Cedarwood Atlas MNB

Cedrus atlantica

Cedro Atlas

Atlas cedarwood is believed to have originated from the famous Lebanon cedars which grow wild in Lebanon and on the island of Cyprus.  These trees are now protected from being felled for essential oil distillation or lumber. Nowadays, it can be found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and northwestern Algeria.  Atlas cedarwood is related to C. deodara and C. libani.  C. deodara is known as Himalayan cedarwood, which grows at high altitude in the mountains of Himalaya. C libani is known as Lebanon cedarwood and grows wild in the mountains of Lebanon and on the island of Cyprus. Any oil offered as  Lebanon cedarwood is most likely to be oil distilled from C. atlantica. 

However, Atlas cedarwood is now on the IUCN  Red List of Threatened Species as endangered in its natural habitat. The report  states that declines of up to 75% in area of its natural occupancy have been estimated in recent years.  Recent droughts have led to further declines in many parts of its natural habitat, and it is likely to continue if the regional climate continues to become more arid.  Without proper management measures  in place, these negative effects are likely to continue. Atlas cedar is now cultivated in Europe.

Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.

The wood or trunk of a tree conducts water and nutrients to its leaves, stems and flowers. If our energy is dispersed then the oils extracted from wood can help us feel more center. The trunk looks like the spine and these oils can often be used for our skeletal and muscular systems to reduce pain.

Atlas cedarwood is steam-distilled from either wood, stumps or sawdust. Most of the distillation takes place in Morocco and the northwestern regions of Algeria. 

The best quality Atlas cedarwood essential oil is obtained from distilling wood chips from trees that are 20 to 30 years old. The essential oil distilled from the heartwood is considered warmer, more balsamic and aromatic. 

Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I,

1 kg oil yield from 30-50 kg of the dried wood chips (excellent yield).

35.5 oz of oil yield from 30,000 to 50,000 grams

1 drop of oil yield from 2.3 gram

Holmes, Peter, et al. Aromatica: a Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Singing Dragon, an Imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016.

Sesquiterpenes

  • The therapeutic effects of each oil need to be considered individually, as one cannot generalize as easily as with monoterpenes. 
  • Many oils high in sesquiterpenes are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and cicatrisant.
  • They tend to be energetically and emotionally grounding
  • Antibacterial, antiseptic.
  • Help with emotional trauma.

Sesquiterpenes

  • B-himachalene 45.95%
  • Α-himachalene 16.62%
  • Y-himachalene 10.33%
Cedarwood AtlasDownload

Calming and balancing to the mind. Assists in concentration great oil for studying or meditating

Atlas cedarwood oil can give us immovable strength in times of crisis. Steadying the conscious mind, it will help us to resist the sudden events and powerful emotions that threaten to undermine our confidence and moral

Cedarwood is one of the key essential oils for meditation and prayer. It promotes a strong connection with Spirit and spiritual guidance. It calms the mind and emotions and promotes the ability to concentrate and focus. It promotes mental clarity, integrates intuitive knowing and rational understanding, encourages a faith-filled heart, and promotes emotional healing and stability. It also helps to clear away negativity and strengthen on all levels

personalities instill confidence and security in people less able to cope with life’s stresses and strains and can be a great comfort in times of trouble. This ability puts them in the role of family adviser -the person you phone to ask how to deal with your tax return, or ask how you should approach a financial dispute, however you wouldn’t ask them on your choice of friends, or a new outfit.”  

cedarwood oil can give us immovable strength in times of crisis. Steadying the conscious mind, it will help us to resist the sudden events and powerful emotions that threaten to undermine our confidence and morale

cedarwood oil has a stabilising influence on our energy, which is very useful when one is feeling a disconnection from their surroundings or within themselves. 

cedarwood oil brings strength and commitment when we need to  make changes in our lives and move forward. 

Atlas cedarwood oil whenever we do not feel grounded, whenever we feel negativity from other people or ourselves, and during times of spiritual confusion.

Atlas cedarwood oil can give us immovable strength in times of crisis. Steadying the conscious mind, it will help us to resist the sudden events and powerful emotions that threaten to undermine our confidence and morale. 

Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018

Cedarwood is one of the key essential oils for meditation and prayer. It promotes a strong connection with Spirit and spiritual guidance. It calms the mind and emotions and promotes the ability to concentrate and focus. It promotes mental clarity, integrates intuitive knowing and rational understanding, encourages a faith-filled heart, and promotes emotional healing and stability. It also helps to clear away negativity and strengthen on all levels.

Keim, J., & Bull, R. (2016, November 10). Aromatherapy Anointing Oils, Revised & Expanded: Spiritual Blessings, Ceremonies, and Affirmations (2nd ed.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Worwood describes cedarwood personality as someone gliding through life as if they had a royal charter. They may actually appear haughty and just too grand to be approached about anything mundane, but this assumption is usually incorrect as they are a tower of strength in almost all situations. “Cedarwood personalities instill confidence and security in people less able to cope with life’s stresses and strains and can be a great comfort in times of trouble. This ability puts them in the role of family adviser -the person you phone to ask how to deal with your tax return, or ask how you should approach a financial dispute, however you wouldn’t ask them on your choice of friends, or a new outfit.”  

Atlas cedarwood oil can give us immovable strength in times of crisis. Steadying the conscious mind, it will help us to resist the sudden events and powerful emotions that threaten to undermine our confidence and morale. 

Holmes states that Atlas cedarwood oil has a stabilising influence on our energy, which is very useful when one is feeling a disconnection from their surroundings or within themselves. 

Zeck states that Atlas cedarwood oil brings strength and commitment when we need to  make changes in our lives and move forward. 

Keim Loughran & Bull recommend using Atlas cedarwood oil whenever we do not feel grounded, whenever we feel negativity from other people or ourselves, and during times of spiritual confusion.

Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.
  • Crown.- Encourages spiritual clarity. Assists in connecting mind and Spirit.
  • Third eye.– Clears and calms the mind to concentrate and focus. Assists with meditation and soul searching. Inspires positive perception and clarity.
  • Throat.– Inspires positive communication and self expression.
  • Heart.- Encourages inner peace and love.
  • Solar plexus.– Promotes determination and strength. Encourages self confidence and self-esteem.
  • Root.– Assists us with feeling present and at peace. Promotes awareness of what is important. Inspires connection with the earth
  • Atlas cedarwood + Patchouli:  nervous sedative-restorative for chronic stress-related conditions with anxiety, debility, insomnia, burnout, adrenal exhaustion.
  • Atlas cedarwood + Patchouli:  venous decongestant for venous congestion with varicose veins, haemorrhoids, ankle edema. 
  • Atlas cedarwood + German chamomile:  anti-inflammatory and nervous sedative for a wide range of inflammatory conditions, esp. With anxiety, stress.
  • Atlas cedarwood + Clary sage:  nervous restorative-sedative in hyper – and hypotonic conditions with exhaustion, anxiety, stress.
  • Atlas cedarwood + Spearmint / Green myrtle:  mucostatic for bronchitis with copious sputum. 
  • Atlas cedarwood + Tea tree: anti-inflammatory for chronic intestinal inflammation , peptic ulcer, IBD, IBS
  • Atlas cedarwood + Helichrysum: antiatherosclerotic and lipolytic for atherosclerosis.
  • Atlas cedarwood + Cypress: venous decongestant and diuretic for venous congestion with varicose veins, haemorrhoids, edema
  • Atlas cedarwood + Grapefruit: lymphatic decongestant for swollen glands, lymphatic congestion
  • Atlas cedarwood + Juniper berry: detoxicant diuretic, alterative and mucostatic for metabolic toxicosis, esp. With chronic mucus discharges.
Holmes, Peter, et al. Aromatica: a Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Singing Dragon, an Imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016.

Musculoskeletal: For tension, pain, consider blending with cypress, juniper berry, Virginian cedarwood, camphor CT nerolidol, frankincense, myrrh, ylang ylang.

Psyche: For agitation, or a restless mind, consider blending with  bergamot, mandarin, citron, lavender, frankincense, myrrh, hiba wood, sandalwood, nagarmotha, vetiver, ginger, ylang ylang.

Rhind, Jennifer. Aromatherapeutic Blending: Essential Oils in Synergy. Singing Dragon, 2016.

Atlas cedarwood was believed to be used by the ancient Egyptians for embalming purposes, cosmetics and perfumery. The Lebanon cedar was prized as a building wood. The cedar trees were mentioned in the Bible, symbolising everything that was fertile and abundant. Later, Dioscorides and Galen referred to cedar’s resin being used to preserve the body from putrefaction.

According to the Song of Solomon, cedarwood was used to build Solomon’s temple. Cedarwood symbolised abundance, fertility and spiritual strength. The name Cedrus originates from the Arabic word kedron, meaning ‘power’.

Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.

Hazards: None known

Contraindications: None known

Tisserand, Robert, et al. Essential Oil Safety: a Guide for Health Care Professionals. Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2014.

Warning: Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying topically. Do not apply internally or ingest any essential oil. Keep away from children. Store in a cool place and away from direct light.

4 years

Related products: Soothing panya (therapeutic)

Want to create your own signature perfume or wellness scent with cedarwood Atlas essential oil? Schedule a Custom Scent Blend Consultation.