Inner bark - raw or cooked[213]. Usually harvested in the spring[2], it can be dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[2, 46, 161]. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[183]. The leaves and twigs yield 'spruce oil', used commercially to flavour chewing gum, soft drinks, ice cream etc[183]. A herbal tea is made from the young shoot tips[2, 62, 95, 159, 183, 257]. These tips are also an ingredient of 'spruce beer'[183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


Canadian hemlock was commonly employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[257]. It is still sometimes used in modern herbalism where it is valued for its astringent and antiseptic properties. The bark is rich in tannin and is astringent and antiseptic[222, 254]. A decoction is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, colitis, diverticulitis and cystitis[254]. Externally, it is used as a poultice to cleanse and tighten bleeding wounds, as a douche to treat excessive vaginal discharge, thrush and a prolapsed uterus, and as a mouthwash and gargle for gingivitis and sore throats[222, 254]. The poultice has also been applied to the armpits to treat itchiness there[257]. The inner bark is diaphoretic and styptic[21, 213, 257]. An infusion is used in the treatment of colds and abdominal pains[21, 213, 257]. A decoction of the inner bark has been applied externally in the treatment of eczema and other skin conditions[257]. The pulverized inner bark has been applied to cuts and wounds to stop the bleeding[257]. A tea made from the leafy twig tips is used in the treatment of dysentery, kidney ailments, colds and rheumatism[21, 222, 257]. Externally, it is used in steam baths for treating colds, rheumatism and to induce sweating[222]. A decoction of the branches has been boiled down to a syrup or thick paste and used as a poultice on arthritic joints[257]. A poultice of the crushed branch tips has been used to treat infections on an infants navel[257]. Hemlock pitch has been used externally as a counter-irritant in the treatment of rheumatism[213].

Yields a resin similar to Abies balsamea, it is gathered by incisions in the trunk or by boiling the wood[46, 61, 64]. A pitch (called hemlock pitch), is obtained by distillation of the young branches[46]. 'Oil of Hemlock' is distilled from the young branches according to another report[82]. The bark contains 8 - 14% tannin[46, 171, 223]. The inner bark is used according to one report[82]. The inner bark has been used in making baskets[257]. A red to brown dye is obtained from the bark[21, 46, 257]. A red dye is obtained from the inner bark according to another report[226]. A little rock dust has been added to act as a mordant when boiling the bark[257]. The boiled bark has been used to make a wash to clean rust off iron and steel, and to prevent further rusting[257]. Tolerant of light trimming, plants can be grown as a hedge[81]. This species does not make a good hedge in Britain[200]. Some cultivars can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 1 metre apart each way[208]. 'Pendula' is slow-growing but makes a very good cover[208]. Wood - coarse-grained, light, soft, not strong, brittle, not durable outdoors[21, 46, 61, 82, 171, 229]. Difficult to work because it splits easily[226]. The wood weighs 26lb per cubic foot[235]. The trees do not self-prune and so the wood contains numerous remarkably hard knots that can quickly dull the blade of an axe[226]. A coarse lumber, it is used occasionally for the outside of buildings[21, 46, 61, 82, 171, 229]. It should be used with caution as a fuel for outdoor fires because it can project embers and burning wood several metres from the fire[226].

Special Uses