Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) Dried Leaf Liquid Extract — External Use Only

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) Dried Leaf Liquid Extract — External Use Only

For external use only. Not for internal use. This extract is supplied for topical and cosmetic formulation work — oils, balms, salves, soaps and compresses. Do not swallow.

A liquid extract of dried Thuja plicata leaf, prepared for external formulation and natural fragrance work.

What you get

• One botanical, named to species. Only Thuja plicata foliage — a true cypress-family cedar, not a Cedrus and not a juniper.
• Scent that survives into a soap base. The flat sprays carry the clean, resinous, faintly pineapple-sweet note that western red cedar is known for.
• Cold maceration, never heated. The material steeps at room temperature rather than being boiled or spray-dried.
• Sustainably sourced foliage, cut from managed stands rather than taken with the tree.
• Made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility.
• Sizes from 2 fl oz to 2 gallons, including multi-packs — the same extract whether you are testing a formula or running a batch.

About the plant

Western red cedar is one of the great trees of the Pacific Northwest, a member of the cypress family (Cupressaceae) that reaches sixty metres and lives more than a thousand years along the coast from Alaska to northern California. Its foliage is not needled but scaled, laid in flat glossy sprays that show a pale, butterfly-shaped bloom on the underside, and the bark peels in long fibrous strips. To the Northwest Coast peoples it is the long-life-maker: canoes, longhouse planks, bentwood boxes, rope, baskets and woven clothing all came from this one tree, and it remains the central cultural plant of the region.

Suggested use

For external use in cosmetic and topical preparations. Blend into a carrier oil, balm, salve, cream or soap base at the rate your formulation calls for. Patch-test on a small area of intact skin and wait 24 hours before wider use.

Warnings

For external use only. Do not take internally. Cedar leaf contains thujone, which is neurotoxic and can trigger seizures when swallowed. Do not use during pregnancy in any form, including on the skin. Not for use by anyone with a seizure disorder. Keep away from eyes.

Keep out of reach of children. Do not use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, including on the skin. Not for use on broken skin, open wounds or damaged skin. Discontinue use if irritation, redness or a rash develops. Do not use if the tamper seal is broken or missing. Store tightly capped in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Actual packaging may carry different or additional information; always read the label before use.