GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Atlas Cedarwood
Cedrus atlantica
Chemotype: himachalene / atlantone type
- PLANT PART
- wood
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- base
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 65 / 100
- Note layer
- base
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 3%
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- low
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
No furocoumarin-related phototoxic restriction was identified for Atlas cedarwood wood oil.
Contraindications & cautions
- moderateAvoid during pregnancy. Atlas cedarwood is listed as a pregnancy contraindication in the IFA safety reference table, which is compiled from Tisserand & Young's 'Essential Oil Safety' (2nd edition) and Battaglia's 'The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy' (3rd edition, 2018).
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
Atlas cedarwood wood oil is a sesquiterpene-dominant essential oil centered on the himachalene isomers with smaller oxygenated atlantone fractions. Publicly accessible recent composition reporting aligns with the classic Atlas cedarwood profile used in aromatherapy references.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| beta-himachalene | 39.23% | 39.23–39.23% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEvaluation of Cedrus atlantica Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Anticancer Activity and Molecular Docking Studies PMC abstract/search snippet reports beta-himachalene 39.23%, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12786621/ |
| alpha-himachalene | 16.84% | 16.84–16.84% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEvaluation of Cedrus atlantica Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Anticancer Activity and Molecular Docking Studies PMC abstract/search snippet reports alpha-himachalene 16.84%, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12786621/ |
| gamma-himachalene | 13% | 13–13% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEvaluation of Cedrus atlantica Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Anticancer Activity and Molecular Docking Studies PMC abstract/search snippet reports gamma-himachalene 13.00%, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12786621/ |
| alpha-atlantone | 4.81% | 4.81–4.81% | sesquiterpene ketone | View sourceAntioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Pinaceae Species PMC/search snippet reports alpha-atlantone 4.81% for Cedrus atlantica, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10967544/ |
| longifolene | 12.2% | 12.2–12.2% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Pinaceae Species (review table summarizing Cedrus atlantica composition from ref. [52], the same Evaluation of Cedrus atlantica Essential Oil paper) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10967544/ (Table entry for Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) G.Manetti ex Carriere [52]: longifolene 12.2%) |
| alpha-bisabolene | 7.71% | 7.71–7.71% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Pinaceae Species (review table summarizing Cedrus atlantica composition from ref. [52], the same Evaluation of Cedrus atlantica Essential Oil paper) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10967544/ (Table entry for Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) G.Manetti ex Carriere [52]: alpha-bisabolene 7.71%) |
| delta-cadinene | 3.65% | 3.65–3.65% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Pinaceae Species (review table summarizing Cedrus atlantica composition from ref. [52], the same Evaluation of Cedrus atlantica Essential Oil paper) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10967544/ (Table entry for Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) G.Manetti ex Carriere [52]: delta-cadinene 3.65%) |
Profile source: Evaluation of Cedrus atlantica Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Anticancer Activity and Molecular Docking Studies; Aromatherapy - Essential oils; Atlas Cedarwood Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses & Insights · https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12786621/ ; https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_aromatherapy--essential-oils_english.pdf ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/atlas-cedarwood-essential-oil.php
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy for grounding and calming, meditative blends
- reported to support restful sleep when diffused in the evening
- used in skin-care blends for its traditional reputation of soothing dry or irritated skin
- traditionally used in haircare preparations reputed to support a healthy scalp
- used in perfumery as a soft, woody-sweet base note and fixative
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 1 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- Odor intensity is a dataset normalization from AromaWeb's qualitative 'Medium-Strong' aroma-strength wording rather than a published native 0-100 number.