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by Amelia E. Hoard, RN
Common Name: Cedarwood (Red)
Synonyms: Cedarwood (Virginian)
Latin Binomial: Juniperus virginiana
Family: Cupressacae
Production Method: steam distilled from wood
Countries of Origin: USA; central Virginia, North Carolina and northern edge of South Carolina
Typical Constituents: a-Cedrene (21.1-38.0%), Thujopsene (21.3-23.4%), Cedrol (12.3-22.2%), b-Cedrene (8.2-9.2%), a-Selinene (3.0%), Widdrol (1.9-2.3%), b-Himachalene (2.1%), b-Chamigrene (1.4-1.8%), a- Chamigrene (1.6%), Cuparene (0.9-1.6%)
Description of Oil: Pale yellow to slightly orange yellow; somewhat less viscous than Atlas cedarwood. A woody, sweet balsamic scent.
Description of Plant: A slow growing evergreen tree with a narrow, dense, pyramidal crown.
History, Folklore and Myth: Highly prized wood for furniture making. Often used in insect repellents.
Properties and Uses: Antiseptic, astringent, antiseborrheic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticide, sedative.
Precautions and Contraindications: None known
References:
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Virginia, Queensland, Australia: The Perfect Potion. 1995.
Tisserand, Robert, and Tony Balacs. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. 1995.