Northwestern Native Americans considered the Idaho blue spruce to be a sacred tree. They used it for smudging/purification rites. The leaves, inner bark, gum and twigs have been used by Native Americans for a wide range of functions. The leaves were used as inhalants, fumigators and revivers. The inner bark was used for lung and throat problems. It was also used in poultices applied to wound and cuts for swelling. It was applied to areas of swelling and inflammation. It was mixed in drinks for scurvy and colds. The Gum of the tree was used for calking canoes.
They believed the fragrance of the tree released emotional blocks, bringing about a feeling of balance and grounding.
Today it is still used for pain relief, insecticide, antioxidant, expectorant and an antibacterial wash.
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