From steam distillation of the wood chips of the Cedrus atlantica tree, family of the Pinaceae, the essential oil of cedar wood is obtained. This essential oil is characterized by interesting cosmetic properties for skin and hair and a beneficial action for the mind. Now let's see the applications and properties of this essential oil that should not be used during pregnancy.
Insomnia and stress
The essential oil of cedar contains cedrol, a substance that, according to scientific studies (Kagawa et al, Planta Med, Jul 2003 - Zhang et al, Physiol Behav, May 2018), is calming, anxiolytic and sedative. Therefore, the essential oil of cedar wood results useful in cases of anxiety, stress but also insomnia. In fact, this essence helps promote good sleep, both in young people and in the elderly, both in healthy people and in case of senile dementia (Takeda et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, Mar 2017). You can try to pour a couple of drops of essential oil of cedar wood under the pillow, in case of problems to fall asleep or disturbed sleep. Alternatively, to fight stress and nervousness, you can pour a few drops of essential oil on a handkerchief and breathe the aroma during the day or spread the essence in the room with an essential oil burning lamp.
Acne
The essential oil of cedar wood can have beneficial effects in case of acne, even the most resistant to treatments and medicines (Hassoun et al, J Altern Complement Med., Mar 2016). Try to add 1 drop of cedarwood essential oil to the face mask obtained by mixing ventilated green clay and water. This mask should be applied to a clean face and left on for 10 minutes, then it should be well rinsed. This treatment will help to remove impurities, bacteria but also to rebalance sebum production. Alternatively, you can add a drop of essential oil of cedar wood to a little face cream and apply the product.
Hair health
The essential oil of cedar wood was the subject, along with three other essential oils such as lavender, thyme and rosemary, of a study (Hay et al, Arch Dermatol, Nov 1998) that had the purpose to understand the benefits of aromatherapy in case of alopecia areata, a type of alopecia in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles causing hair loss. Well, a daily massage of a lotion given by a carrier plant based oil to which these essential oils were added has been shown to be able to counteract this disorder in about half of the study participants. You can add 2 drops of essential oil of cedar wood to a tablespoon of your shampoo and use to gently rub the scalp, then rinse the head with abundant water. Alternatively, you can add 2 drops of cedarwood essential oil and 2 drops of lavender essential oil to a tablespoon of a plant based oil, such as grapeseed or jojoba oil. Massage the lotion on damp skin of the scalp and leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse with the shampoo. This treatment is useful to balance sebum production and to fight dandruff and brittle hair.
