Cedarwood (Virginia)
All About Virginia Cedarwood
Virginia cedarwood has been used for cough, muscle pains, and as a bug repellent. The tree's essential oil has an earthy and calming aroma.
Fun Fact
The wood from Cedarwood Virginia has been used by Native Americans to create effective longbows.
Virginia Cedarwood - Herb and Essential Oil
Latin Name: Juniperus virginiana
Family: Cupressaceae
Other Common Names
- Red cedarwood, Ashe juniper, Eastern juniper, Eastern red cedar, red juniper
- There are many subspecies and chemotypes of mint
- Species with very similar chemistry: Texas Cedarwood (Juniperus mexicana or Juniperus ashei) also called mountain cedar, rock cedar, and Mexican cedar
Plant Description
Cedarwood Virginia is a hardy North American tall evergreen tree with reddish wood and peeling bark, blue-green needles, and cones. Other cedars in this family include J. ashei, J. funebris, J. oxycedrus, J. procera, and also cedars not in the family like Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Calocedrus decurrens, and Cryptomeria japonica.
Essential Oil Description
Oil is steam distilled from the bark and wood shavings to be oily and colorless or pale yellow. The Texas variety is more brownish. The aroma is sweet, earthy, and persistent.
Key Constituents
- Cedrene (alpha and beta)
- Cedrol
- Thujopsene
