Description

Oshá Root, Cut & Sifted Herb (Ligusticum Porteri)

HERB COMMON NAME :  Oshá

HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :  Ligusticum Porteri

OTHER NAMES :  Mountain Ginseng, Bear Medicine, Love Root, Colorado Cough Root, Bear Root, Porter’s Lovage, Porter’s Licorice Root, Porter’s Wild Lovage, Porter’s Ligusticum, Wild Lovage, Mountain Lovage, Indian Root, Indian Parsley, Wild Parsley, Mountain Carrot, Wild Celery Root, Nipo, Empress of the Dark Forest, Overoot, Colorado Cough Root, Deer Eye, Chuchupate, Chuchupati, Chuchupaste, Chuchupatle, Guariace, Hierba del Cochino, Yerba de Cochino, Raíz del Cochino, Washí, Perejil de Campo, Racine d’Ours

FAMILY :  Umbellifereae

ASSOCIATIONS & CORRESPONDENCES :

• Element:  Fire
• Planet:  Pluto
• Day:  Wednesday
• Direction:  South
• Zodiac Sign:  Virgo
• Chakra: 5th Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
• Energy: Yang
• Gender: Masculine
• Tarot:  Five of Pentacles
• Animal:  Bear
• Sabbat or Holiday:  Lammas / Lughnasadh (August 1)
• Deity or God / Goddess Association:  Artio, Artaois, Artemis

Parts Used:  Root

Description:  Osha is a flowering plant in the carrot and parsley family that inhabits the mountainous regions of the southwestern United States. It looks remarkably like Wild Poison Hemlock, but can be recognized by its roots. Native Americans considered the herb sacred, as well as practical for many everyday uses.

Osha is called Bear Medicine and Bear Root because bears frequently seek out and dig up the roots to eat when they are wounded, sick or in need of sustenance after spending a long winter in hibernation.  Bears also chew it into a paste then rub it into their fur. It is believed that osha means “bear” in a Native American language.

An effective anti-viral and diaphoretic plant, Ligusticum is indicated in the beginning stages of a cold or flu or in someone who has a had a nagging cough that has persisted for weeks. It soothes sore throats as a syrup, and is used for asthma, bronchitis, and severe respiratory infections. Osha root also induces profuse sweating. It has even been used in the treatment of herpes and HIV / AIDS.

The root has a long history of use by the Zuni tribe of North America, who chew the raw root and use it to produce infusions. Osha root is also used to make teas, tinctures and extracts. The older the roots, the more pungent and powerful they are.

Osha root is also sometimes used topically on cuts, scrapes, and wounds to prevent infection and help healing. The roots must be dried before use, as they can cause blistering when fresh.

Historical Uses:  anti-viral, anti-bacterial, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, cold, flu, cough, sore throat, asthma, allergies, hay fever, bronchitis, pneumonia, SARS, swine flu, H1N1, COVID, respiratory infection, tuberculosis, emphysema, viral infection, bacterial infection, induce sweating, cuts, scrapes, grazes, wounds, herpes, HSV, HIV, AIDS

Mystical Attributes:  Osha is commonly burned as a purifying smudge or incense over charcoal to guard against malicious spirits and protect from illness. When burned, it produces a warm and slightly spicy aroma. In some Native American tribes, Osha is often given to the Elders as a gift.

Flathead tribe members ritually washed freshly harvested Osha roots in streams near plant growth locations to call upon rain in times of drought.

Mystical Intentions:  smudge, purification, protection from evil spirits, protection from illness, calling rain rituals

Taste & Smell:  The dried root has a nutty and faint celery-like aroma. It is not considered very palatable with a somewhat pungent bitter celery-like flavor, but is combined with other herbs to enhance flavor. It brings a mild tingling sensation to the tongue and gums.

Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  Ligusticum porteri is found in parts of the Rocky Mountains and northern Mexico, especially in the southwestern United States, typically in elvations from 7,000 – 10,000 feet.

Osha grows from 50 to 100 cm tall or more. During winter months, the above-ground parts of the plant die back to a thick, woody and very aromatic rootstock.

The plant has deeply incised, elliptic or lance-shaped leaf segments that are 5 to 40 mm in width with larger basal leaves.

The white flowers appear during late summer, and are approximately 2 to 5 mm in diameter with five petals. They are grouped in flat-topped, compound umbels and are followed by reddish, oblong, ribbed fruits 5 to 8 mm in length.

Osha is strictly a mountain plant. This plant is dependent on mycorrhizal fungi, and attempts to artificially cultivate the plant outside of its habitat have not been successful. Osha requires partial shade. It prefers a deep, moist soil rich in organic material.

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. Plant the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and then plant them out into their permanent locations in the summer if they have grown large enough. Otherwise, keep them in a cold frame for the first winter and plant them out in early summer. Osha can also propagate by division in spring.

The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried. Store the dried root in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Contraindications & Toxicity:

• Ingesting Osha may trigger menstruation in pregnant women, which could cause miscarriage.
• Use in large amounts or for an extended period of time may lead to kidney or liver toxicity.
• Avoid use if you have impaired or inflamed kidneys.
• Osha must be prepared carefully. The root can be confused with the poisonous hemlock plant, which is fatal if ingested. It is safer to buy from a reputable seller, rather than harvest it on your own.
• Do not use if pregnant or nursing.

Constituents:

• volatile oil
• essential oil
• terpenes
• lactone glycoside
• alkaloids
• phytosterols
• saponins
• ferulic acid

Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources

**IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. We will not be held responsible for illness, injury, or death from the use of any product.

PRODUCT IS NOT A TREATMENT. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. CAUTION : Do not use ANY product if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. Prior to use, consult with your professional health-care provider to ensure safe use and understand effects that ingredients may cause relative to safety, personal conditions, and medication interactions which may be harmful. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. By purchasing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use more than recommended by your healthcare professional.  Purchase of this product indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to Spirit Arts & Herbs Terms and Conditions.

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