Sugi

Also called Japanese cedar or Japanese red cedar, sugi is an evergreen tree that grows to a height of 35-60m and can attain a trunk diameter up to 4m. It is a shade tolerant species that can withstand frost. It grows in mountains and areas of high rainfall in south and central Japan. It prefers a deep, rich, moist alluvial soil and a sheltered position in full sun.

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Botanical Name 

Cryptomeria japonica

Botany and origins

Also called Japanese cedar or Japanese red cedar, sugi is an evergreen tree that grows to a height of 35-60m and can attain a trunk diameter up to 4m.

It is a shade tolerant species that can withstand frost. It grows in mountains and areas of high rainfall in south and central Japan. It prefers a deep, rich, moist alluvial soil and a sheltered position in full sun.

The very rare yakusugi tree, which can only be found on Yakushima Island, refers to sugi trees that are over 1,000 years old. The entire region where these trees grow is declared a World Heritage site.

The sugi tree is the national tree of Japan and is commonly planted around temples and shrines.

Traditional uses

Japanese cedar is commonly planted in forests and the timber has often been used as an interior material in Japan.25

C. japonica is well known in Taiwan as one of the most important plantation tree species because of its beautiful yellowish red to red-coloured heartwood. It is one of the most important trees as use as a building material for Japanese-style houses and is commonly used as a material for ceiling boards, wall panelling and posts.26

Aroma

Sugi leaf essential oil has a fresh, pine-like aroma with a light, warm terpene-like note.
Sugi wood essential oil has a soft delicate, woody note with a sweet-resiny woody undertone.

Chemistry

The chemical composition of Perfect Potion sugi wood oil was reported as follows:27

α-pinene (0.61%), limonene (0.17%), δ-elemene (0.15%), α -cubebene (1.19%), α -copaene (0.57%), β-cubebene 1.2%), β -caryophllene (1.41%), Ƴ-elemene (0.21%), trans-muurola-3,5-diene (3.21%), α-humulene (1.22%), trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene (6.15%), Ƴ-muurolene (0.8%), germacrene D (0.43%), β-selinene (0.21%), trans-muurola-4(14),5-diene (8.35%), α -muurolene (6.2%), β-bisabolene (0.81%), Ƴ -cadinene (0.57%), δ-cadinene (26.55%), zonarene (4.46%), trans-cadina-1,4-diene (2.48), elemol (3.35%), gleenol (0.93%), cedrol (0.18%), 1-epi-cubenol (6.4%), Ƴ-eudesmol (1.57%), cubenol (5.56%), α-muurolol (1.27%), β -eudesmol (2.55%), α-eudesmol (2.12%), cryptomerione (1.74%), abietatriene (0.14%), abietadiene (1.19%), sandaracopimarinal (0.32%), ferruginol (0.26%).

The chemical composition of Perfect Potion sugi leaf oil was reported as follows:28

α-thujene (2.35%), α-pinene (26.17%), α-fenchene (0.18%), camphene (3.72%), sabinene (21.07%), β-pinene (1.38%), myrcene (4.95%), α -phellandrene (0.21%), δ-3-carene (2.95%), α -terpinene (2.44%), p-cymene (0.83%), limonene (7.35%), Ƴ-terpinene (3.61%), terpinolene (1.76%), linalool (0.26%), terpinen-4-ol (2.57%), bornyl acetate (1.81%), α-terpinyl acetate (0.23%), β-caryophyllene (0.3%), cis-thujopsene (0.19%), trans-β-farnesene (0.34%), Ƴ-muurolene (0.33%), α-muurolene (0.69%), Ƴ-cadinene (0.7%), hedycaryol (3.23%), cedrol (0.09%), Ƴ-eudesmol (0.57%), β-eudesmol (0.68%), α-eudesmol (0.83%), kaurene (1.53%).

It is fascinating to find terpinen-4-ol in sugi leaf essential oil, which is also found in tea tree oil.

Pharmacology and clinical studies

A study examining the inhalation of Japanese cedar found that it increased the secretion of salivary dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA) levels after monotonous work. It was concluded that Japanese cedar wood oil affects the endocrine regulatory mechanism to facilitate stress responses. DHEA plays a protective role against the potential damaging effects of excessive cortisol. DHEA has several other functions such as neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-glucocorticoid, and antidiabetic.29

One study examined the effects of volatile organic compounds emitted from Japanese cedar walls. The results of the study found that exposure to the VOCs of the Japanese cedar walls supressed the activation of sympathetic nervous system during and after arithmetic work. It was concluded that the VOCs emitted from Japanese cedar assist people in remaining physiologically relaxed under stressful conditions.25

The results of a repellency bioassay found that sugi leaf essential oil significantly repelled silverfish. The repellent activity was 80% at a dose of 0.01mg/cm3. when silverfish were exposed to concentrations of 0.16 mg/cm3 of essential oil, they were killed within 10h.30

Uses and benefits

The subtle woody scent of sugi wood oil suggests that it is beneficial to promote a calming and relaxing ambiance that is inducive to spiritual awareness. Sugi wood oil is commonly used in Japan as an air purifier.

The refreshing uplifting scent of sugi leaf essential oil is mentally and emotionally uplifting and invigorating.

Both sugi wood and leaf essential oils have traditionally been used to alleviate respiratory congestion associated with blocked sinuses and chest congestion.

Blending

Consider blending sugi wood oil with bergamot, Atlas cedarwood, cistus, clary sage, cypress, blue mallee eucalyptus, fir, frankincense, ginger, hiba wood, hinoki wood, hinoki leaf, lavender, lemon, mandarin, neroli, sweet orange, pine, rosemary, Santalum spicatum, black spruce, sugi leaf, vetiver or ylang ylang.

Consider blending sugi leaf oil with basil, bergamot, blue mallee eucalyptus, fragonia, fir, frankincense, ginger, hiba wood, kunzea, hinoki wood, hinoki leaf, lavender, lemon, lemon myrtle, peppermint, pine, rosemary, black spruce, sugi wood, tea tree or vetiver.

Safety

No known hazards or contraindications for sugi wood or sugi leaf essential oils.

 

Forest bathing blends

Bring the benefits of shinrin-yoku into your home with these blends utilising these four beautiful Japanese essential oils.

Clear the airways

This blend helps to clear the sinuses.

2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops peppermint
2 drops blue mallee eucalyptus

Confidence

This blend restores self-confidence and strengthens the will-power.

2 drops sugi wood
2 drops lemon
2 drops black pepper

Creativity

This blend helps promotes creativity.

2 drops of sweet orange
2 drops sugi leaf
2 drops coriander seed

Concentration

The blend promotes focus and invigorates the mind.

2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops basil
2 drops lemon

Forest wisdom

This blend connects us with the wisdom of the forest.

2 drops sugi wood
1 drops hinoki wood
1 drop sugi leaf
1 drop hinoki leaf
1 drop vetiver

Grounding

This blend grounds us and reconnects us with earth’s energy.

2 drops sugi wood
2 drops vetiver
2 drops hinoki wood

Peaceful

A beautiful blend to promote harmony and balances our emotions.

2 drops sugi wood
2 drops geranium
2 drops hinoki wood

Intuition

This blend allows us to trust our intuition.

2 drops hinoki wood
2 drops fragonia
2 drops sugi leaf

Japanese bath

This blend recreates the luscious aromas of a traditional Japanese bath.

3 drops hinoki wood
2 drops hinoki leaf
1 drop lavender

Meditation

This blend promotes meditation and strengthens our spiritual awareness.

2 drops sugi wood
2 drops hinoki wood
2 drops frankincense

Joyfulness

This blend nourishes the soul with joy.

2 drops sweet orange
2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops sugi leaf

Purify

This blend clears and cleanses negative energy.

2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops juniper berry
2 drops sugi leaf

Tranquility

This blend promotes feelings calm.

2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops sugi wood
2 drops lavender

Vitality

Feel revitalized and energized with this blend.

2 drops sugi leaf
2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops lemon

 

Recommended reading

Li Q. Forest bathing – how trees can help you find health and happiness. Viking, New York, 2018.
Clifford MA. Your guide to forest bathing. Red Wheel. Newburyport, 2021.

Arvay CG. The biophilia effect – a scientific exploration of the healing bond between humans and nature. Sounds True, Boulder, 2018.
Louv R. The nature principle. Algonquin Books, Chapel Hill, 2011.

Williams F. The nature fix – why nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative. WW Norton & Company, New York, 2017.

References

1. Li Q. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 2010; 15(1): 9-17. doi: 10.1007/s12199-008-0068-3
2. Li Q. Forest bathing – how trees can help you find health and happiness. Viking, New York, 2018.
3. Miyazaki Y. Shinrin-yoku – the Japanese way of forest bathing for health and relaxation. Aster, London, 2018.
4. Tsunetsugu Y et al. Trends in research related to ‘shinrin-yoku’ (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing) in Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 2010; 15(1): 27-37. doi: 10.1007/s12199-009-0091-z
5. Battaglia S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy: Volume III – Psyche & Subtle. Third Edition, Black Pepper, Brisbane 2021.
6. Redvers N. The science of the sacred – Bridging global Indigenous medicine systems and modern scientific principles. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 2019.
7. Hughes K. The incense bible – Plant scents that transcend world culture, medicine and spirituality. Routledge, New York, 2014.
8. Schnaubelt K. Medical aromatherapy. North Atlantic Books, Frog, Berkeley, 1999.
9. Williams K, Harvey D. Transcendent experience in forest environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2001; 21(3): 249-260. doi: 10.1006/jevp.2001.0204
10. Oh B et al. Health and well-being benefits of spending time in forests: Systematic review. Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine, 2017; 22(1) :71. doi: 10.1186/s1199-017-0677-9
11. Takayama N et al. Emotional, restorative and vitalizing effects of forest and urban environments at four sites in Japan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2014; 11(7): 7207-7230. doi: 10.3390/ijerph110707207
12. Kuo M. How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway. Frontiers in Psychology, 2015; 6: 1093. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01093
13. Song C et al. Individual differences in the physiological effects of forest therapy based on Type A and Type B behavior patterns. Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 2013; 32(1): 14.
14. Berman MG et al. Interacting with nature improves cognition and affect for individuals with depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2012; 140(3): 300-305. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2012.03.012
15. Lee J et al. Nature therapy and preventive medicine. In Jay Maddock ed. Public Health - Social and Behavioral Health. Intech Open, 2012. doi: 10.5772/37701
16. Li Q et al. Visiting a forest, but not a city, increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 2008; 21(1): 117-127. doi: 10.1177/039463200802100113
17. Southern Cross University. Perfect Potion hinoki wood oil - Certificate of analysis, 2019.
18. Southern Cross University. Perfect Potion hinoki leaf oil - Certificate of analysis, 2019.
19. Arvay CG. The biophilia effect – a scientific exploration of the healing bond between humans and nature. Sounds True, Boulder, 2018.
20. Farjon A. Chamaecyparis obtusa. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: eT42212A2962056.
21. Ikei H et al. Physiological effect of olfactory stimulation by hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) leaf oil. Journal of Physiological Anthropology. 2015; 34:44. doi:10.1186/s40101-015-0082-2
22. Tsao N-W et al. Effect of hinoko and meniki essential oils on human autonomic nervous system activity and mood states. Natural Product Communications. 2015;10(7):1305-1308.
23. Raha S et al. Essential oil from Korean Chamaecyparis obtusa leaf ameliorates respiratory activity in Sprague-Dawley rats and exhibits protection from NF-kB-induced inflammation in WI38 fibroblast cells. International Journal of Molecular Medicine. 2019; 43:393-403. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2018.3966
24. Tisserand R, Young R. Essential oil safety. 2nd edn, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 2012.
25. Matsubara E, Kawai S. VOCs emitted from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) interior walls induce physiological relaxation. Building and Environment. 2014;72:125-130. doi: 10.1016/j.buildingenv.2013.10.023
26. Mizushina Y et al. Chapter 36 - Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) oils. Essential oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety. 2016;317-324. Doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-416641-7.00036-5
27. Southern Cross University. Perfect Potion sugi wood oil - Certificate of analysis, 2021.
28. Southern Cross University. Perfect Potion sugi leaf oil - Certificate of analysis, 2021.
29. Matsubara E et al. Essential oil of Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) wood increases salivary dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels after monotonous work. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017;14:97. doi:10.3390/ijerph14010097
30. Wang SY et al. Essential oil from the leaves of Cryptomeria japonica acts as a silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) repellent and insecticide. Journal of Wood Science. 2006;52:522-526. doi: 10.1007/s10086-006-0806-3