View photos of the the medicinal plant Aralia racemosa (Spikenard).

Due to its non–polar resin content, the tincture (or syrup made from the tincture) is Spiknard’s best preparation . As a stimulating expectorant used in chronic/subacute bronchial conditions, it has little rival. It will be found especially helpful if the situation is long–standing and the lungs feel weak and tired.

View photos of the medicinal plant Aralia nudicaulis (Wild Sarsaparilla).

Unrelated to true Sarsaparilla (Smilax), Wild sarsaparilla looks a lot like Ginseng (Panax), above ground anyway. It’s even in the same family (Araliaceae) as Ginseng and also shares membership with Spikenard (Aralia racemosa).

The plant is colony-forming and can be interesting to collect – its cord-like runners often connect plants separated by 5’-10’. Select a leafy bunch, gently pull, and see where the runner leads. And since the plant prefers hardwood forests with lots of obscuring leaf litter, you never know where it’s going to take you. I’ve always collected it in the Northeast, but it’s also in found in similar habitats in several interior western states. Continue reading Aralia nudicaulis | Wild Sarsaparilla | Medicinal Uses →

View photos of the medicinal plant Aralia spinosa (Devil’s walking stick).