Herb & supplement monograph

Atlantic Cedar Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated June 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Atlantic Cedar interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Atlantic Cedar is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Atlantic Cedar is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Atlantic Cedar

0 medications have a known interaction with Atlantic Cedar, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Atlantic Cedar. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Atlantic Cedar combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Monograph

Atlantic Cedar: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

Atlantic cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is a tree whose wood and essential oil are used in traditional medicine, mainly applied to the skin and scalp or used as a scent. Human evidence for its health benefits is very limited, and the oil should be used diluted and never swallowed. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or treating a child.

Atlantic Cedar
Scientific name
Cedrus atlantica
Family
Pinaceae
Part used
Wood and essential oil
Common forms
Essential oil, topical preparations, aromatherapy products, cosmetics and soaps
People commonly use it for
  • Hair loss (alopecia areata)
  • Insect repellent
  • Antimicrobial and antifungal
  • Aromatherapy and relaxation
  • Fragrance in cosmetics and perfumes

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

Generally used topically in diluted form; the undiluted oil can irritate skin and should not be taken by mouth.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Atlantic cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is a large evergreen tree in the pine family. It is native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, especially in parts of Morocco and Algeria, and is also grown elsewhere as an ornamental tree.

The tree's wood and the essential oil distilled from it have long been used in traditional practices and in manufacturing. The oil has a warm, woody scent and is commonly added to perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics as a fragrance and fixative.

In folk medicine, the oil is most often applied to the skin or scalp. People use it for hair and scalp concerns, as an insect repellent, and as a fragrant ingredient in aromatherapy.

How it works

Atlantic cedar oil contains a mix of plant compounds, including sesquiterpenes such as himachalenes and other components sometimes described as cadinene, farnesene, and viridiflorol. These compounds are thought to give the oil its scent and its possible antimicrobial and insect-repelling actions.

In laboratory and animal research, these compounds appear to interfere with the growth of some microbes and may act as antioxidants. It is important to understand that most of this work comes from test-tube and animal studies, not from well-designed human trials, so we cannot assume the same effects happen in the body.

Effectiveness

Does Atlantic Cedar work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by .

Evidence overview · 2 uses evaluated
2 Insufficient evidence
How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.
2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.
3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.
4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.
5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.
6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.
7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

For Atlantic Cedar, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.

Also studied for 2 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Alopecia areata
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Topical Atlantic cedar oil has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Insect repellent
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there has been interest in using topical Atlantic cedar oil as an insect repellent, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of Atlantic cedar for this purpose.

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

Atlantic cedar is most often used as an essential oil applied to the skin. Like other essential oils, it should be diluted in a carrier oil (such as coconut or jojoba oil) before being put on the skin, because the concentrated oil can cause irritation. It is a good idea to do a small patch test first.

Essential oils, including cedar oil, should never be swallowed unless directed by a qualified professional, as they can be toxic if taken by mouth. Keep the oil away from the eyes and out of reach of children and pets.

People with sensitive skin, eczema, or allergies should be especially careful. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid it because there is not enough information to confirm it is safe. When in doubt, check with a pharmacist or doctor before use.

Side effects

The most common side effects from topical use are skin irritation, redness, or an allergic skin reaction (contact dermatitis), especially when the oil is used undiluted.

Swallowing essential oils can cause serious problems, including stomach upset, drowsiness, or more severe toxicity. If a large amount is swallowed, or if someone has trouble breathing or other serious symptoms, seek emergency medical care right away.

Dosing

There is no established standard dose for Atlantic cedar. It is not meant to be taken by mouth, and most use is topical or as a scent.

If you use a product containing the oil, follow the directions on the label and dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil before applying it to skin. Because products vary widely in strength, it is best to ask a pharmacist or doctor for guidance, particularly before using it on children or on a large area of skin.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Atlantic Cedar & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Atlantic Cedar & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 2 sources that drive our Atlantic Cedar monograph — publicly available pages from reputable medical and government organizations. Every link was verified to work before publishing.

  1. Cedar — MedlinePlus Source
  2. Essential Oils — NIH NCCIH Source
Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Atlantic Cedar

2 brands in our database make a supplement containing Atlantic Cedar.

Product directory

Supplement products with Atlantic Cedar

2 products in our database contain Atlantic Cedar. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Atlantic Cedar: Common Questions

What is Atlantic Cedar used for, and does it work?
People use Atlantic Cedar for a range of reasons, but according to the Natural Medicines database the current clinical evidence is insufficient to confirm it works for the specific conditions it has been studied for. See the graded list on this page, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before relying on it for any condition.
Does Atlantic Cedar interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Atlantic Cedar. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Atlantic Cedar interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Atlantic Cedar with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Atlantic Cedar interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
What is Atlantic Cedar used for?
It is most often used as an essential oil applied to the skin or scalp for hair and scalp concerns, as an insect repellent, and as a fragrance in perfumes, soaps, and aromatherapy. Strong human evidence for medical benefits is lacking.
Can I take Atlantic Cedar oil by mouth?
No. Essential oils like cedar oil are not meant to be swallowed and can be toxic if taken by mouth. It should only be used topically (diluted) or for its scent.
Is Atlantic Cedar safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
There is not enough reliable safety information, so it is best to avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless your doctor says otherwise.
Does Atlantic Cedar oil help with hair loss?
The evidence is limited. One older study used it as part of a blend with other oils for alopecia areata, but cedar oil alone has not been proven effective, so results are uncertain.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Keep exploring

Products that contain Atlantic Cedar

A rotating sample of real supplements in our database that list Atlantic Cedar — open any to see its full ingredients and every drug interaction we check.

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