Really? Is cedarwood essential oil good for hair?
Yes indeed. Although the medical community often looks down natural
remedies because of inconclusive studies, research on the benefits of cedarwood
essential oil for hair have supported what the Egyptians and Sumerians may have
known about this oil since ancient times. These ancients used cedar oil for its
antiseptic, antifungal, and insecticidal properties, taking full advantage of
the precious oils from a tree named, “the power of spiritual strength”, which
is what the word cedar means. In a randomized trial designed to test the
successfulness of specific aromatherapy oils in treating alopecia areata, cedarwood
essential oil, along with lavender, rosemary, and thyme oil was shown to be both
safe and effective1.
Alopecia areata is a medical condition characterized by
sudden hair loss wherein circular bald spots begin to appear. This and any type
of hair loss can be emotionally traumatic, and difficult to cure. Conventional
treatments used in modern medicine to stop hair from falling out are often toxic
and come with many unwanted side effects, so studies demonstrating the power of
cedarwood essential oil for hair can be very exciting. Still even those who are
not losing hair can benefit by adding this oil to their hair care regimen, as
cedarwood oil can help hair grow.
References:
1. Hay, Isabelle, Jamieson, M., and Oremerod, A (1998)
Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy: Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata. Arch. Dermatol. 134: 1349 -1352.
