Thuja Materia Medica

Thuja was considered by the Native Americans to have spiritual cleansing and protective properties. The name “Thuja” derives from the Greek word meaning “to fumigate.” The Potawatomi tribe burned the leaves over coals to repel evil spirits. The Ojibwa steamed themselves with vapors from boiling thuja leaves as a ceremonial cleansing.

As an herbal medicine thuja is considered to be: analgesic (pain-killing), anti-scorbutic (prevents scurvy), anti-tussive (counteracts coughing), antiviral, diaphoretic (induces sweating), diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative, lactagogue (encourages the secretion of breast-milk) and depurant (purifies the blood and tissues) and tonic.

Download this chapter to learn more about THUJA—Thuja occidentalis.