Ligusticum porteri is a perennial herb native to the Rocky Mountains and higher elevations of northwestern Mexico. It is a member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family along with carrot, dill, anise, cow parsley, hemlock, angelica and fennel.
Osha has been used in traditional Native American wellness to support the upper respiratory tract, calm altitude sickness, and assist with occasional body aches. One name for this plant is bear medicine, or bear root. It is said that the bears who live in the same habitat have a strong affinity to osha, they have been observed eating it and rubbing the plant all over their fur. Some even credit the bear for the discovery of this powerful plant.
Osha prefers full sun to part shade and can be grown outdoors, in flats or in nursery beds. It is best planted in the fall for germination in the spring. Sow about 1/4 inch deep, tamp well and cover with a thin layer of mulch such as composted sawdust, peat or coir.
