Atlantic Cedar: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions

Other Name(s):

Atlantic Cedarwood Oil, Atlas Cedar, Cedarwood Oil, Cèdre de l'Atlas, Cedro del Atlas, Cedrus atlantica, Huile de Cèdre de l'Atlas.

Overview

Atlantic cedar is a tree. The oil from the tree is used as a medicine.

People apply Atlantic cedar oil directly to the scalp to treat baldness (alopecia areata). It is also put on the skin to keep insects away.

In manufacturing, Atlantic cedar oils are used as fragrance in cosmetics, soaps, and perfumes.

How does work?

There isn't enough information to know how Atlantic cedar might work.

Uses

Possibly Effective for...

Hair loss (alopecia areata). There is some evidence that applying lavender oil in combination with the essential oils from thyme, rosemary, and Atlantic cedar (cedarwood) to the scalp improves hair growth in up to 44% of people with hair loss after 7 months of treatment.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

Use as an insect repellent.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Atlantic cedar for these uses.

QUESTION

It is normal to lose 100-150 hairs per day. See Answer

Side Effects

Atlantic cedar oil is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin for up to 7 months. There isn't enough information to know if Atlantic cedar is safe when taken by mouth.

Precautions

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of using Atlantic cedar if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

For the treatment of bald spots: a combination of the essential oils including 2 drops or 94 mg of Atlantic cedar, 3 drops or 114 mg of rosemary, 2 drops or 88 mg of thyme, and 3 drops or 108 mg of lavender, all mixed with 3 mL jojoba oil and 20 mL grapeseed oil. Each night, the mixture is massaged into the scalp for 2 minutes with a warm towel placed around the head to increase absorption.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

Bist, A., Kumar, L., Roy, I., Ravindran, P., Gaurs, S. N., and Singh, A. B. Clinico-immunologic evaluation of allergy to Himalayan tree pollen in atopic subjects in India--a new record. Asian Pac.J Allergy Immunol 2005;23(2-3):69-78. View abstract.

Maciejewska, A., Wojtczak, J., Bielichowska-Cybula, G., Domanska, A., Dutkiewicz, J., and Molocznik, A. [Biological effect of wood dust]. Med.Pr 1993;44(3):277-288. View abstract.

Ohrui, T., Funayama, T., Sekizawa, K., Yamaya, M., and Sasaki, H. Effects of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate on serum IgE levels and clinical symptoms in atopic asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 1999;29(3):357-361. View abstract.

Singh, A. B. and Kumar, P. Aeroallergens in clinical practice of allergy in India. An overview. Ann.Agric.Environ.Med 2003;10(2):131-136. View abstract.

Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol 1998;134:1349-52. View abstract.