Blend including cedarwood in jojoba: 44% improved vs 15% with carrier oils
Hay 1998, Arch Dermatol · Source
Virginia Cedarwood
Juniperus virginiana wood oil · wild-harvested
A warm, woody scent from North America's eastern red cedar that grounds the Tonic and pairs with jojoba for a relaxing bath. In patch tests, it was very unlikely to irritate skin.
95people patch-tested with no skin irritation
26adults in a study where its scent slowed heart rate
Wild-harvestedfrom the eastern red cedar
Why we love it
Cedarwood gives the Tonic its warm, woody base note and pairs well with jojoba for a relaxing bath.
What does the research show?
Calming scent
In 26 healthy adults, breathing in cedrol, the main scent compound in cedarwood oil, lowered heart rate and blood pressure compared with plain air, a pattern that matches relaxation.
Low irritation
In patch tests on 95 people, Virginia cedarwood oil at 1% or 5% caused no skin irritation.
Scalp
In a randomized trial of 86 people with patchy hair loss, a blend of cedarwood, rosemary, lavender and thyme oils in jojoba helped 44% of people, compared with 15% using the carrier oils alone.
Studies
Human study tested in people Lab study a starting point, not proof
Breathing in cedrol lowered heart rate and blood pressure
Dayawansa 2003, Auton Neurosci · Source
No skin irritation from 1% or 5% Virginia cedarwood oil in patch tests
National Toxicology Program 2016 · Source
Virginia cedarwood heartwood oil studied for wound healing in rodents
Tumen 2013, J Med Food · Source
How has it been used traditionally?
Eastern red cedar has a long history of use by Indigenous peoples of North America. Today the oil is widely used in fragrance, and the US EPA lists cedar oil as a minimum-risk ingredient.
Is Virginia cedarwood safe on my skin?
Virginia cedarwood is very unlikely to irritate skin. There is no safety data for use on skin during pregnancy, so skip it if you're pregnant. Keep it away from eyes.
Last reviewed: November 2026.
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Reviewed by the Momotaro Apotheca medical team, including OB-GYNs and naturopathic doctors. Educational information, not medical advice. All ingredient research