- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Woodland edges, clearings and stream valleys in the eastern United States, from Pennsylvania to Florida and Texas
- Traditions
- Cherokee medicine
North America · Herb · № 995
Aralia spinosa
Herb · North America
Devil's walking stick
Aralia spinosa
A shrub or small tree of the ivy family, related to American spikenard, with very prickly stems, huge doubly pinnate leaves and in late summer large sprays of small white flowers with purple berries. The fresh root is sharp and emetic.
Safety notes
Fresh root and berries can be poisonous and the sap can irritate the skin: do not take it internally. Beware of the prickles. Not in pregnancy. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: The fresh root was considered poisonous; do not take it.
Preparation
Do not prepare it yourself.
Use in traditions
The name suits the prickly stem. According to Hamel and Chiltoskey the Cherokee gave a decoction of roasted, pounded root as a very strong emetic, and used the plant for rheumatism, flatulent colic, to cause sweating, as a tonic and for the ache of decaying teeth. The root went into a salve for old sores, and a wash of the root juice was used for paralysis. The fresh root was considered poisonous. Garrett writes that the fragrant fruits still go into mixtures.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
Roasted, pounded root as a very strong emetic; for rheumatism, flatulent colic and the ache of decaying teeth, to cause sweating and as a tonic; in a salve for old sores.
Preparation and amount
Do not prepare it yourself.
Caution: The fresh root was considered poisonous; do not take it.