Is Cedar Oil And Cedar Wood Oil The Same?

Cedar oil and cedar wood oil refer to essential oils derived from trees in the cedar family. The most common varieties used for essential oil production come from trees in the cypress botanical family, such as Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) and Virginia cedar (Juniperus virginiana).

Essential oils are concentrated extracts distilled from parts of plants, including bark, needles, stems, leaves, or fruits. Steam distillation is commonly used to extract and concentrate the natural oils from cedar trees to produce the essential oil.

While the terms “cedar oil” and “cedarwood oil” are sometimes used interchangeably, there are minor differences between oils derived from various cedar tree species. However, both cedar oil and cedarwood oil share refreshing woody aromas and potential therapeutic benefits.

Origins

Cedarwood oils come from various types of conifer trees in the cypress or pine botanical families. The most common species used for cedarwood oil production include:

• Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) – Native to the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco. The wood is steam distilled to extract the essential oil.
• Texas cedarwood (Juniperus mexicana) – Native to southern USA and parts of Mexico. The leaves and wood are steam distilled.
• Virginian cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) – Native to eastern USA. The wood is steam distilled for the essential oil.
• Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara) – Native to the western Himalayas. Wood is steam distilled for the essential oil.

There are many other cedar species that also produce cedarwood oils, but the above trees are the most common. The oils have slightly different chemical compositions and scent profiles depending on the specific cedar species.

Extraction Methods

Cedar oil is often extracted from sawdust or wood chips using a solvent extraction process. The wood material is soaked in a solvent such as hexane or methanol, which helps pull the aromatic oils from the wood. The solvent is then evaporated and separated from the extracted oil through distillation. This produces a highly concentrated cedar oil. The solvent extraction method allows for large quantities of cedar oil to be extracted efficiently from wood industry byproducts like sawdust.

Cedarwood oil is extracted directly from cedar wood using a process of steam distillation. Fresh cedar wood is chopped and chipped and then placed in a large distillation chamber. Steam is pumped into the chamber, which helps release the aromatic compounds from the wood. The steam and volatile oils then pass through a condenser where they are cooled and separated into cedarwood essential oil and water. This is a simpler and more natural process compared to solvent extraction. It results in a highly aromatic therapeutic-grade cedarwood oil. However, the yields from steam distillation are lower than solvent extraction.

While both extraction methods produce a fragrant cedar oil product, they differ in their source material and process. Solvent extraction pulls oils efficiently from wood industry waste, while steam distillation directly extracts from fresh-cut cedarwood to produce a pure essential oil.

Chemical Composition

The main chemical constituents of cedarwood oils vary depending on the source species of cedarwood. Here are some of the key components:

Texas cedarwood oil contains alpha-cedrene (23%), thujopsene (25-35%), beta-cedrene (5-10%), and cedrol (20% minimum) (Cedarwood oil (CASRN: 8000-27-9)).

Virginia cedarwood oil contains alpha-cedrene (15-25%), thujopsene (25-35%), and cedrol (20% minimum) as main constituents (Cedarwood oil | 8000-27-9).

The wood and leaf oils from African pencil cedar contain terpinen-4-ol (36%), sabinene (19.2%), γ-terpinene (10.4%), α-terpinene (5.5%) and myrcene (5.5%) as major components (Chemical composition of the wood and leaf oils from the “African pencil cedar”).

Aromatherapy Uses

Cedarwood essential oil is often used in aromatherapy for its calming and soothing properties. According to Healthline, inhaling cedarwood essential oil can promote relaxation and relieve stress and anxiety. The woody, earthy aroma of cedarwood can have a grounding effect. One study found that cedarwood oil helped induce sedation when inhaled by mice. The sedative effects of cedarwood oil may help improve sleep quality. Diffusing cedarwood at night or applying it topically may help people with insomnia fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply.

Cedarwood essential oil is also thought to have an uplifting effect on mood. The fresh, energizing scent can help relieve feelings of apathy and mental fatigue. For this reason, some people like to diffuse cedarwood oil in the morning or at work to increase alertness. Cedarwood oil is also sometimes blended with citrus or floral oils like bergamot, jasmine, or rose to create balancing aromatherapy blends.

According to New Directions Aromatics, cedarwood essential oil can also act as an insect repellent and air purifier when diffused. The aroma is unpleasant and unappealing to many bugs. Cedarwood oil is also effective at absorbing and removing odors due to its potent woody fragrance.

Medicinal Uses

Cedarwood essential oil has been used medicinally for centuries. It contains compounds like cedrol and thujopsene that give it anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseborrheic and antiseptic properties (Healthline). Cedarwood oil can help treat skin conditions like acne and eczema by reducing inflammation and controlling sebum production. It also has antifungal effects that may help treat fungal infections like athlete’s foot and dandruff. When inhaled, cedarwood oil can help relieve cough and congestion as it thins out mucus and phlegm. Its sedative effects can also help reduce stress and anxiety.

Cedar wood oil, which comes directly from the cedar wood itself, shares many of the same medicinal benefits of cedarwood essential oil. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat various skin ailments. Research shows it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal and insecticidal properties that could be helpful for conditions like acne, psoriasis and fungal infections (New Directions Aromatics). Cedar wood oil may also help to stimulate blood circulation when applied topically. Both cedarwood essential oil and cedar wood oil can aid respiratory ailments when inhaled.

Cosmetic Uses

Cedar wood essential oil is commonly used in cosmetics and beauty products due to its toning and rejuvenating effects. It can be added to skin care products like creams, lotions, masks, and serums thanks to its ability to promote youthful-looking skin. Some of the top cosmetic benefits of cedar wood essential oil include:

• Tightening and toning skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (https://www.lbeauxtique.com)
• Helping to clear up skin conditions like acne and eczema due to its anti-inflammatory properties (https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com)
• Balancing oily skin and controlling sebum production
• Promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss when applied to the scalp
• Moisturizing dry skin and adding radiance

Cedar oil is also commonly used in cosmetics, though its benefits are slightly different. Key cosmetic uses of cedar oil include:

• Serving as a natural insect and moth repellent
• Providing an aromatic scent in perfumes and colognes
• Acting as a natural preservative in cosmetics due to its antioxidant content

Culinary Uses

Both cedarwood oil and cedar oil have some culinary uses, though they need to be used sparingly. Cedarwood oil has a woody, balsamic aroma that can add flavor to meats, stews, and chilis. According to Everand’s Cedarwood Essential Oil User Guide, cedarwood oil is commonly used as a meat preservative and flavoring agent. It can be mixed with olive oil and used to marinate and tenderize meats before grilling or roasting. Cedarwood oil should always be diluted properly before consuming, as it is very potent.

Cedar oil, which is extracted directly from cedarwood, can also be used to flavor foods. According to research, cedar oil has been traditionally used by Native American tribes to season meats like venison and buffalo. The woodsy, smoky notes of cedar oil complement red meats well. Modern chefs use cedar oil to season and impart aroma to salmon, poultry, rice, and even cocktails. However, cedar oil is very strong and must be used in moderation – typically 1-3 drops per pound of meat or per dish. Consuming too much can cause nausea or headaches.

Other Uses

Cedarwood oil has a variety of industrial and commercial applications. It is commonly used as an insect repellent and pesticide, especially against moths, mites, roaches, and ants. The cedarwood scent naturally repels these insects. According to a 2018 report from Cornell University, cedarwood oil is an effective fungicide, molluscicide and insect repellent.

Cedarwood oil is also utilized in soaps, room sprays, cleaning products, and disinfectants for its fresh, woody aroma. It is a popular ingredient in commercial fragrances. Additionally, cedarwood oil is used to restore the scent of cedar in furniture polishes and closet sachets.

Industrially, cedarwood oil is a common ingredient in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, and stains due to its durability. It is also used commercially in microscopy work as an immersion oil.

Key Differences

Cedar oil and cedarwood oil (also known as cedar wood essential oil) come from different sources and have some important differences:

• Cedar oil is extracted from the wood of cedar trees, while cedarwood essential oil is steam distilled from leaves, branches, and wood chips of various cedar tree species.
• Cedar oil is made mainly from Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), while cedarwood oil comes primarily from Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) and Virginia cedar (Juniperus virginiana).
• Cedar oil is a commercial wood oil product often used on furniture and household items to repel moths and insects. Cedarwood oil is highly aromatic and used in aromatherapy, skin care, and fragrances.
• While cedar oil has some aromatic qualities, cedarwood essential oil contains many more volatile aromatic compounds that provide strong therapeutic benefits.
• The main chemical components of cedar oil are alpha-cedrene and thujopsene, while cedarwood oil contains sesquiterpenes like cedrol and aromatic compounds like alpha-cedrene, beta-cedrene, and thujopsene among others.
• Cedar oil is made by physically extracting oil from the wood, while cedarwood essential oil is extracted by steam distillation of the cedar wood.

In summary, while both derive from cedar trees, cedar oil is primarily a commercial wood product while cedarwood essential oil is a highly concentrated, aromatic therapeutic oil.