Veratrum album
Liliaceae family. Also known as White Hellebore, usually grown in the mountains in Central and Southern Europe.
The Veratrum type is often described as being dogmatic in their views, being over-mentalised and not connected to those around them, that they have a drive in their daily work to achieve. Initially this can be seen to be similar to the Cedarwood personality type in that they too can be dogmatic in their views, selfish and dominating. However, for the Veratrum’s this drive is due to an underlying fear about their position in society/work/family. They can, and often do, lie or cheat in order to maintain this position, due to the fear of losing it. It’s not due to an underlying lack of courage or self-esteem, Veratrum’s have plenty of that.
The outward personality symptoms of Veratrum appear to be relevant to Cedarwood, however, the underlying reasons for those personality symptoms do not correlate well with Cedarwood and the underlying need for strength and courage. Veratrum’s are more concerned with maintaining their current position, no matter what.
The need to lie to maintain their position
Physically Veratrum album has an affinity with the nerves, specifically those in the abdominal region, though also heart and blood vessels. There is also an affinity for blood, respiratory and digestive systems. We can see a correlation between Veratrum and Cedarwood in the area of respiratory and circulation, however, like Lycopodium, there is an affinity for the digestive system that is not reflected in Cedarwood.
Overall, I would not be as confident using Cedarwood in conjunction with a Veratrum remedy as the underlying nature of the personality type does not fit, and as such, the essential oil and the remedy would be working on different aspects, not supporting the underlying causation, though an external personality is similar. Hahnemann discusses how we are to strengthen the vital force to ensure the secondary action of the body occurs, the movement in the direction of healing. In order to undertake this, both the essential oil and the remedy need to be supporting the vital force. I’m sure there is another oil that will benefit the Veratrum types.
Natures Healing 