Pepper Root

The toothwort (_dentaria laciniata_) is sometimes known as the pepper-root, and every school boy and girl living near the woods is familiar with the taste of its tubers and the appearance of its cross-shaped flowers. ❋ Frederick John Lazell (1905)

The chiefs constantly begin their meal with a dose of the extract of pepper-root, brewed after the usual manner. ❋ Robert Kerr (1784)

As soon as he was seated, several people began chewing the pepper-root; about a pint of the juice of which, without any mixture, was the first dish, and was dispatched in a moment. ❋ Robert Kerr (1784)

The body is therefore very subject to leprous complaints, which are perhaps irritated by the use of the pepper-root water or _awa_. ❋ Robert Kerr (1784)

By this we concluded, that the juice of the pepper-root had the same effect upon him, that wine and other strong liquors have on Europeans who drink a large portion of them. ❋ Robert Kerr (1784)

I observed that, after the juice had been squeezed out of the chewed pepper-root for the chief, the fibres were carefully picked up and taken away by one of his servants. ❋ Robert Kerr (1784)

-- E.] [Footnote 123: In the Society Islands, as related by modern navigators, an intoxicating liquor is prepared nearly in a similar manner, by chewing the _ava_, or pepper-root. ❋ Robert Kerr (1784)