Cedrus deodara is a species of cedar native to the western Himalayas in eastern Afghanistan, northern India (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttrakhand), south westernmost Tibet and western Nepal, occurring at 1,500–3,200 m (4,921–10,499 ft) altitude.
It is a large evergreen coniferous tree reaching 40–50 m (131–164 ft) tall, exceptionally 60 m (197 ft) with a trunk up to 3 m (10 ft) in diameter. It has a conic crown with level branches and drooping branch lets.
Among Hindus, as the etymology of deodar suggests, it is worshiped as a divine tree. Deva, the first half of the Sanskrit term, means divine, deity, ordeus. DÄru, the second part, is cognate with (related to) the words durum, druid, tree and true. It is widely grown as an ornamental tree, often planted in parks and large gardens for its drooping foliage. General cultivation is limited to areas with mild winters, with trees frequently killed by temperatures below about −25 °C (−13 °F).
Deodar is in great demand as building material because of its durability, rot-resistant character and fine, close grain, which is capable of taking a high polish. Its historical use to construct religious temples and in landscaping around temples is well recorded. Its rot-resistant character also makes it an ideal wood for constructing the well-known houseboats of Srinagar, Kashmir. In Pakistan and India, during the British colonial period, deodar wood was used extensively for construction of barracks, public buildings, bridges, canals and railway cars. Despite its durability, it is not a strong timber, and its brittle nature makes it unsuitable for delicate work where strength is required, such as chair-making.
The inner wood is aromatic and used to make incense. Inner wood is distilled into essential oil. As insects avoid this tree, the essential oil is used as insect repellent on the feet of horses, cattle and camels. It also has anti-fungal properties and has some potential for control of fungal deterioration of spices during storage. The outer bark and stem are astringent.
Himalayan Cedar wood essential oil comes from one of the four true Cedars in the world the Cedrus deodara is a member of the Pinaceae family and is native to the Himalayas from eastern Afghanistan to Garhwal in northwestern India.
The ancient Egyptians prized this oil, mostly for embalming purposes, but also for cosmetics and perfumery, and Solomon's Temple was built with Cedar Wood. Cedar chests have always been used to store woolen articles and protect them from the larvae of clothes moths. Today, numerous herbal and pet shampoos and natural insect repellents contain Cedar wood Oil as an active ingredient.
Himalayan Cedar wood is a tall, evergreen tree up to 50 m high, occasionally more. It grows extensively on the slopes of the Himalayas in northern India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Benefit & Uses: Himalayan Cedar wood Essential Oil is believed to have the following properties antiseptic, anti-putrescent, anti-seborrhea, aphrodisiac, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, fungicidal, mucolytic, sedative (nervous), stimulant (circulatory), tonic. In India, this oil has been shown to possess insecticidal and anti-fungal properties.
Cedar wood’s anti-septic, deodorizing and insect-repellent properties making it very useful oil for burning or diffusing, Try blending with any of the citrus oils. One of the more masculine of essential oils, Cedar wood is popularly used in toiletries for men. For a light, aftershave facial oil add 1 drop of Cedar wood, 2 drops of Patchouli and 2 drops of Bergamot to 15 ml of Jojoba oil.
To help improve the condition of the scalp and encourage healthy hair, add 3 drops each of Cedar wood and Rosemary to 10 ml of Coconut oil and massage thoroughly into the scalp. Leave for as long as possible before shampooing out.
Cedar wood (Himalayan) Essential Oil, also called Tibetan Cedar wood, has been used for fungal growths, muscular aches and pains, removing warts, rheumatism, skin afflictions, as well as cosmetics, perfumes, and scenting soaps.