Editing Heracleum maximum (section)

== Uses ==
The thick flower stems, coming into season in early summer, can be peeled and eaten cooked when young, as was done by Native Americans.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lyons |first=C. P. |author-link=C. P. Lyons |title=Trees, Shrubs and Flowers to Know in Washington |date=1956 |publisher=J. M. Dent & Sons |location=Canada |pages=125, 196 |edition=1st}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Caution should be taken as the flowers resemble those of the extremely poisonous ''[[Cicuta maculata]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Niering |first1=William A. |author-link1=William Niering |last2=Olmstead |first2=Nancy C. |title=The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region |year=1985 |orig-year=1979 |publisher=Knopf |isbn=0-394-50432-1 |page=331}}</ref>

[[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous North American]]s have had a variety of uses for cow parsnip, often traveling long distances in the spring—{{convert|50|miles|km|order=flip|abbr=off}} or more—to find the succulent plant shoots.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /> The young stems and leafstalks were peeled and usually eaten raw, while early [[American settlers]] cooked the plant.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Reiner |first=Ralph E. |title=Introducing the Flowering Beauty of Glacier National Park and the Majestic High Rockies |publisher=Glacier Park, Inc. |year=1969 |pages=18}}</ref> In terms of taste, texture, and nutrients, the peeled stalks resembled celery, which gave rise to the common name "Indian celery". The natives were aware of the toxic effects of the plant, knowing that if the outer skin were not removed, one would get an "itchy mouth" or blistering skin.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /><ref name="turner1973" /> Pregnant women were warned away from the flower bud stalks to prevent newborns from [[asphyxiating]] when crying.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" />

At least seven native groups in North America used the plant as a dermatological aid.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /> It could be an ingredient in [[poultice]]s applied to bruises or sores.<ref name="Kuhnlein-Turner 19864" /><ref name="ethno" /> A poultice prepared from the roots of cow parsnip was applied to swellings, especially of the feet.<ref name="UMT-73973" /> The dried stems were used as drinking straws for the old or infirm, or made into [[flute]]s for children. An infusion of the flowers can be rubbed on the body to repel flies and [[mosquito]]es. A yellow [[dye]] can be made from the roots.<ref name="ethno" />