| Chemical Properties | Pale-yellow essential oil; camphor-like
odor. Soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, carbon disulfide,
fixed oils, and mineral oil. Combustible. Chief
known constituents: Dextro-pinene, levofenchone,
thujone, should contain more than 60% ketones calculated
as thujone. |
| Chemical Properties | Cedar leaf oil (Thuja oil) is produced by steamdistillation of fresh leaves and
branch ends of the treeThuja occidentalis L. (Cupressaceae). It is a colorless
to yellow liquid with a powerful, herbaceous odor, characteristic of thujone.
d2525 0.910-0.920; n20D 1.4560-1.4590; α20D ?14 ° to ?10 °; ketone content
(calculated as thujone): min. 60 %; solubility: 1 vol in 3 vol of 70% ethanol at
25℃.
The oil is produced in the northern states of the United States and in
Canada in a quantity of 20–30 t/yr. It is used in perfumery for dry nuances
in citrus and woody compositions. |
| Chemical Properties | The volatile oil obtained by steam distillation from the fresh leaves and branches of at least 15-year-old plants. It has a
strong, camphoraceous odor reminiscent of sage and a similar taste. |
| Physical properties | It is a colorless to yellow-greenish liquid. It is soluble in most fixed oils, in mineral oils and
propylene glycol. It is practically insoluble in glycerin. |
| Occurrence | Found in the leaves and branch ends of Thuja occidentalis L. (Fam. Cupressaceae). |
| Uses | As fragrance in soaps, detergents, perfumes. |
| Definition | An essential oil distilled from the leaves of Juniperus virginiana. Strongly dextrorotatory. Used in microscopy, perfumery, flavoring. |
| Preparation | By steam distillation of the fresh branch ends and leaves. |
| Essential oil composition | The chief constituent of cedar leaf oil is d-a-thujone |
| Safety Profile | Moderately toxic by
ingestion and skin contact. A skin irritant.
Ingestion of large quantities causes
hypertension, bradycardia, tachypnea,
convulsions, death. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and
fumes. See also ARTEMISIA OIL. |
