Cedar Leaves 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Cedar Leaves  100 g ($15.99), 50 g ($9.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:
Vitamin C  Cedar tea, derived from the leaves of the cedar tree, is a rich source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that plays a pivotal role in various bodily functions. Vitamin C is crucial for a strong immune system as it stimulates the production of white blood cells, our body’s primary defense against pathogens. It’s also a powerful antioxidant that fights against free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress and lowering the risk of chronic diseases. Additionally, vitamin C contributes to healthy skin and aids in the body’s absorption of iron, an essential mineral. Incorporating cedar tea into your diet can, therefore, provide an easily accessible natural source of this vital nutrient, potentially enhancing overall health and immunity.

Scurvy is a health condition that arises due to a severe deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the diet. Symptoms include fatigue, swollen and bleeding gums, joint pain, and anemia. Historically, cedar tea, being rich in Vitamin C, was used as a preventive measure against this condition, particularly by sailors on long sea voyages who lacked fresh fruits and vegetables. Regular consumption of cedar tea provided them with the necessary vitamin C intake, thereby preventing the onset of scurvy. Thus, the traditional use of cedar tea underscores the importance of vitamin C in maintaining good health and preventing nutritional deficiencies.

Anti-Inflammatory  Cedar tea is believed to possess potent anti-inflammatory properties, which can help alleviate inflammation in the body. These properties primarily stem from the presence of specific plant compounds in cedar leaves, which are known to curb inflammatory responses. As such, consuming cedar tea may provide relief to those suffering from inflammatory conditions like arthritis, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation and pain.

By reducing systemic inflammation, cedar tea could potentially aid in the prevention of other inflammation-related diseases, including certain types of heart disease and some cancers. However, it’s important to note that while these potential benefits are promising, they are proven by traditional use over centuries, rather than scientific study.

Digestion  Cedar tea is traditionally believed to aid digestion and promote optimal gastrointestinal health. It is thought to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, which can enhance the breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients, leading to improved digestion. Additionally, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, cedar tea could help soothe the digestive tract, relieving symptoms associated with digestive disorders like bloating, indigestion, or gastritis. It’s suggested that cedar tea may have a mild diuretic effect, promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation. However, these purported benefits are largely based on anecdotal evidence and traditional usage, and more scientific research is needed to substantiate these claims.

Antioxidant   It is well known that cedar tea is a rich source of antioxidants, which aid in preventing free radicals from harming the body’s cells. This oxidative stress, if left unchecked, can lead to various chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and premature aging. The antioxidants present in cedar tea can neutralize these free radicals, thereby preventing cellular damage and reducing the risk of these conditions. In addition, antioxidants support the body’s immune system, helping to defend against illness and infection. Therefore, consuming antioxidant-rich beverages like cedar tea can be a beneficial addition to a balanced diet, contributing to overall health and wellness.

Diuretic   Cedar tea has been traditionally used as a natural diuretic, a substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine. The diuretic properties of cedar tea can aid in flushing out toxins, excess salts, and water from the body, contributing to detoxification. This can be particularly beneficial for the kidneys, as it helps reduce the load on these organs and may prevent the formation of kidney stones. Moreover, by aiding in the removal of excess fluid, cedar tea could also be helpful for individuals dealing with conditions like hypertension and edema.

Respiratory  Cedar tea has been traditionally employed as a home remedy for respiratory ailments due to its expectorant properties, which can help to loosen and expel mucus from the chest and nasal passages. By helping to clear congestion, cedar tea can potentially relieve symptoms associated with common colds, bronchitis, or sinusitis. Additionally, the warm steam from the tea can also aid in opening up the nasal and bronchial passages, further alleviating discomfort. Its anti-inflammatory properties could help soothe irritated respiratory tracts, offering relief from coughs and sore throats.

Skin  Cedar tea, when applied topically, is believed to confer benefits to skin health. This is largely attributed to its antimicrobial properties, which can potentially help combat bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that can lead to skin infections. Its anti-inflammatory characteristics may also soothe skin irritations, reducing redness, swelling, and inflammation associated with conditions such as eczema, acne, or psoriasis. Furthermore, the presence of antioxidants in cedar tea may aid in combating free radicals that contribute to skin aging and damage. Before applying cedar tea or any new substance to the skin, it’s important to conduct a patch test to ensure there’s no adverse reaction, and consultation with a dermatologist or healthcare professional is advised.

Stress/Anxiety  Cedar tea, known for its distinct, calming aroma, is often used as a natural remedy for stress and anxiety relief. The soothing scent is believed to promote relaxation and aid in the reduction of stress levels, offering a sense of tranquility. Drinking a warm cup of cedar tea can also be part of a calming ritual that encourages mindfulness, further aiding in stress relief. Additionally, some research suggests that certain compounds in cedar could have neuroprotective effects, potentially promoting mental health. However, while it can serve as a beneficial supplement, it is important to understand that cedar tea is not a standalone treatment for serious mental health disorders, and professional medical help should be sought when needed.

Heart Health  The potential heart health benefits of cedar tea are largely attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants can help prevent the oxidative stress that contributes to heart disease, while their anti-inflammatory properties might help reduce inflammation that can lead to cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, the potential diuretic effect of cedar tea may contribute to lowering blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease. Some also believe that cedar tea could help regulate cholesterol levels, although scientific evidence for this is currently limited. While these potential benefits are promising, it’s important to note that more rigorous scientific research is needed to substantiate these claims and fully understand the impact of cedar tea on heart health.

Blood Sugar Regulation  Early studies suggest that cedar tea could have a role in the regulation of blood sugar levels, which is crucial for managing conditions like diabetes. Certain compounds in cedar are thought to aid in the metabolism of sugars, possibly preventing spikes and crashes in blood glucose levels. This could potentially assist in maintaining stable blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of complications associated with diabetes. Furthermore, its potential anti-inflammatory properties could help reduce inflammation associated with insulin resistance, a key factor in type 2 diabetes. While these findings are promising, it’s important to note that they are preliminary, and more comprehensive research is necessary to conclusively establish the benefits of cedar tea for blood sugar regulation. Always consult a healthcare provider before using it as a supplement for diabetes management.

Botanical Name: Thuja Occidentalis
English: White Cedar
Also, known as: swamp cedar, American arborvitae, and eastern arborvitae
Habitat: North America
Origin: Canada
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Thuja occidentalis, also known as northern white-cedar, eastern white-cedar, or arborvitae, is an evergreen coniferous tree, in the cypress family Cupressaceae, which is native to eastern Canada and much of the north-central and northeastern United States It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is not to be confused with Juniperus virginiana (eastern red cedar).

The name arborvitae is particularly used in the horticultural trade in the United States; it is Latin for ‘tree of life’ – due to the supposed medicinal properties of the sap, bark, and twigs. It is sometimes called white-cedar (hyphenated) or white cedar (one word) to distinguish it from Cedrus, the true cedars.

Unlike the closely related western red cedar (Thuja plicata), northern white cedar is only a small or medium-sized tree, growing to a height of 15 m (49 ft) tall with a 0.9 m (3.0 ft) trunk diameter, exceptionally to 38 metres (125 ft) tall and 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) diameter. The tree is often stunted or prostrate in less favorable locations. The bark is red-brown, furrowed and peels in narrow, longitudinal strips. Northern white cedar has fan-like branches and scaly leaves. The foliage forms in flat sprays with scale-like leaves 3–5 millimetres (1⁄8–3⁄16 in) long.

The seed cones are slender, yellow-green, ripening to brown, 9–14 millimetres (3⁄8–9⁄16 in) long and 4–5 millimetres (5⁄32–3⁄16 in) broad,[citation needed] with six to eight overlapping scales. They contain about eight seeds each. The branches may take root if the tree falls.

Northern white cedar is native to an area in the southern part of eastern Canada and the adjacent part of the northern United States. It extends from southeastern Manitoba east throughout the Great Lakes region and into Ontario, Québec, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Isolated populations occur in west-central Manitoba, and to the south in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio, and Illinois and in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.[4] In Canada, its range reaches the Arctic treeline and the southern tip of Hudson Bay. It grows mainly in places with cooler summers, with a typical temperature of 16 to 22 °C (61 to 72 °F) in July, and a shorter growing season, from 90 to 180 days.[9]

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use
It is common that 10g of a fresh herb = 1g when dehydrated.
For cedar leaves, a recommended amount is 1 – 3 tsp (2 – 6 g) per day. This can be split into 2 or more amounts. This can be added to food, drinks or to make a tea.

Alternatively, you can make a large batch
How To Prepare Cedar Medicine

1. Collect cedar branches following traditional protocols.
2. Place 2 cups of fresh cedar into a large pot with 8 cups (2 litres) of water.
3. Bring the cedar to a boil and keep boiling for about 10 minutes until golden and you smell the aroma throughout your home.
4. Take big calming breaths, breathing in the steam.
5. You may also place in a bowl to directly breathe in the steam.
6. Once boiled, remove pot from heat and let liquid cool. Strain cooled liquid into another clean container.

Once strained, it is ready to be warmed up to drink as tea, adding honey, maple syrup or other sweetener if you like. It is best to drink it warm. You may continue this procedure as long as you wish.
Recommended amount: Maximum 4 cups/day