Ligusticum porteri                        Common name:  Osha

Family: Umbellifereae

Parts used: Radix

Constituents:  Volatile oil, lactone glycoside, alkaloids, phytosterols, saponins, ferulic acid

Medicinal actions:  Anti-viral, anti-bacterial, diaphoretic, emmenagogue

Medicinal use:  An effective anti-viral and diaphoretic plant. Ligusticum is indicated in the beginning stages of a cold or flu or in someone who has a had a nagging cough that has persisted for weeks.

Pharmacy: Decoction: 1-2 tsp/cup water; 1 cup TID. Tincture (1:7),  2-4 ml TID.

Toxicity: None known.

Contraindications: Pregnancy & lactation.

Interactions: None known.