Healing Gardens

Body:

Devil’s Club

Family Name: Ginseng Family

Family Name: Araliaceae

 

Latin Name:  Oplopanax horridus

(Also Known As):  Oplopanax horridum (Sm.) Miq. [H&C]

Echinopanax horridus (Sm.) Dcne. & Planch. ex H.A.T. Harms [KZ]

Echinopanax horridum (Sm.) Dcne. & Planch [H&C]

Fatsia horridum (Sm.) Benth & Hook. f. ex Brewer & S. Watson [H&C]

Ricinophyllum horridum Nelson & Macbride [H&C]

Panax horridum (Sm.) [H&C]

Common Names:  Devil’s Club, Devil’s Walking Stick, Alaskan ginseng, Wild armored Alaskan ginseng, Pacific ginseng

 

Native American Names:  None found

 

Related Species: ginseng

 

Sitting With/Dreams/Sense of the Plant:  None

 

Body System Affiliations:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.      <!--[endif]-->Respiratory System

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.      <!--[endif]-->Immune System

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.      <!--[endif]-->Skin

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.      <!--[endif]-->Digestive System

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.      <!--[endif]-->Reproductive System (women)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.      <!--[endif]-->Cardiovascular System

 

Botanical Description:

            Habit:  Shrub, Perennial

            Size:  1-3 m tall

            Arrangement:  Alternate

Leaves:  Large (to 35 cm across), maple-leaf shaped, deciduous, 7-9 sharply pointed and heavily toothed palmate lobes, numerous spines on underside (7)

Flowers:  Small, whitish; numerous in compact heads arranged in pyramidal terminal clusters, 10-20 cm in diameter  (7)

Fruit:  Bright-red, flattened, shiny berries in large, showy, pyramidal clusters, 4-7 mm in diameter; not edible by humans  (7)

Bark:  Tan and armed with slender stiff prickles up to 2 cm long

Twigs:  Sparse, upright, thick (1/2 inch or more in diameter), tan stems, armed with slender, stiff, irritating prickles.

Underground Parts:  Rhizomatous

Personal Observations and Description:  None

 

Ecology:

Habitat:  Moist forest understory, wet and well-drained seepage sites and along streams, avalanche tracks, low to middle elevations (sometimes in subalpine forest, and to timberline in the north)

Range:  Alaska to northern Oregon, as far west as western Montana and Alberta, Canada.  Other populations occur on several islands in Lake Superior. (2)

Native Where: Pacific Northwest coastal forests of North America

Ecological Relationships:  Western red cedar, Western hemlock, Douglas-fir, Grand fir, Pacific silver fir, Sitka spruce, Mountain hemlock, Yellow cedar, Black cottonwood, Bigleaf maple, Red alder.  If found inland: Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir.  If outlier: Balsam poplar, White spruce.

Personal Observations of Locations Observed, Dates and Description of Plants:  None

 

Western (European-American) Uses/Relationships:

 

Food:  Young spring shoots can be eaten the first couple of days of appearance.  The leaf clusters can be eaten raw or added to omelettes, casseroles or soups.  They are no longer edible as soon as the leaf spines stiffen.  (4)

 

Materials/Technology:  Ornamental shrub (layered look of leaves give it a tropical appearance and the berries are showy).  When planted in dense rows it makes an effective barrier to prevent livestock or humans from entering the wetland.  (5)

 

            Medicine:

Part Used:  Root, bark

Medicinal Actions: Thyrosuppressive action

Indications:  Headaches, rheumatism, respiratory ailments, stomach ulcers, hangovers, staphylococcus infections, blood poisoning, gallstone remediation, hyperactive thyroid  (6)

Body System Associations:  Glandular system, Respiratory system, Digestive System

Applications:  Tea

Preparation:  Boil in a gallon of water cut-up pieces from a foot of root with the bark left on.  Boil for 20-30 minutes and leave steeping overnight.  Drink within 2-4 days.  (6)

Cautions:  May cause slight euphoric effects

 

Part Used:  Inner bark

Medicinal Actions:  Hypoglycemic, cathartic, emetic (in large doses), stomachic, analgesic, and diaphoretic  (4)

Body System Associations:  Digestive system

Preparation:  Decoction

Cautions:  None found

 

Part Used:  Inner bark  (6)

Medicinal Actions:  hypoglycemic

Indications:  Adult onset diabetes

Body System Associations:  Digestive system

Applications:  Infusion, decoction

Preparation:  Strong tea

Pharmacy:  One to two pints per day

Cautions:  None found

 

Medicinal Actions:  Antimycobacterial, antifungal

Constituents:  sesquiterpene (equinopanacene), sesquiterpene alcohol (equinopanacol), sterols, four sesquiterpenes (including spatulenol), oplopandiol,

Other: Most active against common bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans) as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium aviumWork conducted by Kariyone and Morotomi, Bloxton et al, and Kobaisy et al. (2)

Cautions:  None found

 

Part Used:  Inner bark (3)

Medicinal Actions:  Emergency stimulant

Applications:  Tea

Preparation:  Using a knife, scrape the stalk to remove the spines and bark to expose the green layer in between the wood and the bark.  (If pieces of the bark remain, it will not cause harm, but will alter the taste.)  Cut off the green layer and let dry.  Steep for two to three hours for a light tea, or for as long as 24 hours for a darker tea.

Cautions:  Has a foul taste when used alone

 

Other:  Roots are a strong respiratory stimulant and expectorant.  Recommended for use for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, as well as to treat eczema, sores, and a number of internal and external infections.  Can also be used in the treatment of type II adult onset diabetes.  Devil’s club has be recommended as a pancreatic tonic that is purported to help lower blood sugar levels by increasing the efficiency of insulin production in the pancreas. (2)

 

Indigenous and Non-Western Use/Significance/Relationships:

 

Food:  None found

Material/Technology:  Stems and spines – Fish hooks and lures made from spines.  Outer bark of stems – dye or deodorant.  (5)

Medicine:

Indigenous Group: Nlaka;pamux, Secwepemc, Squamish (2)

Part Used: Inner bark

Medicinal Actions: Appetite Stimulant

Applications:  Infusion

Cautions:  None Found

 

Indigenous Group:  Alutiiq, Carrier, Ditidaht, Gitxsan, Haida, Halkomelem, Hanaksiala, Makah, Oweekeno, Nuu-chah-nulth, Stl’atl’imx, Nuxalk, Sahaptin, Sechelt, Sekani, Squamish, Tlingit, Tsimshian (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark, leaves, roots, stems

Indications:  Arthritis/Rheumatism

Applications:  Infusion or decoction of inner bark, pounded leaves and roots, inner bark used in bath/steam bath, inner bark chewed, crushed root used as poultice, and whole stems used to beat rheumatic limbs as counter-irritant

Cautions:  None Found

 

Indigenous Group:  Métis (2)

Part Used:  Roots

Medicinal Actions:  Birth Control

Applications:  Decoction

Cautions:  None Found

 

Indigenous Group:  Carrier, Nlaka’pamux (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark

Medicinal Actions:  Blood Purifier

Applications:  Decoction

Cautions:  None Found

 

Indigenous Group:  Alutiiq, Gitxsan, Haida (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark

Medicinal Actions:  Broken bone

Applications:  Decoction

Cautions:  None Found

 

Indigenous Group:  Alutiiq, Carrier, Hanaksiala, Lushootseed, Makah, Secwepemc, Tlingit (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark

Indications:  Expel afterbirth/Regulate menstruation

Applications:  Inner bark mashed and swallowed, decoction of inner bark taken as purgative to expel afterbirth, to start post-partum menstrual flow, regulate menstruation, and for cramps

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Cree, Haida, Halkomelem, Heiltsuk, Metis, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Sechelt, Secwepemc, Squamish, Stl’atl’imx, Straits Salish, Tsimshian  (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark, roots

Indications:  Diabetes

Applications:  Infusion or decoction

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Sekani  (2)

Part Used:  Roots

Indications:  Diphtheria

Applications:  Infusion, applied externally

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Alutiiq, Carrier, Eyak, Gitxsan, Haisla, Haida, Makah, Nuxalk, Tlingit, Tsetsaut, Wet’suwet’en  (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark, roots

Medicinal Actions:  Emetic, Purgative

Applications:  Decoction or infusion of inner bark prepared in water or seal oil, both alone and in mixtures, roots chewed and the inner bark sometimes swallowed.

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Tanaina  (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark

Indications:  Fever

Applications:  Decoction

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Alutiiq, Gitxsan, Haida, Nlaka’pamux, Tanaina, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Wet’suwet’en  (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark, inner stem bark

Indications:  Flu

Applications:  Infusion of inner bark, alone and in mixtures, and the inner stem bark chewed

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Haida, Tlingit (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark

Indications:  Gall Stones

Applications:  Infusion

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Comox, Hanaksiala (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark, berries

Indications:  Hemorrhaging, Blood Disorders

Applications:  Infusion of inner bark, alone and in mixture, and berries pounded into paste taken internally

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Alutiiq, Gitxsan, Haida, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuxalk, Oweekeno, Tlingit, Tsimshian  (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark, inner stem bark

Medicinal Actions:  Analgesic

Indications:  Pain Relief

Applications:  Decoction of inner bark, inner stem bark mixed with oil and eaten, dried inner bark laid into tooth cavity, steam bath with inner bark

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Alutiiq, Eyak, Gitxsan, Haida, Halkomelem, Hanaksiala, Okanagan, Oweekeno, Nlaka’pamux, Sahaptin, Secwepemc, Squamish, Tagish, TAnaina, Tlingit, Tsimshian, Wet’suwet’en  (2)

Part Used:  Inner stem bark, stems, roots

Indications:  Respiratory ailments, coughs, colds

Applications:  Decoctions and infusions prepared from inner stem bark, whole stems and sometimes roots, inner bark also chewed, used in sweat baths, and burned and dampened and worn around the neck

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Alutiiq, Carrier, Eyak, Gitxsan, Haida, Hanaksiala, Kwakwaka’wakw, Makah, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Sechelt, Tanaina, Tlingit, Tsimshian, Wet’suwet’en (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark

Indications:  Sores (Swellings, Cuts, Boils, Burns, and External Infections)

Applications: Inner bark, or infusion of, used externally as a poultice or wound dressing or rubbed over sore, dried inner bark pulverized with pitch or burnt to ash and mixed with oil or grease (sometimes salmonberries and dog feces) and applied externally, berries pounded into a paste and applied externally, decoction of root applied externally, and sliver of bark placed in wound to prevent infection.

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Gitxsan, Haida, Hanaksiala, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Squamish, Tanaina, Tlingit (2)

Part Used: Inner bark, berries

Indications: Stomach trouble/pains, ulcers

Applications:  Infusion or decoction of inner bark or paste made from berries taken internally

Cautions:  None found

 

Indigenous Group:  Ditidaht, Gitxsan, Haida, Halkomelem, Nlaka’pamux, Nisga’a, Nuu-chah-nulth, Oweekeno, Tlingit, Sechelt, Wet’suwet’en (2)

Part Used:  Inner bark, roots

Medicinal Actions:  Tonic

Applications:  Infusion or decoction of inner bark or sometimes roots, inner bark chewed, and bark ash infused

Cautions:  None found

 

           

Other:

Source:  HerbalGram. 2004;32:33-48.  American Botanical Council.  “Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridus):  An Ethnobotanical Review.”

 

Table 2: Summary of Spiritual Uses of Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridus)
Spiritual Uses	Cultural Linguistic Group (and References)
End Bad Weather Unspecified	Eyak (102); Tlingit (16)
Luck Wood retained for luck, bark used in bath, and rubbed on body, and fresh bark chewed.	Eyak (102); Gitxsan (17, 109); Haida (125, 126, 127); Haisla (83); Hanaksiala (83); Tlingit (16); Tsimshian (83, 128); Wet’suwet’en (74)
Paint Charcoal, sometimes mixed with bear grease used for used as medium for paint mixed with berries.	Ditidaht (73); Haisla (83); Hanaksiala (83); Nuu-chah-nulth (119,face paint used in ceremonies and for protection. Bark also 120); Secwepemc (65); Squamish (66); Straits Salish (100)
Personal Purification Infusion of inner bark and inner bark used in bath.	Eyak (102); Gitxsan (17, 74, 109); Haida (125, 126); Haisla (83);Hanaksiala (83); Tlingit (3, 118); Tsimshian (4, 83); Wet’suwet’en (74, 107);
Protection Bark and stems used as an amulet, charcoal Aused for protective face paint, bark used in bath for protection, hoop of stem steeped through for protection against supernatural entities, epidemics, evil influences, love charms and shamans’ spells, and inner bark sewn into pouch and worn around the neck as an amulet.	lutiiq (70); Ditidaht (73); Eyak (102); Gitxsan (21); Haida (78); Haisla (83); Hanaksiala (83); Nisga’a (75); Nuu-chah-nulth (119,120); Nuxalk (79); Sekani (89); Tagish (117); Tlingit (17); Tsimshian (83)
Purification of House Inner bark burned as a fumigant, placed in pouches, under pillows, or used with other plants to prepare an infusion to purify a house, often following a death.	Eyak (102); Gitxsan (17, 75); Haisla (83); Hanaksiala (83); Nuxalk (88); Sekani (89); Wet’suwet’en (74, 107)
Shamanic Infusion of inner bark or roots, and roots chewed.	Blackfoot (129); Eyak (102); Haisla (83); Hanaksiala (83); Oweekeno (83); Sekani (89); Tlingit (16, 124); Tsimshian (83)
Witchcraft Prophylactic against witchcraft.	Alutiiq (130); Hanaksiala (83); Tlingit (16, 118)

 

Propagation:  None found

 

Harvest:

Plant Part: Roots and shoots (5)

Season of Harvest:  Spring (4)

Method of Harvest:  The spines disappear near the bottom of the stalk or just below the moss surface.  Tug upward on the root and it will tear through the moss for several feet, exposing the unguarded portion and the several young shoots.  Snap these young shoots off the main root. (5)

Ecological Considerations of Harvest:  None found

Cultural Considerations of Harvest:  None found

Cautions:  The spines could cause pain and infection if they come into contact with skin.

Other:  The shoots are edible until the first traces of yellow spines appear.  Lightly boil in salted water.  Peel the tough, brownish-yellow skin from the roots, which can be chewed for their flavor. (5)

Personal Experience (see below)

 

Personal Experience:  None collected, Not in season

 

Other Notes of Interest:

1. In the wild, devil's club goes two winters before germinating. (1)

 

Drawings, Photgraphs or Pressings:

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References Cited:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.      <!--[endif]-->“Wonder Weed: Can Devil's Club Beat TB, Other Ills?”, Sonya Senkowsky, National Geographic Today, September 5, 2003.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.      <!--[endif]-->Lantz, Trevor C. and Kristina Swerhun and Nancy J. Turner.  “Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridus): An Ethnobotanical Review.”  HerbalGram.  2004;62:33-48.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.      <!--[endif]-->"Devil's Club." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 8 Oct 2006, 19:27 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 22 Nov 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Devil%27s_Club&oldid=80263412>.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.      <!--[endif]-->“Oplopanaxhorridum – Devil’s Club.”  Wild Rose College of Natural Healing.  22 Nov 2006.  www.wrc.org.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.      <!--[endif]-->Miller, Richard Alan.  “Devil’s Club.”  http://www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=./QandA/Commercial/19990303-1.html&cart_id=81.1496.  22 Nov 2006.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.      <!--[endif]-->Drum, Ryan.  “Devils Club, Oregon Grape, Chaparral: Three Traditional Western Herbs in Contemporary Herbal Practice.”  http://www.ryandrum.com/Devilsclub.htm#chaparral.  22 Nov 2006.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.      <!--[endif]-->Mackinnon, Andy, and Jim Pojar.  Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast.  Vancouver, British Columbia:  Ministry of Forests and Lone Pine Publishing, 1994.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.      <!--[endif]-->Virginia Tech Forestry Department.  2005-2006. http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/main.htm.  22 November 2006.