Indigenous Medicinal Plant Research by Sarah Powell

Pacific Yew

sp871_1 — 2024-09-16 15:24:16 UTC

What's the plant's historical use as traditional medicine?

sp871_1 — 2024-09-16 15:46:50 UTC

Pacific Yew is used to make healing salves and is applied to open sores, wounds, and infections. Also, an infusion of the buds can be drunk for coughs, sore throats, and tuberculosis. The roots, bark, and leaves can also be used.

What parts of the plant are used as medicine?

sp871_1 — 2024-09-16 15:48:37 UTC

The bud, leaves, root, and bark.

How is the plant prepared to be used as medicine?

sp871_1 — 2024-09-16 15:53:18 UTC

The buds can be infused and then drank, or it can be applied to wounds.

Where does it grow?

sp871_1 — 2024-09-24 06:26:38 UTC

Pacific Yew grows along the Pacific coast from southern Alaska to California, then east towards Alberta, but is mainly found in the western parts of Canada. It thrives in dry shady forests with moist, or rocky soils.

How was it harvested?

sp871_1 — 2024-09-24 06:48:14 UTC

Indigenous peoples would often just cut down the whole tree because they were able to find a use for every part of it. Not only was it used as medicine but the wood itself was valued because it wouldn't rot, so it was used for building and making hunting bows.

What is it used for today?

sp871_1 — 2024-09-24 06:53:23 UTC

Pacific Yew is used today to prevent lung, breast, and ovarian cancer. However, recently there have been other alternatives made that do the same thing so Pacific Yew doesn't get over-harvested.

What Indigenous peoples use this plant?

sp871_1 — 2024-09-24 15:04:56 UTC

The Woodlands Indigenous peoples used Pacific Yew because it grows in their area.