Thuja occidental’s an evergreen coniferous tree, in the cypress family Cupressaceae, which is native to the northeast of the United States and the southeast of Canada, but widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. The species was first described by Carolos Linnaeus in 1753, and the binomial name remains current.
The Canadian forest, where Thuja Occidental’s originated, is a green band which is over 6,000 kilometers long and up to 3,000 kilometers wide in some areas, and is mainly comprised of coniferous trees. Also known as Northern White Cedar and Eastern Arborvitae, it grows near fresh water.
Cedar Leaf Oil is made from the northern white cedar tree, a small-sized, averaging 12 m (40 ft) high, evergreen. The crown is conical, dense, layered and compact with arching branches. The trunk is strongly tapered, often gnarled with thin red-brown bark. The branch lets are yellowish-green, clad in sheathing foliage, forming flat, fan-shaped sprays.
Native Americans have used Thuja Cedar leaf tea for headaches and colds, in cough syrups, and in steam baths for rheumatism, arthritis, congestion, and gout. This oil is used in pharmaceutical products because of its therapeutic properties, as well as perfume, toiletries, cosmetics, soaps and detergents, because of its aromatic properties. The Thuja tree must be fifteen years old before it can be used for its essential oil. You'll find Cedar Leaf Thuja Essential oil in pharmaceutical products, disinfectants and sprays and also used as a counter-irritant, analgesic ointment and liniment. Also found as a flavoring in some foods and as a component in fragrances. Thuja is in a class of trees called Arbor vitae or "tree of life".
Thuja is used for respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, bacterial skin infections, and cold sores. It is also used for painful conditions including osteoarthritis and a nerve disorder that affects the face called trigeminal neuralgia.
Some people use Thuja to loosen phlegm (as an expectorant), to boost the immune system and to increase urine flow (as a diuretic). It has also been used to cause abortions.
Thuja is sometimes applied directly to the skin for joint pain and muscle pain. Thuja oil is also used for skin diseases, warts, Cancer and as an insect repellent.
Benefit & Uses: American Indians have used leaf tea for headaches and colds, in cough syrups, and in steam baths for rheumatism, arthritis, congestion, and gout; externally, as a wash for swollen feet and burns. Cedar Leaf Thuja Oil is believed to have anti rheumatic, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, insect repellent, rubefacient, stimulant (nerves, uterus and heart muscles), and tonic, vermin properties. Cedar Leaf Thuja is composed of active essences synthesized by the secretor cells of aromatic plants through solar energy. This oil is used in pharmaceutical products because of its therapeutic properties, as well as perfume, toiletries, cosmetics, soaps and detergents, because of its aromatic properties.
Cedar leaf oil has been used for thousands of years as an herbal remedy. It has been used a diuretic and a remedy for stomach disorders. Applied topically, cedar leaf oil has been used to treat fungus, thrush and eczema on the skin. It has been used against viruses and tumors. Rich in vitamin C, the leaves have been used for scurvy, and an extract has been used for treating influenza Type A. Thuja is also popular as a homeopathic preparation.
The leaves have an aromatic flavor and scent, and may be used with caution as a tea and skin wash. The tips of the leaves of cedar, Thuja is useful in skin washes and baths to address skin problems like psoriasis and infectious skin diseases such as scabies. Thuja may also be used in hot compresses and steam baths to ease rheumatism, arthritis, and achy muscles. A tea made from the leaves is used as a stimulating expectorant that is useful for treating bronchitis, colds, and other respiratory problems but is not the first choice on the herbalist's shelf because of possible toxic and allergic reactions.