The warm, woody scent of Cedarwood oil, or Cedar oil, offers numerous benefits to the user. Not only does Cedarwood oil produce a grounding aroma that promotes feelings of vitality and wellness, it also has many applications for everyday life. Whether you are using Cedarwood oil topically or aromatically to improve skin imperfections, to keep insects at bay, or to promote vitality during a workout, the uses and benefits of this oil are almost limitless.
There are many types of cedar trees, but all are coniferous, evergreen trees from the cypress family. The red cedar tree is able to withstand extreme climates, and can tolerate most soil types. This ability may come from the cold, high altitude climates cedar trees are natively from. Depending on soil conditions, the tree can reach anywhere from 16 to nearly 100 feet high. It is also a species with an unusually long lifespan, with some trees reaching 900 years old. doTERRA Cedarwood oil comes from the wood of the species Juniperus virginiana, more commonly known as the red cedar. The red cedar is a species of juniper that provides a very fragrant aroma—making it perfect for essential oil production.
The use of cedar oil from different trees, and cedar wood in general has a long historical past. The cedar of Lebanon is thought to be one of the first essential oils extracted from nature. The Sumerians regarded the cedar tree to be the Tree of Life. Ancient tribes believed God held the energy of the Cosmos in the cedar and that the wood was sacred, gifting those worthy with power, greatness, and immortality. The Egyptians incorporated it into their embalming rituals. The Phoenicians and Assyrians even used cedar to build fleets of ships.