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NAME:  Wild Ginger

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Asarum Canadense / Aristolochiaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):  Canada wild ginger, Canadian snakeroot, and
broad-leaved Asarabacca, Indian Ginger, Coltsfoot.

CONDITIONS:  partial shade / cool moist soil
 

PARTS:	EDIBLE	TASTE	RAW/COOK	SEASON
All
Shoots
Leaves
Buds/Flowers
Fruits
Roots		ginger	RAW/DRY/COOK	Fall best
Seeds
Nuts
Pods
Stalk
Bark

PORTION: small

COMMENT:  Root used as a ginger substitute, available all year, but best in Fall. Dry roots. Remove dark skin from roots (6). Use in teas and beverages, not in alcohol (5).  Could not find any information on how to prepare flowers, so did not include them although EatTheWeeds said that the flowers were also edible. (2) EatTheWeeds also said that the leaves could be used in teas, but PFAF says that the leaves are toxic. The leaves made me vomit several times, so it's best to avoid the leaves.

CAUTIONS: Use roots with caution. The leaves are poisonous. Handling the leaves is said to cause dermatitis in some people. (1)

NUTRITION/ MEDICINAL:  Anthelmintic;  Antiasthmatic;  Antibiotic;  Antitumor;  Carminative;  Contraceptive;  Diaphoretic;  Diuretic;  Expectorant;  Irritant;  Poultice;  Salve;  Stimulant;  Stomachic;  Tonic. Leaves used as a poultice. (1)

LOOK-A-LIKES:  Wild violets, but violet leaves are toothed.

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

OTHER USES:

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

1.      https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Asarum+canadense

2.      http://www.eattheweeds.com/wild-ginger

3.      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asarum_canadense

4.      http://northernbushcraft.com/topic.php?name=wild+ginger&region=pnw&ctgy=edible_plants (good photos)

5.      https://honest-food.net/wild-ginger-edible-toxic/

6.      http://foragerchef.com/how-to-find-and-use-wild-ginger/

7.      https://altnature.com/gallery/wild_ginger.htm

8.      https://www.motherearthliving.com/plant-profile/an-herb-to-know-wild-ginger

9.      http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Wild_Ginger_Roots_12187.php