Cupressus funebris, aka Chinese Weeping Cypress, Wood, Steam Distillation from China
Aroma: A middle to base note of strong aroma, this oil has a sharp, fresh camphoraceous scent. I find it a little smoky, akin to cedarwood Texas.
Note on price increase:
Latest Market Info: Mar, 2022
Chinese Cedarwood has had some issues recently due to factory shutdowns and the ongoing energy crisis. Production is slow and logistical delays are expected.
History: Chinese oil has a lower cedrol content than American oil and is used more in its own right as fragrance oil than as a source of chemical isolates. Numerous herbal and pet shampoos and natural repellents contain cedarwood oil as an active ingredient. Fences made from cedar wood posts are still sound after several decades of use. Cedar chests are known to be safe places to store woollen articles and protect them from the ravages of cloth moth larvae.
Colour: Colourless to pale yellowy-green
Common Uses: Chinese cedarwood has been used for fungal growths, muscular aches and pains, removing warts, rheumatism skin afflictions, as well as cosmetics, perfumes, and scenting soaps. Antiseptic, antiputrescent, antiseborrheic, aphrodisiac, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, fungicidal, mucolytic, sedative (nervous), stimulant (circulatory), tonic.
Main Constituents: Thujopsene: 14.75%, a-Cedrene: 10.19%, b-Cedrene: 3.72%, Cedrol: 10%
Its constituent cedrol may cause the oil to crystallize. The melting point of cedrol is 86ยบ Celsius, so by gently heating crystallized oil, the cedrol liquefies and its solubility is improved for a period of time. It may re-crystallize again in cooler temperatures.
Consistency: Medium
Note: Base
Strength of Aroma: Strong
Cautions: Dilute before use; for external use only. May cause skin irritation in some individuals; a skin test is recommended prior to use. Contact with the eyes should be avoided.
Photo thanks to Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons