Osha | ||||||||||||||
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Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
Ligusticum porteri Coult. & Rose |
Osha (Ligusticum porteri) is a perennial herb used for its medicinal properties. Osha grows in parts of the Rocky Mountains especially in the North American Southwest.
L. porteri (Osha) root or L. wallichii (Ligusticum) root can be steeped in ethanol (whisky, vodka, etc.) for at least a month. The resulting tincture is an effective, albeit pungent, liniment for sore muscles that can be stored (in a cool place) indefinitely.
Osha is also known by the following names:
In the Jicarilla language, osha is called ha’ich’idéé. The White Mountain Apache (WMA)call it '"Ha 'il chii' gah".
Osha is still commonly used widely by the Apaches and other native tribes. According to WMA Elders, they would use it as a snake and insect repellant: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.
It is said that when put in water over your woodstove, it will help in keeping you immune in winter times.