Keristyn, a VNT Victims Services Advocate, shares her story of personal trauma with the hope of inspiring others to break the silence and begin their “Healing Journey” as well.
Wooms (Devil’s Club) Tea
“Wooms” is pronounced “Woah msh,” which means “Devil’s Club” in Sm’algyax (Tsimshian language). Its scientific name is “Oplopanax Horridus” from the family of Araliaceae (Ginseng).
What You’ll Need:
- Teapot or pan Cheesecloth
- Glass pitcher/ container (for refrigerating leftovers)
- Water
- Garden sheers (sharp)
- Thick leather gloves
- A dull knife
- Sharp knife/ food scissors
- Cheesecloth
- Bucket
- Small paper bag (for storing)
STEP 1.
Once you find a devil’s club plant choose a stem(s) that you want to harvest. Use your sheers to slice the stem down and cut off the leaves. Use a dull knife to scrape off the thorns and outer bark from the stem. A green-colored stem will be left (inner bark) after scraping off the outer layer.
Devil’s club grows in moist, shaded areas along the Pacific Northwest coast. The plant is found from Southcentral Alaska to Western Oregon. Many cultures of Alaska and Western Canada use the tea to heal the body. It’s used for pain relief, stomach troubles/ ulcers, general sickness, natural laxative, rheumatoid arthritis, anti-inflammatory, and personal purification. Spring is the ideal time to harvest devil’s club because the spines are still soft.
STEP 2.
Slice and peel off the green part (inner bark). Cut that into 1-inch shavings and place it in a paper bag or a basket to air dry. Air-dry overnight if you plan on using it immediately or up to four days. If you plan to store the shavings for later use, you can freeze them. Paper bags work best to store inner bark, that way it can breathe. Another option for storing is to use glass containers or glass jars. If you choose this option, make sure the devil’s club shavings are completely dried; you don’t want them to grow mold.
Save the wooden stems if you like. Many cultures of Alaska believe the Devil’s club wood brings good luck. If you are crafty, you can quickly turn the wooden stem into wooden beads. Cut them to size with your garden sheers and use a small drill bit. Traditional dance groups may use a Devil’s club stick as part of their drum stick while drumming.
STEP 3.
After the inner bark has been air dried, you can boil some water. Once it reaches boiling point, add a small handful of inner bark to boiling water and start your timer. At the very least, boil on medium/high for approximately 30-45 minutes. For more potency, let simmer on a low setting for two hours. When ready, use about 2-3 layers of cheesecloth over your favorite mug to catch all particles as you pour it into your cup. Do NOT add any sweeteners or honey. The healing properties of the tea need to be consumed by themselves.
Do not store in zip lock bags or plastic containers with lids. Plastic is not recommended for storing because of the potency of the devil’s club.
NT’OYAXSISM (thank you) and enjoy traditional Wooms (Devil’s Club) Tea.
-Keristyn Weber, Victims Services Advocate