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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