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
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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.
