Virginia Cedarwood Essential OilBotanical Nomenclature: Juniperus virginiana Virginia cedarwood essential oil is distilled from the wood of Juniperus virginiana, an American evergreen native to a small area that runs through parts of Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama and the Carolinas. Unlike other oil, whose parent plants are grown specifically for the food and scent industries, Virginia cedarwood oil is almost exclusively produced from waste wood left over from the furniture industry. Also known as red cedarwood or simply cedar oil, this oil is somewhat less common than other "wood" oils and is often overshadowed in aromatherapy by better-known oils like Atlas cedar or pine.
Characteristics of Virginia Cedarwood OilVirginia cedarwood essential oil can range from yellow to yellow-orange and should be noticeably "thinner" than other "wood" oils. Virginia cedarwood gives off a sweet, balsamic top note that "dries out" to a drier, woodier scent later.Psychological AromatherapyIn spiritual aromatherapy, Virginia cedarwood essential oil is considered a strong Qi tonic. Gabriel Mojay writes that this oil is especially good for individuals struggling to turn a negative personal crisis into a positive learning experience.Traditional Uses for Virginian CedarwoodVirginian cedarwood is most often used for furniture but infusions of the wastes--like leaves, berries and sawdust--are believed by some to be effective home remedies for rashes, yeast infections and various respiratory and bronchial infections.Scientific Studies on Virginia CedarwoodJ. virginiana has not seen the level of scientific study that other species of juniper have seen but it seems that many of the benefits of those oils are also present in Virginia cedarwood.Antifungal Actions Evergreen oils, especially, have long been considered a home remedy for various fungal and yeast infections. A 2006 study from Portugal is one of the most recent to study this use. Numerous studies found "wood" oils like Virginia cedarwood potentially effective tropical treatments for dermatophytosis of the scalp, genitals and nails.
Safety IssuesLike most other essential oils, Virginia cedarwood has not been exhaustively studied for safety. Most popular aromatherapy texts list Virginia cedarwood as non-toxic and non-sensitizing.In preparation for this monograph, we could find no studies specifically looking at this oil's safety during pregnancy and lactation. However, a related species, Juniperus communis, has been identified as an abortifacient in livestock. This 1998 study from the USDA may be the reason that some popular aromatherapy authors list Virginia cedarwood oil as "contraindicated" during pregnancy.
References: Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Gradner, D., et al. (1998). Abortifacient effects of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and common juniper (Juniperus communis) on cattle. Cavaleiro, C., et al. (2006). Antifungal activity of Juniperus essential oils against dermatophyte, Aspergillus and Candida strains. Leave Virginia Cedarwood Essential Oil & return to oils directory page.
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