by Eric Yarnell, ND, RH(AHG)
Last updated 18 June 2023
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Table of Contents
Clinical Highlights
Cow parsnip fruit is a potent analgesic.
Cow parsnip immature stem and flower buds are edible.
All parts of cow parsnip can cause photodermatitis after skin contact.
Cow parsnip immature stem and flower buds are edible.
All parts of cow parsnip can cause photodermatitis after skin contact.
Heracleum maximum habit (copyright E. Yarnell 2023)
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Heracleum maximum flowers (copyright E. Yarnell 2023)
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Clinical Fundamentals
Part Used: fruit (fresh) as medicine (peeled, cooked immature stem or flower bud and mature fruit as food); dry root (not preferred)
Taste: pungent with some hint of celery, mildly numbing
Major Actions:
Major Organ System Affinities
Major Indications:
Major Constituents:
Adverse Effects:
Contraindications:
Drug Interactions:
Taste: pungent with some hint of celery, mildly numbing
Major Actions:
- Analgesic
- Antiviral
- Inflammation modulating
- Spasmolytic
Major Organ System Affinities
- Respiratory Tract
- Gastrointestinal Tract
Major Indications:
- Pain, especially neuropathic pain
- Upper and lower respiratory infections
- Heartburn
- Nausea
Major Constituents:
- Phenylpropanoids
- Furanocoumarins
Adverse Effects:
- Photodermatitis
Contraindications:
- Pregnancy (Moore 2003)
Drug Interactions:
- None known or anticipated
Acute cow parsnip photodermatitis, induced on purpose, using the stem latex while hiking over 7,000' on Tahoma (Mt Rainier). It was extremely pruritic for several days. Topical arnica application aggravated the rash.
Cow parsnip photodermatitis approximately 2 wk after initial appearance. It remained about this red, without itch, for close to 1 yr.
Pharmacy Essentials
Tincture of fresh fruit: 1:2–1:3 w:v ratio, 60% ethanol
Dose:
Acute, adult: 1–2 ml up to q2h
Chronic, adult: 1–2 ml tid (rarely used chronically)
Child: as adult but adjusted for body size
Glycerite: not recommended
Decoction: 1–2 g (1 scant tsp) of root simmered, covered, in 100–250 ml of water for 15–30 min, the result of which makes one cup (not 8 oz, but one dose). The amount of water used can be adjusted to patient taste in subsequent cups.
Dose:
Acute adult: 1 cup up to q2h
Chronic, adult: 1 cup bid-tid (rarely used chronically)
Child: as adult but adjusted for body size
Capsules: not available.
If you need help formulating with this herb, or any other, you can use the formulation tool. Remember that when using this herb in a formula, due to synergy, you can usually use less.
Dose:
Acute, adult: 1–2 ml up to q2h
Chronic, adult: 1–2 ml tid (rarely used chronically)
Child: as adult but adjusted for body size
Glycerite: not recommended
Decoction: 1–2 g (1 scant tsp) of root simmered, covered, in 100–250 ml of water for 15–30 min, the result of which makes one cup (not 8 oz, but one dose). The amount of water used can be adjusted to patient taste in subsequent cups.
Dose:
Acute adult: 1 cup up to q2h
Chronic, adult: 1 cup bid-tid (rarely used chronically)
Child: as adult but adjusted for body size
Capsules: not available.
If you need help formulating with this herb, or any other, you can use the formulation tool. Remember that when using this herb in a formula, due to synergy, you can usually use less.
Other Names
Latin synonyms:
Current correct Latin binomial:
Heracleum maximum W. Bartram = Heracleum lanatum Michx
genus name <Ἡράκλειος "Hercules" referring to the giant size of the plant
Latin synonyms:
Heracleum auritum Bisch
Heracleum douglasii DC
Heracleum dulce Fisch
Heracleum sphondylium ssp lanatum (Michx.) Á.Löve & D.Löve
Heracleum lanatum var asiaticum (M.Hiroe) H.Hara
Sphondylium lanatum Greene
Pastinaca lanata (Michx.) Koso-Pol
Heracleum sphondylium var lanatum (Michx.) Dorn
Heracleum tsurugisanense Honda
Heracleum barbatum var turugisanense (Honda) M.Hiroe
Heracleum moellendorffii var turugisanense (Honda) Ohwi
Heracleum lanatum ssp asiaticum M.Hiroe
English Common Names: cow parsnip, cow cabbage, woolly parsnip, Indian parsnip, Indian rhubarb, putchki
Native American Common Names (grouped linguistically and geographically):
dxʷləšúcid, xʷləšúcid (Lushootseed, Salishan): yúlaʔ (Hess 1976)
hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓(Halkomelem, Salishan): (Galloway 2009; Turner 1973a)
whole plant and edible stem: sóqw’, sókw’, yóle, yóla, yó:le
outer inedible stem string: xwéylem
whole plant: sa:q̓w
edible stem: ya:la’ (in Island dialect)
Nuxalk (Bella Coola, Salishan): xʷiq̓ (Turner 1973b)
SENĆOŦEN, sənčáθən (Saanich, Salishan): yáləʔ (Turner and Hebda 2012)
Séliš (Montana Salish, Bitterroot Salish, Spokane, Kalispel, Pend d’Oreille, Salishan): xʷtełp, xʷte (Peter 2010)
Snchitsu’umshtsn, Snchítsu’umshtsn (Couer d’Alene, Salishan): x̣ʷóx̣ʷłp (Palmer, et al. 2003)
Łingít (Tlingit, Tlingit Na-Dené): yaana.eit
Witsuwit’en (Babine–Witsuwitʼen, Northern Carrier, Athabascan Na-Dené): (Gottesfeld 1994)
plant: ggus
root: ggusghih
Nisg̱a’a, nisqáʔamq (Tsimshian, Nishga, Nisga’a, Tsimshian): haḿoo’k, ho’ok, ʔax̱ (Burton 2012; Turner 2014)
Unangam Tunuu (Aleut, Eskimo-Aleut): saqudax’ (CAFF 2006)
Spanish Common Names: yerba del oso ("bear's herb")
Current correct Latin binomial:
Heracleum maximum W. Bartram = Heracleum lanatum Michx
genus name <Ἡράκλειος "Hercules" referring to the giant size of the plant
Latin synonyms:
Heracleum auritum Bisch
Heracleum douglasii DC
Heracleum dulce Fisch
Heracleum sphondylium ssp lanatum (Michx.) Á.Löve & D.Löve
Heracleum lanatum var asiaticum (M.Hiroe) H.Hara
Sphondylium lanatum Greene
Pastinaca lanata (Michx.) Koso-Pol
Heracleum sphondylium var lanatum (Michx.) Dorn
Heracleum tsurugisanense Honda
Heracleum barbatum var turugisanense (Honda) M.Hiroe
Heracleum moellendorffii var turugisanense (Honda) Ohwi
Heracleum lanatum ssp asiaticum M.Hiroe
English Common Names: cow parsnip, cow cabbage, woolly parsnip, Indian parsnip, Indian rhubarb, putchki
Native American Common Names (grouped linguistically and geographically):
dxʷləšúcid, xʷləšúcid (Lushootseed, Salishan): yúlaʔ (Hess 1976)
hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓(Halkomelem, Salishan): (Galloway 2009; Turner 1973a)
whole plant and edible stem: sóqw’, sókw’, yóle, yóla, yó:le
outer inedible stem string: xwéylem
whole plant: sa:q̓w
edible stem: ya:la’ (in Island dialect)
Nuxalk (Bella Coola, Salishan): xʷiq̓ (Turner 1973b)
SENĆOŦEN, sənčáθən (Saanich, Salishan): yáləʔ (Turner and Hebda 2012)
Séliš (Montana Salish, Bitterroot Salish, Spokane, Kalispel, Pend d’Oreille, Salishan): xʷtełp, xʷte (Peter 2010)
Snchitsu’umshtsn, Snchítsu’umshtsn (Couer d’Alene, Salishan): x̣ʷóx̣ʷłp (Palmer, et al. 2003)
Łingít (Tlingit, Tlingit Na-Dené): yaana.eit
Witsuwit’en (Babine–Witsuwitʼen, Northern Carrier, Athabascan Na-Dené): (Gottesfeld 1994)
plant: ggus
root: ggusghih
Nisg̱a’a, nisqáʔamq (Tsimshian, Nishga, Nisga’a, Tsimshian): haḿoo’k, ho’ok, ʔax̱ (Burton 2012; Turner 2014)
Unangam Tunuu (Aleut, Eskimo-Aleut): saqudax’ (CAFF 2006)
Spanish Common Names: yerba del oso ("bear's herb")
Interchangeability of Species
This is the only native species in North America and the only one recommended here. Heracleum mantegazzianum (giant hogweed), a species native to the Caucasus Mountains but introduced and invasive in some parts of North America, is much more likely to cause photodermatitis and is no recommended for use.
Advanced Clinical Information
Additional Actions:
As indicated in the primary action list at the beginning of this monograph, cow parsnip is a very effective topical anesthetic with some antiviral and possibly immunostimulating effects in the respiratory tract. It is also said to have a calming effect on the digestive tract by the late master herbalist Michael Moore (Moore 2003).
Additional Indications:
Cow parsnip can be used in many situations. Michael Moore recommended it for nausea without vomiting, dyspepsia, and heartburn (Moore 2003). He recommended it for spastic colon, and, outside the gastrointestinal tract, to relax uterine spasms while increasing menstrual flow.
However, the author has principally used it for pharyngitis and topically for neuropathic pain. It is effective topically for trigeminal neuralgia, more so if combined with topical Atropa belladonna and Aconitum carmichaeli. Moore affirms this indication. It should also be considered for facial nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy). It can be used topically over fractured bones, sprained/strained ankles, or other painful musculoskeletal injuries, primarily as a back country remedy while transporting someone to a medical facility.
- Photosensitizing
- Immunostimulant
- Antiemetic, antinauseal
As indicated in the primary action list at the beginning of this monograph, cow parsnip is a very effective topical anesthetic with some antiviral and possibly immunostimulating effects in the respiratory tract. It is also said to have a calming effect on the digestive tract by the late master herbalist Michael Moore (Moore 2003).
Additional Indications:
Cow parsnip can be used in many situations. Michael Moore recommended it for nausea without vomiting, dyspepsia, and heartburn (Moore 2003). He recommended it for spastic colon, and, outside the gastrointestinal tract, to relax uterine spasms while increasing menstrual flow.
However, the author has principally used it for pharyngitis and topically for neuropathic pain. It is effective topically for trigeminal neuralgia, more so if combined with topical Atropa belladonna and Aconitum carmichaeli. Moore affirms this indication. It should also be considered for facial nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy). It can be used topically over fractured bones, sprained/strained ankles, or other painful musculoskeletal injuries, primarily as a back country remedy while transporting someone to a medical facility.
Botanical Information
Botanical Description: Cow parsnip a root perennial that grows up to 3 m tall. It has hollow, very hairy stems that yield a clear liquid latex when cut. It has very large, three-lobed leaves, reaching 40 cm in diabetes. Its flowers grow in an umbel typical of the Apiaceae family, appearing as early as March to at late as September. The mericarps (fruits) are 8--12 mm long and 5--8 mm wide. Due to its very large size it is extremely difficult to confuse with poisonous members of the Apiaceae family such as Cicuta douglasii (western water hemlock), which gets at most 1–2 m tall and its leaves are at most 10 cm in diameter.
Native range: it is widespread in mountainous areas across North America
Native range: it is widespread in mountainous areas across North America
Harvest, Cultivation, and Ecology
Cultivation: Not commonly practiced.
Wildcrafting: This is only available by wild harvesting. Choose large stands in abundant areas to harvest from for greatest sustainability. Because the fruits can be harvested without harming the plant, they are recommended for most uses as opposed to the roots, harvest of which is very destructive to the plants.
Ecological Status: this plant is extremely widespread and abundant, and is not in commerce, making it extremely sustainable.
Wildcrafting: This is only available by wild harvesting. Choose large stands in abundant areas to harvest from for greatest sustainability. Because the fruits can be harvested without harming the plant, they are recommended for most uses as opposed to the roots, harvest of which is very destructive to the plants.
Ecological Status: this plant is extremely widespread and abundant, and is not in commerce, making it extremely sustainable.
References
Burton CMA (2012) Wilaat Hooxhl Nisga’ahl [Galdoo’o] [Ýans]: Gik’uuhl-gi, Guuń-sa ganhl Angoogaḿ. Using Plants the Nisga’a Way: Past, Preset and Future Use. PhD dissertation, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Victoria.
CAFF 2006. Veltre DW, Pendleton CL, Schively SA, et al. (2006) Aleut/Unangax Ethnobotany: An Annotated Bibliography. For a project on Traditional Use and Conservation of Plants from the Aleutian, Pribilof, and Commander Islands. Aleut International Association, University of Alaska Anchorage, and Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, in cooperation with CAFF. CAFF Flora Technical Report No. 14, CAFF International Secretariat, Akureyri, Iceland. ISBN No: 9979-9778-0-9
Galloway BD (2009) Dictionary of Upriver Halkomelem, Volume I (Berkeley: University of California Press).
Gottesfeld LMJ (1994) “Wet’suwet’en ethnobotany: Traditional plant uses” J Ethnobiol 14(2):185–210.
Hess TM (1976) Dictionary of Puget Salish (Seattle: University of Washington Press).
Moore M (2003) Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West: Revised and Expanded Edition (Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press).
Palmer GB, Kinkade MD, Turner NJ (2003) “The grammar of Snchítsu’umshtsn (Couer d’Alene) plant names” J Ethnobiol 23(1):65–100.
Peter T (2010) seliš nyoʔnuntn: Medicine for the Salish Language: English to Salish Translation Dictionary (Pablo, MT: Salish Kootenai College Press).
Turner NJ (1973a) Plant taxonomic systems and ethnobotany of three contemporary Indian groups of the Pacific Northwest (Haida, Bella Coola, and Lillooet). PhD thesis, Department of Botany, University of British Columbia.
Turner NJ (1973b) “The ethnobotany of the Bella Coola Indians of British Columbia” Syesis 6:193–220.
Turner NJ (2014) Ancient Pathways, Ancestral Knowledge: Ethnobotany and Ecological Wisdom of Indigenous Peoples of Northwestern North America. 2 Volumes (McGill-Queen’s University Press).
Turner NJ, Hebda RJ (2012) Saanich Ethnobotany: Culturally Important Plants of the WSÁNEĆ People (Victoria: Royal BC Museum).
CAFF 2006. Veltre DW, Pendleton CL, Schively SA, et al. (2006) Aleut/Unangax Ethnobotany: An Annotated Bibliography. For a project on Traditional Use and Conservation of Plants from the Aleutian, Pribilof, and Commander Islands. Aleut International Association, University of Alaska Anchorage, and Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, in cooperation with CAFF. CAFF Flora Technical Report No. 14, CAFF International Secretariat, Akureyri, Iceland. ISBN No: 9979-9778-0-9
Galloway BD (2009) Dictionary of Upriver Halkomelem, Volume I (Berkeley: University of California Press).
Gottesfeld LMJ (1994) “Wet’suwet’en ethnobotany: Traditional plant uses” J Ethnobiol 14(2):185–210.
Hess TM (1976) Dictionary of Puget Salish (Seattle: University of Washington Press).
Moore M (2003) Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West: Revised and Expanded Edition (Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press).
Palmer GB, Kinkade MD, Turner NJ (2003) “The grammar of Snchítsu’umshtsn (Couer d’Alene) plant names” J Ethnobiol 23(1):65–100.
Peter T (2010) seliš nyoʔnuntn: Medicine for the Salish Language: English to Salish Translation Dictionary (Pablo, MT: Salish Kootenai College Press).
Turner NJ (1973a) Plant taxonomic systems and ethnobotany of three contemporary Indian groups of the Pacific Northwest (Haida, Bella Coola, and Lillooet). PhD thesis, Department of Botany, University of British Columbia.
Turner NJ (1973b) “The ethnobotany of the Bella Coola Indians of British Columbia” Syesis 6:193–220.
Turner NJ (2014) Ancient Pathways, Ancestral Knowledge: Ethnobotany and Ecological Wisdom of Indigenous Peoples of Northwestern North America. 2 Volumes (McGill-Queen’s University Press).
Turner NJ, Hebda RJ (2012) Saanich Ethnobotany: Culturally Important Plants of the WSÁNEĆ People (Victoria: Royal BC Museum).