Thujaplicins are series of related chemical substances discovered in the 1930s and isolated from Thuja plicata

Thuja plicata

Thuja plicata, commonly called Western or pacific red cedar, giant or western arborvitae, giant cedar, or shinglewood, is a species of Thuja, an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae native to western North America...

(western red cedar tree). The three compounds are α-thujaplicin, β-thujaplicin (hinokitiol

Hinokitiol

Hinokitiol is a natural monoterpenoid found in the wood of trees in the family Cupressaceae. It is a tropolone derivative and one of the thujaplicins. Hinokitiol has inhibitory effects on Chlamydia trachomatis and may be clinically useful as a topical drug.. It can be readily extracted from...

), and γ-thujaplicin. They are known for potent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. They are also known to be potent antioxidants.

Red cedar was used for many years by the first nations people for its medicinal benefits in a variety of conditions.