Devadaru

Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don

Devadaru (Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Pinaceae family. Described in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and classical texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya).

Key facts
Botanical name	Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don
Family	Pinaceae · other entries in this family
Order	Pinales
Pharmacopoeia status	Described in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and classical texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya). No WHO monograph available. Wood oil is commercially traded internationally.
Taxon identifiers	GBIF 5284698 · Wikidata Q146935 · NCBI Taxonomy 3322

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Devadaru
Latin/Botanical	Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don

Key Phytochemical Constituents

Himachalol (sesquiterpenoid)
Alpha-himachalene
Beta-himachalene
Gamma-himachalene
Taxifolin (dihydroquercetin)
Cedrusone A
Deodarin
Cedeodarin
Cedrin
Alpha-terpineol
Limonene
Isopimaric acid
Wikstromol (lignan)

How does it work?

Spasmolytic activity of himachalol via non-specific smooth muscle relaxation similar to papaverine (calcium channel antagonism)
Anti-inflammatory action through flavonoid-mediated (taxifolin) inhibition of COX-2, LOX, and NF-kB signaling pathways
Neuroprotective effects via antioxidant-mediated reduction of oxidative stress in neuronal cells and modulation of neurotransmitter levels
Antimicrobial activity through essential oil terpenoids disrupting microbial cell membrane integrity

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic use validated in carrageenan-induced paw edema and Freund’s adjuvant models
Diuretic and antiurolithiatic effects confirmed in ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis models in rats
Antifungal activity validated against Aspergillus fumigatus and dermatophyte species using essential oil
Respiratory ailment use supported by bronchodilatory and antiasthmatic activity in preclinical models

What do recent clinical trials show?

Bisht A, Jain S, Misra A and others 2021. Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don: A review of traditional use, phytochemical composition and pharmacology. Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 34166738 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114361
Confirmed taxifolin and deodarin as major bark flavonoids with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; wood essential oil showed significant analgesic effects.

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

Non-toxic and non-irritating to rabbit and sheep skin in dermal studies; no adverse effects on blood urea nitrogen or blood glucose levels at tested doses
Mode of action, efficacy, optimal dose range and long-term safety in humans require further investigation; essential oil should be used in diluted form to avoid skin sensitization

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

Taxifolin
Limonene
Himachalol
Alpha-himachalene
Beta-himachalene
Gamma-himachalene
Cedrusone A
Deodarin
Cedeodarin
Cedrin
Alpha-terpineol
Isopimaric acid
Wikstromol

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Taila (medicated oil), Tablet, Capsule, Kwath Ghana (solid extract), Dhupa (fumigation - traditional)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction twice daily; 500mg extract capsule twice daily; Taila for external application

Bioavailability: Cedrus deodara heartwood contains sesquiterpenes (himachalenes) and terpenoids with moderate lipophilicity. Oral bioavailability of sesquiterpenes is moderate (15-30%) with hepatic first-pass metabolism. Taila preparations enhance absorption of lipophilic terpenoids through lymphatic uptake. Volatile oil components absorbed well from GI tract but rapidly metabolized. Enhancement: cyclodextrin complexation improves aqueous solubility of himachalenes; co-administration with Trikatu enhances absorption.

Optimal Timing: After meals with warm water for respiratory conditions; Taila application with gentle massage for joint disorders, preferably in the evening

Standardized Extract: Essential oil: standardized to NLT 60% himachalol + himachalenes by GC-MS. Hydroalcoholic extract: NLT 3% total terpenoids. Extract ratio 6:1.

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder in airtight container); 3 years (tablet/capsule); 3 years (essential oil in amber glass)

Storage: Store in airtight, amber containers below 25 deg C. Essential oil: cool, dark place, nitrogen-blanketed to prevent oxidation. Powder: protect from moisture; heartwood powder is relatively stable but volatile components diminish over time.

Marker Compounds: Alpha-himachalene, Beta-himachalene, Himachalol, Allohimachalol, Centdarol, Deodarone, Cedrin

Extraction Methods

Steam distillation for essential oil (Devadaru Taila)
Aqueous decoction of heartwood
Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30)
Supercritical CO2 extraction for terpenoid-rich extract
Soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether for essential oil alternative

Synergistic Combinations

With Guggulu for anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic synergy
With Rasna for Vata-Kapha joint disorders
With Eranda Taila for external application in musculoskeletal pain
With Nirgundi for analgesic enhancement
With Haridra for anti-inflammatory potentiation

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews4

Bisht A, Jain S, Misra A and others. 2021. Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don: A review of traditional use, phytochemical composition and pharmacologyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 34166738 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114361
Heinrich M, Jiang H, Scotti F and others. 2021. Medicinal plants from the Himalayan region for potential novel antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory skin treatmentsThe Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. PMID 33886964 · doi:10.1093/jpp/rgab039
Saab AM, Gambari R, Sacchetti G and others. 2018. Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of essential oils from Cedrus speciesNatural product research. PMID 28670915 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1346648
Singh AB, Kumar P. 2002. Common environmental allergens causing respiratory allergy in IndiaIndian journal of pediatrics. PMID 12003301 · doi:10.1007/BF02734234

Laboratory and animal studies8

Gillani SW, Ahmad M, Manzoor M and others. 2025. Synergizing population structure, habitat preferences, and ecological drivers for conservation of Cedrus deodaraBMC plant biology. PMID 40335897 · doi:10.1186/s12870-025-06664-x
Ma J, Lu C, Bai L and others. 2024. Phytotoxic phenols from the needles of Cedrus deodaraPhytochemistry. PMID 38215813 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.113977
Rastegari A, Manayi A, Akbarzadeh T and others. 2023. Cedrus deodara: In Vivo Investigation of Burn Wound Healing PropertiesEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 37064944 · doi:10.1155/2023/5596964
Bisht A, Gururani R, Jain S and others. 2023. Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don bark fraction ameliorates metabolic, endocrine and ovarian dynamics in rats experiencing polycystic ovarian syndromeJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 36690306 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116206
Sushmitha DH, Ramesh C, Sowmya BA and others. 2022. Attenuation of cisplatin induced myelosuppression by methanol extract of Cedrus deodara in Wistar ratsJournal of complementary & integrative medicine. PMID 35325515 · doi:10.1515/jcim-2021-0515
Narayan S, Thakur CP, Bahadur S and others. 2017. Cedrus deodara: In vitro antileishmanial efficacy & immumomodulatory activityThe Indian journal of medical research. PMID 29664038 · doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_959_16
Kumar A, Singh V, Chaudhary AK. 2011. Gastric antisecretory and antiulcer activities of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud. in Wistar ratsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 21182918 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.12.019
Chaudhary A, Sharma P, Nadda G and others. 2011. Chemical composition and larvicidal activities of the Himalayan cedar, Cedrus deodara essential oil and its fractions against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostellaJournal of insect science (Online). PMID 22239128 · doi:10.1673/031.011.15701

Cite this page. Age Ayurveda. “Devadaru.” Age Ayurveda Nighantu. Last reviewed 18 September 2026. https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/devadaru/
Machine-readable source: Markdown. Reviewed 2026-09-18.

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