Our Devil's Club Root Bark is sustainably harvested from SE Alaska mountainsides.
Also known as Alaskan Ginseng, Wild Armored Alaskan Ginseng, Pacific Ginseng, Devil's Walking Stick, Oplopanax horridum, Oplopanax horridus, Echinopanax horridum, Fatsia horrida, Acanthopanax horridum (Note: Devil's club is not a ginseng, and in the U.S. it is now illegal to market it with those names.)
Oh yeah! Be careful of these spines!
This is Devil's Club in Autumn here in Skagway.
According to legend, Tlingit (Pacific NW Natives) use began when a shaman observed bears wallowing in Devil's Club roots to soothe their wounds. With it's incredible skin-stimulating effect Devil's Club Salve has been reputed to help treat common joint pain. However, the ailment list doesn't stop there. The following conditions and symptoms may be relieved with repeated application of Devil's Club salve:
Arthritis Restless Leg Syndrome Fibromyalgia Muscular aches and pains Stiff neck Eczema Minor cuts and burns Insect bites Sunburn Poison ivy or sumac Psoriasis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Current research uncovers phytochemical constituents that have antiviral, antifungal, antibiotic and antibacterial properties. This is an amazingly powerful plant that we at Maiden Alaska Herbals revere and harvest carefully so as to not disrupt or degrade it's natural habitat.
Sources: Discovering Wild Plants by Janice J. Schofield; The Boreal Herbal by Beverley Gray; Plants of the Pacific Northwest by Jim Pojar & Andy MacKinnon; MountainRoseHerbs.com; Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West by Michael Moore.