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Native American Herbal Remedies: Skunk Cabbage

I have decided to write a series ofAnother great site for natural and
articles for my Website, about nativeherbal remedies is the Plants for a
American herbal remedies, if only toFuture online database3.
stimulate some conversation about thisThey describe the medical uses of skunk
fascinating subject.cabbage as follows:
There is so much to explore. There is"Medicinal Uses
such a wealth of knowledge right underAntispasmodic; Diaphoretic; Diuretic;
our noses - it is almost like theEmetic; Expectorant; Narcotic;
rediscovery of Aristotle's works in theOdontalgic.
late middle ages. You can start yourSkunk cabbage was much used by the
discovery by checking out an excellentnative North American Indians primarily
synopsis in the Cherokee Messenger1.for its expectorant and antispasmodic
The first plant discussed in theproperties to treat bronchitis and
Cherokee Messenger is the Skunk Cabbage.asthmatic conditions, a use that is
According to the article, the plant wasstill employed in modern herbalism[254].
"Used by the Winnebago and Dakota tribesThe plant should be used with some
to stimulate the removal of phlegm incaution, however, and preferably under
asthma. The rootstock was official inprofessional supervision.
the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1882Handling the fresh leaves can cause skin
when it was used in respiratory andto blister whilst excessive doses of the
nervous disorders and in rheumatism androot can bring on nausea and vomiting,
dropsy."headaches and dizziness[238, 254]. The
Go search further and you find a lot ofroot is antispasmodic, diaphoretic,
scientific and anecdotal informationdiuretic, emetic, expectorant and
about the plant. "Wildman" Steve Brillslightly narcotic[4, 21, 46, 165, 222,
apparently tries to eat every plant he238].
studies. (Shoots and Greens of EarlyThe rootstock is harvested in late
Spring in Eastern North America)2.autumn or early spring and dried for
Here's an excerpt from the book by Stevelater use[238]. It should not be stored
Brill:for a long time because it loses its
"FOOD USES: Skunk cabbage leaves aremedicinal virtues[213]. The rootstock
marginally edible. Even though the planthas been used internally in the
is very common, it's hardly worth thetreatment of respiratory and nervous
effort. It contains calcium oxalatedisorders, including asthma, whooping
crystals, which cause the mustcough, catarrh, bronchitis and hay
unpleasant burning sensation in yourfever[213, 238].
mouth and tongue.It is occasionally used to treat
Boiling does not dispel this quality.epilepsy, headaches, vertigo and
I've had skunk cabbage leaves in my foodrheumatic problems[254]. Externally, it
dryer for a week (Lee Peterson, in hishas been used as a poultice to draw
Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants,splinters and thorns, to heal wounds and
claims that only thorough drying willto treat headaches[254]. The root hairs
make skunk cabbage edible), then Ior rootlets have been applied to dental
simmered them in a huge pot of chilicavities to treat toothache[213]. A tea
with lots of other vegetables.made from the root hairs has been used
I finally dispelled the calcium oxylateexternally to stop bleeding[213]. An
crystals from the skunk cabbage --inhalation of the crushed leaves has
unfortunately, they went into the chili!been used in the treatment of
I wound up cursing out Peterson for anheadaches[238]. The leaf bases have been
hour before the burning and stinging ofapplied as a wet dressing to
my tongue and mouth, caused by one bitebruises[213].
of the chili (which I quickly spat out)Other Uses
abated. I then flushed the entire recipeCosmetic.
down the toilet, and the plumbing'sAn infusion of the powdered root has
never been the same since.been used as a wash to 'cure a strong
The reason skunk cabbage is evensmell under your arm'[257]."
included in this book is to head offThe last bit amused me no end - using
readers who've been misinformed aboutskunk cabbage as an underarm deodorant
its edibility, and who insist on using.strikes me as a true example of fighting
If you're still determined to use thisfire with fire!
plant, you can try air drying it for 6People have written entire books about
months, after which it tastes like paperskunk cabbage. This article is only an
(a vast improvement!)introduction to a vast and mainly
FEATURED RECIPE: The day you bring homeunexplored field. But if it sparks your
skunk cabbage is the time to eat dinnerinterest enough to take a deeper
out. If you find skunk cabbage, leave itinterest in the wonderful all-natural
for the skunks!"remedies available to us throughout the
I suppose it was never meant to be usedworld, I will consider it a success.
as food!



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