Western red cedar is delicious and non toxic.
Cedar wood sauna toxic.
Best of all not only is it not prone to toxic off gassing it actually gives off a pleasant scent that can add to the relaxation aspect of the overall sauna experience.
All wildwood grilling cedar planks are made from western red cedar.
If you see other brands saying cedar is toxic or creates an allergic or asthmatic reaction the studies they are referring to are based on cedar wood dust not finished planks red cedar is also durable so it will last.
But in the case of cedar and hemlock and other softwoods the chemicals that produce the scent they give off can be to some people annoying or intolerable even dangerous.
Never use synthetic wood in a sauna.
Native to the pacific northwest and the original cedar wood used in traditional native american cooking.
If what was being outgassed from wood into the air was harmless say like the smell of vanilla from a baking cake this wouldn t be a problem.
However some may be sensitive to the cedar odors.
To most people naturally occurring wood phenols are harmless but people with particular sensitivities or people who are prone to allergies should avoid saunas made from cedar and other fragrant woods.