Toothwort
Dentaria diphylla
Cardimine diphylla

Other Names: Broadleaf Toothwort, Cardamine, Crinkleroot, Indian Pepper, Pepperoot, Pepperwort

Habitat: (Dentaria diphylla) North American native, evergreen, perennial plant growing in deep moist woodland areas in Eastern N. America from Ontario south to Tennessee. Cultivation: Toothwort is easily cultivated from seed or transplants, and prefers rich moist soil and shade. Growing to about 14 inches tall. The thick dark green pair of stem leaves grow about midway on the long stem, are toothed and divided into three broad leaflets, usually deep purple underneath, with similar basal leaves. Flowers bloom in mid to late March and early April, the flowers are white to pinkish or light purple, 4 petaled, and grow in a loose cluster at the top of the stem. Toothwort roots are tender, long, rhizomes (underground stems), and grow close to the top of the ground. Harvest roots any time dry for later herb use.

Properties: Medicinal and edible the roots are used fresh or dried for toothache, ground and applied to area of pain. Made into a medicinal tea for treatment of colds and congestion, gargle for sore throat, and general spring tonic, Toothwort is said to have a sedative effect. Fresh juice is taken as a gastrointestinal aid. The fresh crushed root is used as a plaster for aches, pains and rheumatism. Dried powdered herb is used as pepper and makes a good seasoning. Fresh edible roots have a crisp texture, hot and peppery it can be eaten in salad, or cooked as pot herb or added to stir fry for flavor. Also makes a great substitute for horse radish or added to relish.

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Folklore: Used as a medicinal herb by some Native American tribes, it is also said that some tribes made a type of mace powder of the root to be blown in the eyes of the enemy to disable them. Dry herb was used as snuff to cause hallucination during some rituals.

TRY THESE RECIPES

Medicinal tea: To 1 cup boiling water add ½ tsp. fresh or dried root steep for 10 min. sweeten or add sage for flavor, take in mouthful doses for colds and congestion, gargle for sore throat.

Dry root, grind, use as pepper.