Cedar
|
Botanical Name |
Thuja occidentalis |
|
Family |
Cupressaceae |
|
Other Names |
American arborvitae, cedarleaf, eastern white cedar, northern white cedar, swamp cedar, tree of life, white cedar |
|
Description |
Coniferous evergreen tree/shrub up to 20m/65ft tall slow growing. Bark reddish/brown peeling Green needles |
|
Native to |
North America |
|
Cultivated in |
France |
|
Parts used |
Leaves, twigs |
|
Cultivation |
Well drained soil, sunny position |
|
Harvesting |
All year around but best in summer |
|
Actions |
Antirheumatic, anthelmintic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insect repellent, rubefacient, stimulant, tonic, vermifuge |
|
Extraction |
Steam distillation of leaves, twigs and bark |
|
Constituents |
Volatile oil: thujone (up to 60%), isothujone, borneol, bornyl acetate, l-fenchone, limonene, camphor, sabinene, 1-alpha-thujone, pinene Lignans: deoxypodophyllotoxin, isopicrodoxypodiphyotoxin, deoxypodorhizome, isopimaric acid and derivatives Polysaccharides and mucilage Flavonoids, tannins |
|
Other Notes |
Trees should be at least 15 years old before oil is produced from them Used as an incense by ancient civilisations for rituals If the tree loses one of its limbs it is said there will be a death in the family |
|
Caution |
Avoid during pregnancy |
Cedar Himalayan
|
Botanical Name |
Cedrus deodara |
|
Family |
Pinaceae |
|
Other Names |
Deodar |
|
Description |
Large evergreen up to 85cm. Branches :spreading Leaves: needle like, dark green, silver sheen, in whorls. Male cones –cylindrical Female cones: ovoid both up to 12cm long |
|
Native to |
Himalayas |
|
Parts Used |
Bark, heartwood, leaves |
|
Constituents |
Essential oil –sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, beta himachalene, alpha himachalene, himachol, atlantone, p-methylacetophenone Stem bark: Flavonoids –deodarin, taxifolin, quercetin |
Cedarwood – Atlas
|
Botanical Name |
Cedrus atlantica |
|
Family |
Pinaceae |
|
Other Names |
African cedar, Atlantic cedar, Atlas cedar, libanol Moroccan Cedarwood |
|
Description |
Pyramid shaped evergreen tree up to 40m/130ft tall, produces cones Foliage: deep green – blue/green |
|
Native to |
Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon, Cypress |
|
Cultivated in |
Britain |
|
Cultivation |
Dry, limey soil. Prefers to be out of the wind |
|
Actions |
Antiseptic, antiputrescent, antiseborrheic, aphrodisiac, astringent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, fungicidal, insecticidal, mucolytic, sedative, stimulant, tonic |
|
Extraction |
Steam distillation of wood |
|
Constituents |
Atlantone, caryophyllene, cedrol, cadinene, Cedrene, cedrenol |
|
Combines with |
Bergamot, cypress, frankincense, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, neroli, rose, rosemary, rosewood,, vetiver, ylang ylang |
|
Note |
Base |
|
Skin |
Acne, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, fungal infections, greasy skin, hair loss, ulcers |
|
Circulatory, muscle joint |
Arthritis, rheumatism |
|
Respiratory |
Bronchitis, catarrh, coughs |
|
Genito-urinary |
Cystitis, leucorrhoea, pruritis |
|
Nervous system |
Nervous tension, stress |
|
Other Uses |
Fragrances, coffins |
|
Other Notes |
The oil was used in “mithridat” a renowned poison antidote Used in Tibetan temples Cedar is derived from the Arabic kedron meaning power |
|
Caution |
Do not use if pregnant |
Cedarwood – Texas
|
Botanical Name |
Juniperus ashei |
|
Family |
Cupressaceae |
|
Other Names |
J. mexicana, Mexican cedar, Mexican juniper, mountain cedar, rock cedar, |
|
Description |
Evergreen tree up to 7m/23ft tall, green needles. Tends to be crooked or twisted |
|
Native to |
USA, Mexico, Central America |
|
Actions |
Antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, stimulant |
|
Extraction |
Steam distillation of wood |
|
Constituents |
Cedrene, cedrol, thujopsene, sabinene |
|
Traditional uses |
Native Indians use it for skin rashes |
|
Skin |
Acne, dandruff, eczema, insect repellent, oily skin, psoriasis |
|
Circulatory, muscle joint |
Arthritis, rheumatism |
|
Respiratory |
Bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis |
|
Genito-urinary |
Cystitis, leucorrhoea |
|
Nervous system |
Nervous tension, stress |
|
Other Uses |
Insect repellent, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes |
|
Caution |
Dilute and use in moderation. Avoid in pregnancy |
Cedarwood – Virginia
|
Botanical Name |
Juniperus virginiana |
|
Family |
Cupressaceae |
|
Other Names |
Bedford cedarwood, eastern red cedar, southern red cedar, Red cedar |
|
Description |
Coniferous evergreen tree up to 33m/108ft |
|
Native to |
North America |
|
Actions |
Abortifacient, antiseborrheic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, balsamic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticide, sedative, stimulant |
|
Extraction |
Steam distillation of sawdust and shavings |
|
Constituents |
Up to 80% Cedrene, 3-14% cedrol, cedrenol |
|
Skin |
Acne, dandruff, eczema, insect repellent, oily skin, psoriasis |
|
Circulatory, muscle joint |
Arthritis, rheumatism |
|
Respiratory |
Bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis |
|
Genito-urinary |
Cystitis, leucorrhoea |
|
Nervous System |
Nervous tension, stress |
|
Other Uses |
Insect repellent, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes |
|
Caution |
Dilute and use in moderation. Avoid in pregnancy |