# Cedrus deodara

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/cedrus-deodara
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-04-02
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** European
**Also Known As:** Deodar cedar, Himalayan cedar, Indian cedar, Devdar, Deodar, Himalayan deodar, True deodar, Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don

## Overview

Cedrus deodara, the Himalayan cedar, contains bioactive sesquiterpenes including himachalol and deodarine that exhibit [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support), anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. These compounds modulate [inflammatory pathway](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s and demonstrate antiparasitic activity, particularly against Leishmania donovani, in preclinical models.

## Health Benefits

• Wound healing support: Rat studies showed 10% methanol wood extract ointment achieved 93.4% wound contraction after 21 days with improved re-epithelialization (preliminary evidence)
• Anti-parasitic activity: Benzene leaf extract demonstrated antileishmanial effects against Leishmania donovani at 25-200 μg/ml in vitro (preliminary evidence)
• Cancer cell apoptosis: Bark essential oil and total lipids induced programmed cell death in A549 lung cancer cells with G2/M arrest (in vitro evidence only)
• [Anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects: Volatile wood oil showed inflammation reduction in animal models (preliminary evidence)
• [Antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) properties: Methanol wood extract rich in phenolics and flavonoids demonstrated DPPH radical scavenging activity (in vitro evidence)

## Mechanism of Action

Himachalol and related sesquiterpene alcohols from Cedrus deodara wood inhibit pro-[inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) mediators, likely through suppression of COX-2 and NF-κB signaling pathways, reducing [oxidative stress](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) at wound sites. The benzene leaf extract's antileishmanial activity is attributed to disruption of the parasite's [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) membrane potential and interference with topoisomerase II enzymes in Leishmania donovani. Deodarine alkaloids also exhibit mild calcium channel antagonism, which may contribute to observed smooth muscle relaxant effects in animal models.

## Clinical Summary

Current evidence for Cedrus deodara is limited to preclinical animal and in vitro studies, with no robust human clinical trials published to date. A rat excision wound model demonstrated that a 10% methanol wood extract ointment achieved 93.4% wound contraction over 21 days, with histological confirmation of improved re-epithelialization and collagen deposition compared to controls. In vitro studies using benzene leaf extracts showed antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani, though minimum inhibitory concentrations and direct comparisons to standard antileishmanial drugs remain incompletely characterized in available literature. The overall evidence base is preliminary, and extrapolation to human clinical use is not yet scientifically justified.

## Nutritional Profile

Cedrus deodara is a non-food medicinal tree; conventional macronutrient/caloric profiling is not applicable. Bioactive compounds are the primary documented constituents: Sesquiterpenes dominate the essential oil fraction, with himachalene isomers (α-himachalene ~10-20%, β-himachalene ~35-50%, γ-himachalene ~8-15%) representing the major volatile components of wood and bark oils. Atlantone (α- and β-atlantone) is a key oxygenated sesquiterpene ketone present in heartwood oil at approximately 5-15%. Himachalol (a sesquiterpene alcohol) is found in wood extracts at reported concentrations of 2-8% of oil fraction. The bark and wood contain diterpenoids including deodarin and dihydrodeodarin (flavanone glycosides). Phenolic compounds identified include quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol derivatives in leaf and bark extracts at trace to low milligram-per-gram concentrations (approximately 1-5 mg/g dry weight in methanol extracts). Tannins and condensed proanthocyanidins are present in bark at estimated 3-7% dry weight. Fixed oils from seeds contain fatty acids including oleic and linoleic acid. Total phenolic content of bark methanol extract reported at approximately 15-40 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram dry extract. Bioavailability data is largely absent; sesquiterpenes demonstrate lipophilic characteristics suggesting poor aqueous bioavailability without formulation aids. No significant dietary vitamins or minerals have been characterized in pharmacologically relevant concentrations.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied human dosages available. Preclinical studies used: benzene leaf extract at 25-200 μg/ml (standardized to 1.29% linalool) for antileishmanial activity in vitro; 10% (w/w) methanol wood extract ointment applied topically in rats. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

No well-controlled human safety trials exist for Cedrus deodara supplements, making definitive risk profiling difficult. Animal studies have not reported acute toxicity at standard extract concentrations, but high-dose or prolonged use has not been systematically evaluated for hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic potential. Cedrus deodara essential oil and extracts may potentiate sedative or antihypertensive drugs due to reported calcium channel antagonist activity, warranting caution in patients on such medications. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid supplemental use given the complete absence of safety data in these populations.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses were identified for Cedrus deodara. Available evidence is limited to preclinical studies including in vitro assays and animal models, such as the rat wound healing study (n=28) and in vitro antileishmanial studies (PMID: 29664038).

## Historical & Cultural Context

Cedrus deodara has been used in Ayurveda and traditional Himalayan medicine for centuries to treat skin diseases, asthma, neurological disorders, arthritis, microbial infections, gastric disturbances, [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and wounds. While preliminary pharmacology partially validates some traditional uses in preclinical models, human studies are lacking.

## Synergistic Combinations

Turmeric, Boswellia, Ashwagandha, Gotu Kola, Neem

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Cedrus deodara used for in traditional medicine?

In Ayurvedic and traditional Himalayan medicine, Cedrus deodara wood and bark have been used for centuries to treat fever, inflammation, rheumatism, and skin infections. The wood resin, known as 'deodar,' was applied topically for wound care and as an insect repellent, practices now partially supported by preclinical data on its sesquiterpene content.

### Does Cedrus deodara actually help with wound healing?

Preclinical rat studies using a 10% methanol wood extract ointment demonstrated 93.4% wound contraction after 21 days, outperforming untreated controls and showing improved re-epithelialization on histological analysis. However, no human clinical trials have been conducted, so this evidence cannot yet be directly applied to clinical wound care practice.

### What are the main bioactive compounds in Cedrus deodara?

The primary bioactive compounds include himachalol, alpha-himachalene, beta-himachalene, and deodarine, a quinoline alkaloid isolated from the bark. The wood essential oil is dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (particularly himachalenes, comprising up to 50% of the oil), which are responsible for the majority of reported antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities.

### Can Cedrus deodara treat leishmaniasis?

In vitro studies using benzene leaf extracts have demonstrated antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis, with the mechanism proposed to involve disruption of mitochondrial integrity in the parasite. This evidence is strictly preliminary and in vitro; Cedrus deodara should not be used as a substitute for established antileishmanial therapies such as amphotericin B or miltefosine.

### Is Cedrus deodara safe to take as a supplement?

No formal human safety studies have been published for Cedrus deodara supplements, and its safety profile in humans is essentially unknown. Animal models have not flagged acute toxicity at standard extract doses, but potential interactions with sedatives and antihypertensive medications are plausible given the compound's calcium channel antagonist properties, and use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not recommended.

### What does the current research evidence show about Cedrus deodara's effectiveness?

Most evidence for Cedrus deodara comes from preliminary in vitro and animal studies rather than human clinical trials. Rat models showed promising wound healing results with a 10% methanol wood extract achieving 93.4% wound contraction, while leaf extracts demonstrated antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani in laboratory settings. However, these findings require human clinical validation before strong efficacy claims can be made, and the WHO/EMA monograph status indicates it is recognized as a traditional plant with limited modern clinical confirmation.

### Which form of Cedrus deodara—essential oil, extract, or whole plant—has the strongest research backing?

The wood extract (particularly methanol-based formulations) and benzene leaf extracts have the most documented research for wound healing and anti-parasitic activity, respectively. Bark essential oil shows promise for cancer cell apoptosis in preliminary studies, though this research remains in early stages. There is insufficient comparative human data to definitively rank which form delivers superior bioavailability or clinical outcomes.

### Who should avoid Cedrus deodara supplements or use them with caution?

Individuals with allergies to Pinaceae family plants (pine, fir, spruce) should avoid Cedrus deodara due to potential cross-reactivity. Pregnant and nursing women should use caution as safety data in these populations is limited. Those taking antiparasitic medications should consult a healthcare provider before using Cedrus deodara products, as the mechanism and potential interactions with pharmaceutical antiparasitics have not been thoroughly studied.

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