CEDARWOOD, VIRGINIA, Juniperus virginiana (Plant Family: Cupressaceae)

Type of plant: Evergreen tree growing up to over 100 feet high, with needles and berries

Part used: Wood shavings and sawdust

Method of extraction: Steam distillation

Data: Native to the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. The redness of the wood earned the tree the name red cedar, but despite this name, this tree is in the family of juniper, and related to cypress. The purplebrown berries, leaves, and bark have long been used by American First Nations people for medicinal purposes.

Principal place of production: United States

When buying look for: A colorless to yellowish-orange, slightly viscous liquid with a clean, woody, balsamic odor

Therapeutic properties: Antiseptic, astringent, balsamic, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, insect deterrent, pectoral

Therapeutic uses: Respiratory infections, decongestant, catarrh, bronchitis, coughs, urinary tract infections, cellulite

Blends well with: Basil linalol, bergamot, black pepper, clary sage, cypress, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, juniper berry, lavender, lemon, marjoram (sweet), myrrh, niaouli, patchouli, petitgrain, ravintsara, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, thyme linalol, ylang ylang

Precautionary advice: May cause irritation on highly sensitive skins; a skin patch test is advisable. Avoid during pregnancy.