Native American Herbal Remedies: Skunk Cabbage

I have decided to write a series of articles forfood!
my Website, about native American herbalAnother great site for natural and herbal remedies
remedies, if only to stimulate some conversationis the Plants for a Future online database3.
about this fascinating subject.They describe the medical uses of skunk cabbage
There is so much to explore. There is such aas follows:
wealth of knowledge right under our noses - it is"Medicinal Uses
almost like the rediscovery of Aristotle's works inAntispasmodic; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Emetic;
the late middle ages. You can start yourExpectorant; Narcotic; Odontalgic.
discovery by checking out an excellent synopsis inSkunk cabbage was much used by the native
the Cherokee Messenger1.North American Indians primarily for its
The first plant discussed in the Cherokeeexpectorant and antispasmodic properties to treat
Messenger is the Skunk Cabbage.bronchitis and asthmatic conditions, a use that is
According to the article, the plant was "Used bystill employed in modern herbalism[254]. The plant
the Winnebago and Dakota tribes to stimulate theshould be used with some caution, however, and
removal of phlegm in asthma. The rootstock waspreferably under professional supervision.
official in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820 toHandling the fresh leaves can cause skin to blister
1882 when it was used in respiratory and nervouswhilst excessive doses of the root can bring on
disorders and in rheumatism and dropsy."nausea and vomiting, headaches and dizziness[238,
Go search further and you find a lot of scientific254]. The root is antispasmodic, diaphoretic,
and anecdotal information about the plant.diuretic, emetic, expectorant and slightly
"Wildman" Steve Brill apparently tries to eat everynarcotic[4, 21, 46, 165, 222, 238].
plant he studies. (Shoots and Greens of EarlyThe rootstock is harvested in late autumn or
Spring in Eastern North America)2.early spring and dried for later use[238]. It should
Here's an excerpt from the book by Steve Brill:not be stored for a long time because it loses its
"FOOD USES: Skunk cabbage leaves aremedicinal virtues[213]. The rootstock has been
marginally edible. Even though the plant is veryused internally in the treatment of respiratory and
common, it's hardly worth the effort. It containsnervous disorders, including asthma, whooping
calcium oxalate crystals, which cause the mustcough, catarrh, bronchitis and hay fever[213, 238].
unpleasant burning sensation in your mouth andIt is occasionally used to treat epilepsy,
tongue.headaches, vertigo and rheumatic problems[254].
Boiling does not dispel this quality. I've had skunkExternally, it has been used as a poultice to draw
cabbage leaves in my food dryer for a weeksplinters and thorns, to heal wounds and to treat
(Lee Peterson, in his Field Guide to Edible Wildheadaches[254]. The root hairs or rootlets have
Plants, claims that only thorough drying will makebeen applied to dental cavities to treat
skunk cabbage edible), then I simmered them in atoothache[213]. A tea made from the root hairs
huge pot of chili with lots of other vegetables.has been used externally to stop bleeding[213]. An
I finally dispelled the calcium oxylate crystals frominhalation of the crushed leaves has been used in
the skunk cabbage -- unfortunately, they wentthe treatment of headaches[238]. The leaf bases
into the chili! I wound up cursing out Peterson forhave been applied as a wet dressing to
an hour before the burning and stinging of mybruises[213].
tongue and mouth, caused by one bite of the chiliOther Uses
(which I quickly spat out) abated. I then flushedCosmetic.
the entire recipe down the toilet, and theAn infusion of the powdered root has been used
plumbing's never been the same since.as a wash to 'cure a strong smell under your
The reason skunk cabbage is even included in thisarm'[257]."
book is to head off readers who've beenThe last bit amused me no end - using skunk
misinformed about its edibility, and who insist oncabbage as an underarm deodorant strikes me as
using. If you're still determined to use this plant,a true example of fighting fire with fire!
you can try air drying it for 6 months, afterPeople have written entire books about skunk
which it tastes like paper (a vast improvement!)cabbage. This article is only an introduction to a
FEATURED RECIPE: The day you bring homevast and mainly unexplored field. But if it sparks
skunk cabbage is the time to eat dinner out. Ifyour interest enough to take a deeper interest in
you find skunk cabbage, leave it for the skunks!"the wonderful all-natural remedies available to us
I suppose it was never meant to be used asthroughout the world, I will consider it a success.