American Spikenard – Aralia Racemosa: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Jumble Berry of Wild Plants

Edible Uses of American Spikenard
Medicinal Uses of American Spikenard
Growing Aralia Racemosa

Spikenard is another edible and medicinal plant from the sarsaparilla family. We’ve covered its relation sarsaparilla before and eventually we’ll cover its other local close relation American ginseng. Be aware, sometimes wild sarsaparilla is also called “spikenard” (plus a few others plants too, who are less related!)

American spikenard (Aralia racemosa) was common in shrubby edges of woods and thickets when Haliburton Flora was compiled, but maybe it’s gotten a downgrade to fairly common or uncommon. I’m not sure, but I don’t notice it often in our neck of Ontario. It’s also uncommon in Algonquin Park.

I tasted my first American spikenard berries at Greenmantle Farm-Wilberforce Ontario, Canada / essoncreekmaple.ca on a maple syrup tour. We also ate some purple flowering raspberries along the syrup trail. They are both late ripening compared to most of our wild plants.

Edible Uses of American Spikenard

Some say the ripe dark purple berries of spikenard taste like spicy roots. But to me the berry brings to mind a familiar jammy flavour of some jumbleberry or mixed wild jam I’ve tasted in the past. The berries make a wonderful jelly. Sadly perhaps, some of the first results in search as I write this are misinfo regarding their edibility, but more for the turkeys!

The gingery root is edible and may be best simmered in honey and candied. Like sarsaparilla, the roots can be used to make a traditional root beer (FYI it doesn’t taste like the pop or soda “root beer”). The roots can be brewed with other rootstock from the sarsaparilla family, like sassafras, or edible roots from your lawn like burdock and dandelion. As a tea the roots have a medicinal flavour.

Medicinal Uses of American Spikenard

American Spikenard is primarily said to support these body systems:

Integumentary
Reproductive
Respiratory
Urinary

Medicinal tags include Alterative, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, and Stimulant. See Medicinal tag key for more information.

Common usage includes the roots for a cough syrup. They’re oft combined with cherry bark (for an irritable cough) or perhaps coltsfoot (for a relaxed cough), thyme or elecampane (for an old cough). The roots can be used for hay fever related cough too, perhaps taken in unison with the goldenrod, nettle, etc. recipe for allergies that we’ve shared. As an expectorant, spikenard loosens mucous in the lungs and snot stuck in the back of one’s throat. Folks with upper respiratory or chronic lung conditions may find support from this root.

One folk name is “old man’s root” referring to its use for urinary problems older men tend toward. “Life of Man” is another folk name. In many ways its used like ginseng and cultivated ginseng can be substituted.

It’s also used as a reproductive tonic for women, sometimes in preparation for childbirth. An ingredient in some abortifacient mixes and a uterine stimulant, it’s not recommended for use internally during pregnancy.

There are other uses like for gout, rheumatism, external use for some skin problems, etc., usually with the powdered root.

Growing Aralia Racemosa

Our native nard is a wonderful plant to incorporate into your landscaping. Lots of pollinators and other insects will enjoy the nard. Turkeys and other wildlife eat the berries and plant them cleaned of flesh. If you try to imitate the turkey, make sure to get all the flesh off as it’s a germination inhibitor. Or grab your plants from native plant nurseries.

Spikenard like its relations prefers a shadier spot on the edge of the forest, so make sure you don’t give it too much sunlight.

WARNINGS

Don’t take the root internally if pregnant or trying to conceive.

And the Usual Cautions:

1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.

2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.

3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.

4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.

5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.

6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.

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REFERENCES and Links

My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!

Aralia racemosa Linnaeus – Database of Vascular Plants of Canada (VASCAN)

If you like a long read, here’s an informative blog post on spikenard by Wild Plant Culture.

wiki/Aralia_racemosa

How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts (Native American)

Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada

Medicinal and Other Uses of North American Plants: A Historical Survey with Special Reference to the Eastern Indian Tribes

Planting the Future: Saving Our Medicinal Herbs

The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine