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Specific Gravity at 15* / 15* ................... 0.944
Optical Rotation .................................. - 44* 48'
Refractive Index at 20* ........................ 1.5059
Acid Number ....................................... 0
Ester Number ...................................... 3.9
Ester Number after Acetylation ........... 30.9
Solubility at 20* .................................. Slightly hazy in 10 vol. of 95% alcohol

Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata) is a conifer in the cypress family (cupressaceae) the sole member of the genus Thujopsis. It is endemic to Japan. Hiba is the Japanese name for this species, which has never acquired a widely used English name, though it is occasionally compounded as 'False arborvitae,' or just called by its genus name, Thujopsis.

A medium to large evergreen tree, reaching up to 40 m tall and 1.5 m trunk diameter, with red-brown bark peels in vertical strips. A tree particularly abundant in the Prefecture of Aomori in Japan, supplies a lumber highly esteemed for its resistance to attacks of certain fungi, Merulius lacrymans and Polyporus gilvus.

The Hiba Wood is a valued ornamental tree both in its native Japan, where it is commonly planted around temples as well as in gardens, and also in Europe and North America. In the latter two regions, planting is confined to areas with good rainfall, as the species is not drought tolerant.

It is also used to a small extent in forestry in Japan, grown for valuable wood, which is durable and scented. The odor of the oil is 'woody,' slightly reminiscent of the Cedarwood oil. Similar to that of Thuja plicata. Also, very durable in the ground or under water, hence most useful in general construction work for the building of bridges, houses, docks and ships. The wood owes it fungicidal action to the presence of an essential oil that can be isolated by steam distillation.

The acidic portions of Hiba wood oil are now used in Japan for the commercial isolation of hinokitiol the neutral portions serve for the scenting of soaps.

The CNV results show that Hiba odor has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, in contrast to lavender which has sedative effect. HAMD and HAMA data indicate that Hiba odor has both antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects in chronic haemodialysis patients while lavender has anxiolytic effects in such patients. (ref. 2)

Ref: Ernest Guenther - The Essential Oils Vol. VI - pg. 323, 324
Ref: 1 Thujopsis description
Ref 2: Clinical and psychophysiological effects of hiba odour: FACT
Ref 3: Picture of Hiba: AAI | Asset Detail
Ref 4: Picture of leaves: Image:Thujopsis dolabrata2.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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