Cedar

Calocedrus decurrens

The female counterpart to mugwort.

Incense cedars are evergreen trees that can reach heights of 60 m or more. The species found in south-western North America reaches an old age of 300 - 500 years, and there are even trees documented to reach an age of 1000 years.

Cedar plays an important role as both incense and medicine among the indigenous peoples of the North American prairie. Different types of juniper and cedar are often collectively referred to as simply cedar, depending on regional conditions. These trees are considered particularly sacred because they are among the first creatures created by the Great Spirit (wakan tanka). For many medical professionals, cedar is considered the female counterpart to mugwort (Artemisia tridentata) - its spicy fragrance is said to help finding medicinal herbs and, after picking it, also serves as an offering to the plant spirit. The branches are often carried in an medicine bag as an amulet and smoked at the sun dance and sweat lodge ceremony. The Lakota inhale the smoke for colds and lung diseases. It is said that the cedar incense is particularly suitable for accompanying prayers and sacred songs, since the stately fragrance lifts them to the Great Spirit.

Old Incense Cedar