The wealth of traditional knowledge about medicinal plants, passed down through generations, offers valuable insights into treating various illnesses, including cancer.
However, modern science often requires empirical evidence to substantiate these claims. Unfortunately, natural remedies that cannot be patented often face funding challenges due to limited corporate interest.
Native American Recipe Demonstrates Cancer-Fighting Potential
Occasionally, traditional practices are validated through modern research. One such breakthrough came from a Native American high school student who demonstrated the cancer-fighting potential of a traditional recipe at the International Science Fair in Los Angeles.
According to Indian Country Today, Destany “Sky” Pete, a member of the Shoshone and Paiute Tribes from the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Idaho and Nevada, was inspired to explore her ancestors’ diet. She connected her community’s modern health issues with the absence of traditional foods, particularly toishabui, or chokecherry pudding—a long-forgotten recipe.
Sky hypothesized that chokecherry pudding might possess cancer-fighting properties. She collaborated with Dr. Ken Cornell, a biochemistry professor at Boise State University specializing in cancer cell research, to test her theory. Dr. Cornell tested four chokecherry samples against uterine sarcoma cancer cells.
Remarkably, only the traditional pudding—with its inclusion of crushed chokecherry pits—demonstrated the ability to inhibit cancer cell growth, with the cells beginning to die within 24 hours.
This finding earned Sky the First Grand Prize at the 2017 Elko County Science Fair in Nevada, where her project surpassed more than 440 others. Sky plans to continue her research by testing the pudding’s effectiveness against other types of cancer cells over extended periods.
Reflecting on her discovery, Sky emphasized the role of traditional foods in health: “It was the traditional preparation of toishabui with the crushed seeds that had the results,” she explained. “I feel like our ancestors were really healthy. Nowadays, we’re prone to diabetes and other diseases. But back then, it was our food that made us healthy.”
The Medicinal Potential of Chokecherries
Chokecherry is a North American tree that produces antioxidant-rich fruits, which ripen in late summer. Its small pits contain cancer-fighting compounds, but these pits are often discarded in modern recipes like chokecherry jam. To maximize its medicinal benefits, it is essential to use the whole fruit, including the pits, as in the traditional chokecherry pudding.
While the pits contain a small amount of cyanide-like compounds, they are safe in small quantities. Boiling the pudding eliminates any risk, allowing people to enjoy its health benefits. Other ways to consume chokecherries include making fruit leather, jam, or juice.
Traditional Chokecherry Pudding Recipe
The preparation of chokecherry pudding varies slightly across tribes, but the key is to use the entire fruit, including the pits. Here’s a recipe shared by Idaho State University:
- Select fresh chokecherries from the tree.
- Rinse the berries thoroughly and place them on a hard surface, such as a stone mortar (a meat grinder can also be used to grind the pits).
- Crush the pits and berries together.
- Boil the crushed mixture in a small pot of water until the water changes color.
- Add flour to the pot, stirring until it reaches the consistency of runny pudding.
- Sweeten with sugar to taste, then stir.
- Remove from heat, allow to cool, and enjoy.
Addressing Cyanide Concerns
While chokecherry seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide-like substances, they are safe when consumed in small amounts, much like apple seeds. The boiling process neutralizes any risk, making the pudding safe to eat. However, overconsumption of raw seeds could pose health risks, so it’s advisable to consult a naturopathic doctor if you have concerns.
For those interested in enjoying chokecherries without making pudding, options like fruit leather, jam, juice, or online-purchased chokecherry jelly are also available.
This rediscovery of chokecherry pudding not only revives an important piece of Native American culinary heritage but also highlights the potential of traditional knowledge to contribute to modern medicine.