Evidence supporting the use of: Cedar
For the health condition: Scratches and Abrasions
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Cedar, referring generally to species within the genera Cedrus, Thuja, or Juniperus, has been used traditionally in various cultures to support the healing of scratches and abrasions. Indigenous peoples in North America, for example, have used parts of cedar trees—such as leaves, bark, and oils—in topical preparations for minor wounds, skin irritations, and as antiseptics. Historical ethnobotanical records document the application of cedar poultices or decoctions to the skin to promote wound healing and prevent infection. The underlying rationale is that cedar contains aromatic oils and compounds (e.g., thujone, cedrol) believed to have antimicrobial properties.
However, scientific validation for these traditional uses is limited. While in vitro studies have shown that certain cedar extracts can inhibit the growth of some bacteria and fungi, there is scant clinical evidence or modern trials directly evaluating cedar’s effectiveness for treating scratches or abrasions in humans. Most available support remains anecdotal or based on traditional knowledge rather than robust scientific inquiry. Therefore, while cedar’s use for this purpose is clearly rooted in tradition, the strength of evidence supporting its efficacy is low, meriting a rating of 2 out of 5.
Other ingredients used for Scratches and Abrasions
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Agrimony
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allantoin
Aloe vera
Anemone
Anserina
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia formosa
arnica
Asclepias cordifolia
babassu
babchi
bai ji
Baliospermum
barbary matrimony vine
bayberry
bee propolis
Begonia fimbristipula
benzoin
bindweed
bisabolene
bittersweet
black poplar
black root
Black spruce
black walnut
black-eyed Susan
blackbrush
blackthorn
bleeding heart
Bletilla
bloodroot
Brazilian peppertree
Bridges\' penstemon
Bush Monkey Flower
Calochortus
Calotropis gigantea
Calyptridium umbellatum
camphor oil
Campsiandra angustifolia
Campylandra fimbriata
candleberry
carrapichinho
castile soap
cattail
Ceanothus integerrimus
cedar
Cedrus libani
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese thoroughwax
Chiococca alba
cleavers
cocklebur
columbine
comfrey
common thatching grass
common zinnia
copaiba oil
cornflower
cranesbill
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cynoglossum grande
Davilla rugosa
deerbrush
devil\'s club
dragon\'s blood
Dwarf Nettle
dyer’s woad root
elemi
elephant vine
elkweed
emu oil
English elm
Erigeron
Eupatorium
European hazel
fiesta flower
figwort
fir
fireweed
fleabane
Formosan sweet-gum
four-leaved grass
Gambir
Genipa americana
geranium
Gleditsia
Glycerite
glyceryl monolaurate
golden ragwort
Golden Willow
Gumweed
hairy arnica
hartstongue
Heliopsis
henna
hound\'s tongue
Immortelle
impatiens
iodine
Japanese sophora
Jessica\'s sticktight
Jewelweed
jojoba oil
Kelloggii's Monkey-flower
Kochia
Labdanum
lac resin
lacquertree
Lantana camara
lauric acid
Leptospermum scoparium
lilac
Lygodium
Lysimachia
Mahonia
Manchurian thorn
Marking Nut Tree
melaleuca alternifolia
Microtea debilis
Monardella odoratissima
Moss
Mountain bluebells
Mountain horopito
Mountain mahogany
Mucin
Oak
Ocotillo
oriental arborvitae
Pacific madrone
paederia foetida
Panthenol
parthenium
peacock\'s tail
Pellitory
Pepper Bark Tree
Peroxidase
Pink Root
Plumbago zeylanica
Plumeria lancifolia
Potentilla
Povidone
protease
proteolytic enzymes
Psacalium peltatum
Purple Avens
purple Tephrosia
Quebracho
Queen's Delight
red alder
red soapwort
red spiderling
Rhus coraria
Rhus glabra
Rosa californica
rubber rabbitbrush
Rupturewort
Sangre de Grado
Sanicle
Sapindus mukorossi
Sargentodoxa
Siberian Elm
Silverweed
slippery elm bark
Smooth Alder
Snakeroot
Soapberry
Soft rush
Southernwood
Spiraea
Stone Root
Storax
Tansy
tartarian aster
Tea Tree Oil
Terpinen-4-ol
Teucrium marum
Thuja
Toadflax
Tridax
Triplaris peruviana
Trumpet Vine
turmeric
Tynanthus elegans
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
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White Dead Nettle Flower
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White Poplar
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Witch Hazel
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Woodwardia
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