Witnessed by: Western
Devil's club (Oplopanax horridus), of the Araliaceae family. Sprawling shrub with huge maple-like leaves and formidable spines; native range: cool, wet coastal forests and stream banks of the Pacific Northwest. Globally recognized as Alaskan ginseng; devil's walking stick in English. The part used is root and stem bark. Ferociously spined stem; the fragrant inner bark is resinous, aromatic and bitter-pungent.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
DEVIL'S CLUB
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- devil's club
- Scientific name
- Oplopanax horridus (Sm.) Miq.
- Family
- Araliaceae
Form
- Part used
- root and stem bark
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- aromatic · pungent · bitter
Temperature
- Western
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- lungs · adrenals
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- adaptogen, hypoglycaemic, expectorant, respiratory stimulant, anti-inflammatory
Cautions
Contraindications: monitor blood sugar closely if used with diabetic treatment
Toxicity: low at customary dose; the spines readily cause festering wounds when handled
Interactions
- Western
- antidiabetic agents: additive blood-sugar lowering may cause hypoglycaemia
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.