The berries can be eaten dried, fresh, chopped or powdered. Knowing where the nearest Eastern Red Cedar is could also help if you have a cough or cold. It is not a true cedar but rather an evergreen juniper that grows in a range of soils and can tolerate adverse conditions. Gather red cedar berries in autumn after they ripen to a solid purplish-blue color with a grayish cast. Most Juniper species are not significantly toxic, and no Native American species are. Our standards are beyond organic! eattheplanet.org@gmail.com, Your email address will not be published. Eastern Red Cedar is a common tree in New England and other parts of the Eastern United States. Although the Eastern Red Cedar is not endangered, it isn't easy to find the berries in abundance due to their botanical qualities. Native Americans often added juniper berries to food dishes and grains like flour for a hint of flavor. Scientific Name: Juniperus virginiana; Parts Used: Berries (female cones), branches, leaves, bark; Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Astringent, Antimicrobial, Diuretic, Antiasthmatic, Antifungal; The uses of Eastern Red Cedar branch out into many. These berries can be somewhat difficult to find, but you should look for places where the environment is clean. Current Issues. (more...), Stella Matutina Farm is a Biodynamic farm located in beautiful Grass Lake, Waterloo Township. Colonial craftsman used the Eastern Red Cedar wood as a building material for both furniture and fencing. "Foraged Flavor: Finding Fabulous Ingredients in your Backyard or Farmers Market" by Tama Matsuoka Wong"Wild Plants I have known and Eaten" by Russ CohenUnited States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation ServiceArbor Day FoundationNational Gardening Association, https://www.bonanza.com/booths/MillCreekHoney https://www.millcreekhoney.store https://www.etsy.com/shop/MillCreekHoney https://www.ebay.com/str/Mill-Creek-Honey-com https://www.millcreekhoney.store (more...), USDA Certified Organic Vegetables & Flowers: At Wild Hope Farm, we are passionate about bringing high-quality, organic food into our local communities through sustainable farming. The wood is easy to work with and has good rot resistance. The young leafy twigs of the Eastern Red Cedar were listed in the US Pharmacopoeia from 1820-1894 for their health benefits. 1. The tree can endure occasional flooding as well as drought. The Eastern Red Cedar was a staple in the pencil industry until the 1940's, when supplies became exhausted and the industry switched to the more plentiful western cedar varieties. 12 Comments; When is a cedar not a cedar? Organic farms can be good foraging locations, however you should be sure to ask permission from the landowner before harvesting the berries. Both eastern red cedar trees and Juniperus communis plants produce berries that are a dark blue and about the size of large peppercorns. Lemongrass: When life gives you lemongrass make tea! https://www.bonanza.com/booths/MillCreekHoney. Eastern Red Cedar berries are related to common juniper berries but are superior in flavor. Because of its resistance to decay, fence posts are fashioned from the wood. Whole berries should be kept in an airtight container and placed in a dry, cool spot away from direct sunlight. It can grow to a height of 40-50 ft with a spread of 8-20 feet at maturity. 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There are Southern European species of significantly toxic junipers including Juniperus sabina and Juniperus oxycedrus. Eastern Red Cedar has Blue Berries Like some other trees – holly bushes for example – Eastern Red Cedar has male flowers and female flowers on separate trees. Eastern Red Cedar is considered a non-toxic species of Juniper, though it does contain some level of toxins. Eastern Red Cedar is a common tree in New England and other parts of the Eastern United States. It is known for its very uniform upright shape, and it gets taller than many other juniper species. Virginia red cedar Uses Ethnobotanic: The red cedar is used by many tribes for incense in purification and ritual (Kindscher 1992). Required fields are marked *, Eastern Red Cedar Berries, A Touch of Natural Flavor. The juniper berries used for flavoring come from the Juniperus communis, which can be a sprawling shrub or a tree that can grow as tall as 52 feet. Eastern Red Cedar has Blue Berries. The fragrant, finely grained, soft, brittle, very light, pinkish to brownish red heartwood is very durable, even in contact with soil. Whole berries should be kept in an airtight container and placed in a dry, cool spot away from direct sunlight. Our products are grown and produced in the country, miles from any urban center. It is not a true cedar but is a juniper. Although the Eastern Red Cedar is not endangered, it isn't easy to find the berries in abundance due to their botanical qualities. Evergreen holly, hawthorn and native junipers like eastern red cedar provide a much bigger banquet, attracting bluebirds for several weeks. Learn more about Eastern Red Cedar uses, benefits, side effects, interactions, safety concerns, and effectiveness. They were prepared different ways by different tribes but some of the preparation methods include drying, soaking, mashing, or just eating them raw. Gently break apart the berries using a hammer or pestle. Some Native American cultures referred to the Eastern Red Cedar as " The Tree of Life". They are very difficult to tell apart from non-toxic Junipers especially since they hybridize with them, so to play it safe there is one rule to follow. Deer and other meat was often cooked with Juniper berries. The bark is red-brown in color, exfoliating in long, fibrous strips, often ashy gray where exposed. The Berries were also added as seasoning to many roasted meats. The wood, berries, and leaves are used for medicine. Rosemary: A fragrant blessing in herby disguise, Partridge Berry, a Nutritious Trailside Treat, Wild Mint, Fragrant Leaves and Digestive Aid, Pineapple Weed, Edible Flowers with a Fruity Flavoring, Common Mallow, a Wild Edible Often Found in Lawns, Bugleweed, Wild Edible and Alternative Herbal Remedy, Peppergrass, Abundant and with a Delicious Peppered Flavor, Wild Lettuce, Tasty Greens and Valued Herbal Remedies. The Eastern Red Cedar berries are an underappreciated food. 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