Devils club

Devils club (Oplopanax horridum), also called devil's walking stick, is a large, hardy, thorn-bearing shrub native to Canada and the northwestern United States known to native Alaskans as cukilanarpak, which means “big plant with needles.” The name aptly fits since the spiny stems of the plant certainly lend it a primitive appearance, and the fact that it grows in dense patches make navigating through it risky. In fact, groves of devil’s club have been described as living fences that can exceed 10 feet in height.

This plant has long been used for medicinal purposes by various indigenous peoples. Several Native American tribes still use devil’s club to remedy respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments as well as inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatism and arthritis. The Haida and Tlingit purify themselves in preparation for the hunt by bathing and fasting with nothing more than devil’s club tea. The Skagit commonly drink the tea after childbirth for its restorative properties, while a poultice made from the root bark is later employed to cease milk production when the child is ready to be weaned.

Although there is little clinical evidence to support the use of this herb to treat some of these conditions, certain compounds in the plant known as sesquiterpenes have been identified and isolated, namely stigmasterol and b-sitosterol. Both of these compounds are associated with antirheumatic and anticholesteremic effects, which means they reduce inflammation and blood cholesterol levels. Another chemical found in devil’s club called oplopanone has been found to exert anti-tussive effects, which explains the herb’s reputation as a treatment for cough. In vitro studies indicate that devil’s club may also counteract microbes responsible for tuberculosis. In terms of topical use, one study showed that oil made from the root bark was more effective against psoriasis than hydrocortisone. Finally, the herb is said to balance the body’s response to stress. This classifies devil’s root as an adaptogen, an attribute shared with its botanical cousin, Panax ginseng.