American spikenard / wild sarsaparilla

Aralia racemosa

Edible plant

Native American

Photo credit: Urban

Safety information

Toxicity: Low/none widely reported at customary use.

Contraindications: Pregnancy data limited.

Interactions: None well documented.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy data limited.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

Preparations

poultice · root/rhizome

Part used: root/rhizome

Evidence:Folk

root used as flavoring/beverage · root/rhizome

Part used: root/rhizome

Evidence:Folk

decoction · root/rhizome

Part used: root/rhizome

Traditional use: coughs, colds, 'blood' tonics; poultice for wounds, burns, swellings; A. nudicaulis root as a sarsaparilla-type flavoring/tonic beverage

Proposed mechanism: saponins, diterpene acids; mild anti-inflammatory in vitro

Evidence:Preclinical

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

Burns Cough Inflammation (general)Common cold Wounds / cuts

Edibility

Edible parts: Partly — A. nudicaulis rhizome used as a flavoring/beverage (sarsaparilla substitute); young shoots of some Aralia eaten cooked.

Toxic lookalike warning

Distinguish from spiny Aralia spinosa (devil's walking stick — berries/bark more irritant) and confirm ID.

Nutritional notes

Aromatic root; minor.

Healing traditions

Native American

Sources (2)

Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany
USDA NRCS (Aralia racemosa / nudicaulis)

All sources →