Contents:
Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties
Legends, Myths and Stories | Uses | Formulas or Dosages | Warning | Bibliography
Scientific Names
- Larix curopaca L.
- Larix americana L.
- Larix laricina L.
- Pinaceae
- Pine family
Common Names
Larix curopaca:
- Common larch
- European larch
Larix americana or Larix laricina:
- Tamarack
- American larch
- Black larch
- Hackmetack
- Salisb
Parts Usually Used
Larix curopaca:
Bark, resin, young shoots, needles
Larix americana or Larix laricina:
Inner bark, gum
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Larix curopaca:
The common larch is a European tree; it bears light green needles in clusters of 15-20 (fewer on young shoots) and is unusual among members of the pine family in shedding its needles every year. The red or reddish-brown flowers, which emerge in spring before the leaves, are borne in catkins. The scaly cones are bright red when young, turning dark red and finally to chestnut-brown when mature. The cones stay on the tree after the needles have fallen.
Larix americana or Larix laricina:
Black larch or Tamarack is a coniferous tree that grows to 100 feet; Deciduous needles, to 1 inch long in circular clusters. Cones oval, to 3/4 inch long with few scales and are rounded.
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Where Found
Larix curopaca:
Grows in mountainous areas and in coniferous forests; in America it is often planted as an ornamental tree.
Larix americana or Larix laricina:
Found in swamps, wet soils from Labrador to West Virginia, northern Illinois; across southern Canada to Alaska (where it is called Latrix alaskensis).
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Medicinal Properties
Larix curopaca:
Anthelmintic, diuretic, laxative, vulnerary
Larix americana or Larix laricina:
Alterative, diuretic, laxative, tonic
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Legends, Myths and Stories
Larix curopaca:
In European folklore the larch was said to be a preventative against enchantment. The smoke from burning larch bark was thought to drive away evil spirits, and parents had children wear collars of larch bark as a protection against the evil eye.
In Siberia the larch is associated with the primitive shamanistic religion of the native Tungus tribe. According to a shaman interview in 1925, larch poles are used in sacred rites as an earthly representation of the mythical tree called Tuuru, where the souls of all shamen are said to develop before coming to earth. When a tungus shaman practices his art, his soul is symbolically climbing up the Tuuru tree’s larch pole representation, which is said to extend itself invisibly to heaven during the rite. In addition, the shaman’s drum, which he uses to induce his trance, has a rim of larch bark. The actual tree from which this bark is taken is always left standing in honor of the tree Tuuru.
The gummy sap that seeps from the tree has a very good flavor when chewed.
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Uses
Larix curopaca:
A cold extract of larch bark has diuretic properties, and the powdered bark can be used on purulent and difficult wounds to promote their healing. A light decoction of fresh needles and young shoots can be added to bath water to make a stimulating bath. Boring into the tree releases resin from which “Venice turpentine” is obtained. In European folk medicine, Venice turpentine is used for innumerable internal and external ailments. Internally, doses of 5-8 drops are taken for tapeworm, bloody diarrhea, sores, and skin problems. It is important to use only small amounts, since even moderate amounts can cause kidney damage internally and swelling blisters externally.
Larix americana or Larix laricina:
Used for jaundice, colic, eyewash, earache, rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, bronchitis, consumption, asthma, constipation, poisonous insect bites, and skin ailments. Gargled for sore throat, sores of the mouth, bleeding gums. Poulticed on sores, ulcers, help overcome the itch, kills nits and lice, swellings, and burns and scalds. Leaf tea is astringent, used for piles, diarrhea, and dropsy; poulticed for burns, abscesses, gangrene, and headaches. Gum is chewed for indigestion.
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Formulas or Dosages
Larix curopaca:
Compress: soak a cloth in hot water and wring out. Moisten with a small amount of Venice turpentine and apply to the affected part. Remove after 30 minutes and do not repeat until the next day.
Venice turpentine: for internal use, mix 5-8 drops with honey.
Larix americana or Larix laricina:
Tea: 1 tsp. of the inner bark to 1 cup of boiling water; steep 30 minutes. Take 1/2 cup 4 or 5 times per day.
To treat constipation: buckthorn bark and calamus root are also used; take a tsp. of each and mix with a tsp. of black larch, using the inner bark. Use a heaping tsp. of this mixture to 1 cup boiling water, steep for 30 minutes, and take as much as needed.
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Warning
Larix curopaca:
It is important to use only small amounts, since even moderate amounts can cause kidney damage internally and swelling blisters externally.
Larix americana or Larix laricina:
Sawdust of the black larch can cause dermatitis.
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Bibliography
American Folk Medicine
Back to Eden
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants
The Herb Book
How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts
Indian Herbalogy of North America
The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine
Webster’s New World Dictionary
