4 Regular Parts Archives - The Cargo Cult Café

Purple Cress: Medicinal

March 11, 2016 by Mike Leave a Comment

Purple Cress, Cardamin douglassii, is a member of the Mustard family but it hasn’t been used as a wild medicine. This plant is a harbinger of spring. The flowers are in bloom from March to April, the plant has opposite leaves and the leaves are toothed or lobed, roundish, oblong to slightly heart-shaped, and the basal leaves are long stalked. The Iroquois used this plant as a poison antidote and anti-witchcraft medicine. Here’s how you get back at the witch. Smash the roots and place them in a small wooden cup then cover it of about a hour. The image of the witch will appear, then you can take out a needle and shove it in his/her eye. This will cause the witch’s eye to get sore as well.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry.

Purple Cress Sources:

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 154-155

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 137

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 140-141

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Common Winter Cress: Edible, Medicinal & Cautions

March 9, 2016 by Mike Leave a Comment

Common Winter Cress, Barbarea vulgaris, a plant that is in many wild edible field guides but your chances of finding it before it becomes too bitter is very slim, trust me it has a very strong taste. Medicinally, it was used as a blood medicine, cough medicine, stimulant, astringent and diuretic.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry

Common Winter Cress Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 1. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 431-434

Fernald, Merritt Lyndon & Alfred Charles Kinsey. Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1996. Print. pg. 219

Foster, Steven and James A. Duke. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America. 2nd. ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000. Print. pg. 103-104

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 31

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 121

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 144-145

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 64-65

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Cleavers: Edible, Medicinal, Cautions & Other Uses

January 20, 2016 by Mike Leave a Comment

Cleavers, Galium aparine, a common, clinging, weed to both Europe and North America used medicinally on both continents for many of the same ailments such as to cause urination, relieve inflammation, help gonorrhea and used for skin conditions. The young shoots are edible and the fruit can be roasted into a coffee substitute. The plant was also used to strain milk due to the barbs on the stem and leaves. Milk was poured over the plant and the barbs would catch straw and the animals hairs.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Cleavers Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 909-910

Fernald, Merritt Lyndon & Alfred Charles Kinsey. Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1996. Print. pg. 342-343

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 36

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 219

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany. Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 241-242

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 152-153

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 50-51

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Teasel: Medicinal, Cautions & Other Uses

December 22, 2015 by Mike 5 Comments

Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum, is a spiny plant with an ominous past. The Iroquois considered the root poisonous and used it accordingly to poison an enemy and even the innocent. The water gathered in the base of the leaves was used as a wash for acne and to cool inflammation of the eyes. Modern herbalists are looking at the plant as a possible treatment for Lyme Disease. The plant was also used as a brush and the stalk has been experimented with as a spindle for fiction fire in conjunction with a clematis fire board.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Teasel Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Beneficial Botanicals; Useful Plants for Our World. Web.

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 226-227

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 201

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 160-161

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Wescott, David. Primitive Technology; A Book of Earth Skills, Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1999. pg. 45

Garlic Mustard: Edible, Medicinal, Cautions & Other Uses

December 8, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Garlic Mustard, Alliaria petiolata, an invasive species to North America with a hint of garlic. You can find this plant growing in early spring on the side of roads and in open fields. Even though this plant contains trace amounts of cyanide it is a fairly nutritious wild edible, and the cyanide isn’t strong enough to cause harm to humans or animals. The plant contains vitamins A, C, E and some B vitamins. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids and several minerals. The flowers, seeds, leaves, stalk and roots are all edible. Medicinally it’s anti-asthmatic, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, diaphoretic and vermifuge. The plant was also used to make a yellow dye and may be used as an insecticide.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry.

Garlic Mustard Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 138-139

Plants for a Future. M.Bieb Cavara & Grande. Website.

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Cut-Leaved Toothwort: Edible, Medicinal, Cautions & Other Uses

December 3, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Cut-Leaved Toothwort, Cardamine concatenata, this spicy plant was once used as a folk remedy for toothaches. If you have a spicy palate, it may be worth checking out. The flavor has been compared to horseradish or wasabi but please only harvest where this plant is abundant. Medicinally, it has been used by the Iroquois as a hallucinogen, an ominous love medicine that is similar to their hunting medicine, and for headaches. The roots were used for fishing by adding a little water then mashing the roots up, you would then leave your hook and line in the solution over night and add a little juice to your worms. Apparently fish like spicy foods. For divination, let the root float in water and tell it what it is to be used for.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Cut-Leaved Toothwort Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 154

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 136

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 162-163

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 100-101

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Common Evening Primrose: Edible, Medicinal & Other Uses

September 28, 2015 by Mike 3 Comments

Common Evening Primrose, Oenothera biennis, is both edible and medicinal. The seeds, stem, leaves and root are all edible but the root especially has a peppery taste. Medicinally, it has been used externally as a strengthener, for hemorrhoids, bruises and infant skin conditions. Internally it was used as a dietary aid. The seeds were used by the Lakota people for its aromatic fragrance.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Common Evening Primrose Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1319-1320

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 33

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 175-176

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 361

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 134-135

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 66-67

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Shepherd’s Purse: Edible, Medicinal & Cautions

June 9, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Shepherd’s Purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris, is a wild edible and medicinal plant that can be found throughout most the year. You can eat the leaves and seedpods. It was used medicinally for headache, dysentery, diarrhea and as a poison ivy remedy.

Shepherd’s Purse Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 136

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 150-151

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 26-27

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Dame’s Rocket: Edible & Other Uses

May 29, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Dame’s Rocket, Hesperis matronalis, is a beautiful and edible wild flower brought over from Europe and escaped from gardens and cultivated beds. You can nibble on the seeds and sprouts and use it as perfume.

Dame’s Rocket Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Culpeper, M.D., Nicholas. Culpeper Color Herbal. Ed. David Potterton. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1983. Print. pg. 69

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 51

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 138-139

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Web.

Virgin’s Bower: Poison, Medicine & Other Uses

March 13, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Virgin’s Bower, Clematis virginiana, a three leaved vine that can be misidentified for poison ivy and like its look-a-like it’s dangerous to eat. It has been used medicinally for backache, stomach and kidney trouble and to treat venereal disease. Clematis has also been used for fire starting. The feathery haired seeds called Old Man’s Beard is great kindling and can be used in place of a birds nest. The wood has also been used as a fire board for friction fires.

Virgin’s Bower Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 1. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 561-563

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 60

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg.120

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 169

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 170-171

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.