Your Eastern Red Cedar Plant Pal!
Hey there, folks! I’m Big Cedar, but you might know me as Eastern Red Cedar. I’ve been around for a long time, lending a helping hand (or a strong branch!) whenever people need me. From traditional medicine to everyday life, I’ve been there for Indigenous communities with my healing touch for centuries.
For one, I’m a go-to when it comes to women’s health issues. I’ve been known to help women make choices about their pregnancies throughout history. I also do my part in fighting off worms that mess with people’s stomachs. Doctors today call me an “anthelmintic” because I help folks get rid of those nasty intestinal parasites.
Got sore joints? I’m your buddy! I help with joint pain and stiffness, and I’m also known to help with colds. Just brew up some hot tea with your buddy Big Cedar, and I’ll help clear that congestion and make it easier to breathe.
But, I don’t stop there. When it comes to skin issues, I’ve got that covered, too! Whether it’s itching, skin diseases, or even something called white swelling (a type of inflammation), I’ve been used to help soothe and heal. Oh, and I’m also what the Docs today call a “diaphoretic.” That means I help you sweat it out, which is why I’m a remedy for things like measles and other illnesses that need a little detoxing through sweat.
But hey, I’m not just about healing! Chippewa/Ojibwe friends of the Great Lakes area of North America use me for dyeing. My wood and berries give off some amazing natural colors for fabrics and materials. The Comanche use my leaves for cleansing through smudging. And don;t forget about my berries. They’re a solid food source when supplies get low. I’ve got your back when things get tight.
One of my favorite things to do is help with what fancy folks call “nixtamalization!” That’s when people soak corn in an alkaline solution to make it more nutritious. My wood ash is perfect for this because it releases niacin (yep, that’s Vitamin B3!) and breaks down what the Scienc-y folks call “mycotoxins” making the corn safer and more nourishing.
So whether I’m helping with food, dyes, medicine, or even cooking, I’ve been a versatile and reliable part of life for as long as I can remember! Call me Big Cedar, your all-around helper.
Now that we are pals, come visit me in the UTA Land Acknowledgement Courtyard!
