Lomatium dissectum, or Lomatium root, is cherished among herbalists, plant enthusiasts and northern Native American tribes. It is known to support healthy respiratory, inflammatory, and immune responses, making it the perfect herb to emphasize during these wellness-challenging winter months.
Botany of Lomatium
Lomatium root belongs to the Apiacceae or carrot plant family. Its common names include wild carrot, desert parsley, toza, giant lomatium, and fern leaf cake root (yes, you read that correctly!) Like its members of the medicinal carrot family, the carrot can take many years to mature before it is ready to harvest in the fall. Autumn season. Lomatium is abundant in the Rocky Mountains and can be found at elevations of 500 to 10,000 feet. The fern-like leaves and yellow or purple flowers emerge from snowy grounds in early spring to greet pollinators and browsing wildlife. Modern people also look for Lomatium root, but most often we make a tincture from it to preserve its medicinal properties all winter.
It is important to note that Lomatium root is very similar to its poisonous relative, hemlock. Hemlock, also apart from the Apiacceae, is an invasive plant with fern-like leaves, bright green stems and umbel-forming flowers, a characteristic of plants belonging to the Apiacceae family. Umbrella formations on a hemlock are very similar to the umbrella-shaped flower of a Lomatium. Hemlock can be distinguished by looking for purple spots on the green stem and has many white umbel formations. Lomatium has yellow or purple flowers without purple spots on the stems. Be sure to always consult your local professional foraging or botany books for reference!
Ethnobotany of Lomatium
Lomatium root, or fern leaf cake root as it is often called by native tribes, is deeply rooted in Native American herbal culture and plays a major role in tribal ceremonies. The Blackfeet tribe burned crushed root as incense and the Navajo people included it in their “Mountain Top Chant ceremony” mix (USDA). It makes you wonder: because the Apiacceae family has a wide variety of aromatic plants, did native tribes discover the medicinal use of Lomatium through ceremonies? In addition to the use of incense, the Ute tribe found it useful to treat “horse sickness” by using smoke inhalation from the burned root.
Many aromatic plant compounds have been found in the root of Lomatium, which is why steaming the roots served as a respiratory aid. The Okanagan tribe’s infusions are particularly fascinating because they made a hot water infusion from dried roots for the occasional flare-ups of their elder’s (USDA) joints. Lomatium root supports a healthy inflammatory response in our body and can fight annoying insect invaders that cause respiratory disorders.
Modern usage
The medicinal use of Lomatium root has expanded worldwide. This fantastic root is most commonly used by practitioners in the form of a single herbal tincture to support a healthy respiratory and immune system. At WishGarden we use it in mixtures with moist herbs because of its drying nature. Get over it! and Serious V-Fighter contain a synergistic blend of herbs to combat annoying insect invaders during the harsh winter months.
References
Lauren Ann Nichols-Sheffler attended the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism and received her certification in Medical Herbalism. She owns it Blue yarrow herbs also known as Herbal Vice, an herbal product company that practices bioregional herbal medicine by growing plants and sourcing locally. Lauren loves educating and advocating for plant sustainability. She is the purchasing and sourcing manager for WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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