Essential Oils

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 Cedarwood Atlas- Cedrus atlantica - Essential Oils 

Family. Pinaceae

Synonyms: Atlantic cedar, Atlas cedar, African cedar, Moroccan cedarwood (oil), libanol (oil).

General Description: Pyramid shaped evergreen tree with a majestic stature, up to 40 metres high. The wood itself is hard and strongly aromatic, due to the high percentage of essential oil which it contains.

Distribution: Native to the Atlas mountains of Algeria; the oil is mainly produced in Morocco.

Other Species:Believed to have originated from the famous Lebanon cedars (c.libani), which grow wild in Lebanon and on the island of Cyprus. It is also a close botanical relation to the Himalayan deodar cedarwood {C.deodora),which produces a very similar essential oil.

(NB the oil is quite different from the Texas or Virginia cedarwood.)

Herbal/Folk Tradition: The oil from the Lebabon cedar was possibly the first to be extracted, it was used by the ancient Egyptians for embalming purposes, cosmetics and perfumery. The oil was one of the ingredients of 'mithridat', a renowned poison antidote that was used for centuries. The Lebanon cedar was prized as a building wood, its odour repelled ants, moths, and other harmful insects, as does the oil from the Atlas cedar;

Traditionally, the oil was used in the East for bronchial and urinary tract infections, as a preservative and as an incense. It i still used as a temple incense by the Tibetans, and is employed in their traditional medicine.

Actions:Antiseptic, antiputrescent, antiseborrheic, aphrodisiac, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, fungicidal, mucolytic, sedative (nervous), stimulant (circulatory), tonic.

Extraction: Essential oil by steam distillation from the wood, stumps and sawdust. A resinoid and absolute are also produced in small quantities.

Characteristics: A yellow, orange or deep amber viscous oil with a warm, camphoraceous top note and sweet tenacious, woddy-balsamic undertone. It blends well with rosewood, bergamot, boronia, cypress, calamus , cassie, costus, jasmine, juniper, neroli, mimosa, labdanaum, oilbanum, clary sage, vetiver, rosemary, ylang ylang, orential and floral bases.

Safety Data: Non-toxic, non irritant, non-sensitizing. Best avoided during pregnancy.

Aromatherapy/Home Use: Skin Care:Acne, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema,fungal infections, greasy skin, hair loss, skin eruption, ulcers.

Circulation: Muscles and joints: Arthritis, rheumatism.

Respiratory System:Bronchitis, catarrh, congestion, coughs.

Genito-Urinary System:Cystitis, leucorrhoea-related conditions.

Other uses: Fragrance component and fixative in cosmetics and household products, soaps,detergents, etc, as well as in perfumes, especially men's fragrances.

Reference: The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: Julia Lawless

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