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Page 51
| excellent for weak and debilitated persons, and nettle seeds are also beneficial. |
| Osha |
| (Ligusticum porteri) |
| Part used: Root |
| Actions: Antiviral, diaphoretic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, bitter, immunostimulant, diuretic, antibacterial |
| Indications: Osha is a highly aromatic herb in the carrot (umbelliferae) family, which grows at high altitudes in the southwestern states. Commonly used for a wide range of ailments, osha is a strong immune stimulant and superb remedy for viral infections, especially taken at the first sign of symptoms. It is a specific for acute bronchial infections and inflammation, sore throat and dry irritated cough with painful expectoration. Its diaphoretic action brings about elimination of toxins through sweating. Its anesthetizing properties soothe pain in the chest due to coughing and expectoration. |
| Osha root is excellent in cough syrups. Southwest herbalist Michael Moore suggests grinding the root and placing it in a pot. Cover the root with twice as much honey. Heat gently for one hour. Cool slightly, and strain through cheesecloth. Another method is to add 1 ounce of osha tincture to 3 ounces of prepared herbal cough syrup made from mullein, sage and wild cherry bark. |
| As a bitter, osha aids indigestion and helps recuperation when there has been vomiting; it relieves flatulence and its antibacterial properties help gastrointestinal infections. |
| This herb is helpful for edema, and its diuretic qualities aid in reducing urine retention. Osha is quite useful in the initial stages of a cold or in treating allergies when there is copious clear mucus. Topically, osha can be used as an antibacterial on superficial infections and can effectively reduce simple inflammation due to bug bites, stings and skin rashes. |
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