Poisonous
Effect:
anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, expectorant, antispasmodic, slightly narcotic
Areas of application:
Skin infections, wounds, rashes, insect bites, burns, bruises, psoriasis, carpal tunnel, arthritis, aching muscles and joints, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, calms the nervous system, headaches, dizziness, nervous conditions, epilepsy, convulsions
Plant parts used:
root, leaves
Collection time:
spring
To find:
In North America, in moist, swampy areas, along streams and other slightly moist areas at altitudes from 0 to 1400 meters.
Ingredients:
Calcium oxalate crystals
Miscellaneous:
American skunk-cabbage grows as a deciduous, herbaceous plant. One of the first plants to bloom in spring, it grows low to the ground. The bright yellow spathes appear around the flower spikes from February to May. The shiny, large, waxy green leaves appear after the flowers and may have a foul odor. The skunk cabbage, or American giant arum, attracts flies, which makes pollination easier. The leaves are large and can grow up to a few meters long.
🛑 Skunk cabbage contains large amounts of calcium oxalate, a toxin that is very irritating when consumed. Calcium oxalate is destroyed by cooking or by drying and storing the plant. Excessive doses of skunk cabbage can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, and headaches. Some people may be allergic to skunk cabbage. The fresh plant is extremely irritating and can cause itching, blistering and redness of the skin when touched. If handled improperly, the plant can irritate the mouth and throat. Please never eat raw, but cook as described. But there are better plants for the above-mentioned areas of application.
Gloves should be worn when harvesting as the skin can become irritated. The cabbage should be boiled for several days, changing the water frequently, and boiled for at least 3 days, or dried and stored for at least 6 to 8 weeks before the skunk cabbage can be used. Cooking or drying this plant destroys the calcium oxalate crystals.