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Devils Club

Anyone who has spent much time in the woods of Southeast Alaska is familiar with the tall spiny plant called Devils Club. Its plate size leaves, bright red berries, and devilish thorns make it a plant you dont easily forget.

The botanical name for Devils club, Echinopanax horridum, literally means, prickly porcupine ginseng. What an accurate description! Devils Club does belong to the same family as Oriental ginseng, and like ginseng, it is used as a body balancing and system strengthening tea. Southeast Alaska Natives believe that regular use prevents cancer.

Devils Club is found as far north as south-central Alaska and as far south as coastal California. It grows best in moist areas and often forms dense thickets which are all but impassable without heavy clothing and gloves. It grows up to eight feet tall with large maple-like leaves. The stems and leaves are covered with large prickles. Clusters of bright red berries form at the tops of the stems in mid to late summer. These berries are not edible by humans but bears do eat them. Bears dont seem bothered by the plants thick armor of spines.

The roots and shoots of Devils club are edible. The shoots are only edible for the first few days after they appear in early spring, however. The time to harvest is when the spiny stalk first sprouts green growth. The leaf spines, though visible, are soft and pliable at this stage. Once they stiffen, however, the shoots should NOT be eaten. The leaf clusters may be nibbled raw, or added to omelets, casseroles, and soups like a spice. One or two is enough to add a unique tang to a common meal.

Spring is also the prime season for harvesting the roots which are usually ground into a powder and made into a tea. Aleuts in Prince William sound drink the tea for cold and pain relief. Bark infusions have also been used for arthritis, black eyes, gall stones, stomach ulcers, and constipation. Pastes and poultices are used for relieving pain and swelling from insect bites and stings. Individuals with low blood sugar should be aware that devils club lowers blood sugar levels.

Devils club can be added to winter footbaths for cold feet. Like mustard and cayenne, it stimulates the skin and warms the feet.

Ironically, this plant that many of us consider the work of the devil is regarded as a protective force in some areas. When placed above doorways and on fishing boats it is said to ward off evil. That may be so, but its still a good idea to carry gloves and tweezers when hiking in Devils club country.