Page 287 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Harvesting: Skunk cabbage contains crystals of cal- touched. If not treated properly the plant can irritate
cium oxalate, which can be irritating on the skin. Wear the mouth and throat. Never eat it raw, cook it as di-
gloves to handle the plant. Harvest the leaves and dig rected above.
up the roots. Bring a good shovel as the roots are hard Recipes. Skunk Cabbage Tincture: You’ll
to dig up. Boil for several days, changing the water of- need: dried and aged skunk cabbage root, 80 proof or
ten, or dry the herb and age for at least 6 to 8 weeks higher vodka and a clean, sterile glass jar
before using. Boiling or drying destroys the calcium ox-
alate crystals. Chop or grind the dried and aged root into small pieces
and place it into a sterile jar, filling 1/3rd of it. Cover
Warning: Skunk cabbage contains large amounts of the root with vodka and fill to within ½ inch (1.25 cm)
calcium oxalate, a toxin that is very irritating if in- of the top of the jar. Cap the jar tightly, label and date
gested. Calcium oxalate is destroyed by cooking or by it. Shake the jar to mix well and store the jar in a cool,
drying and aging the plant. Excess doses of skunk cab- dark place. Shake every few days for 6 to 8 weeks.
bage can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, Strain the herb out and store the tincture in a clean,
dizziness, impaired vision, headaches, and vertigo. labeled jar for up to 5 years.
Some people may have allergic reactions to skunk cab-
bage. The fresh plant is extremely irritating and can
cause itching, blistering of the skin, and redness when

286