Skunk Cabbage
OTHER NAME(S): Charogne, Chou Sconse, Col de Mofeta, Dracontium, Meadow Cabbage, Polecatweed, Skunkweed, Spathyema Foetida, Spathyéma Mouffette, Swamp Cabbage, Symplocarpe Chou-Puant, Symplocarpe Fétide, Tabac-du-Diable, Symplocarpus foetidus, Dracontium foetidum, Col Mofeta, Chou Puant
Overview
Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is a plant native to swamps and wetlands in North America. It gets its name from the unpleasant odor it releases.
Skunk cabbage root is used as medicine. But it contains calcium oxalate, which can irritate the kidneys and increase the risk for kidney stones.
People use skunk cabbage for asthma, headache, seizures, toothache, wound healing, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
We currently have no information for Skunk Cabbage overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Skunk cabbage is possibly safe when consumed in the amounts found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking skunk cabbage in larger amounts as medicine is safe. Large amounts can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and other side effects.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Skunk cabbage is possibly safe when consumed in the amounts found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking skunk cabbage in larger amounts as medicine is safe. Large amounts can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and other side effects.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is possibly unsafe to use skunk cabbage while pregnant or breast-feeding. It might affect the menstrual cycle or cause the uterus to contract, which might lead to a miscarriage.
Stomach or intestinal disorders (such as ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn disease): Taking skunk cabbage might make these conditions worse.
Kidney stones: Skunk cabbage contains oxalate, a chemical that the body uses to make kidney stones. Taking skunk cabbage might make kidney stones worse.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Skunk Cabbage overview.
Dosing
Skunk cabbage has been traditionally used in infusions with honey, as a liquid extract, and also as a tincture. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
References
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. Terry C. Telger, transl. 3rd ed. Berlin, GER: Springer, 1998.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Hocking GM. A dictionary of natural products. 2nd ed. Medford, OR: Plexus Publishing, 1997.
- Duke JA. CRC handbook of medicinal herbs. 1st ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC, 1985.
- Kim SH, Cho MS, Li P, Kim SC. Phylogeography and ecological niche modeling reveal reduced genetic diversity and colonization patterns of skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus; Araceae) from glacial refugia in eastern North America. Front Plant Sci. 2018;9:648.