Symplocarpus foetidus. S. foetida  Skunk cabbage, Skunk weed, Dracontium, Swamp weed  Family: Araceae  
PART USED: Rhizome and root
ODOR: Foul
ACTIONS
GROUP: Herbs for the lower respiratory tract
1. Antispasmodic.[1,2,3]
2. Expectorant.[1,3] Diaphoretic.[3]
3. Sedative-[3] mild.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Asthma.[1,2,3] Bronchitis.[1,2,3] Naso-pharyngeal catarrh. Whooping cough.[1,2]
2. Epilepsy. St. Vitus' Dance.[2]
3. Rheumatic disorders.[2]
4. Wounds.[2]
5. Tumors.[2]
6. Edema.[2]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Bronchitic asthma.[1,2]
COMBINATIONS
- Asthma and bronchitis, use with Grindelia and /or Euphorbia.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Large doses may cause nausea and vomiting.[1]
PREPARATIONS:   3X /day
Powdered root   0.5-1 g.[1] May be taken in honey, or by infusion or decoction[1] 1:20.[2]
Fluid extract  1:1 in 25% alcohol  0.5-1 ml.[1,2] 2-4 ml.[3]
Tincture  1:10 in 45% alcohol 2-4 ml.[1,2]
    
ORIGIN: North East America
DESCRIPTION: Perennial herb with a tuberous rootstock. Rhizome obconical, truncate at both ends, dark brown, up to about 4 cm in diameter, knotted and woody, bearing numerous roots and roots scars. Roots up to 8 cm long, 0.5 cm in diameter, transversely wrinkled; fracture short, showing a white cross section with a small central stele.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research

Chemical Composition and Aroma Evaluation of Essential Oils from Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Mitsuo Miyazawa 1, Hiroshi Nakahashi, Yusei Kashima, Ryota Motooka, Nobuyuki Hara, Hiroki Nakagawa, Takashi Yoshii, Atsushi Usami, Shinsuke Marumoto
Abstract
Two sample preparation methods, namely hydrodistillation (HD) and solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE), have been used to investigate the essential oils of the aerial parts (leaves and stems) of Symplocarpus foetidus, a plant with a characteristic odor, by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Characteristic aroma-active compounds in the oils were detected by GC-Olfactometry (GC-O) and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). From the HD method, the main compounds in the oil were found to be p-vinyl-guaiacol (15.5%), 2-pentyl-furan (13.4%), and (Z)-ligustilide (9.5%). From the SAFE method, the main compounds were 2-butoxy-ethanol (49.6%), ethyl-pentanoate (4.5%), and mesitylene (4.0%). In HD oil, the most intense aroma-active compounds were 2-pentyl-furan (flavor dilution factor (FD) = 32, odor activity value (OAV) = 57), p-vinyl-guaiacol (FD = 16, OAV = 41), and dimethyl disulfide (FD = 16, OAV = 41). In SAFE oil, the main aroma-active compounds were 2-butoxy ethanol (FD = 32, OAV = 16), and 2-methoxy thiazole (FD = 32, OAV = 25).
J Oleo Sci 2015;64(12):1329-36. doi: 10.5650/jos.ess15161. PMID: 26632948 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov