Ligusticum porteri

Let’s talk about Osha – No, this is not a sound made during yoga.


But, with the cold and flu season soon approaching, it may be of interest to you.

Osha or oshá  botanical name: Ligusticum porteri
A perennial herb used for its medicinal properties, growing in parts of the Rocky Mountains, especially in the North American Southwest.

Before we get into its uses, I would like to share some of the plants history I discovered in the midst of reading a book on different herbs, their uses and healing abilities.

The book tells how the Native American Indians realized long ago to respect the earth; animals, plants, stones and sky. All of these things are full of complexity and information, and the Native Americans read them as we do our books, newspapers, etc.

Their love and respect for mother earth is more then any of us can imagine. After all their way of life long ago was surviving off of nature, and living one with its spirit. Their love for mother earth allowed many to be grounded in such a way that it allowed them the art of communicating with the essence of the plant. Not all had this ability, but it was practiced by many.

Native Americans would chew the root of the Osha, then spit it out after the medicinal components had been extracted. Also used internally in small amounts to treat fever, stomach ache and heartburn.

It has been clinically verified that Osha possess anti-viral properties. It is very effective for treating cold and flu systems of the upper respiratory tract as well as other viral infections of the respiratory system.

However since Osha is sensationalized as an herbal remedy the plants are seriously threatened in many areas due to overharvesting. It seems osha defies cultivation outside of its habitat, so commercial osha root is almost entirely harvested from wild stands of the plant.

Osha is commonly used by the Apaches and other native tribes. According to the elders of the tribes, they would use it as a snake and insect repellent: It has a strong smell. Apaches use this herb to aid in the curing of common colds, sore throats, cough, sinusitis, and other side effects of the winter season.

Osha seems to be a needed tincture for your medicine cabinet or medicine bag.

WARNING: Osha contains Oxytocin and should not be ingested or used by women who are nursing or pregnant.