Abstract
Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) is a tree from the Pinaceae family that is found in the North of the Himalaya's. In many cultures has the tree always been particularly valued because of its qualities and scent. Deodar cedar gives life and purifies on different levels.
Names
Deodar cedar knows in different languages the following names:
- Botanical: Cedrus deodara.
- Sanskrit: Devadāru.
- Hindi: Devadāru, devadār, tūna.
- English: Deodar cedar, deodar, Himalayan cedar.
- Dutch: Deodarceder, deodar, Himalayaceder.
Ayurveda
Deodar cedar grows in an area where since ages ayurveda, the Hinduistic medicine, is being practised. It is no wonder then that field mint is in use in ayurveda. Below you can find a general overview of the qualities of field mint from ayurvedic perspective.
- Energetics: Bitter / hot / sharp - hot - sharp.
- VK- P+ (Deodar cedar reduces vata and kapha and raises pitta).
- Tissues: Plasma, blood, muscles, fat, respiration, circular system.
- Action: Carminative, astringent, febrifuge.
- Indication: Inflammation, spasm, poison, paralysis, kidney stones, fevers, external injuries.
- Spirituality: Deodar cedar is sattvik by nature.
Herbology
Deodar cedar grows in the wild exclusively in the Himalaya's and has therefore no traditional place in Western herbology. However due to the increased general availability of deodar cedar has this plant also become increasingly part of herbology. Below follows an overview of the qualities as found in Western herbology.
- Action: Antifertility, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, insecticide, juvabional.
- Indication: Anorexia, bacteria, cancer, cramp, dermatosis, diabetes, diarrhea, diphtheria, dysentery, dysuria, edema, fever, fungus, gas, headache, hemorrhoid, infection, inflammation, leprosy, mange, mycosis, pulmonosis, virus, water retention.
Agni Yoga
Deodar cedar usage is adviced in the Agni Yoga teaching of Helena Roerich.
- Action: Life giving, prana giving, vitality giving, psychic energy giving, electrifying, anti nervous choking, strengthening, purifying, healing, curative, air purifying, purifies from entities, consciousness purifying, heart balsam, heart purifying, body purifying, kindling and strengthening of agni (fire), insect repelling, breath invigorating.
Useage
Field mint essential oil can be used aromatically, in bath, for massage and as a perfume. Consult before use the paragraph 'Side Effects' and when hesitant a doctor or therapist.
- Aromatically: The oil can be used aromatically by putting a few drops in a nebulizer or vaporizer.
- Bath: Add several drops to your bathing water.
- Massage: The oil can be mixed with a conducting oil (for instance cold pressed sesame oil).
- Perfume: Apply one or two drops on the places where one would also apply perfume.
Side Effects
Usage of deodar ceder essential oil on the manners as described under the paragraph 'Usage' is deemed safe. For completeness however can the following points of attention be mentioned. Consult when hesitant a doctor or therapist.
- General: May contain toxins, but not in health threatening doses.
Constituents
Deodar cedar essential oil has in general constituents as follows:
- Menthol 28.8–34.7%
- Menthone 16.3–31.1%
- Isomenthone 6.8–12.1%
- (þ)-Limonene 5.8–9.6%
- b-Pinene 2.0–4.5%
- a-Pinene 2.0–4.3%
- Neomenthol 2.5–4.1%
- Piperitone 0.6–3.8%
- Menthyl acetate 1.8–3.4%
- 3-Octanol 0.4–2.4%
- b-Myrcene 0.9–2.1%
- Sabinene 0.8–1.6%
- Isopulegol 0.9–1.4%
- b-Caryophyllene 0.6–1.3%
- (1R)-(þ)-b-Pulegone 0.4–1.3%
- Iso-isopulegol 0.4–1.2%
- Menthofuran 0.4–0.6%