Western Red Cedar for the PNW coastal Natives is sacred Grandfather medicine and is the source of many of their traditions. The wood serves for house planks, house posts, roof boards, various kinds of boxes, and canoes. It is easy to split and is used for bentwood boxes. Bark is made into skirts, capes, and complete dresses for women, and roots and limbs are used for baskets and rope. The inner bark is used for slow matches to carry the fire from camp to camp, and also as mats, and baskets. Western red cedar is employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes, who use it to treat a wide range of complaints. It is seldom, if ever, used in modern herbalism. An infusion of the leaves are used in the treatment of stomach pains and diarrhoea. A decoction of the leaves are used in the treatment of colds. A decoction of the powdered leaves are used externally to treat various internal pains, including rheumatism. The leaf buds are chewed in the treatment of toothaches and sore lungs. A decoction of the buds are used as a gargle. A decoction of the small branches are used in the treatment of coughs, colds and tuberculosis. A weak infusion has been drunk in the treatment of painful joints caused by rheumatism or arthritis. A poultice of the crushed bough tips and oil are applied to the back and chest in the treatment of bronchitis, rheumatism, stomach pains and swollen neck. An infusion of the twigs are used as a wash in the treatment of venereal disease sores. A decoction of the boughs are used as an anti-dandruff shampoo. A decoction of the stem tips and the roots are used in the treatment of colds. An infusion of the bark and twigs are used in the treatment of kidney complaints. An infusion of the seeds and twigs are used in the treatment of fevers. The chewed bark, or a decoction of the bark, are drunk to induce menstruation. A moxa of the inner bark are used as a counter-irritant for the skin. A poultice of the inner bark are applied to carbuncles. The bark are pounded until it is as soft as cotton and then used to rub the face. The very soft bark are used to bind wounds and cover dressings. The shredded bark are used to cauterize sores and swellings.