One of the top edible plants to forage for in the United States. Every part of it can be used. The roots are the best harvested in the fall, and taste like artichoke. You can clean, cut, boil and mash the root like a potato. You can also make flour from the root. 

Pick the catkins in the spring when still green,boil them until they are heated through and put butter and salt on them. 

In June when the catkins bloom you can collect the pollen and use it in baking as a high protein substitute for flour.

In the spring you can harvest the stalks and the white part near the root, clean and cook them like you would an asparagus. You can also eat them raw like celery with peanut butter.

They can be grown at home which would be advantageous as you can be sure that the water source will be clean. If you have a water source it is recommended that you use some type of container that will control the roots, using a bottomless 5 gallon pail was recommended by The Farmers Almanac. You can buy and plant directly into a yard pond however they will become overgrown quickly. The best species to plant would be Typha Spp. This plant is native to North America, there are other species that are dwarf and may be a good option however some research would need to be done to make sure that they are not an invasive type from another country.

You can also use the leaves for weaving baskets,place mats, floor mats, chair seats, and cordage. The cattail reed can be used to make arrow shafts, a combination of reeds and leaves can be used to make fish baskets, and the long sturdy stalks and leaves can be used to build a lean to if you find yourself in a situation you need emergency shelter. You could even weave yourself a hat. The stalks and leaves can be weaved into snow shoes, satchels or even a toy.

The catkin fluff can be used for stuffing baby blankets, small quilted items, and pillows. The dried leaves and catkins can be used as a fire starter or a torch if you don't need to burn long. 

 

The best part of Cattail is that it is a purifier of the water. Whatever is in the water the Cattail will absorb and clean the water within a few short months. That is why it is important that you know the source of the water as a Cattail will absorb any toxins in the water and then you will consume it. 

All in all this is a great plant to forage for or to grow for food,medicine, and home use. It always shows up on the top 10 plants to use in America.

 

Cattails treat skin conditions, small wounds, insect bites, toothaches and relieves pain.

You can use the root to make a poultice for burns, boils sores,cuts, insect bites and bruises.

Split the root and bruise it and apply to the area if you need an on the spot remedy, or you can pound the root into a mash and apply to the affected area. The fuzz from the catkins can be applied directly to the wound then covered with a clean cloth.

The jelly-like substance that seeps from the lower stems is a pain reliever and an antiseptic. You can scrape it up and use it for small wounds that might get infected. Use for dental pain and relieving teething pain in children without worry as it is can be swallowed and will not harm them. Use on insect bites for pain relief and to reduce swelling. The catkin fuzz can be used to prevent chafing and diaper rash.

Abscesses, infections, and bleeding can be treated with cattails. The pollen works well by mixing it with honey and applying it to a wound that has been cleaned with an antiseptic wash made by boiling the leaves. Repeat up to 3 times a day. You can burn the cattail leaf and make an ash for styptic use. Build a fire and burn the leaves down, let cool and gather the ash in a container and store for future use. Cattail pollen can be used to stem blood flow and then you can use a wash to clean with the cattail honey mixture as a covering.

Pollen and flower can be used for many bleeding issues. The pollen itself can be eaten and should be used orally to stop internal bleeding of postpartum, bruising, vomiting blood, bloody stools, bloody urine, and uterine bleeding. It will not heal the underlying cause but it will stop the bleeding.

I searched the NIH database and could find no studies regarding Cattails. However some independent research is showing promise for the internal use of cattails for stopping the growth and spread of cancers. The research is being done in China and no results have been published yet.