Cedar leaf oil, Western Canada/USA (CAS 68917-35-1) — Woody Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cedar leaf oil, Western Canada/USA
CAS 68917-35-1
What Is Cedar leaf oil, Western Canada/USA?
Cedar leaf oil from Western Canada/USA is a natural essential oil distilled from the foliage of native cedar trees. You’ll encounter its crisp, woody aroma in men’s colognes, household cleaners, and aromatherapy products. This oil matters because it provides a sustainable, regionally distinct alternative to endangered cedar species, with a brighter top note than typical cedarwood oils.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Cedar leaf oil, Western Canada/USA Smell Like?
Western cedar leaf oil bursts with an invigorating pine-needle freshness, like walking through a misty Pacific Northwest forest at dawn. The opening is all brisk citrus-tinged terpenes – think grapefruit peel rubbed over fresh lumber. As it settles, the heart reveals a sappy, slightly camphoraceous quality, like broken cedar twigs oozing resin. The dry-down is surprisingly clean, with lingering hints of dried herbs and warm sawdust, lacking the heavy muskiness of traditional cedarwood oils.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used sparingly to add an airy, Northwestern cedar accent that lifts the sandalwood base, creating the fragrance’s signature ‘lumberyard chic’ effect.
Western cedar leaf provides a crisp counterpoint to the flinty mineral notes, preventing the vetiver from becoming too earthy.
Forms the aromatic backbone of this urban woodsy fragrance, blending with cardamom for a modern masculine twist.
The oil’s bright characteristics help create an ‘iced cedar’ effect when combined with synthetic coolants in this winter fresh fougère.
A whisper of Western cedar leaf bridges the coastal and woody elements, adding structure without heaviness.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Western cedar leaf oil primarily contains thujone isomers (α- and β-thujone), fenchone, and sabinene as key constituents. These monoterpenes and ketones are responsible for its distinctive aromatic profile. The oil is steam-distilled from fresh Thuja plicata foliage, with composition varying significantly based on harvest season – spring harvests yield higher thujone content while autumn harvests are richer in sesquiterpenes. Unlike cedarwood oils from Juniperus or Cedrus species, this oil contains almost no cedrol, giving it fundamentally different fixative properties.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Pale yellow to colorless liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 190-210 °C |
| Density | 0.905-0.925 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.460-1.470 |
| Flash Point | 65 °C |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| α-Thujone | 546-80-5 | 152.23 | 201 | 2.8 | 0.18 mmHg |
| β-Thujone | 471-15-8 | 152.23 | 198 | 2.7 | 0.17 mmHg |
| Fenchone | 1195-79-5 | 152.23 | 193 | 2.5 | 0.15 mmHg |
| Sabinene | 3387-41-5 | 136.23 | 163 | 3.2 | 0.25 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Provides woody freshness without weight |
| Household Cleaners | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Adds ‘natural pine’ impression at low cost |
| Aromatherapy | 1-3% | Up to 10% | Used in respiratory blends for its opening effect |
| Men’s Grooming | 0.2-1% | Up to 3% | Works well in aftershaves for brisk dry-down |
Classic Accords
Tip: Combine with trace amounts of aldehydes C-10 or C-12 to enhance the ‘fresh cut wood’ character without adding citrus notes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When deeper, sweeter cedar notes are needed, though lacks the bright top notes of Western cedar leaf.
Synthetic alternative for consistent woody profile when natural variation is undesirable.
Eastern North American variant with more camphoraceous notes and less citrus character.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions under current standards (50th Amendment). Thujone content self-limits usage due to neurological activity at high doses.
EU Allergen Declaration
None required at typical usage levels, though thujones are monitored substances.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels, with recommended limits based on thujone content.
Sustainability
Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is sustainably harvested in managed forests, with leaf collection causing minimal tree damage. The oil represents a byproduct of timber operations, utilizing foliage that would otherwise be waste. Synthetic alternatives exist but cannot replicate the nuanced terroir of regional cedar species. Carbon footprint is moderate due to energy-intensive steam distillation process.
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References
- Adams, R.P. (2007). Identification of Essential Oil Components by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. Allured Publishing. ISBN 978-1-932633-21-4
- Tisserand, R. & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety. Churchill Livingstone. DOI:10.1016/C2010-0-66397-7
- Forest Stewardship Council (2021). Pacific Northwest Cedar Harvest Report. FSC-US
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
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