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Cedarwood Essential Oil
The Ancient Guardian of the Atlas Mountains
Cedarwood essential oil is a warm, woody and softly balsamic oil steam-distilled from the Atlas cedar, loved for its calm, grounding scent in evening routines, meditation and natural perfumery.
Botanical name: Cedrus atlantica
Aroma: Woody, balsamic, warm and softly sweet
Note: Base
Main growing region: Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Typically extracted: Steam-distilled from the wood
Blends well with: Bergamot, Lavender, Frankincense, Rosemary and Juniper Berry
Top 3 benefits:
- Grounding aroma: its deep, resonant wood scent is a natural companion for meditation, yoga and quiet moments.
- Evening wind-down: many people find its warm, balsamic character settling at the end of a busy day.
- Perfumery base note: a lasting woody foundation that anchors lighter citrus, floral and herbal oils in blends.
Safety first: cedarwood is best avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so keep skin use to 1% or less, patch test first, and keep it away from cats and young children. Read the full safety information.
What Is Cedarwood Essential Oil?
Cedarwood essential oil is steam-distilled from the wood of Cedrus atlantica, the Atlas cedar, a majestic evergreen native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algeria. Several different trees are sold as “cedarwood”, including Virginian and Texas types that are actually junipers, so it helps to check the botanical name. This oil is the true Atlas cedar.
Its scent is woody, warm and balsamic, with a soft, slightly sweet undertone. The aroma is built mainly on sesquiterpenes such as himachalenes, together with smaller amounts of compounds such as atlantones. As a base note and fixative it blends easily with citrus, floral, resin and herbal oils.
Benefits and Traditional Uses
The science: cedarwood has a deep, warm and woody scent that many people find settling, and it is traditionally associated with quiet, restful evenings. Research on aromatherapy and sleep is limited, so enjoy it as part of a relaxing routine rather than a treatment for sleep problems.
How to use (the nightly anchor): diffuse 3 drops of cedarwood with 2 drops of Lavender for 30 to 60 minutes before bed, in a well-ventilated room away from pets.
The science: cedarwood is traditionally included in skincare and hair-care blends for its clean, woody fragrance. Evidence for benefits to skin or hair is limited, so think of it as a pleasant scent in a well-diluted blend.
How to use (the scalp massage): add 2 drops to a palmful of your usual shampoo, massage into the scalp and rinse well. For a leave-on oil, use no more than 1% (3 drops per 15ml of jojoba), patch test first, and keep it away from the eyes.
The science: cedarwood is one of the classic grounding scents, and its warmth suits meditation, yoga and unhurried time at home. It is also a long-lasting base note that helps lighter fragrances stay put.
How to use (the sacred space): diffuse 3 to 5 drops before yoga or meditation, or put 1 drop on a tissue and breathe slowly for a few minutes. Pair with a drop of Bergamot for a brighter forest scent.
How to Use Cedarwood Essential Oil
| Method | Instructions | VivaForte tip |
|---|---|---|
| Diffusion | 3 to 5 drops in an ultrasonic diffuser, in sessions of 30 to 60 minutes in a ventilated room. | Pair with bergamot for a bright forest scent. Keep pets out of the room. |
| Inhalation | 1 to 2 drops on a cotton ball or tissue, or in a personal inhaler. | Use during moments of scattered thoughts to find your centre. |
| Topical | Maximum 1% dilution (about 3 drops per 15ml of carrier oil, or 2 drops per 10ml). | Patch test first and avoid the eyes and broken skin. |
| Bath | Mix 4 drops into a tablespoon of Epsom salts before adding to the water. | Oil does not mix with water, so always use a dispersant. |
| Blending | 1 to 2 drops added to a diffuser or perfume blend as a woody base note. | Pair with bergamot, lavender or frankincense. |
Cedarwood Safety Information
- Dilute and patch test. Keep skin use to 1% or less (about 3 drops per 15ml of carrier oil). Cedarwood may cause an allergic skin reaction in some people, so patch test first and stop using it if irritation occurs. Avoid sensitive or damaged skin.
- External and aromatic use only. Do not swallow essential oils.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and health conditions. Cedarwood is generally advised against during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Speak to a healthcare professional before use if you have epilepsy, asthma or any other medical condition, or take medication.
- Children. Keep out of reach of children, and do not use on or near the face of babies or young children.
- Pets. Cedar oils can be harmful to pets, particularly cats. Ventilate the room, let animals leave freely when diffusing, and do not apply the oil to or near them.
- Chemical profile. Rich in sesquiterpenes, mainly beta-himachalene and alpha-himachalene, with smaller amounts of atlantones.
For general guidance on dilution, patch testing and sun safety, read our Essential Oil Safety guide.
History and Heritage
The Atlas cedar grows in the mountain ranges of Morocco and Algeria, where it has long been valued for its fragrant, durable timber.
Cedar woods and their resins have a long history in ancient perfumery, ritual and craft. Cedar oils are often said to have been used in ancient Egypt, although historians generally link those uses to cedar relatives such as the Lebanon cedar. Atlas cedar oil is a classic base note in modern perfumery and remains a favourite for woody, grounding blends.
Cedarwood Essential Oil FAQs
Is cedarwood essential oil safe to use on the skin?
Only when diluted. Keep skin use to 1% or less (about 3 drops per 15ml of carrier oil), patch test first, avoid the eyes and broken skin, and stop if irritation occurs.
Is cedarwood oil safe in pregnancy or around pets?
Cedarwood is generally advised against during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so speak to a healthcare professional first. Cedar oils can also harm pets, especially cats, so ventilate well and never apply the oil to them.
What does cedarwood essential oil smell like?
Cedarwood smells warm, woody and softly balsamic, with a gentle sweetness. Many people compare it to a pencil box, a forest floor after rain or a freshly opened wardrobe.
What blends well with cedarwood?
It pairs beautifully with Bergamot, Lavender, Frankincense and Rosemary. As a base note, a drop or two anchors lighter oils.
What is the difference between Atlas cedarwood and other cedar oils?
Atlas cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) comes from a true cedar. Virginian and Texas cedarwood are from juniper species and have a different chemistry and scent, so always check the botanical name.
Continue Exploring
- Juniper Berry: a fresh, woody oil that shares cedarwood’s forest character.
- Frankincense: a calm, resinous partner for meditation blends.
- Lavender: a classic bedtime partner for evening diffuser blends.
- Essential Oil Safety: dilution, patch testing and sun safety explained.
- All Single Essential Oils: browse the full VivaForte botanical range.