Cattail.

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 1994 20:13:23 -0700
Sender: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list <HERB.TREARN.BITNET>
From: "herbal.crl.com" <robbee.CRL.COM>
Subject: Re: Here's a new one...

On Wed, 27 Jul 1994, Jack van Luik wrote:
> On Wed, 27 Jul 1994, Davis Rhonda (davisr.nwrc.gov) wrote:
> > Are cattails an herb? A friend commented that cattails were used for medicinal purposes by the cajuns and local indians here. This is a new one on me and I haven't been able to come up with any literature on it.
> I seem to recall directions for making a tea, but there were cautions about the high amount of silicates. Don't know the effects of either the plant or the silicates.

Bulrush <typha> also known as Cattail was used in many ways by Native Americans. The roots woere boiled and eaten and the pollen <seasonal> provided a rich flour which is highly nutritious. The young shoots were also eaten. As far as medicinal uses, the mature cobs were dried and stored for use as an alleviating down upon scalds, wounds and chafes. The root was also crushed into a pulp and added to bear lard and used as a salve for various skin ailments. The macerated stems were also placed upon wounds. The stems were also taken to dispell worms and treat diarrhea and gonorrhea.

Rob