Osha
Ligusticum porteri
Family: Apiaceae
Herbaceous perennial. Native to the American Southwest.
This plant grows at altitude, often as high as 8,000 feet. It is
one of our best indigenous treatments for viral infection, and may readily
waylay the onset of cold or flu if used regularly at the first signs of
an infection. It resembles in leaf form and flower Poison Hemlock
(Conium maculatum), so the first rule of using or growing Osha is
to be sure it is Osha, which we have done, both botanically and olfactorily.
Osha root stinks, Hemlock does not. The second rule is that it is
very difficult (some will say impossible) to germinate. In the alpine
meadows where it grows, the stems are broken over by the wind and the seeded
umbels are left to rest upside-down, first on the snow, then as the snow
melts, on the soil surface. The seeds are cupped, and fill with water.
They remain moist and in the sunlight and eventually they germinate, which
is why Osha seedlings are frequently found in colonies very near the parent
plant. If you have too much trouble with cultivating Osha, try Lovage instead.
It has similar properties and the germination is simple. Cultivation:
Extra
care. Cold soil germinator. Sow the seeds in the fall, winter
or very early spring, barely covered with soil. Keep moist until
germination. Drought tolerant once established. Surprisingly
good transplanter. Space 1 foot apart.
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