The Herbal Healing Perspective

Cattail

The fairy, Theodora, keeper of the lovely island, where azaleas and nightshade are in full bloom from April through July. Scurrying along the paths here and there are little rabbits, and countless butterflies play skyward in the gentle zypher. In the center of this island is a pristine lake surrounded by trees and plantings which look as though they have been here for millennia. If you remain hidden and keep very quiet, Vivian, the Lady of the Lake, with her obsequious smile, may be seen cavorting around its shores, especially in the early morning mist clumps of lowbush blueberry, and bunchberry and cattail…..

When you think of cattails, what comes to mind? Moses maybe? These slender green plants with chocolate brown spikes otherwise know as ‘bulrushes’ gently bending in a warm breeze…..their furry seed heads making perfect swords and weapons, exploding fluff all over the “enemy” in childhood battles.

But do you ever think of edible delicacies of the cattail? How about pain relievers?

One of the remarkable things about the American Indians was their use of innumerable plants for food, clothing, shelter, medicines and implements. The early settlers learned a lot from them but, as civilization progressed, much of that knowledge was abandoned or forgotten. Now a new science, called "chemurgy", is discovering that some of our abundant but neglected plants have undreamed-of possibilities. One of these is the common Cattail.

The cattail’s every part has uses. It’s easy to harvest, very tasty, and highly nutritious. It was a major staple for the American Indians, who found it in such great supply; they didn’t need to cultivate it. They harvested the cattail for hemp, proving it to be a valuable natural resource. The settlers missed out when they ignored this great food and destroyed its habitats, instead of cultivating it.

Native American tribes used the crushed rhizomes as a topical ointment for sores and inflamed wounds. The flowering stem was steeped as a tea for coughs. The 'fluff' from the matured seeds was used as a styptic to cover burns, and prevent chafing.

Native tribes used cattail down to line moccasins and papoose boards. An Indian name for cattail meant, “Fruit for papoose’s bed”. They wove cattail leaves into waterproof mats for the sides of their lodges, and sleeping mats on their travels. Pioneers employed the down when stuffing quilts and dolls, dressing wounds, and providing tinder for fires sparked by flint and steel.

Some Indians made jelly from the rootstocks and they can be used for marmalade. The pollen, which is very abundant and rich in vitamins and minerals, was harvested and used in bread by American Indians. They're like a combination of tender zucchini and cucumbers. Mix them with pungent mustard greens to balance their mildness. Added to soup towards the end of cooking, they retain a refreshing crunchiness. They're superb in stir-fry dishes, more than suitable for sandwiches, and excellent in virtually any context.

Stop now for a rest--and if you have any special desires cast them into the lake with the wind carried by cattail fluff. Don't forget to close your eyes when making your wish.

Magikal Fare

Cattail Fried Rice

This savory version of this Chinese dish combines left-over rice with wild plants.

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1/2 cup peeled and chopped cattail shoots

1 cup onions, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

3 cups cooked brown rice

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon chopped chili pepper

Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over a medium flame. Add the cattails, shallots and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and cook until the rice is hot. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.

Serves 4

Magikal Abilities

RULER: Mars/Fire

TYPE: Flowering plant

MAGICKAL FORM: Cattails are considered one of the first plants utilized by humans; Lust; Blackbirds often use cattails as perches, this reflects a tie to water, an ancient symbol for the feminine force and for Nature. The Serbs protected themselves against vampires by ritual acts, sacred objects, strong words, ritual presents and these plants believed to have special powers over vampires. The hawthorn and garlic, thorn, juniper tree, wild teasel, cattail and madder are considered to be the strongest apothropaians.

For Seeing Visions

1 oz of Sandalwood

1 oz of Anise seed

½ oz of Myrtle

¼ oz of Saltpeter

2 0x of Cattail Hemp

Work all together in a mortar until as fine as possible. Burn a small amount of this incense while mediating and then again before retiring for bed.

author: Tammye Dunn