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 dcodara (Roxb) Loud.
Family- Pinaceae

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, Bhadrakashta, Snehaviddha

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
Sushruta-
Vata Samshamana – Group of herbs useful in balancing Vata Dosha.

Varieties

There is two varieties
Devadaru – Cedrus deodara
Sarala Devadaru – Pinus Longifolia Roxb.

Distribution

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

Chemical constituents

Essential oil from wood; P- methylacetophenon, atlantone, Sesquiterpenes (a&b – Himochalene , Himachalol etc) stem bark; decoction , Toxifilin.
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna VIjnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

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-  Dedoar 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 medicine.
Can be used safely during lactation period and in children.
Seek medical advise for usage during pregnancy.

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 track.
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?

Its powder  or paste or Devadaru oil is applied externally for the said conditions.
Its powder or Kashayam 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 ingredient in pain relief oils and liniment. It acts as rubefacient. Eg: Bestlin Liniment