Red Cedar
Red Cedar (Hong Shan Shu)
Botanical Name: Western – Thuja plicata (not to be confused with Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginaina or Cedrus libani, the Lebanon Cedar). Eastern – Thuja orientalis.
While similar to Cedar, Red Cedar is a different plant indigenous to the Pacific Northwest with a long history of medicinal, spiritual, and practical uses by the Native American tribes living in these areas. Red Cedar is in fact a variety of cypress tree. The healing properties are essentially the same as cedar’s.
Below is an overview of cedar, combining and interpreting the best of Western Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore and more. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of cedar.
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Western
Western Name: Red Cedar
Also Known As: Giant Red Cedar, Shinglewood, Canoe Cedar
Organs/Systems: Lungs, Skin, Stomach
Key Actions: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Expectorant, Antiseptic, Disinfectant
Medicinal Uses: Colds, flu, congestion, athlete’s foot, ringworm, cuts, bruises.
Eastern
Pin Yin: Hong Shan Shu
Also Known As: Yellow Cedar, Arbor vitae
Meridians: Lung, Spleen, Bladder, Kidney
Key Actions: Resolves Damp, Expels Damp Cold, Skin Disorders
Medicinal Uses: Colds, sore throat, white copious mucous, urinary tract infections (UTI’s), ringworm, athletes foot, fungal infections.
Parts Most Frequently Used: Flower, Herb, Leaf
Flavors/Temps: Bitter, Pungent, Aromatic, Warming
Caution: Do not use if pregnant, it can cause miscarriage. Not recommend for long term use, 7 to 10 days at most. And use the Essential Oil only externally, used internally it can cause convulsions and even death.
History/Folklore: The Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Yellow Cedar (Cupressus nootkatensis), and the Mexican White Cedar (Cupressus lusitanica) are all actually cypress trees. The healing properties remain essentially the same as the cedar’s. Red cedar is one of the most important commercial logging trees in the Western United States. It holds a major role in Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest. The wood, bark, limbs, and roots were used to provide a wide variety of needs ranging from shelter to cooking to medicinal uses. Spiritually red cedar was used ritually in ceremonies. It is a symbol of cleansing, protection, prosperity, and healing. It is known to drive out negative energies and attract good influences Most preparations call for boiling the medicinal parts to make a decoction or tea or infusion.
Key Constituents:
CAUTION!
Cause of Allergies or Asthma?
A Scared Tree
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