Larch
Parts Usually Used
Larix curopaca: Bark, resin, young shoots, needles Larix americana or Larix laricina: Inner bark, gum
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.
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).
Medicinal Properties
Larix curopaca: Anthelmintic, diuretic, laxative, vulnerary Larix americana or Larix laricina: Alterative, diuretic, laxative, tonic
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.
Uses
Historical herbalists utilized cold extracts of Larix europaea bark as a diuretic and applied the powdered bark topically to purulent or slow-healing wounds. Decoctions of the fresh needles and young shoots were traditionally added to baths for their stimulating properties. European folk medicine placed widespread reliance on "Venice turpentine," a resin tapped from the trunk, which practitioners administered internally for tapeworm, bloody diarrhea, sores, and dermatological complaints, as well as applying it externally for various conditions.
In North American traditions, Larix americana (also documented as Larix laricina) was employed for complaints including jaundice, colic, earache, rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, bronchitis, asthma, constipation, and insect bites. It served as a gargle for sore throats, mouth sores, and bleeding gums, or as an eyewash. External applications included poulticing the bark on sores, ulcers, swellings, burns, scalds, and areas affected by itching, lice, or nits.
Herbalists also prepared the leaves as an astringent tea for piles, diarrhea, and dropsy, or applied leaf poultices for burns, abscesses, and headaches. The harvested gum was traditionally chewed to address indigestion.
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.
Bibliography
, Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994 Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000 The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. , 180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, first printed by the United States Government Printing Office, Washington, in 1928, this Dover edition 1974 Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R.
, Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973 The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine , by Dr. A. , 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023