| I have decided to write a series of articles | | | | |
| for my Website, about native American herbal | | | | Another great site for natural and herbal |
| remedies, if only to stimulate some | | | | remedies is the Plants for a Future online |
| conversation about this fascinating subject. | | | | database3. |
| | | | |
| There is so much to explore. There is such a | | | | They describe the medical uses of skunk |
| wealth of knowledge right under our noses - | | | | cabbage as follows: |
| it is almost like the rediscovery of | | | | |
| Aristotle's works in the late middle ages. | | | | "Medicinal Uses |
| You can start your discovery by checking out | | | | |
| an excellent synopsis in the Cherokee | | | | Antispasmodic; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Emetic; |
| Messenger1. | | | | Expectorant; Narcotic; Odontalgic. |
| | | | |
| The first plant discussed in the Cherokee | | | | Skunk cabbage was much used by the native |
| Messenger is the Skunk Cabbage. | | | | North American Indians primarily for its |
| | | | expectorant and antispasmodic properties to |
| According to the article, the plant was "Used | | | | treat bronchitis and asthmatic conditions, a |
| by the Winnebago and Dakota tribes to | | | | use that is still employed in modern |
| stimulate the removal of phlegm in asthma. | | | | herbalism[254]. The plant should be used with |
| The rootstock was official in the U.S. | | | | some caution, however, and preferably under |
| Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1882 when it was | | | | professional supervision. |
| used in respiratory and nervous disorders and | | | | |
| in rheumatism and dropsy." | | | | Handling the fresh leaves can cause skin to |
| | | | blister whilst excessive doses of the root |
| Go search further and you find a lot of | | | | can bring on nausea and vomiting, headaches |
| scientific and anecdotal information about | | | | and dizziness[238, 254]. The root is |
| the plant. "Wildman" Steve Brill apparently | | | | antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, |
| tries to eat every plant he studies. (Shoots | | | | expectorant and slightly narcotic[4, 21, 46, |
| and Greens of Early Spring in Eastern North | | | | 165, 222, 238]. |
| America)2. | | | | |
| | | | The rootstock is harvested in late autumn or |
| Here's an excerpt from the book by Steve | | | | early spring and dried for later use[238]. It |
| Brill: | | | | should not be stored for a long time because |
| | | | it loses its medicinal virtues[213]. The |
| "FOOD USES: Skunk cabbage leaves are | | | | rootstock has been used internally in the |
| marginally edible. Even though the plant is | | | | treatment of respiratory and nervous |
| very common, it's hardly worth the effort. It | | | | disorders, including asthma, whooping cough, |
| contains calcium oxalate crystals, which | | | | catarrh, bronchitis and hay fever[213, 238]. |
| cause the must unpleasant burning sensation | | | | |
| in your mouth and tongue. | | | | It is occasionally used to treat epilepsy, |
| | | | headaches, vertigo and rheumatic |
| Boiling does not dispel this quality. I've | | | | problems[254]. Externally, it has been used |
| had skunk cabbage leaves in my food dryer for | | | | as a poultice to draw splinters and thorns, |
| a week (Lee Peterson, in his Field Guide to | | | | to heal wounds and to treat headaches[254]. |
| Edible Wild Plants, claims that only thorough | | | | The root hairs or rootlets have been applied |
| drying will make skunk cabbage edible), then | | | | to dental cavities to treat toothache[213]. A |
| I simmered them in a huge pot of chili with | | | | tea made from the root hairs has been used |
| lots of other vegetables. | | | | externally to stop bleeding[213]. An |
| | | | inhalation of the crushed leaves has been |
| I finally dispelled the calcium oxylate | | | | used in the treatment of headaches[238]. The |
| crystals from the skunk cabbage -- | | | | leaf bases have been applied as a wet |
| unfortunately, they went into the chili! I | | | | dressing to bruises[213]. |
| wound up cursing out Peterson for an hour | | | | |
| before the burning and stinging of my tongue | | | | Other Uses |
| and mouth, caused by one bite of the chili | | | | |
| (which I quickly spat out) abated. I then | | | | Cosmetic. |
| flushed the entire recipe down the toilet, | | | | |
| and the plumbing's never been the same since. | | | | An infusion of the powdered root has been |
| | | | used as a wash to 'cure a strong smell under |
| The reason skunk cabbage is even included in | | | | your arm'[257]." |
| this book is to head off readers who've been | | | | |
| misinformed about its edibility, and who | | | | The last bit amused me no end - using skunk |
| insist on using. If you're still determined | | | | cabbage as an underarm deodorant strikes me |
| to use this plant, you can try air drying it | | | | as a true example of fighting fire with fire! |
| for 6 months, after which it tastes like | | | | |
| paper (a vast improvement!) | | | | People have written entire books about skunk |
| | | | cabbage. This article is only an introduction |
| FEATURED RECIPE: The day you bring home skunk | | | | to a vast and mainly unexplored field. But if |
| cabbage is the time to eat dinner out. If you | | | | it sparks your interest enough to take a |
| find skunk cabbage, leave it for the skunks!" | | | | deeper interest in the wonderful all-natural |
| | | | remedies available to us throughout the |
| I suppose it was never meant to be used as | | | | world, I will consider it a success. |
| food! | | | | |