How could one tree become known as one of the most mystical essential oils?
The word “Cedar” appears in the Bible frequently, as a symbol of glory, strength, and royalty. There was a Cedar forest that once covered Lebanon. It was considered a sacred and mystical place, the Lebanon cedar, botanically very close to the Cedar Atlas. It was long believed that Cedarwood trees were the strongest trees; thus, temples, furniture, and caskets were built out of the wood with the thought that they would last forever. Stories state the Temple of Solomon was built from a grove of Cedar Trees. Surprisingly, this temple is still standing today on Mount Lebanon.
Today, closet liners and accessories are frequently crafted from Cedar, and the oil is currently used in commercial soaps, cosmetics and perfumes, especially men's colognes. The woody, warm and balsamic aroma is one that perfumers often describe as ‘masculine’, although in fact it appeals to all genders. And because Cedarwood’s warm, embracing fragrance has a profoundly soulful quality, it is often found in more introspective, personal perfumes and in meditation blends. It is still used as temple incense in Tibet (and among Tibetan exiles) as well as having important uses in traditional Tibetan medicine.
Let's take a closer look at each of these Cedars!
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