Thuja Essential Oil: 10 Health Benefits

Thuja essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the laves and branches of the thuja plant. While often used as decor, the thuja plant boasts many healing compounds. Thuja oil has anti-rheumatic, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic properties. While the oil can help with many ailments, it's important to note that excessive inhalation can cause irritation in the respiratory tract. (1)

Thuja Essential Oil Health Benefits

1. Relieves Rheumatism

Thuja essential oil works as a natural diuretic to flush toxins out of the body, including uric acid which can cause rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Thuja oil is also a natural stimulant that helps improve circulation, bringing warmth to painful areas and providing pain relief. (2)

2. Works as an Astringent

The natural astringent properties of thuja essential oil causes the muscles, tissues, nerves and blood vessels to contract or shrink. This can help slow down or stop hemorrhaging from cut or torn blood vessels.

3. Promotes Urination

Thuja essential oil works as a natural diuretic to increase the frequency of urination. By promoting urination, the oil helps keep the body free of excess water, excess salt, uric acid and other toxins that cause illness and infection.

4. Acts as an Emmenagogue

Thuja oil can help provide relief from pain associated with menstruation, such as cramps, abdominal pain, nausea and fatigue. It can also help make periods more regular by promoting the secretion of certain hormones like estrogen and progesterone. (3)

5. Clears Respiratory Tract

Thuja essential oil has natural expectorant properties that can help expel phlegm in the respiratory tract and lungs. The oil relieves congestion to clear out mucus, open the airways and provide relief from coughing. (4)

6. Repels Insects

Thuja oil is toxic by nature, which makes it a natural insecticide. It can help keep mosquitoes, lice, ticks, fleas and bed bugs at bay, as well as cockroaches, ants and moths. Use the oil in repellent sprays, fumigants or vaporizers.

7. Stimulates Blood Circulation

The stimulating properties of thuja essential oil promote the secretion of hormones, enzymes, acids, gastric juices and bile. The oil also help stimulate the nerves, heart and brain, which leads to better alertness and a faster metabolism.

8. Kills Intestinal Worms

The toxic nature of thuja essential oil can help kill intestinal parasites that may have infected the body. The oil works to eliminate roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms that can cause dangerous health conditions. (5)

9. Improves Metabolic Function

Thuja oil works as a tonic for the body to help improve metabolic functions and tone the liver, stomach and intestines. It also helps promote the secretion of hormones and enzymes to keep you alert and active.

10. Acts as a Rubefacient

Thuja essential oil's stimulating properties can cause a mild irritation on the skin by stimulating the circulation of blood below the skin. his can cause the skin to look red while aiding in the regeneration and rejuvenation of the skin. Caution: Thuja essential oil is naturally toxic and may irritate the digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. It can also cause nervous afflictions and convulsions when taken in large amounts. Pregnant women should not use thuja oil.