Devil's Club
I decided to observe Devil’s Club around 1pm on September 8, 2023. This picture is at GPS location: Its scientific name is Oplopanax horridus. Oplopanax translates into, “protective heal all”, while horridus means “rough and bristly” (Delleman, 2022). Many people assume Devil’s Club includes the Devil’s name because of its painful thorns, but it actually refers to Devil’s Club ability to protect in the spiritual sense, or “club devils” (Delleman, 2022).
Devil’s Club is part of the Araliacea family. It can grow up to 12 feet tall, with leaves averaging about a foot long. There are spikes on the stems and underneath the leaves.
Devil’s Club ranges from Alaska to Oregon, (being very common in the Tongass National Forest) and the native peoples on the Pacific Coast have been using Devil’s Club for centuries. The Tlingit people in Southeast Alaska use the bark and roots medicinally in tonic and salves. (U.S. Department of the Interior,n.d.). It is also commonly used to make tea. Devil’s Club is known to be used as treatment for the common cold, fevers, lice, cancers, arthritis, tuberculosis, many digestive issues and more. (MedicineNet, 2023). Additionally, It is often just used as a painkiller.
My experiences with devil’s club are limited and often negative, since they often disguise themselves as helping branches along the trail. My hands have absorbed quite a few thorns from Devil’s Club. However, I have always been very curious about salve and tea made from Devil’s Club and am inspired to get my hands on some. I find it very intriguing and ironic that such a painful plant is such a helpful healer, but I am willing to try it nonetheless! I would like to know more about the harvesting methods.
Citations
Delleman, J. (2022, November 14). Devil’s Club: The healer’s healer. Ravensong Seeds & Herbals. https://ravensongherbals.com/blog-post/devils-club-medicine#:~:text=Traditionally%20Devil%27s%20Club%20was%20prepared,uses%20of%20the%20herb%20today.
MedicineNet. (2023). What is Devil’s Club plant used for, and is it safe? MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_devils_club_plant_used_for_and_is_it_safe/article.htm
U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). S’áxt’. National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/places/devil-s-club-ethnobotany-tour.htm#:~:text=S%27áxt%27%20is%20the%20ginseng,the%20common%20cold%20to%20cancer.
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