Witnessed by: Western
Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), of the Cupressaceae family. Evergreen conifer with flattened fans of scale-like aromatic foliage; native range: swamps and rocky uplands of northeastern North America. Globally recognized as white cedar · northern white cedar · tree of life in English. The part used is leafy young twigs (fresh). Pungent and camphoraceous, bitter, with a resinous cedar scent.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
ARBORVITAE
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- arborvitae
- Scientific name
- Thuja occidentalis L.
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Form
- Part used
- leafy young twigs (fresh)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- pungent · bitter · aromatic
Temperature
- Western
- warm, drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- skin · lungs · uterus · bladder
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- alterative, antimicrobial, antiviral, expectorant, emmenagogue, counter-irritant
Cautions
- Contraindications
- pregnancy (abortifacient, uterine stimulant), lactation, epilepsy
- Toxicity
- the volatile oil contains thujone, a convulsant neurotoxin; the essential oil must not be taken internally
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