Wild Ginger - Asarum caudatum

• Family: Aristolochiaceae - Birthwort family ^[E-flora]

Aristolochic acid, Asarone Root, Leaves Bedding Material Stomache problems, External Uses

Synonyms

• Asarum caudatum var. caudatum ^[E-flora]
• Asarum caudatum var. viridiflorum M. Peck ^[E-flora]
  

General Forming dense mats. ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
Lifecycle Perennial herb.^{[IFBC-E-flora]} Evergreen.^[PFAF]
Flowers Solitary, bell-like with 3 flaring lobes, these long-pointed; corollas purplish-brown to greenish-yellow ^{[Ecoherb Tilford][IFBC-E-flora]}, 2.5-8.0 cm long. ^{[IFBC-E-flora]} The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by flies.^[PFAF] Reside at the tip end of the rhizomes.^[WildPNW] "The toothlike appendage above the anther is shorter than the entire stamen."^[PSW]
Fruits Fleshy capsules, seeds egg-like with fleshy appendages.^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
Leaves Kidney-shaped, shiny, stalked, the blades 2.5-10 cm long, 5-15 cm wide; stalks and veins finely hairy. ^{[IFBC-E-flora]} dark green, broadly heart-shaped. ^{[Ecoherb Tilford]} 1 to several alternate broad clasping scale-like leaves.^[HNW]
Stem Rooting freely. ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
Root Extensive rhizomes ^{[IFBC-E-flora]} Brittle and horizontal.^[WildPNW] "Rhizomes close to the surface of the soil, sometimes partly exposed."^[PWOBC]
Properties The smell of ginger is quite pungent, particularly when the leaves are bruised. ^{[Ecoherb Tilford]} All Asarums emit this smell when touched or broken. ^[WildPNW]
Ecological Indicator A shade-tolerant, submontane to montane, Westem North American forb. Occurs on fresh and moist, nitrogen-rich soils. Occurrence increases with increasing continentality and decreases with increasing latitude and elevation. Sparse in coniferous forests, scattered in broad-leaved forests on water­receiving sites. Often associated with Athyrium filix-femina, Oplopanax horridus, and Rubus parviflorus. A nitrophytic species. ^{[IPBC-E-flora]}
Similar Species "Three very similar wild ginger species (Asarum canadense, Asarum acuminatum, and Asarum caudatum) grow from British Columbia to California." A. canadense is the eastern species.^{[EMP Wildman]}
Habitat "Moist to mesic forests in the lowland and montane zones". ^{[IFBC-E-flora]} Deep shade in moist pine woods and redwood forests[60, 187]. Understory of conifer forests[270]^[PFAF]
Range Common in B.C. south of 55degrees N. Absent from Haida Gwaii and the adjacent coast ^{[IFBC-E-flora]} Western N. America - B.C. to California.^[PFAF]
Status Native.^[E-flora]

Hazards

Asarum spp; "Volatile oil contains asarone, which can cause illness and tumor growth in rats in high concentrations." ^{[CPPlantsMush]}

• Aristolochic acid: In Chinese medicine, "Aristolochic acids are present in plants of Aristolochia, Bragantia or Asarum species and are the most monitored toxic adulterants so far..." ^{[Houghton EHMP]} "Many countries now ban the use of herbal products containing aristolochic acid. After reports on the development of renal failure in Belgian patients given weight loss products containing aristolochic acid...." "samples of Asarum canadense L. contained aristolochic acid I concentrations ranging from nondetectable to 0.037% dry weight." "Aristolochic acids are slightly soluble in water with melting points in the range of 281 ^o C – 286 ^o C (538 ^o F – 547 ^o F)." "The risk of developing renal failure and urothelial carcinoma after ingesting aristolochic acid is dose - related.30 Cumulative doses of aristolochic acid exceeding 200 g were associated with increased risk of developing urothelial cancer.31 Retrospective evaluation of patients with Chinese herb nephropathy indicated that the amount of aristolochic acid ingested by some of these patients was approximately 10 mg/kg body weight." "...chronic dietary exposure to aristolochic acids is a significant risk factor for this disease [Chinese herb nephropathy] and the associated urothelial cancers." ^{[Barceloux MTNS]}
  • Though no specific mention has been made to Asarum's toxicity with regards to aristolochic acid, "...these concentrations of aristolochic acids are low compared with Aristolochia species. Aristolochic acid II was not detected in samples of Asarum canadense." "In three commercial samples of A. fangchi (kou - boui) and A. manshuriensis (kan - mokutsu), the aristolochic acid I content ranged from 0.01 – 0.22% and 0.17 - 0.88%, respectively, compared with about 0.08 – 0.11% in samples of A. debilis.17 The amount of aristolochic acid II (CAS RN: 475 - 80 - 9) was approximately 10% of the aristolochic acid I concentration..." ^{[Barceloux MTNS]} Still, the substance appears to be incredibly toxic and to have resulted in a wide spead ban of herbal products found to contain it.^{[Personal Note]}
• Contraindicated during pregancy ^{[PDR][Tilger HMHE][Tozer UWP]} because of it's emmenagogue and abortifacient effects.^{[Tilger HMHE]} It should be used in moderation, especially when using the leaves, as they have been reported to have caused illness when consumed raw^{[PFAF USer Comment]} and "at least 3 other members of this genus have reports that the leaves are toxic."[7,19]^[PFAF]. The closely related A. canadensis contains the aromatic oil asarone, a chemical found to be toxic ^{[Brinker TBM] in quantity.[Tozer UWP]} Wild ginger can can cause nausea ^{[Tilger HMHE]} and is not for long-term use.^{[Tilger HMHE][Brinker TBM]} A. canadensis, who's uses are considered synonymous with A. caudatum ^{[Tilger HMHE]}, is contraindicated for oral use in those with liver disease, alcoholism, or using acetaminophen. ^{[Brinker TBM]}

Summary: There appears to be a lot more information on the related species, Asarum europaeum and Asarum canadense. In light of this, I will refer to these two species for supporting or refuting evidence. ^{[Personal Note]} A. canadense and A. caudatum are treated the same for medicinal use.^{[Tilger HMHE]}

Food

• Root
  • Bitter, acrid, warm, stimulating.^{[Tilger HMHE]}
  • A ginger substitute[183].^{[PFAF][EMP Wildman]} It has a pungent aromatic smell like mild pepper and ginger mixed, but more strongly aromatic.[k]^[PFAF] Harvested all year round[k]^{[PFAF][Tozer UWP]}, but best in autumn[K] or ^[PFAF] when dormant.^{[Tozer UWP]} It can be dried for later use[K]. ^{[PFAF][Tozer UWP]}
• Leaves
  • Tea [177, 183]. ^[PFAF]
  • Used as a seasoning. Stronger than the root.^{[Ecoherb Tilford]}

Other Uses

• Bedding
  • Plant Mixed with sphagnum and used as bedding for infants.^{[NAEth Moerman]}

Medicinal Uses

Internal Use

• Plant:
  • Boiled. The decoction taken for pain in the stomach, but not for diarrhoea or vomiting.^{[Smith(1927)]}
• Root:
  • Stomach Tonic; A tea or decoction made from the root is used in the treatment of colds, colic, indigestion and stomach pains[213]^{[PFAF][NAEth Moerman]}

External Use

• Plant:
  • Boiled and applied for "headache, intestinal pains, and pain in the knees."^{[Smith(1927)]}
• Leaves:
  • A poultice made from the fresh, heated leaves is applied to boils, skin infections and toothaches[257]. ^[PFAF]
  • A decoction of the leaves is used as a wash on sores[257]^[PFAF] and as a tonic.^{[NAEth Moerman]}
  • Leaves used to keep a newborn baby's navel from becoming infected.^{[NAEth Moerman]}

Ethnobotany

• Root:
  • Harvesting: The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]^[PFAF]. Must be dried quickly to prevent mold growth.^{[Ecoherb Tilford]}
    • Storage: The dried roots and leaves will store for about 3 months.^{[Ecoherb Tilford]}

Preparation & Dosage:

• Plant:
  • Fresh Plant Tincture: 1:2 Ratio; 50% alcohol. ^{[Ecoherb Tilford]}
  • Dried Root & Leaves: 1:5 Ratio; 60% alcohol. ^{[Ecoherb Tilford]}

"...though the wild ginger of North America, Asarum canadense, is not botanically related to ginger, it has been traditionally used in many of the same ways and possesses many of the same properties as ginger. It was even used traditionally in beers in North America by European settlers (in much the same manner as ginger was then used in Europe)..." ^{[Buhner SHHB]}

Pharmacology

• Plant: The whole plant is Analgesic, antirheumatic, appetizer and tonic[257]. ^[PFAF] "Wild ginger is a secretory stimulant and peripheral vasodilator..." ^{[EMP Wildman]}
• Leaves: A decoction the leaves has been used as a tonic. ^{[NAEth Moerman]}
• Root: The Root is Laxative, stomachic and tonic[61, 257]. ^[PFAF] Antiviral, Immunomodulator, and Diaphoretic.^{[Tilger HMHE]} An infusion used as a laxative. ^{[NAEth Moerman]}
• Asarum Sp.; "Because wild ginger is a good circulatory stimulant, it's included in many herbal formulas, to increase the other ingredients' effectiveness." ^{[EMP Wildman]}

Phytochemistry

The following constituents & Effects have been identfied for A. canadensis;

• Analgesic, sedative, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory. ^[CRNAH]

"(whole plant) Essential oils including ucarvone, safrole, beta-pinene, asoryl-ketone, asariline, chalcone, flavonol glycoside, trans-aconitic acid, phenylpropane derivatives." ^[CRNAH]

• Root
  • Aristolochic acid.(nephrotoxin).^{[Brinker TBM][DukePhyt]} Found in Asarum Sp. It is antibacterial and antitumor. ^{[EMP Wildman]} carcinogenic and nephrotoxic ^{[CBMed][HerbalMed3]} "...and mutagenic." ^[HerbalMed3]
  • Alpha-terpineol, aristolone, beta-sitosterol, bornyl-sitosterol, elemicin, geraniol, limonene, linalol, linaltl-acetate, methyl-eugenol.^[DukePhyt]
  • EO - 35000-45000ppm ^[DukePhyt]
• Volatile Oil:
  • Rhizome with 3.5-4.5%. ^{[Brinker TBM]}
    • 36-45% Methyleugenol ^{[Brinker TBM]}
    • Traces of beta-asarone {volatile ethers}^{[Brinker TBM]}

"Asarone (2,4,5-trimethoxy-1-allyl phenyl) is an ether present in A( trans) and B( cis) forms, being found as the major component in plant rhizomes of some Acorun and Asarum species. Acorus gramineus (Araceae), which contains large amounts of B- asarone, has ethnopharmacological use in different symptoms most related to the central nervous system, such as learning and memory improvement, neuroprotection, sedation, and analgesia. Besides this, it is used for stomach disorder treatment, as an antibacterial agent, and for the extermination of insects (Park et al. 2011).
Few data are available on the cytotoxic activity of asarone forms in tumor cell lines, such as possible antitumor activity. In addition, there are reports showing that these phenylpropanoids can be considered mutagenic, genotoxic and, therefore, carcinogenic (Hasheminejad and Caldwell 1994; Kim et al. 1999)."^{[BEOC, Sousa]}

Cultivation

• Groundcover' "Deep Shade[187], spreading by roots[208]."^[PFAF] "It may be started from fresh seed or carefully handled rhizome cuttings." It does not tolerate sunshine. ^{[EMP Wildman]}
• Companion Herbs: Goldthread(Coptis), False Solomon's Seal(Maianthemum racemosum), Huckleberry(Vaccinium Sp.), Wintergreen(Pyrola), Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata). ^{[Ecoherb Tilford]}
• A deer resistant plant. ^[DeerResist]

Propagation

"Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer[134]. Stored seed will require 3 weeks cold stratification and should be sown in late winter[134]. The seed usually germinates in the spring in 1 - 4 or more weeks at 18^oc[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out when large enough in late spring. Division in spring or autumn. Plants are slow to increase[200]. It is best to pot the divisions up and keep them in light shade in the greenhouse until they are growing away strongly." ^[PFAF]

A. canadense;

Collecting Seeds: You may have to get down on hands and knees to collect the seeds; the capsules is well hidden, and chipmunks often get there first. Start checking about a month after the first flowers appear. Pluck off the capsules and tap out the seeds.
When to Plant: Wild ginger germinates best when sown immediately after collection, but it may be stratified in the refrigerator for late planting. Just don’t let the seeds dry out before planting them.
How to Plant: Use some humus-rich woods soil in your seed-starting mix, if possible.
Growing Conditions: Wild ginger appreciates fertile soil with plenty of humus, and a shaded location. In moist ground, it self-sows readily. ^{[NSSH Bubel]}

Asarum

Habit: Rhizome shallowly horizontal or deeply +- vertical, plants spreading or clumped; roots gingery-aromatic. Leaf: from rhizome, generally evergreen; blade cordate to reniform. Inflorescence: flower terminal, at ground level. Flower: generally dark colored; sepals forming tube, persistent; stamens 12, free from style, tips generally appendaged. Fruit: fleshy capsule. Seed:''' with fleshy appendage, ant-dispersed.
Species In Genus: 90 species: northern temperate. Etymology: (Greek: derivation unknown) ^[Jepson]

Local Species;

• Asarum caudatum - Wild ginger ^{[E-flora][PCBC][TSFTK]}

Uses of Other Related Sp

"Although they do not list them, Fernald et al. (1958) note that other species may be used like A. canadense. Bown (1995) also listed a number of species that have been similarly used for seasoning and medicine. These and other data suggest that other species were substituted for A. canadense outside its range. For example, the Catawba are known to have used A. arifolia for heart problems (Speck 1932, Vogel 1970)" ^{[Daniel F Austin]}

ASARUM (Wild Ginger, Canada Snakeroot)
ROOT. Tincture [Fresh Root 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol] 20-50 drops in hot water. HERB. Standard Infusion or simple tea as needed. ^{[Moore(1995)]}

A. canadensis (Wild Ginger);

• Hazard: The essential oil from the root is "high risk of acute toxicity or carcinogenicity". ^{[Tisserand EOS]}

Food Use:

• Root: "Virtually throughout its range, people used the roots to season food." ^{[Daniel F Austin]} The roots are said to "render any meat dish digestible by anyone, even if they are sick" or if the food is unpalatable. The roots have been processed in lye water, used to season food and take muddy taste away from fish. "Cooked with spoiled meat to prevent ptomaine poisoning." ^{[NAEth Moerman]} At one time they were commonly used as a substitute for ginger (Zingiber officinale). They were dried and pulverized for this purpose. Candied, they are very much like store-bought ginger.^{[Medsgar EWP]} "Crushed root added to salad dressings. When dried and grated it is an adequate substitute for Oriental ginger. For the daring gourmet, try boiling the root until tender and then simmer in maple syrup. The result is an unusual candy treat. Taste the leaves." [Meuninck EWPUH]
• Flowers: Flowers used as flavouring, have fragrance and taste liken to ginger. ^[EMNMPV.7]

Other Use

• Perfume: Oil used in perfumes and dried roots used to scentbedding.^{[Tozer UWP]}
• Toothpaste Additive: Dried root once used in commercial powders. ^{[Tozer UWP]}

Medicinal Use:

• Plant
  • Emetic: "Infusion of plant taken as an emetic for swollen breasts and stomach pain." ^{[NAEth Moerman]}
• Leaves:
  • "Snuff of dried leaves used for head and eyes."^{[NAEth Moerman]}
• Root
  • Actions Febrifuge, anticonvulsant, anthelmintic, emetic, and powerful stimulant. ^{[NAEth Moerman]} Stomachic, carminative and tonic. ^{[Tozer UWP]}
  • Used for tooth, heart and ear pain^{[Tozer UWP]}
  • The rootstock has a strong aromatic flavor. It's been used as a remedy for whooping-cough. ^{[Medsgar EWP]}
  • Used as a remedy for flatulence (1/2 tsp root per cup of boiling water, 2tbsp/at a time/as necessary)^{[Angier FFWE]}
  • [Unspecified part] used as a compound decoction to treat venereal disease. The compound decoction of the roots has been used to treat "typhoid, measles, and scarlet fever" as well as to children suffering from convulsions. ^{[NAEth Moerman]}
  • A compound infusion of the roots has been used for TB. An infusion of the roots has been used for asthma and for heart problems.^{[NAEth Moerman]} Root infusion used for monthly period pains.^{[Banks POTC]}
  • A decoction of the roots has been used as for urinary problems, or as a stimulant.^{[NAEth Moerman]}
  • Compound poultice applied to heal fractures.^{[NAEth Moerman]}
• Dosage:
  • 2-4g powder(therapeutic). ^{[Brinker TBM]}

A. europaea

• Toxicity: According to Coste and Willemet vinegar is an antidote to asarum. ^{[HAHNEMANN,1880]}
  • [Asarum europaeum] - Asarum is not to be used during pregnancy.[PDR]
• Homeopathic
  • Excessively diluted tincture: Used to treat morbid vomiting.^{[HAHNEMANN,1880]}
• The leaves and root are used in Europe as "an acrid, violent emetico-cathartic"^[Paine,1848]
• Actions: [Asarum europaeum] Asarum acts as an expectorant, bronchial spasmolytic, superficial relaxant and local anesthetic.[PDR] considered antiasthmatic and an immune stimulant. ^{[Daniel F Austin]}
• Leaves/Root: [Asarum europaeum] I: For kidney problems (tea or one leaf is eaten daily); for hemorrhoids (the diced root is air-dried for at least 5 days; one cube is eaten with food every day for 30 days) ^{[Pieroni EBDBalk]}
• Leaves: [Asarum europaeum] I: For worms in calves (the leaf is boiled in water, which is given to bull calves to drink) ^{[Pieroni EBDBalk]}
• Emetic: Roots used in Serbia as an emetic in the treatment of alcoholism. ^{[Pieroni EBDBalk]}
• Snuff: After the 1520s, it became fashionable to use snuff, and hazelwort[A. europaeum] was sometimes used alone or added to tobacco." ^{[Daniel F. Austin]}
• Phytochemicals:
  • Volatile oil: "composition depends upon breed but possible constituents include asarone trans-isoasarone, trans-isoeugenol methyl ether, trans-isoelemicin or eudesmol, possibly in addition to sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, -alcohols, -furans,-carbonyl compounds" ^[PDR]
  • Caffeic acid derivatives: including chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid ^[PDR]
  • Flavonoids ^[PDR]
  • "a-Asarone, isolated from Asarum europaeum (Aristolochiaceae), has a local anaesthetic activity similar to that of benzocaine." ^[HerbalMed3]
• Asarum forbesi - "There is an Asarum forbesi from central China, and it is known to give a pleasant smell to the body. And there is Asarum seiboldi which is largely from Korea and Manchuria. It has many medical uses, including the treatment of deafness, epilepsy, and rheumatism." ^{[Shulgin PIHKAL]}
• Asarum heterotropoides - Essential oil - Larvicide against [the mosquito species;] Aedes aegypti, Culex pipiens and Ochlerotatus togoi. ^{[Singh APB]} "The volatile oil of Xu xin [A. heterotropoides] causes the following adverse effects: vomiting, sweating, dyspnea, restlessness, fever, palpitation, and nervous system depression. Death can result from respiratory paralysis at high doses." ^[SEHM]
• Asarum sieboldii'''
  • Asari Radix'''; α-pinene, β-pinene, safrole, asarone ^{[Ramawat HD]}

Asarum Sp.; The fresh leaves have been used as a poultice for wounds. Used as an antiseptic. The dried and pounded leaf was used as a snuff. ^{[NAEth Moerman]} "Native Americans used the root of some Asarum species as a contraceptive, and to promote menstruation." ^{[Tozer UWP]}

Asarone: "The effective dose and particular consequences of this drug vary broadly among individuals. Related to mescaline and the amphetamines, asarone comes from the roots of sweet flag (Acorus calamus) and the Asarum species. It can act as a stimulant, sedative and hallucinogen simultaneously. It should not be taken with any MAO inhibitors."^[HTEncyRD]

Xixin (Asarum heterotropoides, sieboldii) (Manchurian Wild Ginger)

• Chinese Medicine: If heart-Yang is more severely deficient, causing a hesitant and intermittent or slow and even pulse, increase the amount of renshen and gancao and add xixin (Asarum).^{[Liu ECM]}
  • Part Used: root.
    
  • Flavor/Nature: acrid; warm.
    
  • Meridian Affinity: Lung and Kidney Meridians. ^{[Liu ECM]}

References

• Angier FFWE - Feasting Free on Wild Eibles, Bradford Angier, Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa. 1972
• Banks POTC - Plants of The Cherokee - Medicinal, Edible, and Useful Plants of the Eastern Cherokee Indians
• Brinker TBM - The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd Ed. Thomas Brinker, N.D., 2000, Eclectic Medical Publications, Sandy, Oregon
• DukePhyt - Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/plantdisp.xsql?taxon=131 [Online Database|Online Database] 17 July 2015.
• E-flora - http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Asarum%20caudatum, Accessed July 16, 2015
• HAHNEMANN,1880 - Materia Medica Pura, Samuel Hahnemann,Volume 1, Hahnemann Publishing Society, Liverpool, 1880
• Ecoherb Tilford - The EcoHerbalist's Fieldbook Wildcrafting in the Mountain West by Gregory L. Tilford, 1993, Mountain Weed Publishing Conner, Montana
• EMP Wildman - Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants, in wild (and not so wild) places, "Wildman" Steve Brill, Evelyn Dean, Harper Paperbacks, 1994.
• Jepson - Michael R. Mesler & Karen Lu 2016. Asarum, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=8824, accessed on August 06, 2016.
• Medsgar EWP - Edible Wild Plants, Oliver Perry Medsgar, 1939, Macmillan Co., New York, N.Y., USA
• NAEth Moerman - Native American Ethnobotany (Print-based version), Daniel Moerman, 1998 Timber Press, Portland, OR, USA.
• Paine,1848 - Materia Medica and Therapeutics, MARTYN PAINE, A.M., M.D., 1848, SAMUEL S. & WILLIAM WOOD, New York, USA
• Personal Note - As it says.
• PFAF http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Asarum+caudatum, Accessed July 16, 2015
• Smith(1927) - MATERIA MEDICA OF THE BELLA COOLA AND NEIGHBOURING TRIBES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, Harlan I. Smith, Annual report for 1927, Bulletin No. 56, Canada Dept. of Mines and National Museum of Canada
• Tilger HMHE - HERBAL MEDICINE From the Heart of the Earth Sharol Tilgner, N.D., Published by Wise Acres Press, Inc., Creswell, OR, USA, 1999
  • Species mentioned are A. canadensis in particular, with the following species listed as having similar use; A. arifolium, A. caudatum, A. hartwegii, and A.lemmonii.