Guide to Himalayan Cedarwood Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Himalayan cedarwood essential oil (Cedrus deodara) is closely related to atlas cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) and has many of the same uses and benefits. In India, where the oil has many traditional uses, it is called deodar cedarwood, deodara, or devdaru.

Basic Himalayan Cedarwood Facts

Plant family: Pinaceae

Production: Steam distilled from the tree's wood.

Aroma: Woody, balsamic, with camphoraceous undertones. The scent is similar to atlas cedarwood, but without the pronounced sweetness, and with a stronger dry-woody note, according to Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Volume I.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Base to middle.

Is this essential oil safe to use during pregnancy? Sources vary. Consult a professional.

Is Himalayan cedarwood essential oil safe for children? Yes, ages 2+, according to Plant Therapy.

Main components:

• alpha-himachalene 20–30%
• alpha-cedrene      12–16%
• beta-himachalene   8–13%
• (E)-alpha-atlantone 5–7%
• deodarone          4–6%

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition

Himalayan Cedarwood Essential Oil Benefits

The Aromatherapy Companion (Shutes): Himalayan cedarwood has affinity for the skin and musculoskeletal systems:

• For oily skin conditions and acne, use this essential oil in a cleanser, gel, facial serum, cream, toner, or body butter.
• To relieve muscle aches, pains, and tension, use the oil in a body oil, lotion, or gel.

The oil also helps relieve stress, anxiety, irritability, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Use it in a personal inhaler, bath, or roll-on.

Plant Therapy: Himalayan cedarwood is grounding and relaxing and promotes mental focus and clarity. The oil supports healthy hair and skin (blend into your shampoo, conditioner, or hair mask), helps balance oily skin, and supports a healthy respiratory system.

Aromatherapeutic Blending: Himalayan cedarwood oil is traditionally used to help relieve respiratory, skin, and urinary conditions. Other indications for the oil include restless mind and musculoskeletal pain, inflammation, tension, and spasm. The book suggests blending the following essential oils with Himalayan cedarwood:

• To relieve muscle tension and pain: cypress, juniper berry, Virginian cedarwood, camphor ct. nerolidol, frankincense, myrrh, or ylang ylang.
• To calm agitation or a restless mind: bergamot, mandarin, ginger, lavender, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, nagarmotha, vetiver, or ylang ylang.

Insect Repellent

A number of sources state Himalayan cedarwood repels insects. For a personal insect repellent, Salvatore Battaglia suggests blending the oil with 1,8-cineole-rich eucalyptus, lemon-scented eucalyptus, citronella, spike lavender, niaouli, peppermint, or tea tree essential oil.

Deodara in Ayurveda

Marma Points of Ayurveda: Deodara pacifies vata and kapha. The oil's virya (energy) is heating. The rasa (taste) and vipaka (aftertaste) are both pungent. This essential oil is grounding, relaxes muscles, and sedates nerves. Combine deodora with sandalwood oil to open blocked chakras. You can apply this blend to all chakras for meditation and chakra atonement.

Ayurveda & Aromatherapy states the essential oil balances all doshas and that the rasa is sweet, bitter, and pungent. This calming and elevating oil may help relieve depression and is very helpful for reducing breathing problems, especially bronchial congestion. Tissues that the oil most affects are endocrine system, nerve, respiratory, and urinary tract. Indications include headache, urinary infection, and arthritis.

Himalayan Cedarwood Essential Oil Uses and Blends

Respiratory Uses

To help open airways and reduce coughing, add a few drops of Himalayan Cedarwood to a carrier oil and rub onto your chest.

Diffuser or Inhaler Blend for Better Breathing

• 5 drops Himalayan cedarwood
• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil

Make a personal aromatherapy inhaler or diffuse the blend according to your diffuser's instructions. Source: Eden's Garden 

Cough Ease Roller Blend

• 3 drops Himalayan cedarwood
• 3 drops black spruce essential oil
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• Jojoba oil
• 10-ml roller bottle

Add essential oils to roller bottle and top off with jojoba oil. Roll onto chest and back for respiratory support. (5% dilution) Source: Loving Essential Oils

Body and Skin Care Uses

Sugar Scrub

Use this scrub to exfoliate skin and smooth its appearance.

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) jojoba oil
• 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) sesame oil
• 6 drops Himalayan cedarwood
• 4 drops geranium essential oil
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 10 drops cypress essential oil
• 12 drops tangerine essential oil

1. Stir together sugar, jojoba oil, and sesame oil.
2. Drop in essential oils. Stir to combine.
3. Use on wet skin as a last step in the shower. Gently massage 1 tablespoon at a time over the entire body. Rinse off the sugar.

Note: To avoid contamination, use a spoon to scoop out the scrub to avoid getting the remaining scrub wet. Source: Eden's Garden

Nourishing Body Oil

• 2 drops Himalayan cedarwood
• 2 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 4 drops geranium essential oil
• 6 drops frankincense essential oil
• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• Argan oil

Add the essential oils to a 2-ounce glass bottle. Fill the bottle with argan oil. Cap and shake. Use after shower or bath. Source: Eden's Garden

Energizing Body Oil

• 3 drops Himalayan cedarwood
• 4 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Source: 10 Recipes with Himalayan Cedarwood

Diffuser Uses

Diffuse Himalayan cedarwood to help lessen feelings of stress, relax the mind, or improve focus and self-awareness. This oil can help you feel grounded as you connect with expanded aspects of yourself, according to Aromatics.

Meditation Diffuser Blend

• 6 drops Himalayan cedarwood
• 7 drops lime essential oil
• 12 drops frankincense essential oil

Use a few drops of the blend according to your aromatherapy diffuser's instructions.

Source: "10 Recipes with Himalayan Cedarwood"

Buy essential oils from Aromatics International (recommended).

Rocky Mountain Essential Oils.

Become a Certified Aromatherapist.

Aromatherapy for Massage Therapists.

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Photo Credit: Paul Evans from London, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons