osha root [ground]

Osha
Ligusticum porters

“Medicinal Uses: Legion. One of the best treatments for viral infections, either tinctured or chewed; brings about thorough sweating and elimination of toxins, especially if used at the first signs of infection.”

• Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West

    “Osha has been used medicinally by indigenous people for centuries and subsequently absorbed into the pharmacopeias of other peoples. The genus contains many plants that are used medicinally in both the Old and New Worlds (Mabberley 1997). The roots have been used in various preparations (tinctures, infusions or teas) and taken internally especially for catarrh, colds, coughs, bronchial pneumonia, flu and other respiratory infections. Root preparations are used to treat fever, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, hangover, sore throats and rheumatism (Moerman 1998, Reina-Guerrero 1993, Wilson & Felger, in prep., Yetman & Felger 2002). Externally, root preparations were used to treat aches and pains, digestive problems, scorpion sting, wounds and skin infections. The hollow stems have been smoked to break the nicotine habit (Bye 1986, Curtin 1976)."

•  www.pollinator.org/Resources/Osha%20-%20Ligusticum.draft.pdf