# Presentation: 869529

## northern white cedar 

_*Thuja*_* * _*occidentalis*_ L.
- Other common names;  flat cedar, cedar, white cedar, Eastern white cedar,
- Atlantic red cedar, yellow cedar, featherleaf cedar, swamp cedar, arborvitae,
- American arborvitae, Eastern arborvitae.

**Food:**
- Soup was made from the inner bark of young twigs.
**Medicinally:**
-  A tea was brewed from the branches and used to treat colds, coughs, fevers, headaches, rashes, constipation, menstruation disorders, warts, to increase perspiration and withstand pain.
- As a poultice it was applied to the skin to treat for rheumatism and cancerous warts.
- In a sweat lodge or as a smudge the smoke was used to treat colds, fevers, rheumatism, skin rashes, unconsciousness, toothaches and to fumigate of smallpox.

- Photo courtesy of: ©R.A. Seelig. Courtesy of _Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany_. This copyrighted image may be freely used for any non-commercial purpose. For commercial use please contact _George F. Russell_.   Please credit the artist, original publication if applicable, and the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database. The following format is suggested and will be appreciated:   **R.A. Seelig** @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.

- Slide developed by Pat Broyles, Soil Conservationist, Manhattan, KS. PMC.  USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

## northern white cedar

**Culturally:**
- This cedar is listed as rare in 8 states.  The name “arborvitae” is Latin for “tree of life” and was named by the 16th century French explorer, Jacques Cartier.  In 1535 the Indians taught him how to use the tree’s foliage, which is high in vitamin C, to treat scurvy.  Cartier was so enamored with the tree he brought several back to France.  The famous hedgerows in France came from these first New World trees.  This was the first North American tree introduced into Europe.  The trees grow slowly and have a life expectancy of four centuries.
- Split timbers were used for the ribs in birchbark canoes, and the bark was rolled up into wads and lighted for torches.  Many tribes make smudges out of smoldering cedar are are used in ceremonies and to repel evil spirits.  Mattresses were made of cedar boughs.  It was also thought cedar beds repelled snakes.
- Cedar charcoal was mixed with bear fat and placed under the skin.  This resulted in black tattoos and was suppose to help one withstand pain.

- Slide developed by Pat Broyles, Soil Conservationist, Manhattan, KS. PMC.  USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

- Photo courtesy of:  Herman, D.E. et al. 1996. *North Dakota tree handbook*. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee; NDSU Extension and Western Area Power Admin., Bismarck, ND. Courtesy of _ND State Soil Conservation Committee_. Provided by _USDA NRCS ND State Office_. ND. This image is not copyrighted and may be freely used for any purpose. Please credit the artist, original publication if applicable, and the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database. The following format is suggested and will be appreciated:  USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / **Herman, D.E. et al. 1996. *****North Dakota tree handbook*****. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee; NDSU Extension and Western Area Power Admin., Bismarck, ND.**