Western Red Cedar - Thuja plicata
western red cedar

Healing in its wings!

 

Scroll sown to view tradional uses.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Analgesic)

Decoction of powdered leaves used externally for various internal pains.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Antirheumatic (External))

Infusion of leaves used externally for rheumatism.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Antirheumatic (External))

Poultice of pounded bough tips and eulachon grease applied to the back and chest for rheumatism.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Antirheumatic (External))

Poultice of pounded bough tips and eulachon grease applied to the back and chest for a swollen neck.
Western Redcedar; Cupressaceae

Bella Coola Medicine
(Cough Medicine)

Simple decoction, compound decoction or infusion of leaf taken and used internally for coughs.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Dermatological Aid)

Very soft bark used to bind wounds and cover poultices.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Gastrointestinal Aid)

Simple decoction, compound decoction or infusion of leaf taken and used externally for stomach pain.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Gastrointestinal Aid)

Poultice of pounded bough tips and eulachon grease applied to the back and chest for stomach pains.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Heart Medicine)

Infusion of leaves used externally for heart trouble.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Heart Medicine)

Poultice of pounded bough tips and eulachon grease applied to the back and chest for heart trouble.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Other)

Infusion of leaves used externally for swollen neck.

Bella Coola Medicine
(Respiratory Aid)

Poultice of pounded bough tips and eulachon grease applied to the back and chest for bronchitis.

Chehalis Medicine
(Abortifacient)

Chewed bark or decoction of bark taken to induce menstruation.

Clallam Medicine
(Tuberculosis Remedy)

Decoction of small limbs used for tuberculosis.

Cowlitz Medicine
(Cold Remedy)

Decoction of plant tips and roots taken as a cold medicine.

Cowlitz Medicine
(Toothache Remedy)

Buds chewed for toothaches.

Haisla Medicine
(Dermatological Aid)

Moxa of inner bark used as a counter irritant for the skin.

Hanaksiala Medicine
(Antidiarrheal)

Infusion of pounded, bough tip leaves in cold water taken for diarrhea.

Hoh Medicine
(Unspecified)

Infusion of green bark juice used for medicine.

Klallam Medicine
(Tuberculosis Remedy)

Decoction of branches taken as a tuberculosis medicine.

Kwakiutl Medicine
(Dermatological Aid)

Poultice of inner bark applied to carbuncles.
Western Redcedar; Cupressaceae

Kwakiutl Medicine
(Dermatological Aid)

Shredded bark used to cauterize sores and swellings.

Kwakiutl Medicine
(Eye Medicine)

Sticks broken in front of the eye for sties.

Kwakiutl Medicine
(Hemostat)

Shredded bark used to cauterize sores and swellings.

Kwakiutl Medicine
(Orthopedic Aid)

Compound poultice of leaves applied to sore backs.

Lummi Medicine
(Antiemetic)

Tips chewed by men to avoid nausea while burying a corpse.

Lummi Medicine
(Pulmonary Aid)

Chewed buds taken for sore lungs.

Makah Medicine
(Cough Medicine)

Infusion of boughs taken for coughs.

Makah Medicine
(Dermatological Aid)

Bark pounded until soft as cotton and used to rub the face.

Nez Perce Medicine
(Antidiarrheal)

Leaves used for diarrhea.

Nez Perce Medicine
(Cold Remedy)

Infusion of boughs used for colds.

Nez Perce Medicine
(Cough Medicine)

Infusion of boughs used for coughs.

Nez Perce Medicine
(Pediatric Aid)

Infusion of boughs sweetened and used for children with colds.

Nez Perce Medicine
(Pediatric Aid)

Infusion of boughs sweetened and used for children with coughs.

Okanagan-Colville Medicine
(Antirheumatic (External))

Infusion of boughs used to soak painful joints from arthritis and rheumatism.

Okanagan-Colville Medicine
(Antirheumatic (External))

Weak infusion of boughs taken for painful joints from arthritis and rheumatism.

Okanagan-Colville Medicine
(Dermatological Aid)

Decoction of boughs and three plants used for washing the skin and hair during sweatbathing.

Okanagan-Colville Medicine
(Dermatological Aid)

Infusion of boughs used as a hair wash for dandruff and scalp "germs."

Okanagan-Colville Medicine
(Poison)

Infusion of boughs considered toxic in large doses.

Okanagan-Colville Medicine
(Tonic)

Decoction of boughs and three plants taken as a sweathouse tonic.

Okanagan-Colville Medicine
(Tonic)

Weak infusion of boughs taken as a sweathouse tonic.

Oweekeno Medicine
(Ceremonial Medicine)

Wood made into shamanistic soul catchers to use in ritual healing.

Quileute Medicine
(Unspecified)

Infusion of green bark juice used for medicine.

Quinault Medicine
(Dermatological Aid)

Infusion of twigs used as a wash for venereal disease sores.

Quinault Medicine
(Febrifuge)

Infusion of seeds and twigs taken for fevers.

Quinault Medicine
(Kidney Aid)

Infusion of bark and twigs taken for kidney trouble.

Quinault Medicine
(Venereal Aid)

Infusion of twigs used as a wash for venereal disease sores.

Skagit Medicine
(Cough Medicine)

Decoction of leaves taken for coughs.

Skokomish Medicine
(Oral Aid)

Decoction of buds used as a gargle.

Thompson Medicine
(Gynecological Aid)

Compound decoction of twigs taken after childbirth.

Thompson Medicine
(Misc. Disease Remedy)

Decoction of old or green cones taken for leprosy.

Thompson Medicine
(Psychological Aid)

Tree or spruce tree said to cause vivid dreams for those who slept under them.

Hesquiat Food
(Starvation Food)

Branches used to make fish traps became "fish flavored" and the sticks were boiled for broth.

Kwakiutl, Southern Food
(Candy)

Pitch used as chewing gum.

Montana Indian Food
(Dried Food)

Spring cambium pressed into cakes and dried for storage.

Montana Indian Food
(Unspecified)

Spring cambium eaten fresh.

Salish, Coast Food
(Dried Food)

Cambium dried and eaten in spring.

Salish, Coast Food
(Unspecified)

Cambium eaten fresh in spring.

Thompson Dye
(Green)

Leaves and twigs used as a green dye.

Bella Coola Fiber
(Basketry)

Inner bark used to make baskets.

Bella Coola Fiber
(Clothing)

Inner bark used to make capes and shaman collars.

Bella Coola Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Inner bark used to make mats.

Bella Coola Fiber
(Scouring Material)

Inner bark used for sponges.

Chehalis Fiber
(Clothing)

Bark coarsely shredded and plaited into skirts, capes and dresses for women.

Chehalis Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Bark finely shredded and used as padding for infants' cradles, sanitary pads and towels.

Clallam Fiber
(Basketry)

Bark used for basketry.

Clallam Fiber
(Basketry)

Roots used for coiled and imbricated baskets.

Clallam Fiber
(Building Material)

Wood used for house planks, posts and roof boards.

Clallam Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Wood used for canoes.

Clallam Fiber
(Clothing)

Bark used for clothing, sanitary napkins and towels.

Clallam Fiber
(Cordage)

Limbs used to make rope.

Clallam Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Bark used to pad cradles.

Flathead Fiber
(Basketry)

Bark strips used to make baskets.

Gitksan Fiber
(Basketry)

Inner bark strips used for basketry.

Gitksan Fiber
(Building Material)

Bark sheets used for roofing.

Gitksan Fiber
(Cordage)

Inner bark strips used for cordage.

Gitksan Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Bark sheets used for tarpaulins.

Gitksan Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Inner bark strips used for mat making.

Haisla Fiber
(Basketry)

Inner bark strips used for basketry.

Haisla Fiber
(Cordage)

Inner bark strips used for cordage.

Haisla Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Inner bark strips used for mat making.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Basketry)

Bark used for basketry.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Basketry)

Branches used in basketry.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Basketry)

Roots used as the main structural elements in baskets.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Building Material)

Bark used to partition long houses and make temporary shelters.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Building Material)

Bark used for roofing.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Building Material)

Wood used to make dancing platforms.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Building Material)

Wood used for house posts and planks in traditional house construction.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Bark used to cover canoes to keep the rain out.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Wood used to carve canoes.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Clothing)

Bark used to make hats of various types.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Clothing)

Inner bark used to make rain capes.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Clothing)

Bark woven into hip length leggings to wear through deep snow.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Cordage)

Branches twisted together to make a type of rope used to tie covers to storage boxes.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Furniture)

Bark used to make baby cradles.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Bark used to make mats to sit on.

Haisla and Hanaksiala Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Inner bark used to make blankets.

Hesquiat Fiber
(Basketry)

Very long, straight branches or withes used to make baskets.

Hesquiat Fiber
(Basketry)

Cleaned, finely split inner bark used to weave baskets.

Hesquiat Fiber
(Building Material)

Wood prized as a material for house construction: shakes, shingles and poles.

Hesquiat Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Wood prized as a material for carving, especially canoes.

Hesquiat Fiber
(Clothing)

Cleaned, finely split inner bark used to weave capes, skirts and aprons.

Hesquiat Fiber
(Clothing)

Shredded inner bark used for diapers.

Hesquiat Fiber
(Cordage)

Very long, straight branches or withes used to make ropes.

Hesquiat Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Cleaned, finely split inner bark used to weave mats.

Hesquiat Fiber
(Scouring Material)

Finely beaten bark used as a sponge.

Hoh Fiber
(Basketry)

Roots split and used to make baskets.

Hoh Fiber
(Building Material)

Used for house construction.

Hoh Fiber
(Building Material)

Bark used to make wigwams, summer houses and hunting lodges.

Hoh Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Used to make dugout canoes.

Hoh Fiber
(Clothing)

Bark inner Fibers formerly used to make clothing.

Hoh Fiber
(Clothing)

Inner bark shredded and used to make skirts.

Hoh Fiber
(Clothing)

Bark used to make an overcoat for fishing in stormy weather.

Hoh Fiber
(Cordage)

Twigs and roots twisted and used as ropes.

Hoh Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Bark used to line cradles.

Hoh Fiber
(Other)

Twigs used for drying the body after a bath.

Kutenai Fiber
(Basketry)

Roots split, peeled and used to make water tight baskets.

Kutenai Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Wood used to make canoe frames.

Kwakiutl Fiber
(Building Material)

Wood used for building homes.

Kwakiutl Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Wood used for making canoes.

Kwakiutl Fiber
(Clothing)

Bark used to make clothing.

Kwakiutl Fiber
(Cordage)

Bark used to make ropes.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Basketry)

Roots and bark used to make baskets.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Basketry)

Fibrous bark used to make baskets.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Basketry)

Long, straight branches used for weaving baskets.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Basketry)

Roots washed, scorched over a fire, skinned, split in two, scraped and used to make baskets.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Brushes & Brooms)

Shredded bark used for paint brushes.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Building Material)

Long, straight branches used to make nets for tying wall boards onto house frames.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Wood steamed for flexibility and malleability and used to make canoes.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Clothing)

Inner bark used to make clothing.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Clothing)

Roots and bark used to make hats.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Clothing)

Fibrous bark used to make hats.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Clothing)

Shredded bark used for diapers.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Clothing)

Roots washed, scorched over a fire, skinned, split in two, scraped and used to make hats.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Cordage)

Fibrous bark used to make twine and ropes.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Inner bark used to make mats and blankets.

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Sewing Material)

Long, straight branches used for "sewing wood."

Kwakiutl, Southern Fiber
(Other)

Shredded bark used for napkins, towels and bandages.

Makah Fiber
(Basketry)

Inner bark used for basketry.

Makah Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Wood used to make canoes.

Makah Fiber
(Clothing)

Bark pounded until soft and made into clothes.

Makah Fiber
(Clothing)

Used to make the lining and head bands of rain hats.

Makah Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Bark used to line baby cradles.

Makah Fiber
(Mats, Rugs & Bedding)

Bark cut into narrow strips and woven into mats.

Montana Indian Fiber
(Basketry)

Bark used to make frame work of baskets.

Montana Indian Fiber
(Basketry)

Inner bark used to make sacks.

Montana Indian Fiber
(Basketry)

Roots used for making baskets.

Montana Indian Fiber
(Building Material)

Wood used for shingles, lumber, fence posts and for paving.

Montana Indian Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Bark used to make canoes.

Montana Indian Fiber
(Clothing)

Inner bark woven into cloth.
Blankinship, J. W. 1905 Native Economic Plants of Montana. Bozeman.

Montana Indian Fiber
(Cordage)

Inner bark used to make cords for fishnets.

Nez Perce Fiber
(Basketry)

Roots used to make baskets.

Nez Perce Fiber
(Building Material)

Bark formerly used to make lean-to shelters while camping.

Nez Perce Fiber
(Building Material)

Bark used to cover the roofs of semi-subterranean houses.

Nez Perce Fiber
(Canoe Material)

Wood hollowed out with fire, smoothed, trimmed and used to make canoes.

Nez Perce Fiber
(Furniture)

Wood used to make cradle boards.

Nitinaht Fiber
(Basketry)

Young limbs twisted and used to make basket frames and ribs.

Nitinaht Fiber
(Basketry)

Bark used to make baskets.

Nitinaht Fiber
(Basketry)

Inner bark strips used to make storage baskets and for basket bottoms, rims and ribs.

Nitinaht Fiber
(Building Material)

Wood used for houseposts and wall and roofing houseboards