Devadaru for Gas and Flatulence: Does It Work?
Does Himalayan Cedar (Devadaru) help with gas and flatulence? Ayurveda lists it among the herbs for gas, but it is a supporting herb here rather than a first-line remedy. Its case rests on its properties more than on a dedicated classical prescription for gas.
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Varga 1) credits it with two actions that matter for gas. It is a digestive stimulant (Deepana), meaning it kindles the digestive fire, and it pacifies Vata (Vatahara), the cold, dry, mobile principle that Ayurveda holds responsible for trapped wind. Ayurvedic materia medica also describes the wood as carminative, meaning it helps expel gas.
The Charaka Samhita uses Devadaru in its chapter on abdominal diseases (Udara Chikitsa), where it appears in a paste applied over the abdomen. That is not a gas remedy as such, but it shows the herb has long been trusted for the belly. In practice, Ayurvedic practitioners typically use it as a co-herb in compound formulas rather than on its own.
How Devadaru Helps with Gas and Flatulence
Ayurveda sees gas and flatulence as a Vata disorder combined with a weak digestive fire, called Agni. When the downward-moving wind of the lower abdomen (Apana Vayu) is blocked or erratic, gas builds up instead of passing. Weak Agni leaves food half-digested, and that food ferments.
Warming a cold, sluggish gut
Himalayan Cedar has a hot potency (Ushna Virya) and a pungent post-digestive effect (Katu Vipaka), the effect a herb leaves once digested. Warmth is the direct opposite of Vata's cold, and it supports a sluggish Agni. Its digestive stimulant action (Deepana) works on the same root.
Light, but not harshly drying
Its bitter (Tikta) and pungent (Katu) tastes and light quality (Laghu) help clear Ama, the sticky residue of undigested food. Its slight unctuousness (Snigdha) keeps it from being as drying as many pungent herbs, which matters because dryness itself aggravates Vata.
The heartwood contains a cedarwood oil with atlantone, deodarone and other terpenes. Our sources include no modern research on Himalayan Cedar for gas, so the case remains a traditional one.
How to Use Devadaru for Gas and Flatulence
For gas and flatulence, the internal forms of Himalayan Cedar are the relevant ones: the wood powder (Churna) or a decoction (Kwatha), where the powder is boiled in water and the strained liquid is taken. Our sources give no gas-specific dose, so the amounts below are the general internal doses for the herb.
| Form | Dose | When and how |
|---|---|---|
| Wood powder (Churna) | 1 to 3 g (1/4 to 3/4 tsp), twice daily | Before meals, with warm water |
| Decoction (Kwatha) | 3 to 6 g wood powder boiled in 200 ml water, reduced to 50 ml | Twice daily, before meals |
What to take it with
The vehicle a herb is taken with is called Anupana. For stiffness and dryness, Ayurvedic guidance suggests warm water with a pinch of dry Ginger, and a little ghee helps balance the herb's heating, drying action if you lean toward Vata.
How long
Decoctions are typically taken in cycles of 2 to 4 weeks, paused and resumed as needed. Cedarwood essential oil is for diluted topical use only and should never be taken internally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Himalayan Cedar a main remedy for gas?
No. Ayurveda lists Himalayan Cedar among herbs for gas and flatulence because it kindles digestion and pacifies Vata, but practitioners usually use it as a co-herb in compound formulas rather than on its own.
Who should avoid it?
It is strongly heating, and high Pitta, the hot dosha, is its listed contraindication. Avoid it with heartburn, ulcers, gastritis or burning symptoms, and in pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you take blood thinners or blood pressure medication, tell your doctor first.
Can I take cedarwood essential oil for gas?
No. Cedarwood essential oil is for diluted topical use only, never internal. For internal use, the traditional forms are the wood powder and decoction.
What are more direct herbs for gas?
Ayurveda names many herbs for gas. Kitchen carminatives such as Ajwain, Asafoetida, Ginger and Fennel are simpler first steps for everyday bloating.
Recommended: Start Devadaru for Gas and Flatulence
If you want to try Himalayan Cedar for gas and flatulence, here is the simplest starting point.
Best form: wood powder (Churna). It is the easiest internal form to measure and works on digestion, which is where Ayurveda places the root of gas. Check that the label says Cedrus deodara, since a different plant is sometimes sold under a similar name.
Kitchen version: 1/4 to 3/4 tsp of powder in warm water before meals, twice daily. If you lean toward Vata dryness, add a little ghee to your meal to balance its drying heat.
Find Himalayan Cedar on Amazon ↗ Ghee ↗
Avoid it in pregnancy, while breastfeeding and with heartburn or ulcers, and never take cedarwood essential oil internally.
Safety & Precautions
Himalayan Cedar (Devadaru) is well tolerated by most people when used at standard doses, and no drug-herb interactions are formally known. The main exceptions come from its strong heating nature.
Who Should Avoid It
- High Pitta: Pitta is the hot, sharp, fire principle in Ayurveda. High Pitta is the listed contraindication, so avoid it during active burning, ulcers, gastritis, heavy menstrual bleeding or hot, red inflammation.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: avoid unless a qualified practitioner directs otherwise.
Medications
Although no interactions are formally documented, Himalayan Cedar has a diuretic action. If you take diuretics, blood pressure medicines or blood thinners, tell your doctor before starting. Never stop a prescribed medication in favour of the herb.
Signs You Are Taking Too Much
Reduce the dose or stop if you notice heartburn, throat irritation or burning urination. These are signs the herb's heat is aggravating Pitta.
Cedarwood Oil
The essential oil is for diluted topical use only and should never be taken internally undiluted. Rare skin allergy is possible, so patch-test on a small area first.
Other Herbs for Gas and Flatulence
See all herbs for gas and flatulence on the Gas and Flatulence page.
▶ Classical Text References (8 sources)
- Jwara (fever)
- Krimi (worms/parasites)
- Kushtha (skin diseases)
- Prameha (urinary disorders/diabetes)
- Medoroga (obesity)
- Kasa (cough)
- Shwasa (asthma)
- Arsha (hemorrhoids)
- Vataroga (diseases of Vata)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
1 Upanaha Sweda उपनाहो वचा क वशताहवादे वदा भः धा यैः सम तैः ग धै च रा ना एर ड जटा मषैः Upanaha Sweda is application of poultice prepared from Vacha (Acorus calamus), Kinva-yeast, Shatahva (Dill), Devadaru – (Himalayan cedar (bark) – Cedrus deodara) etc.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Swedana Vidhi Sudatuin Therapy /
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Swedana Vidhi Sudatuin Therapy /
1 Upanaha Sweda उपनाहो वचा क वशताहवादे वदा भः धा यैः सम तैः ग धै च रा ना एर ड जटा मषैः Upanaha Sweda is application of poultice prepared from Vacha (Acorus calamus), Kinva-yeast, Shatahva (Dill), Devadaru – (Himalayan cedar (bark) – Cedrus deodara) etc.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Swedana Vidhi Sudatuin Therapy /
Similar is the case of Anuvasana – fat enema and Matra basti – fat enema with very little oil 34-36 Anu taila जीव तीजलदे वदा जलद व से यगोपी हमं दाव व मधुक लवागु वर पु ा व ब वो पलम ् धाव यौ सरु भं ि थरे कृ महरं प ं ु ट रे णक ु ां कि ज कं कमला वलां शतगुणे द ये अ भ स वाथयेत ् ३७ तैला सं दशगण ु ं प रशो य तेन तैलं पचेत ् स ललेन दशैव वारान ् पाके पे चदशमे सममाजद ु धं न यं महागुणमुश यणुतैलमेतत ् ३८ Jivanti, Jala, Devadaru, Jalada, Twak, Sevya, Gopi (sariva), Hima, Darvi twak, Madhuka, Plava, A
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Nasya Vidhi Nasal
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Swedana Vidhi Sudatuin Therapy /; Nasya Vidhi Nasal
Mixture of haritaki, dried ginger and devadaru taken with lukewarm water, or punarnava mixed with all the above drugs taken with cow‘s urine relieves swelling produced by all the three dosha.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)
Milk prepared with dry ginger and daruharidra or prepared with shyama, castor root and black pepper, or prepared with cinnamon, devadaru, punarnava and dry ginger;
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)
The paste prepared from devadaru (Cedrus deodara), palasha (Butea monosperma), arka (Calotropis procera), hastipippali (Scindapsus officinalis), shigru (Moringa oleifera) and ashvagandha (Withania somnifera) added with cow’s urine should be applied on the abdomen as pradeha (paste) [108].
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)
The ingredients like pippali (Piper longum), madan (Randia spinosa), bilva (Aegle marmelons), shatavha, madhuka, kushtha (Saussurea lappa) shati (Hadychium spicatium), pushkarmoola (Inula racemosa), chitrak (Plumbego zylanicum), devadaru (Cedrus deodara) made in paste, added sesame oil 4 times to kalka then added milk 2 times more the oil and prepare the medicated oil as per standard procedures.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
The 11 ingredients ending with devadaru (in verse 131) should be mixed with oil and ghee and applied in the dry and painful type of hemorrhoids after application of medicament the hemorrhoids discharge the mucous and blood and relieve pain, itching and swelling of dry hemorrhoids.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Another paste: Darvi (Berberis aristata), radish seeds (Mulaka Bija, Raphanus sativus), Talaka (orpiment), Suradaru (Cedrus deodara, Himalayan cedar), and betel leaf (Tambula Patra, Piper betle) -- each one Karsha (12g) individually.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
A decoction prepared from Agnimantha (Premna integrifolia), Shati (Hedychium spicatum), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Shunthi (dry ginger — Zingiber officinale), and Devadaru (Cedrus deodara) should be used in all diseases of the head (Shiroroga).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations)
— Indravaruni (Citrullus colocynthis), Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), Yavanika (Trachyspermum ammi), Kustumburu (Coriandrum sativum), and Shiva (Terminalia chebula) — all in equal proportions should be powdered.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations)
Also: Chavika (Piper retrofractum), Hapusha (Juniperus communis — juniper), Dhanya (Coriandrum sativum), Kramuka (Areca catechu — betel nut), Katuki/Katurohhini (Picrorhiza kurroa), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Triphala — Haritaki, Bibhitaka, Amalaki — Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), and the two Nishas — Haridra (Curcuma longa) and Daruharidra (Berberis aristata).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)
Shatapushpa (dill), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), Shephali (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), Sthula Jiraka (cumin), Eranda Mula (castor root) and seeds, Rasna, Mulaka (radish), and Shigru (Moringa oleifera).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 2: Sveda Vidhi (Sudation Therapy)
Another paste: Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), Nata (Valeriana wallichii), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Nalada (Vetiveria zizanioides/Nardostachys jatamansi), and Vishvabheshaja (dry ginger, Zingiber officinale), with Kanjika and oil -- this paste destroys Vata headache.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 2: Sveda Vidhi (Sudation Therapy); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Matulunga (citron), agnimantha, bhadradaru (Himalayan cedar), mahaushadha (ginger), ahimstra, and rasna — a plaster/application (pralepa) of these destroys Vata-type swelling (verse 3).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 37: Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter
Matulunga (citron), agnimantha, bhadradaru (Himalayan cedar), mahaushadha (ginger), ahimstra, and rasna — a plaster/application (pralepa) of these destroys Vata-type swelling (verse 3).
— Sushruta Samhita, Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 37: Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter; Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter
Perform oblations with sticks of Khadira (Acacia catechu), Palasha (Butea monosperma), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), and Bilva (Aegle marmelos) — or of Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa), Ashvattha (Ficus religiosa), and Madhuka (Madhuca longifolia) — smeared with curd, honey, and ghee, while reciting the Pranava (Om) and Maha-vyahritis.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 2: Shishyopanayaniya Adhyaya - Initiation of the Student
Madhuka (licorice), rajani (turmeric), pathya (haritaki), and devadaru (cedar) should be ground.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)
Also saindhava (rock salt), devadaru (cedar), shunthi (dry ginger), and matulunga (citron) juice with ghee.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)
Or milk prepared with rajani (turmeric) and devadaru (cedar) with rock salt.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)
Sweating or paste application should be done with barley grass, shunthi (ginger), devadaru (cedar), kushtha (costus).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 2: Shishyopanayaniya Adhyaya - Initiation of the Student; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.