1 Aug 2010
Osha
The Rocky Mountain range, is the location for one of my favorite herbs, if not MY FAVORITE.
It’s called Osha (Ligusticum porteri) – click here to learn more
This powerful herb, is also known as BEAR MEDICINE, because bears are often seen digging it up, eating it, chewing it… spitting it on their paws and then… rubbing all over themselves. Sort of a catnip for bears!! They LOVE it internally and externally!! Tis a good sign in my book.
We tincture it in alcohol to pull out all the constituents. We also keep the whole root in our medicine bundles. Just having it nearby…seems to impart info. You can suck on it or chew on it..or..just inhale deeply.
We love its many purposes. Coughs, intestinal cleansing, topical applications you name it..this herb seems to do it. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties to it.
Last year, after searching for some time, we finally found it. I loved going back this year and seeing the colony and to say hello.
It’s like visiting family…was very happy to see them! The colony had grown quite a bit!! After asking permission and sitting with the plants for awhile. We dug up a few juveniles, and left much of the roots in the ground, so the plants could grow back.
Here’s a few pics from the journey….
- Slowing the senses..and coming into presence with Osha.
- Touching and smelling the aerial parts. WARNING..you DO NOT..want to mis-identify this plant with HEMLOCK..could be your last wildharvesting adventure!! THEY LOOK VERY SIMILAR!!!!!!!
- Osha smells like parsley, dill, fennel, and celery.
- After identifying and asking to collect a bit…the digging begins. The power of Osha, is in the roots.
- After coming down off the mountain, the roots are washed, tons of soil on these guys. Then I bring them inside to dry, so I can hang out with them. Plus, the whole house smells great!!
- Osha root. See the root like hairs. Pungent aroma..very celery – like. From what I understand…its look a like, Poison Hemlock, smells like a dead mouse/death.
- LOVE…TRUE LOVE.
- Bear Medicine. MMMMMM!!
When just holding this intelligence, you feel its power.
I feel honored to have come into association with it.
Attempted to grow some from the roots last year, but it’s my understanding , that Osha has a symbiotic relationship with the mycelium on the mountain. WONT GROW WITHOUT IT!! SO COOL!!
DISCLAIMER!!! As with all herbs, plants and mushrooms..DO YOUR RESEARCH before seeking them out!! YOU DON”T GET A SECOND CHANCE ON MIS – IDENTIFICATION HERE!!!
As I mentioned earlier…this herb is VERY OFTEN mis identified with POISON HEMLOCK!!
Ask Socrates about that one!!
Here’s a few books I learned from: Great pics and descriptions.
Also helps to check with local herbalists who have come before you. We double checked by taking some roots to a local herbalist…juuuust to make sure!!
- “Sacred Plant Medicine” by Stephen Harrod Buhner
- “Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West” by Gregory L. Tilford
oh….and…Have FUN!!
