Minimum Shelf Life: 6 years
Plant Part: Leaf
Perfume Note: Top
Aroma: Coniferous, fresh, camphoraceous, slightly sweet
Blends well with: Black Pepper, Cedarwood Himalayan (Nepal), Himalayan Cypress Wood, Ginger Fresh, Sandalwood Mysore
The Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is one of the 5 genus of Cupressaceae, which are hardy coniferous trees and shrubs, two of which are native to the USA and Canada.
This red cedar leaf (Thuja plicata) essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the Western red cedar tree. It has been used for hundreds of years by the native people of the American Pacific Northwest who would use it to enhance their connections to spiritual communications within various rituals and practices. It also possesses a strong coniferous, camphor like clean/fresh aroma some say is reminiscent of
Sage Dalmatian that can help to enhance meditation; try blending with
Sandalwood Mysore for this purpose.
Our Western Red Cedar Leaf essential oil is a clear to opaque liquid which is mostly used for its disinfectant and antiseptic properties, but has numerous other applications.
Many North American Indian tribes used Thuja, not only as an aid for spiritual enlightenment, but also for making a poultice from the leaves and bark to treat rheumatic and arthritic joints, because it was found to reduce pain and inflammation. Because the essential oil should be used highly diluted perhaps try adding a drop or two in a dilution containing
Kunzea, another remarkable essential oil used with conditions of rheumatism and arthritis.
The father of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), first introduced the plants medicinal qualities to Europe in the form of a tincture, and by 1875 two German doctors (Brecher and Mohnike) wrote about the incredible healing powers of Thuja, particularly in cases concerning tumors and skin excrescences. They both noted how fast the skin would repair and heal itself with only a twice daily application of the tincture; the skin became pale and dry, inflammation would lessen, and eventually the tumors would disappear. A Dr. Leclerc prescribed it for warts, skin abnormalities and as a stimulant of the urinary tract due to Thuja's remarkable stimulant constituents.
Western Red Cedar Leaf essential oil has emmenagogue properties which can stimulate menstrual flow, so should not be used during pregnancy. However for disorders such as oligomenorrhea (infrequent or light mensis) stemming from hormonal issues Western Red Cedar Leaf essential oil may have positive effects. It has also been used as an alternative to mothballs by adding a few drops to cotton balls and placing them within closets and chests of drawers away from clothing. This oil may also help with hair-loss (alopecia), coughing, fevers, cystisis and STD's.
Historically The Western Red Cedar has been referred to as 'The Tree of Life' but should never be used internally. Since the oil's Thujone content is so high, it is advised to use very sparingly and dilute with good carrier oils before any topical use.
When Cedar Leaf, Western Red Thuja essential oil is used in a diffuser the effects are very calming and may enhance spiritual awareness and meditation.
*This leaf derived essential oil is not to be confused with the bark derived Canadian red cedar oil, which is also Thuja plicata and commonly called Western Red Cedarwood.