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Western Red Cedar: A History of Healing, Respect, and Connection
Long before western red cedar became familiar as lumber or garden hedging, Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest developed deep relationships with this remarkable tree. For generations, it has provided materials for shelter, clothing, transportation, medicine, and ceremony. Its importance reaches far beyond any single use—it is woven into cultural traditions that continue today. (UBC)…
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Ghost Pipe: A Mysterious Woodland Plant With a Rich History
On a quiet walk through the woods, you might notice something unexpected rising from the fallen leaves: a cluster of pale, curved stems, each carrying a small, nodding flower. Almost translucent, they seem more like something from a storybook than an ordinary wildflower. Historical and Educational ContextThis article discusses historical and cultural uses of plants.…
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Beyond “A Few Plants in Alcohol”: Why We Started Testing Ghost Pipe Extract
When we first decided to make ghost pipe extract, we ran into a question that seemed simple: How concentrated should it be—and how would we know? We wanted something more informative than “put some ghost pipe in alcohol.” Counting plants did not give me the consistent reference point We were looking for. We wanted a…