Kaelie Harris • Doula • Huntsville, AL
Cedarwood is Juniperus virginiana. It has a woodsy, relaxing scent and is wonderful for helping a mother relax, recenter, and refocus in birth. This oil is calming, but also helps to gently stimulate the mind, for a calm, peaceful alertness. According to DoTerra, cedarwood has a “grounding aroma that evokes feelings of wellness and vitality”.
Since cedarwood has a calm, energizing effect, it is amazing for use in labor. It can help the mother stay alert and energized, while calming her fears and anxieties. It is also an aphrodisiac, so it can help boost the important oxytocin hormone that is so needed for a smooth labor. This can also be extremely helpful for the birth partner, helping them stay focused on mother and calming their fears. Cedarwood is also an analgesic, helping reduce pain. This is another reason that it is an amazing oil to utilize in labor.
It is best to use cedarwood in labor aromatically, so use with a personal inhaler is the best route. It also blends well with floral oils. Outside of birth, cedarwood can also be used as an insect repellant, to fight acne, and to help calm cough and cold. Cedarwood is also a deodorizer, so it can help remove unwanted smells from a birthing room. It is also a natural antiseptic, making it wonderful for disinfecting.
Cedarwood is one of my personal favorite oils to use when I need to have a calm focus. I use this one for myself also as a doula in a birth that requires my calm concentration. I love the balance of calm and energy that comes with this oil. It also helps me to recenter myself after a long birth. I will definitely be using cedarwood with my clients.
Always check with your care provider before using any medications- including essential oils- during pregnancy, postpartum, or for baby.
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