Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Ligusticum porteri, commonly called osha or bear root, has a long history in the Mountain West as a remedy for colds, coughs, and other respiratory complaints. Pueblo peoples of northern New Mexico prepared a gentle tea or decoction of the root for fevers, chest colds, and congestion (Camazine and Bye, 1980). Navajo and Ute peoples also used the plant in infusions or decoctions of the root for colds and influenza, and as a warming tonic for chills and low spirits (Moore, 1989; 1993). Early Anglo settlers of the region learned these uses from local practitioners and incorporated osha into home remedies for winter ailments (Moore, 1989).

A simple, warming tea is the most accessible traditional preparation. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of chopped or sliced roots to 8 ounces of cold water, bring to a simmer, and let it cook gently for 10 to 20 minutes before straining. The same material can be used in a stronger decoction by simmering 15 to 20 minutes, straining, and then taking a few teaspoons two to three times daily during a cold. For a tincture, people filled a jar loosely with chopped roots and covered with 40 to 50 percent ethanol at a plant‑to‑menstruum ratio of roughly 1:5 by weight, then macerated the mixture for 6 to 8 weeks with daily shaking; 1 to 2 milliliters were taken a few times a day (Moore, 1993). Safety cautions accompany all osha products: do not use during pregnancy, avoid in children, and use only the correctly identified plant, because toxic relatives grow in the same habitat; stop use if skin irritation or allergic reactions occur (Moore, 1989).

The root is rich in characteristic phthalides that give it a distinctive sweet, celery‑like scent and familiar flavor. Z‑ligustilide, the predominant component of the essential oil, is joined by other phthalides including Z‑butylidenephthalide and senkyunolide A, together with ferulic acid derivatives that have been documented for the species (Gijbels et al., 1982). These compounds are compatible with the traditional use of the root as a warming, demulcent, and mild expectorant in teas and decoctions.

Osha remains widely available today through specialty herb shops and online as whole or sliced root, as well as in standardized extracts and tinctures. Contemporary studies continue to examine its essential oil composition and pharmacological actions, reflecting both modern scientific interest and the plant’s enduring place in regional folk practice.

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Ligusticum porteri var. brevilobum	(Rydb.) Mathias & Constance	Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 68: 123 (1941)
Ligusticum brevilobum	Rydb.	Fl. Rocky Mts. : 613 (1917)

Common names Top

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Filter by language:

Language	Common/alternative name
English	wild parsnip
English	wild celery
English	osha
English	oshá
English	porter lovage
English	porter's licorice-root
English	porter's lovage
Spanish	raíz de oso

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:

- Doubtful data

- Extinct

- Introduced

- Native

Northern America click to expand
- Mexico
  - Mexico Northeast
  - Mexico Northwest
- Northwestern U.S.A.
  - Colorado
  - Montana
  - Wyoming
- South-central U.S.A.
  - New Mexico
- Southwestern U.S.A.
  - Arizona
  - Nevada
  - Utah

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000362469
UNII	XH9H81V5MZ
USDA Plants	LIPO
Tropicos	1700455
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:140059-2
Open Tree Of Life	611565
NCBI Taxonomy	54719
Nature Serve	2.150160
IUCN Red List	116995418
IPNI	140059-2
iNaturalist	223656
GBIF	3034795
Freebase	/m/0c7jrm
USDA GRIN	402613
Wikipedia	Ligusticum_porteri

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.

Title

Authors

Publication

Released

IDs

ANALYSIS OF SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO LIGUSTICUM PORTERI BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY – MASS SPECTROMETRY

Brown M, Miller E

J Undergrad Chem Res

13-Jun-2023

PMCID:	PMC10869123
PMID:	38362356

Habitat selection in a fluctuating ground squirrel population: Density‐dependence and fitness consequences

Aliperti JR, Jenderseck K, Van Vuren DH

Ecol Evol

29-Aug-2022

PMCID:	PMC9424181
doi:	10.1002/ece3.9241
PMID:	36052297

Amphipterygium adstringens (Schltdl.) Schiede ex Standl (Anacardiaceae): An Endemic Plant with Relevant Pharmacological Properties

Sotelo-Barrera M, Cília-García M, Luna-Cavazos M, Díaz-Núñez JL, Romero-Manzanares A, Soto-Hernández RM, Castillo-Juárez I

Plants (Basel)

02-Jul-2022

PMCID:	PMC9268796
doi:	10.3390/plants11131766
PMID:	35807718

A naturopathic treatment approach for mild and moderate COVID-19: A retrospective chart review

Barber MS, Barrett R, Bradley RD, Walker E

Complement Ther Med

06-Nov-2021

PMCID:	PMC8570825
doi:	10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102788
PMID:	34748955

Microbial Synthesis and Evaluation of Fungistatic Activity of 3-Butyl-3-hydroxyphthalide, the Mammalian Metabolite of 3-n-Butylidenephthalide

Gach J, Olejniczak T, Krężel P, Boratyński F

Int J Mol Sci

15-Jul-2021

PMCID:	PMC8304955
doi:	10.3390/ijms22147600
PMID:	34299220

Mexican Plants and Derivates Compounds as Alternative for Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain Treatment—A Review

Quiñonez-Bastidas GN, Navarrete A

Plants (Basel)

25-Apr-2021

PMCID:	PMC8145628
doi:	10.3390/plants10050865
PMID:	33923101

Disrupted H2S Signaling by Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Drinking: Evidence from Cellular, Animal, and Clinical Studies

Read E, Zhu J, Yang G

Antioxidants (Basel)

03-Jan-2021

PMCID:	PMC7824711
doi:	10.3390/antiox10010049
PMID:	33401622

Molecules Isolated from Mexican Hypoglycemic Plants: A Review

Escandón-Rivera SM, Mata R, Andrade-Cetto A

Molecules

10-Sep-2020

PMCID:	PMC7571036
doi:	10.3390/molecules25184145
PMID:	32927754

Recent advancements in synthetic methodologies of 3-substituted phthalides and their application in the total synthesis of biologically active natural products

Awasthi A, Singh M, Rathee G, Chandra R

RSC Adv

27-Mar-2020

PMCID:	PMC9051324
doi:	10.1039/d0ra00701c
PMID:	35497626

Hemiparasitic plants increase alpine plant richness and evenness but reduce arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization in dominant plant species

McKibben M, Henning JA

PeerJ

07-Nov-2018

PMCID:	PMC6228546
doi:	10.7717/peerj.5682
PMID:	30425882

Heritable plant phenotypes track light and herbivory levels at fine spatial scales

Humphrey PT, Gloss AD, Frazier J, Nelson–Dittrich AC, Faries S, Whiteman NK

Oecologia

30-Mar-2018

PMCID:	PMC5999565
doi:	10.1007/s00442-018-4116-4
PMID:	29603095

Effects of Ligusticum porteri (Osha) Root Extract on Human Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells

Nguyen K, Sparks J, Omoruyi F

Pharmacognosy Res

01-Apr-2017

PMCID:	PMC5424556
doi:	10.4103/0974-8490.204641
PMID:	28539739

Natural product HTP screening for evidence of attenuated cytokine-induced neutrophil chemo attractants (CINCs) and NO2− in LPS/IFNγ activated glioma cells

Mazzio EA, Bauer D, Mendonca P, Equar T, Soliman KF

J Neuroimmunol

01-Dec-2016

PMCID:	PMC5201440
doi:	10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.11.012
PMID:	27956075

Natural product HTP screening for antibacterial (E.coli 0157:H7) and anti-inflammatory agents in (LPS from E. coli O111:B4) activated macrophages and microglial cells; focus on sepsis

Mazzio EA, Li N, Bauer D, Mendonca P, Taka E, Darb M, Thomas L, Williams H, Soliman KF

BMC Complement Altern Med

15-Nov-2016

PMCID:	PMC5111180
doi:	10.1186/s12906-016-1429-x
PMID:	27846826

The Role of Monocarboxylate Transporters and Their Chaperone CD147 in Lactate Efflux Inhibition and the Anticancer Effects of Terminalia chebula in Neuroblastoma Cell Line N2-A

Messeha SS, Zarmouh NO, Taka E, Gendy SG, Shokry GR, Kolta MG, Soliman KF

European J Med Plants

22-Feb-2016

PMCID:	PMC4857771
doi:	10.9734/EJMP/2016/23992
PMID:	27158628

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.

Name	PubChem ID	Canonical SMILES	MW	Found in	Proof
> Benzenoids / Phenol ethers / Anisoles
Elemicin	10248	Click to see	208.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols
Isovanillin	12127	Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C=O)O	152.15	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols / Long-chain fatty alcohols
(3S,8R)-heptadeca-1,9-dien-4,6-diyne-3,8-diol	131954651	Click to see CCCCCCCC=CC(C#CC#CC(C=C)O)O	260.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1565(199811/12)9:6<283::AID-PCA419>3.0.CO;2-9
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids
P-Cymene	7463	Click to see	134.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957465 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids
(+-)-alpha-Pinene	6654	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids
alpha-PHELLANDRENE	7460	Click to see CC1=CCC(C=C1)C(C)C	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957465
Alpha-Terpinene	7462	Click to see	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555
Beta-Phellandrene	11142	Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(=C)C=C1	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555
Limonene, (+/-)-	22311	Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)C	136.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957465 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol	222284	Click to see	414.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol	122544	Click to see	412.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol	86821	Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C	414.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside	296119	Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C	576.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
Sitogluside	5742590	Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C	576.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
Stigmasterol	5280794	Click to see	412.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
> Organic acids and derivatives / Peptidomimetics / Depsipeptides / Cyclic depsipeptides
(2R)-N-[(2S)-1-[[(3S,6S,8R,12S,13S,16R,17S,20S,23R)-12-hydroxy-20-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-6,17,21-trimethyl-3-(2-methylpropyl)-2,5,7,10,15,19,22-heptaoxo-8,13-di(propan-2-yl)-9,18-dioxa-1,4,14,21-tetrazabicyclo[21.3.0]hexacosan-16-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]-1-[(2S)-2-hydroxypropanoyl]-N-methylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide	162983035	Click to see	1098.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1565(199811/12)9:6<283::AID-PCA419>3.0.CO;2-9
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds
Hex-2-ulofuranosyl hexopyranoside	1115	Click to see C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O	342.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
Sucrose	5988	Click to see	342.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles
Myristicin	4276	Click to see	192.21	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Dihydrofurans / Furanones / Butenolides
(1S,2S,6E,10S,11S,16E)-6,16-di(butylidene)-5,15-dioxapentacyclo[9.5.2.01,13.02,10.03,7]octadeca-3(7),12-diene-4,14-dione	129317338	Click to see	380.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555
(Z)-6,6',7,3'Alpha-Diligustilide	54582271	Click to see CCCC=C1C2=C(C3C(CC2)C4CCC35C(=C4)C(=O)OC5=CCCC)C(=O)O1	380.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A
Diligustilide	73099887	Click to see	380.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735 https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767
Levistolide A	70698035	Click to see CCCC=C1C2=C(C3C(CC2)C4CCC35C(=C4)C(=O)OC5=CCCC)C(=O)O1	380.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JEP.2015.08.030 https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Indoles and derivatives / Carbazoles
Clausine C	11817681	Click to see	255.27	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735 https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isobenzofurans
(3Z)-3-[(2R)-2-hydroxybutylidene]-4,5-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-one	38361781	Click to see	206.24	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
(E)-3-Butylidene-4,5-dihydroisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one	5877292	Click to see	190.24	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50121A009 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957465 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1565(199811/12)9:6<283::AID-PCA419>3.0.CO;2-9
(Z)-6,8'7,3'-Diligustilide;3-Butylidene-3,4,5,5a,6,6',7',7a-octahydro-6-propylspiro[cyclobut[e]isobenzofuran-7(1H),1'(3'H)-isobenzofuran]-1,3'-dione	73409814	Click to see	380.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.3987/COM-87-4476 https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
3-(2-Hydroxybutylidene)-4,5-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-one	72765541	Click to see CCC(C=C1C2=C(C=CCC2)C(=O)O1)O	206.24	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
3-Butylidene-1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-benzofuran-1-one	529865	Click to see	190.24	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735 https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A https://doi.org/10.3987/COM-87-4476
3-Butylidene-6,7-dihydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2-benzofuran-1-one	3025856	Click to see	224.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
Ligustilide	5319022	Click to see	190.24	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1565(199811/12)9:6<283::AID-PCA419>3.0.CO;2-9 https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767 https://doi.org/10.3987/COM-87-4476 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957465 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50121A009
Senkyunolide I	11521428	Click to see CCCC=C1C2=C(C(C(CC2)O)O)C(=O)O1	224.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
Tokinolide B	11090206	Click to see CCCC=C1C23CCC(C=C2C(=O)O1)C(C34C5=C(C=CCC5)C(=O)O4)CCC	380.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isocoumarans / Isobenzofuranones
1(3H)-Isobenzofuranone, 3-butylidene-	62368	Click to see CCCC=C1C2=CC=CC=C2C(=O)O1	188.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
Butylidenephthalide	642376	Click to see CCCC=C1C2=CC=CC=C2C(=O)O1	188.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735
Butylidenephthalide	5352899	Click to see	188.22	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives
3-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate	173954	Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=CCOC(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)OC)O	356.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735 https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767
Coniferyl ferulate	6441913	Click to see	356.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735 https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids
3-(4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxyphenyl)Prop-2-Enoic Acid	709	Click to see	194.18	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A
Ferulic Acid	445858	Click to see	194.18	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100447A https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Rotenoid O-glycosides
2-[2-(12,13-Dihydroxy-16,17-dimethoxy-2,7,20-trioxapentacyclo[11.8.0.03,11.04,8.014,19]henicosa-3(11),4(8),9,14,16,18-hexaen-6-yl)prop-2-enoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol	74977379	Click to see	590.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1002/MRC.2767 https://doi.org/10.3987/COM-87-4476 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-961555 https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2010.534735

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Ligusticum porteri

Table of Contents

Details Top

Ethnobotanical Use Top

General Uses Top

Synonyms Top

Common names Top

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Germination/Propagation Top

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Links to other databases Top

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Scientific Literature Top

Phytochemical Profile Top

Gallery Top

Contributors Top

Collections Top