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Cedar as an Herb
(Cedrus spp)
Cedar is an evergreen tree that grows up to 60 feet. The tree is native to eastern Canada and the United States and found west to Wisconsin and south to the Carolinas. Cedar was introduced into Britain about 1565 A.D. The tree leaves are scaly and dark green above, pale beneath.
The wood of the Cedar tree is soft, light and easily worked and has long been of commercial value. Cedar is aromatic with a balsamic odor and a bitter taste.
Before Europeans arrived in North America, Native Americans used the Cedar tree for medicine and to produce artifacts necessary to daily life. Cedar was also used by the Native Americans to make canoes, earning it the title "Canoewood".
Medicinal Uses for Cedar
The twigs were official in the USP from 1882 to 1894 as a uterine stimulant and diuretic and in the NF from 1916 to 1936. The distilled leaf oil was official in the USP during the years 1942 to 1950 as a heart and uterine stimulant, and as an antiseptic. It also appeared on the Candian list of Medicinal Plants.
Cedar leaves have been boiled in lard to make a salve to use on rheumatic pain. The fresh leaves were pounded in a mortar and mixed with lard, then heated together in the top of a double boiler until the herb material was spent. Probably several hours; this was then spread on a cloth and applied. The dried leaves have been used for treating burns.
During wartime in North America, Cedar oil was used as a substitute for lavender oil due to a shortage.
Native American tribes used Cedar in sweat lodges to ease the pain and discomfort of arthritis and rheumatism (tea). They also used it for menstrual problems and for delayed menses, headaches, and heart disease. Some Indians boiled the juice expressed from the ends of the branches to treat bloody flux.
A decoction of the young leaf sprays has been used for intermittent fever, rheumatism, dropsy, coughs, scurvy, nervousness, anxiety, deficient heart blood, palpitations, insomnia, frequent urination as a result of loss of muscle tone, and to counteract the side effects of innoculations or vaccines (10 drops tincture four times a day for 4 days).
A tea made from the leaves is traditionally used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, colds, coughs, absence of menses, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems. Externally, the leaves are used in steam baths for rheumatism, arthritis, colds, and as a wash for swollen feet, burns, vaginal infections, warts, rheumatism, achy muscles, psoriasis, eczema, venereal warts and sores, bruises, swellings, rheumatic pain, and fungal infections.
A tincture of the leaves has been used in the treatment of warts, piles, bed sores, painful joints or muscles, and fungal infections. The leaves are used as a perfume, incense, and an insect repellent.
Cedar is also used to treat dandruff.
Cedar Nut Oil
Cedar nut oil has also traditionally been used in ancient Russian and European natural medicine to cure a wide array of ailments - ingested (decreasing blood pressure, boosting immune system resistance, etc.) or applied externally (a range of dermatological disorders).It is also used in expensive cosmetics.
Genuine Cedar nut oil is rather expensive, but its medicinal properties compensate for the high price with interest, providing people with health and a wonderful sense of well-being.
Cedar Nut Kernels
Cedar nut kernels contain more protein than in many types of meat. Moreover, the protein from the Cedar nut is assimilated by the body almost completely, which is also a great rarity. In addition, the nut contains almost all the amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins necessary for our body, as well as a wonderful collection of mineral substances and trace elements.
Folklore
An old superstition was to carry a small piece of Cedar in the wallet to attract money.
Culinary
Cedar nuts, cedar flour and cedar nut oil are made from cedar trees. Cedar nuts (the seeds of the cedar tree) take two years to mature.
Cedar nut oil has been used for a long time as a valuable vegetable oil for the preparation of food and various sweets. Of course, it could be afforded only by well-off people who knew about the amazing properties of cedar nut oil. It is expensive and can be difficult to find. Russia makes a superb cedar nut oil.
There is a large number of culinary recipes both using cedar nut oil as well as using cedar nuts, and cedar flour.
See also:
Cautions
Cedar should never be taken internally by pregnant women or when/if diarrhea is present.
DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.