Skunk Cabbage

Scientific Names

Symplocarpus foetidus L.
Arum family

Common Names

Collard
Fetid hellebore
Meadow cabbage
Polecat weed
Skunk weed
Stinking poke
Swamp cabbage
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

A strongly skunk-scented perennial plant; 1-2 feet tall, of the arum family, having large, cabbagelike leaves, a spadix of small flowers concealed in a purple, hooded spathe, and a disagreeable smell. The large tuberous rootstock produces fleshy roots and heart-shaped, cabbage-like leaves on thick leafstalks. Numerous small, purple flowers grow on a small, oval, fleshy spike (or spadix), covered by a purple and yellowish-green, hoodlike bract (or spathe). Flowering time is from February to April, before the leaves appear. The whole plant emits a skunk or garlic odor.

In the north, the unusual reddish green blooms of skunk cabbage are among the first wildflowers to appear in spring. February to May. Temperature within the flower spathe is often 60 degrees F. higher than the ambient air; the flower may melt snow as it begins to bloom.
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Where Found

Grows in wet rich soil in swamps of eastern North America, as far west as Manitoba and Iowa.
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Medicinal Properties

Antispasmodic, diuretic, emetic, diaphoretic, expectorant, slightly narcotic, stimulant
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Uses

The rootstock and roots of skunk cabbage have been used to treat respiratory ailments, including: hay fever, asthma, whooping cough, bronchial problems, and mucous congestion. It is helpful for nervous disorders, spasmodic problems, rheumatism, and dropsy. Some Native Americans boiled the root hairs to make a wash for stopping external bleeding. One tribe inhaled the odor of the crushed leaves to cure headache or toothache (which may be a classic case of a cure worse than the disease). Root poulticed for wounds, underarm deodorant; leaf poulticed to reduce swelling, they ate the root to stop epileptic seizures.

Very reliable in tuberculosis, chronic catarrh, fevers, whooping cough, epilepsy, convulsions, and pleurisy. Excellent remedy in dysentery, convulsions, dropsy, hysteria, epilepsy, and for use during pregnancy.

When made into an ointment, it greatly relieves the pain of all external tumors and sores.
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Formulas or Dosages

Infusion: steep 1 tsp. rootstock and roots in 1 cup water for 1/2 hour. Take 1 cup per day, a tbsp. at a time.

Skunk cabbage loses effectiveness with long storage.
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Warning

The fresh plant has acrid properties. Eating leaves causes burning, inflammation. Roots considered toxic.

Use under medical supervision only.
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Bibliography

Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973

The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984

The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974