| I have decided to write a series of articles for | | | | food! |
| my Website, about native American herbal | | | | Another great site for natural and herbal remedies |
| remedies, if only to stimulate some conversation | | | | is 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 a | | | | as follows: |
| wealth of knowledge right under our noses - it is | | | | "Medicinal Uses |
| almost like the rediscovery of Aristotle's works in | | | | Antispasmodic; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Emetic; |
| the late middle ages. You can start your | | | | Expectorant; Narcotic; Odontalgic. |
| discovery by checking out an excellent synopsis in | | | | Skunk cabbage was much used by the native |
| the Cherokee Messenger1. | | | | North American Indians primarily for its |
| The first plant discussed in the Cherokee | | | | expectorant 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 by | | | | still employed in modern herbalism[254]. The plant |
| the Winnebago and Dakota tribes to stimulate the | | | | should be used with some caution, however, and |
| removal of phlegm in asthma. The rootstock was | | | | preferably under professional supervision. |
| official in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to | | | | Handling the fresh leaves can cause skin to blister |
| 1882 when it was used in respiratory and nervous | | | | whilst 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 scientific | | | | 254]. The root is antispasmodic, diaphoretic, |
| and anecdotal information about the plant. | | | | diuretic, emetic, expectorant and slightly |
| "Wildman" Steve Brill apparently tries to eat every | | | | narcotic[4, 21, 46, 165, 222, 238]. |
| plant he studies. (Shoots and Greens of Early | | | | The 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 are | | | | medicinal virtues[213]. The rootstock has been |
| marginally edible. Even though the plant is very | | | | used internally in the treatment of respiratory and |
| common, it's hardly worth the effort. It contains | | | | nervous disorders, including asthma, whooping |
| calcium oxalate crystals, which cause the must | | | | cough, catarrh, bronchitis and hay fever[213, 238]. |
| unpleasant burning sensation in your mouth and | | | | It is occasionally used to treat epilepsy, |
| tongue. | | | | headaches, vertigo and rheumatic problems[254]. |
| Boiling does not dispel this quality. I've had skunk | | | | Externally, it has been used as a poultice to draw |
| cabbage leaves in my food dryer for a week | | | | splinters and thorns, to heal wounds and to treat |
| (Lee Peterson, in his Field Guide to Edible Wild | | | | headaches[254]. The root hairs or rootlets have |
| Plants, claims that only thorough drying will make | | | | been applied to dental cavities to treat |
| skunk cabbage edible), then I simmered them in a | | | | toothache[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 from | | | | inhalation of the crushed leaves has been used in |
| the skunk cabbage -- unfortunately, they went | | | | the treatment of headaches[238]. The leaf bases |
| into the chili! I wound up cursing out Peterson for | | | | have been applied as a wet dressing to |
| an hour before the burning and stinging of my | | | | bruises[213]. |
| tongue and mouth, caused by one bite of the chili | | | | Other Uses |
| (which I quickly spat out) abated. I then flushed | | | | Cosmetic. |
| the entire recipe down the toilet, and the | | | | An 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 this | | | | arm'[257]." |
| book is to head off readers who've been | | | | The last bit amused me no end - using skunk |
| misinformed about its edibility, and who insist on | | | | cabbage 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, after | | | | People 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 home | | | | vast and mainly unexplored field. But if it sparks |
| skunk cabbage is the time to eat dinner out. If | | | | your 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 as | | | | throughout the world, I will consider it a success. |