Latin Name: Oplopanax horridum
Alternate Names: Prickly Porcupine Ginseng
Family: ARALIACEAE
Parts Used: Root bark.
Properties: Adaptogen, Alterative, Analgesic, Antiarthritic, Aromatic, Cathartic, Diaphoretic, Emetic, Expectorant, Hypoglycemic, Rejuvenative, Respiratory Stimulant, Stomach Tonic, Yin Tonic.
Internal Uses: Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease, Colds, Constipation, Cough, Diabetes, Dysmenorrhea, Fever, Gallstones, Hangovers, Measles, Rheumatism, Sugar Addiction, Swollen Glands
Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.
It is good for adult onset diabetes and insulin resistant forms of diabetes. It helps in menstrual regulation following childbirth.
Topical Uses: Dandruff, Foot Soreness, Insect Bites, Insect Stings, Lice, Rheumatism, Toothache, Wounds
Topical Applications: Poultice for toothaches, bites, stings and wounds. Foot bath for sore feet. The powdered root is used as a deodorant. Tea has been poured on rocks in sweat lodges for rheumatism. Berries used in hair rinse to treat lice and dandruff.
Culinary uses: In the very early spring, young tender stalks may be eaten as a vegetable. Leaves can be added to omelets, soups and stir fry dishes. Once the spines stiffen, the leaves are no longer edible.
Energetics: Pungent, Bitter, Cool.
Chemical Constituents: Essential oil (bulnesol, cadenene, cedrol, dodecenol, nerolidol, torreyol), araliasides, panaxosides.
Contraindications: If diabetics use this herb, they should consult with their doctors as the amount of insulin used will probably need to be lowered or adjusted. Large amounts can be intoxicating, and for this reason it has been used by Native Americans on vision quests.
Comments: Devil’s Club is a close relative of Siberian Ginseng. The genus name, Oplopanax, means ‘prickly porcupine ginseng’. It has been used by Alaskan Indians as a preventative and treatment for cancer as well as used after childbirth by Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest. It has been hung over doorways as protection, carried as amulets, and carried onto boats as protection from evil.
The species Oplopanax horridum was formerly named Echinopanax horridum.