*History of Cedar Wood
Cedarwood has been used throughout the ages by various races. The first documented use of cedarwood oil was by the Ancient Egyptians 2000-3000 years before Christ. They used cedar wood oil in the mummification process and also made the coffin from cedarwood. The Egyptains and the Greeks used cedarwood oil to ward off infections and as an ingredient uesed in cosmetics. They impregnated papyrus leaves with it to repel insects.

Early Europeans used cedarwood oil to help heal the sick and to prevent outbreaks of disease. Europeans used cedarwood oil to cure indigestion, flatulence, leprosy, bubonic plaque, small pox, and fever.In the 17th century, The English herbalists Nicholas Culpepper, had observed that cedar wood was a remedy for heart failure, coughs, shortness of breath, tuberculosis and menstruation. American Indians seemed to have used cedarwood oil for almost any health condition.

Cedarwood oil was not only used to cure physical illnesses, it was also used by American Indians to cleanse the spirit, ward off evil, and to communicate with nature, including both plants and animals. As you can see through out history, cedarwood oil has been used by many cultures, in different ways to prevent or cure illnesses. There was no scientific knowledge to understand the theory and chemical composition of cedarwood. Therefore, trial and error must have been used to determine the effect the oil would have on an individual illness.

*Source: School of Resources, Environment & Society, Australian University

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*Durability of Cedar
Cedarwood is renowned for its resistance to bacteria and fungi. This is especially important in the sauna where bodies, moisture and heat combine to make the environment perfect for molds and bacteria. When woods other than cedar are used the sauna must be carefully sterilized before and after use. Cedarwood's structure creates interior air spaces that give it a higher insulation value than most woods. It also boosts very low shrinkage value, making it suitable for a variety of uses in high-moisture areas such as sauans.

*Cooking with Cedar
The following is how cedar planks are used in cooking. The first one is a receipt written by Pam Anderson that was printed in the June 23-25,2006 USA Weekend insert in the Sunday Paper. The second item is a flyer with recommendations for a healthy summer written by Russell H. Greenfield, MD. I picked up at my local Harris Teeter Grocery Store. My Question is, if cedar is so toxic why would anyone recommend the use of it in cooking??? Read these for your self. Click on each one for a larger view.

USA Weekend	Recommendations

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*Safety of Cedar Wood
Cedar wood has been used from 3000~4000 years ago to prevent or cure illnesses. Any kind of wood including cedar wood might be harmful if its wood dust is inhaled in an enormous amount in a closed space such as a saw mill or a wood factory. It is ridiculous to compare sawdust to sitting in a sauna. Sawdust in any form from any tree is not good for you. We don't think you will be cutting up your Infrared Sauna when you get it unpacked, so there is little concern with most sauna woods. But the normal use of a sauna made with cedar wood is safe to human body. No case has been reported to any government agencies or research institutions throughout the world regarding the health problems related to using a cedar wood sauna. Read more about the use of wood in sauna construction Please check the link below regarding the safety of cedar wood.

Regulatory Information for Cedar by the U.S. EPA & Word Health Organization (WHO)

Check Out These Other Sites:
[Ancestors Family Names and Crests]
[Healthy Infra-Red Saunas]