Cup Plant
Silphium perfoliatum

Other Names: Indian Cup, Indian Cup Plant, Ragged Cup, Silphion Perfolie

Habitat: (Silphium perfoliatum) Perennial herb native to Eastern N. America from Ontario to South Dakota, south to Georgia, Missouri and Oklahoma. Found growing in rich woods, thickets, river banks and prairies. Cultivation: Cup Plant succeeds in any ordinary garden soil. Prefers a deep moisture retentive moderately fertile soil that is not too nitrogen rich, in sun or dappled shade. Plants have a deep and extensive root system which makes transplanting difficult. Propagate with seed sown in spring or fall. Growing to a height of 4' to 10' Ft. or more when cultivated. The large flowers, up to 4 in. across, have from 20 to 30 bright yellow rays, surrounding a central cluster of yellow disc flowers. Leaves are broadly ovate, in pairs, coarsely toothed, rough to the touch, up to 1 foot long, and 6 inches broad. The paired leaves are joined to each other at their bases, and surround the stem, forming a distinctive "cup," which holds rain water. Margins of the upper leaves have shallow teeth of rather uniform size. Lower leaves have large, prominent teeth, and are lobe-like, not uniform. The stem is smooth and square. Resin collected from the plant is edible as gum when hardened. Flowers blooms from July through September. Gather root when flowers bloom, dry for later herb use.

Properties: Cup Plant is used an edible and medicinal chewing gum by some Native American tribes. An aromatic resin exudes from the crushed leaves and stems, when hardened it is chewable and is stimulant, antispasmodic and freshens breath. The root is alterative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hepatic, stimulant and tonic. A medicinal infusion is useful in liver and spleen maladies, in fevers, internal bruises, debility, ulcers, and as a general alterative restorative. Also an expectorant in pulmonary and catarrhal diseases though it is said to be emetic. The Native American tribes found this medicinal herb useful for many maladies including, loss of menstrual flow, lung hemorrhage, back, chest and rheumatism pain, to prevent premature birth, the root was also used to reduce profuse menstruation and as an antiemetic during pregnancy. A poultice of moistened, dried root was applied to wounds as a styptic (to stop bleeding). The smoke from the burning plant or the vapors from steaming it was used to treat colds. Though much of the knowledge of dosage and preparation have long been lost.

CLICK HERE TO FIND MANY HERBAL PRODUCTS!

Folklore: The Iroquois Indians used this herb as a Witchcraft Medicine. The burned root soot was placed on a child's cheek to prevent them from seeing ghosts and to prevent sickness caused by the dead. Decoction of root also used as a ceremonial emetic.

TRY THIS RECIPES

Tonic, medicinal herb tea: To 1 tsp. dried root add 1 cup boiling water, steep till cool, take in ½ cup doses.