failing to dilute the oil when applying it topically can result in skin irritation. Similarly, attempting to ingest cedarwood oil is not recommended – as internal use can result in toxicity.
The good news is that below, we’ll talk about how to use cedarwood essential oil safely to eliminate these risks and help you enjoy peace of mind when incorporating this oil into your daily life.
How to Use Cedarwood Essential Oil: Topical Application vs Aromatherapy Diffuser
Topical Application
Applying essential oils topically is one of the best ways to achieve targeted benefits fast. This is the way you’d want to use cedarwood for skin-related concerns or hair growth. But, you can also apply the oil topically for essentially any other use – from stress/anxiety relief to insomnia, muscle pain, and more.
The key is to dilute cedarwood with a carrier oil to prevent any sort of skin irritation. A few popular options include argan oil, coconut oil, or almond oil. Before actually applying the oil to your skin, do a small patch test on one area.
Our guide on mixing oils will help you feel more confident in actually blending your recipe together. When in doubt, you can always reach out to us directly at Revive – we’re passionate about helping you experience all the benefits cedarwood has to offer!
Aromatherapy Diffuser
There are countless aromatherapy diffuser benefits – but it really boils down to the ability to safely breathe in the therapeutic properties of essential oils over an extended period of time. This means you can harness the power of cedarwood in the office throughout the work day, while you’re in bed sleeping, in the kitchen cooking, in the living room relaxing – you name it.
Using cedarwood this way is far easier, too. Simply fill your diffuser with water, add a few drops of cedarwood, turn it on, and let the diffuser handle the rest.
If you don’t already have one of these, you can get one at Revive – the #1 place to buy diffusers for essential oils. Not sure where to start? Read our article on the different essential oil diffuser types to find the right pick, and then read our article on the best essential oil diffusers for a product recommendation. Again – when in doubt, reach out to us directly!
Ready to Try These Cedarwood Essential Oil Uses Yourself and Experience All it Has to Offer?
There you have it – all the various uses for cedarwood essential oil. Now that we’ve answered your question – what is cedarwood essential oil good for – there’s just one thing left to do. Head over to Revive and get a few bottles so you can try out some of these uses yourself!
We’re the most trusted source for anyone looking to buy essential oils online – whether you want USDA organic essential oils, roller oils, essential oil blends, or to create your own essential oil set. If you want to stock up, you can count on us as your wholesale essential oil distributor too – getting the best oils at the best prices.
With over 1,000 five-star reviews, you can rest assured you’re getting the natural, high-quality cedarwood oil you deserve. And you’re just a few clicks away from experiencing all the cedarwood essential oil uses yourself – so what are you waiting for?
