SKUNK CABBAGE SYMPLOCARPUS FOETIDUS

SKUNK CABBAGE (Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Salisb. ex W. P. C. Barton) +

Synonym :
Dracontium foetidus L.

Activities (Skunk Cabbage) :
Analgesic (f; CRC; DEM; GMH); Antispasmodic (f; CRC; PHR; PH2; PNC); Cicatrizant (f; GMH); Diaphoretic (f; CRC; PHR; PH2; PNC); Diuretic (f; FAD); Emetic (f; CRC; FAD); Emmenagogue (f; CRC); Expectorant (f; CEB; CRC; PHR; PH2; PNC); Hemolytic (1; CAN); Hemostat (f; CRC); Narcotic (1; CEB; CRC; GMH); Poison (1; CRC); Sedative (f; CAN; CRC; PHR; PH2); Sialagogue (f; CRC); Stimulant (f; CRC); Suppurative (f; CEB).

Indications (Skunk Cabbage):
Adenopathy (f; CEB); Asthma (f; CRC; PHR; PH2; PNC); Bleeding (1; CAN; CEB; CRC; DEM); Blister (f; CEB); Bronchosis (f; PHR; PH2; PNC); Bruise (f; CEB); Cancer (f; CEB; CRC); Catarrh (f; CEB; CRC); Childbirth (f; CRC; DEM); Chorea (f; CRC; GMH); Convulsion (f; CRC; DEM; FAD); Cold (f; CEB); Cough (f; CEB; FAD); Cramp (f; CRC; DEM; FAD; PHR; PH2; PNC); Dermatosis (f; CEB; CRC); Dropsy (f; CRC; GMH); Epilepsy (f; CRC; DEM; FAD; GMH); Fever (f; CRC; PHR; PH2; PNC); Fit (f; DEM); Headache (f; CEB; CRC); Heart (f; DEM); Herpes (f; CEB); Hysteria (f; CRC; GMH); Insomnia (f; CAN; CRC; PHR; PH2); Itch (f; CEB; CRC; FAD); Mastosis (f; CEB); Migraine (f; FAD; JAD); Nervousness (f; CAN; CRC; PHR; PH2); Pain (f; CRC; DEM; GMH); Pertussis (f; CAN; DEM); Prolapse (f; DEM); Rheumatism (f; CRC; FAD); Ringworm (f; CRC); Snakebite (f; CRC); Sore (f; CRC); Spasm (f; CRC); Swelling (f; CEB; CRC; DEM); Toothache (f; CEB; DEM; FAD); Ulcer (f; CEB); Uterosis (f; DEM); Water Retention (f; FAD); Womb (f; DEM); Worm (f; CRC); Wound (f; CEB; FAD; GMH).

Dosages (Skunk Cabbage) :
0.5–1.0 g powdered root, in honey or in tea, 3 ×/day (CAN); 10–20 grains powdered root (GMH); 0.5–1.0 ml liquid root extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 2–4 ml root tincture (1:10 in 45% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Skunk Cabbage) :
Class 2d. Oxalates may irritate GI and oral tract. Fresh roots irritate mucosa. Kidney stone sufferers should use with caution, if at all (AHP).“Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PHR; PH2). Overdose may cause queasiness and vomiting (PHR; PH2). CAN cautions against itch and inflammation. Because it is reputed to affect the menstrual cycle, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided (CAN). Eating leaves can cause burning and inflammation. Roots are believed to be toxic (FAD). Leaf extract is hemolytic. Several Micmac Indians confided to me that they sniffed the root to relieve migraine. One of the first flowers of spring, often melting the snow through the thermogensis of salicylic acid.