White Cedar

White Cedar, northern white cedar, arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis

Giizhik, Giizhikens (tree); giizhikaandag (bough); giizhikenh; Giizhig(aandag); Nookomis-giizhik (grandmother cedar)

Northern white cedar is a small to medium-sized tree that reaches heights of up to 50m feet. Found along streams, in bogs and cedar swamps, it is a favourite browse for deer. The opposite leaves are flat, scale-like and aromatic. The fragrant wood of the trunk is often buttressed and may also grow with a characteristic twist. Small oblong cones first appear in April to May, ripen in August, and persist throughout the winter. (Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)

Burned twigs were used as incense in religious ceremonies and as a disinfectant to fumigate a house for smallpox; a cedar compound containing charcoal was pricked into the temples with needles for headaches; a compound containing leaves was used as a cough syrup; and the leaves were used in an infusion or decoction for headaches, coughs and as a blood purifier. Also very important as a utility wood, and its branches for temporary bedding. (Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)

Mi'kmaq have several uses for cedar including cleansing purposes. Also used the tree to make poultice to treat swollen hands and feet. Contains a strong volatile oil and should not be taken internally. Do not boil the tea. Do not take during pregnancy. (Mi'kmaq

A cedar grows up as it grows down, if a cedar is 20 feet tall, it will have 20-foot roots. Cedar ties the four levels of the the physical world to the four levels of the Spirit world. Key ingredient in Kinnikinnick. Cedar oil greets Anishnaabe child at birth, and at the child's naming ceremony. Brings blessings, used in baby's cradle, both as foliage and used to build the cradle. Also used in sweat lodge to keep skin from being burned or dried. , foliage laid throughout the sweat lodge. A wonderful emolient that is very good for the skin. Placed on the life spot, the hollow at the base of the throat, reduces stress. Often a bower of cedar is at the entrance for dancers to the ground. Bark can be made into rope, for fishing line, and as a means of keeping and carrying fire. Inner bark of cedar used to make bags and baskets that resist mold and decay of food stored in them. Drums are made from cedar logs. A preparation of cedar foliage can be used to cure warts. (Plants have so much

Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker, Elias and Heim, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 1993

(Mi'kmaq

(Plants have so much