Botanical Index No. 940

Skunk Cabbage

symplocarpus foetidus

Medicinal Actions

Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Cicatrizant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Hemolytic, Narcotic, Sedative, Sialagogue, Stimulant, Suppurative

Primary Conditions Treated

Hemostat Poison Adenopathy Asthma Bleeding Blister Bronchosis Bruise Cancer Catarrh Childbirth Chorea Convulsion Cold Cough Cramp Dermatosis Dropsy Epilepsy Fever Fit Headache Heart Herpes Hysteria Insomnia Itch Mastosis Migraine Nervousness Pain Pertussis Prolapse Rheumatism Ringworm Snakebite Sore Spasm Swelling Toothache Ulcer Uterosis Water Retention Womb Worm Wound Abortion

General Dosage

0.5–1.0 g powdered root, in honey or in tea, 3 ×/day; 10–20 grains powdered root; 0.5–1.0 ml liquid root extract 3 ×/day; 2–4 ml root tincture 3 ×/day. 0.5–1.0 g powdered root, in honey or in tea, 3 ×/day; 10–20 grains powdered root; 0.5–1.0 ml liquid root extract 3 ×/day; 2–4 ml root tincture 3 ×/day.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2d. Oxalates may irritate GI and oral tract. Fresh roots irritate mucosa. Kidney stone sufferers should use with caution, if at all.“Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. Overdose may cause queasiness and vomiting. 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. Eating leaves can cause burning and inflammation. Roots are believed to be toxic. Leaf extract is hemolytic.

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