Devadaru – Cedrus deodara Uses, Research, Side Effects

Himalayan Cedar – Cedrus deodara is extremely useful in neurological disorders, asthma, pruritus, fever, infested wounds. Deodar oil is also used in arthritis, headache etc.
Botanical Name – Cedrus deodara (Roxb) Loud.
Family- Pinaceae (Sarala Kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages: 
Hindi Name- Devadara, Devdara, Devdaru
English Name- Himalayan Cedar, Deodar Trees
Telugu Name- Devadaru
Tamil Name – Devadaram
Bengali Name- Beyar
Marathi & Gujarati Name – Devadar

Sanskrit Synonyms

Indradaru, Devakashta, Devdaru – Grows in the place of Gods – Himalayas
Suradaru, Surahva, Sura Kashta, Sura Bhuruha, Suradruma – Grows in the place of Gods – Himalayas
Shakradru, Drukilinam, Amaradaru, Kilima
Bhadradaru – Word of Devadaru is very strong
Drukalima – On injury stem exudates sugar
Putikashta – Wood has pleasant strong odour
Bhadrakashta, Snehaviddha
Pitadru – Yellow coloured wood
shakrapadapa – Liked by Lord Indra

Classical categorisation

Charaka-
Stanya Shodhana – Group of herbs used in cleansing breast milk,
Anuvasanopaga – Group of herbs used in Oil enema – Anvasana Basti Panchakarma treatment
Katuka skandha
Sushruta-
Vata Samshamana – Group of herbs useful in balancing Vata Dosha.

Varieties

There is two varieties according to Raja Nighantu
Devadaru – Cedrus deodara
Sarala Devadaru – Pinus Longifolia Roxb.

Distribution

Found in north-west Himalayas from Kashmir to Mussoorie -From 3500 – 1200 square feet height.

Morphology

Bark – Dark, rough on old stems sometimes furrowed
Shoots – Long shoot with the needles solitary and arranged spirally
Leaves – needle like, sharp pointed
Flowers – Monoecious Female flowers solitary at the ends of branchlets
Fruits – Cone like erect
Seed – pale brown, wing longer than the seed

Chemical constituents

Essential oil from wood; P- methylacetophenone, atlantone, Sesquiterpenes (a&b – Himochalene , Himachalol etc) stem bark; decoction , Toxifilin.

Medicinal properties

Deodar – Medicinal Properties:
Rasav (taste) – Tikta (Bitter), Katu (pungent), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (qualities) – Rooksha (Dryness), Laghu (Lightness)
Vipaka- Katu – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Ushna – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha :
Balances Kapha and Vata Dosha.

Part used, dosage

Part Used-  Deodar Bark, Heartwood, Himalayan Cedar oil, leaves, resin
Dosage:
Bark powder 1-5 g;
Kashaya – Decoction – 50-100 ml;  in divided doses per day.
Oil- 30 to 40 drops.

Sanskrit verse

Sushruta Sutrasthana 45
Dushtavrana Shodhana – cleanses infested wounds
Krumihara – useful in worm infestation, infected wounds
Kaphahara – balances Kapha, useful in productive cough, asthma
Kushtahara – useful in skin diseases
Anilahara – Balances Vata, useful in neurological conditions
Kasahara – useful in cough and cold
Amahara – Relieves ama – a product of indigestion and altered metabolism.
Shwasahara – useful in treatment of asthma and chronic respiratory disorders.
Hidhmahara – relieves hiccups
Jwarahara  – useful in fever
Mehaghna – useful in urinary tract disorders and diabetes
Vibandhahara – Relieves constipation
Adhmanahara – relieves bloating, gaseous distension of abdomen
Kandughna – useful in relieving pruritus (excessive itching)
Shophahara – relieves swelling, oedema, anti inflammatory
Asrajit – useful in blood disorders such as abscess, bleeding disorders, vascular disorders etc.
Peenasahara – useful in running nose, sinusitis
Amahara – Relieves ama – a product of indigestion and altered metabolism.
Pramehahara – Useful in diabetes
Hikkahara – relieves hiccups
Kanduhara – useful in relieving pruritus (excessive itching)
It is used in treating obesity.

Devadaru oil benefits

Deodar oil is
Katu – pungent, Tikta – Bitter and Kashaya – astringent in taste
Krumihara – useful in worm infestation, infected wounds
Kushtahara – useful in skin diseases
Anilahara – useful in treating disorders of Vata Dosha imbalance  such as neuralgia, paralysis, constipation, bloating, etc
Dushtavrana Shodhana – cleanses infected wounds
Oil is useful externally and orally for treating syphilis.

External application

External application of paste of Deodar helps to relieve pain, swelling, inflammation, cleansing infected wounds, and in skin disorders associated with pain and itching.
Himalayan Cedar oil is also used in headache, arthritis pain and in infested wounds, externally.
Its paste is applied externally to relieve breast pain, mastitis.
Ashtanga Hrudaya mentions usage of Devadaru as an ingredient in upanaha Sweda  is application of poultice in sweating treatment, to relieve stiffness as in rheumatoid arthritis and cervical spondylosis.
Charaka Samhita mentions this as an ingredient of powder massage powder (Udvartana) – useful in treating obesity, pruritus, urticaria etc.
Charaka also mentions this as an ingredient in preparing cream to be applied during winter to relieve pain and body stiffness.

Research

Analgesic and anti inflammatory activity
Against gastric ulcer
Anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity of alcoholic extract
Anti ulcer and anti fungal effect

Side effects

There are no known side effects with this herb.
Can be used safely during lactation period and in children.
Seek medical advice for usage during pregnancy.
The pollen of Cedrus deodara is a proven allergen and can cause allergic rhinitis or hives on exposure. (research)

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines with Cedrus deodara ingredient:
Devdarvadi Kashaya – used in the treatment of cough, cold, bronchitis, asthma, bodyache etc.
Chandraprabha Vati – used in diabetes, diseases of urinary tract.
Maharasnadi Kashayam – used in Vata disorders like Kampavata (Parkinson’s disease), hemiplegia, paraplegia, Neck pain, low back pain, etc
Pushkaramoolasav – used in treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, Bronchitis etc.
Anu Oil – used in the treatment of diseases of the above sense organs.

How to use it?

Its powder  or paste or Devadaru oil is applied externally for the said conditions.
Its powder or Kashayam is prepared by adding a tablespoon of Devadaru heartwood to two cups of water, boiled and reduced to half a cup and filtered, administered in lukewarm condition.
Devadaru oil is used as an ingredient in pain relief oils and liniment. It acts as a rubefacient. Eg: Bestlin Liniment

Sthanika karma (Systemic Acton)

Externally – Reduce pain and swelling, cleanses the wound, promotes wound healing. indicated in skin disorders, has antimicrobial properties. Oil is indicated in fractures, joint diseases, wounds etc.

Internally
Nervous system – Indicated in Osteoarthritis, Rheumatic joint disease,sciatica,headache etc 

Digestive system – It is carminative, digestive. Indicated in abdominal bloating, constipation, helminthiasis

Circulatory System – Being ushna virya stimulates the heart. bitter taste helps to purify blood and reduce swelling. Indicated in blood borne diseases, lymphadenitis, filariasis.

Respiratory System –Its bitter and unctuous qualities helps to eliminate excess kapha. Indicated in kasa (Cough) and running nose, hiccough

Excretory system – Helps to increase urine production. Its bitter taste helps to reduce sugar level in diabetes patients, Indicated in painful urination, UTI. 

Reproductive System – Purifies breast milk, cleanses uterus so indicated in  puerperal diseases.

Satmikarana – Indicated in obesity

Skin – Beneficial in skin diseases

Tapakrama – Indicated in Jirna jvara (Chronic fever)