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Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar

Latin Name: Thuja plicata
Description of Appearance: The Arborvitae (Western Red Cedar) is a tall, conical evergreen tree with vibrant green foliage that remains throughout the year. It has a scaly bark and bears small cones.
Common Names:
  • Arborvitae
  • Western Red Cedar
  • Western Arborvitae

Health Information

Health uses for this plant

Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory

Active Ingredients: Thujaplicin, thujone, volatile oils
Part Of Plant Used: Wood and leaves
Preperation Method: Extracts for topical use

Respiratory conditions (such as bronchitis, asthma)

Active Ingredients: Thujone, thujaplicin, essential oils
Part Of Plant Used: Leaves
Preperation Method: Inhalation of steam from decoction or infusion of the leaves

Skin conditions (such as eczema, psoriasis)

Active Ingredients: Thujone, thujaplicin, tannins
Part Of Plant Used: Essential oil extracted from the leaves
Preperation Method: Topical application in diluted form

Rheumatism and arthritis

Active Ingredients: Thujone, thujaplicin, flavonoids
Part Of Plant Used: Leaves
Preperation Method: Decoction for internal use or as a poultice for external application

Active Phytochemical

Active phytochemicals found in this plant

Thujaplicin

Description Thujaplicin is a natural organic compound that belongs to the class of terpenoids. It is commonly found in certain coniferous trees.

Thujone

Description Thujone is a natural organic compound classified as a monoterpene that is found in several plants, including wormwood, sage, and thuja.

More plants

Aomori Hiba

Aomori Hiba
Latin Name: Thujopsis dolabrata
Description of Appearance: The Aomori Hiba is a conifer tree that features a tall, pyramidal shape with drooping branches. It has scale-like leaves that are dark green and give off a unique, lemony scent when crushed.
Common Names:
  • Aomori Hiba
  • Japanese Hiba
  • Hiba Arborvitae

Wormwood

Wormwood
Latin Name: Artemisia absinthium
Description of Appearance: Wormwood is a herbaceous perennial plant with silvery-green aromatic leaves that are deeply lobed and covered in fine hairs. It also produces small yellow flowers on tall, stiff stems.
Common Names:
  • Wormwood
  • Absinthe wormwood
  • Mugwort
  • Green ginger

Sage

Sage
Latin Name: Salvia officinalis
Description of Appearance: Grey-green leaves on a woody stem
Common Names:
  • Sage

Eastern White Cedar

Eastern White Cedar
Latin Name: Thuja occidentalis
Description of Appearance: Thuja occidentalis is a coniferous evergreen tree with scale-like leaves arranged in flattened sprays. The foliage is dark green in color and the tree has a narrow, conical shape.
Common Names:
  • Eastern White Cedar
  • White Cedar
  • American Arborvitae