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Fresh Western Red Cedar

Also known as: Western Red Cedar, Pacific Red Cedar, Thuja plicata

Overview

Western Red Cedar (*Thuja plicata*) is a large coniferous tree native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, primarily recognized for its valuable wood properties and ecological significance rather than as a conventional dietary supplement. While the tree contains unique chemical constituents, such as extractives in its heartwood, which have been explored for potential biological properties in vitro, research specifically on Fresh Western Red Cedar as a supplement ingredient is extremely limited. Most scientific literature focuses on its genetics, forestry applications, and chemical composition. There is a notable absence of high-quality clinical evidence, such as systematic reviews or meta-analyses, to support any health-related uses of this plant material in a supplement context. Therefore, its role as a human health supplement is not well-established or supported by robust scientific data.

Benefits

There is currently no high-quality clinical evidence, such as randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses, demonstrating specific health benefits of Fresh Western Red Cedar as a supplement ingredient. While some preliminary research explores the potential for forest environments containing Western Red Cedar and other conifers to reduce stress, possibly through the inhalation of forest terpenes, these findings are not directly applicable to the consumption or topical application of the plant as a supplement. No quantified effect sizes, clinical outcomes, or specific conditions for which Western Red Cedar extracts might be beneficial have been established in human studies. The evidence base is sparse, and any claims of health benefits for supplement use are unsubstantiated by current clinical research.

How it works

The biological activity of Western Red Cedar is hypothesized to stem from its chemical constituents, including various terpenes and extractives found in its heartwood. These compounds have shown some antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory properties in in vitro (test tube) studies. In the context of environmental exposure, the inhalation of forest terpenes, including those emitted by Western Red Cedar, has been suggested to potentially reduce stress markers like blood pressure and inflammatory cytokines. However, the precise mechanisms by which these compounds might exert effects in the human body, particularly when ingested as a supplement, are not well-understood. Crucially, data regarding the absorption, metabolism, and bioavailability of Western Red Cedar constituents in supplement forms are currently unavailable in scientific literature, making it difficult to define a clear mechanism of action for human supplementation.

Side effects

A comprehensive safety profile for Fresh Western Red Cedar as a supplement ingredient has not been established. There are no peer-reviewed clinical studies that report common or rare side effects associated with its use in humans. Furthermore, no documented drug interactions or contraindications are available from high-quality scientific sources. Given the significant lack of safety data, caution is strongly advised regarding its use as a supplement. Traditional uses, if any, do not substitute for rigorous clinical safety evidence. Without specific research on human consumption, the potential for adverse effects, allergic reactions, or interactions with medications remains unknown and unquantified. Individuals should avoid using this as a supplement due to the absence of safety information.

Dosage

No established dosing guidelines exist for Fresh Western Red Cedar as a supplement ingredient due to the complete lack of clinical studies on its efficacy and safety in humans. There is no scientific data available to determine a minimum effective dose, an optimal dosage range for any specific purpose, or a maximum safe dose. Information regarding timing of administration, recommendations for different forms (e.g., extract, tea), or factors influencing absorption and bioavailability are also entirely absent from the scientific literature. Without any clinical research, it is impossible to provide evidence-based dosage recommendations, and any use would be speculative and potentially unsafe.

FAQs

Is Fresh Western Red Cedar safe to consume or use as a supplement?

There is insufficient clinical evidence to confirm the safety or efficacy of Fresh Western Red Cedar as a supplement. No comprehensive safety profile or clinical studies on human consumption exist.

Does inhaling forest air with Western Red Cedar terpenes reduce stress?

Preliminary research suggests possible stress-reducing effects from inhaling forest terpenes, including those from Western Red Cedar environments. However, this does not directly translate to supplement use.

Are there known health benefits of Western Red Cedar extracts?

No high-quality clinical evidence from randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews supports specific health benefits of Western Red Cedar extracts when used as a supplement.

Research Sources

https://cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/97/NCT05316597/Prot_000.pdf – This randomized, blinded crossover study protocol investigates the effects of forest terpene inhalation, including those from Western Red Cedar, on stress markers. It aims to assess changes in blood pressure, heart rate, self-reported stress, and inflammatory cytokines during forest-sitting sessions, suggesting a potential environmental benefit rather than a direct supplement effect.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8473494/ – This article discusses herbal supplement-induced liver injury, emphasizing the critical need for thorough safety evaluations of botanical supplements. While it does not specifically mention Western Red Cedar, it highlights the general importance of robust safety data, which is currently lacking for this plant as a supplement.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9712635/ – This research focuses on genomic studies of Western Red Cedar, revealing insights into its genetic diversity. The study provides valuable information on the tree's biological characteristics but does not address any health outcomes or effects related to its use as a human supplement.
https://www.realcedar.com/static/dae67d65e2be52c1d9ab149a8d6cf150/Real_Cedar-Growth_Properties_and_Uses_of_Western_Red_Cedar_English-2013_12_06.pdf – This document from the forestry sector describes the growth properties and various uses of Western Red Cedar wood and its extractives. It provides detailed information on the tree's chemical composition and industrial applications but offers no clinical evidence or support for its use as a human health supplement.