1/3 oz

Cedrus atlantica

Certified Organic

Wood, Steam Distilled, France

Cedar oil is grounding and helps one feel more stabilized. It can be used to combat stress, tension and aggressive tendencies. It is antiseptic and useful for respiratory and urinary infections. It is also astringent and good for oily skin, acne, dandruff, and itchy skin conditions. Moroccan Atlas cedar oil is valued for its ability to stimulate circulation and metabolism. It counteracts the storage of excess moisture and fat in tissue and stimulates their elimination. It is best to avoid Cedar oil during pregnancy. 

Atlas Cedarwood essential oil has wide applications in aromatherapy as well as natural perfumery. It is said to be an aphrodisiac with an aroma that could be described as masculine but it appeals to both men and women. And because its aroma has a grounding quality, it is often found in meditation blends.

Besides Atlas Cedarwood, the common names for Cedrus atlantica are Atlas Cedar, Atlantic Cedar, African Cedar, and Moroccan Cedarwood (oil).1 It is a large, aromatic tree native to the Atlas Mountains of Algeria although essential oil production is done almost entirely in Morocco; it is thought to originate from the famous Lebanon cedars that grow wild in Lebanon and the island of Cyprus.2 Revered for millennia, Atlas Cedarwood has been used for embalming purposes, building material, medicines, cosmetics, and perfumery and is considered to be one of the earliest incense materials.3

Please be careful when purchasing cedar essential oil. Atlas Cedarwood and Himalayan Cedarwood are the safest to use therapeutically, have a more balsamic aroma, and are the only true cedars typically available. Texas Cedarwood and Virginia Cedarwood are actually junipers and although quite useful, are different in aroma and therapeutic value. Also, Cedar Leaf oil (Thuja occidentalis, also known as American arborvitae, Eastern arborvitae, Eastern white cedar, swamp cedar, or Northern white cedar4,5) is from a type of cypress that is best used very carefully or not at all due to its toxicity.6

Aromatic Profile: Very rich, sweet, woody, warm and balsamic; displays good tenacity in the drydown.

Appearance: Light yellow, clear, transparent, slightly viscous, mobile liquid.

Use: Aromatherapy, Natural Perfumery.

 Blending Suggestions: Dilute and add drop by drop to your blends until the desired effect is achieved.

Blends Well With: Bergamot, Boronia, Cassie, Cinnamon, Cistus, Clary Sage, Cypress, Fir,  Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Juniper, Labdanum, Laurel Leaf, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Mimosa, Neroli, Patchouli, Pine, Rose, Rosemary, Thyme, Verbena, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang. “Widely used in perfumery for its fixative effect and … which seems to blend so well with labdanum products and with all the woody and woody-floral types of perfume materials.”7

Safety Considerations: Although Tisserand and Young state there are no known contraindications8, Atlas Cedarwood essential oil contains ketones; therefore we recommend avoiding use with children under age 10, elders, epileptics, pregnant and/or nursing women, and those with high blood pressure.9,10

1 Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, 1992/2013, pp. 66-7.

2 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 139-40.

3 Davis, Patricia. Aromatherapy – An A-Z, 1988, pp. 71-2.

4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuja_occidentalis

5 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2014, p. 448.

6 Rhind, Jennifer Peace Rhind. Essential Oils – A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice, 2nd ed., 2012, p. 236.

7 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 139-40.

8 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2014, p. 237-8.

9  Schnaubelt, Kurt. Advanced Aromatherapy – The Science of Essential Oil Therapy, 1998, p. 59.

10 Haas, Monika. Quick Reference Guide for 114 Important Essential Oils, 2004/2013, p. 13.

The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made by Holistic Pathways as to the medicinal value of any products from Holistic Pathways. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.