How To Make Cedar Tea

     Deemed the “tree of life” by the Kwakwaka’wakw, (a group of Indigenous people located in British Columbia), cedar trees have many uses. Every part of the tree can be used to make things such as totem poles, canoes, cribs, baskets, and mats. 

Earthy, slightly sweet, and perfect with a bit of sugar. Cedar tea is sure to deepen your relationship with the natural world around you. For centuries it’s been used by Indigenous peoples as a traditional medicine. High in vitamin C, it saved Canada’s early settlers from scurvy. It is also commonly used as an anti-inflammatory. To discover how to make your own cedar tea, continue reading.


1. Gather the cedar
            

Before you start grabbing random branches, please note that not all types of cedar are safe to consume. Eastern White Cedar is safe to use, however, you should avoid consuming it in large quantities, drinking it when you are pregnant, or giving it to young children. That being said, in moderation, cedar tea is quite nutritious. To make a cup of tea, you will only need about a cup of cedar. Remember to respect nature while you are harvesting your branches; only take what you need, make sure the tree can regrow, and avoid taking from young trees.


2. Wash the cedar
            

Rinse the cedar off the same way you would any other fruit or vegetable, you can simply hold it under the faucet, or put it in a bowl to soak. The objective is to get the dirt off.


3. Cut the cedar
            

This will help release the vitamins, minerals, and flavour into the tea.


4. Add water and cedar to a pot

You will need about 2 ½ cups of water to make 1 cup of tea (most of the water will evaporate). If you prefer your tea weaker, you may choose to add more water. It is best to start off with less, then add more in accordance to your preferences.


5. Boil the cedar tea
            

Turn the stove on at a high temperature to get it boiling, then turn it down to about medium heat to let it simmer. Give it a stir occasionally. In about 10 minutes the tea will change to a deep golden brown colour. At this point you can turn the stove completely off, the tea is almost ready.


6. Strain the tea
            

Get a large bowl or another pot to strain the tea into. Use a strainer to empty the tea into the bowl without getting any branches or leaves in it.


7. Pour and enjoy
            

You are now ready to enjoy nature's medicine. If you like, you can add maple syrup or some other form of sugar to your tea.

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