Cedrol is a sesquiterpene alcohol found in cypress, cedar, juniper, and oregano. It’s aroma may have a relaxing effect in humans.
Links to Plants Containing Cedrol
RESEARCH
The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.
RELAXANT / ANXIETY
- Cedrol inhalation, as found in cedarwood, had a relaxant effect in humans, increasing parasympathetic activity and reducing sympathetic activity. From: Dayawansa, S., Umeno, K., Takakura, H., Hori, E., Tabuchi, E., Nagashima, Y., … & Nishijo, H. (2003). Autonomic responses during inhalation of natural fragrance of “Cedrol” in humans. Autonomic Neuroscience, 108(1), 79-86.
- Cedrol inhalation had a sedative effects in multiple animal species. From: Kagawa, D., Jokura, H., Ochiai, R., Tokimitsu, I., & Tsubone, H. (2003). The sedative effects and mechanism of action of cedrol inhalation with behavioral pharmacological evaluation. Planta medica, 69(07), 637-641.
- The cedrol constituent found in J. virginiana had an anxiolytic effect in rodents. From: Zhang, K., & Yao, L. (2018). The anxiolytic effect of Juniperus virginiana L. essential oil and determination of its active constituents. Physiology & behavior.
- Cedrol inhalation resulted in a sedative effect with pupil dialation among all three groups studied: people from Norway, Thialand, and Japan. From: Yada, Y., Sadachi, H., Nagashima, Y., & Suzuki, T. (2007). Overseas survey of the effect of cedrol on the autonomic nervous system in three countries. Journal of physiological anthropology, 26(3), 349-354.
INSECTICIDAL
- Cedarwood oil was effective against several species of ants and cedrol was effective toward ticks. From: Eller, F. J., Vander Meer, R. K., Behle, R. W., Flor-Weiler, L. B., & Palmquist, D. E. (2014). Bioactivity of cedarwood oil and cedrol against arthropod pests. Environmental entomology, 43(3), 762-766.
REPELLENT
- Cedarwood Virgina oil and its cedrol constituent showed red ant repelling activity. From: Eller, F. J., Fezza, T., Jang, E. B., & Palmquist, D. E. (2015). Field test for repellency of cedarwood oil and cedrol to little fire ants.
HAIR GROWTH
- Chinese thuja, of the cypress family, and specifically its isolated constituent of cedrol, demonstrated hair growth in vivo. From: Zhang, Y., Han, L., Chen, S. S., Guan, J., Qu, F. Z., & Zhao, Y. Q. (2016). Hair growth promoting activity of cedrol isolated from the leaves of Platycladus orientalis. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 83, 641-647.
Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski
Updated: 01/04/19
