Lomatium dissectum
Part Used: Fresh tender (non-woody) root
Lomatium (Lomatium dissectum) is a perennial, herbaceous plant found in semiarid habitats of the Western United States. The root of the Lomatium is a natural medicine with extensive traditional use by the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest and Northern Nevada where it grows. It was used primarily for upper respiratory infections; although a great many other uses have been noted. The anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties of Lomatium have attracted the interest of herbalists and Naturopathic physicians who are utilizing it in the treatment of today’s most difficult viral diseases. It may be part of a protocol in the treatment of Hepatitis-C, Influenza, HIV, AIDS, Chronic-fatigue, Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Herpes simplex, Sinusitis, and common Colds. Native Americans of many tribes reportedly used Lomatium root to treat a wide variety of infections, particularly those affecting the lungs. It was used, particularly in the southwestern United States, during the influenza pandemic of 1917 with reportedly good results.
Lomatium has important medicinal properties like antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and immunomodulator. It is used for colds, flu, viral infections, fungal infections, bacterial infections and specifically for hard to treat infections of the urinary tract or respiratory tract. The dried root was used in the treatment of rheumatism, stomach complaints, coughs, colds, hay fever, bronchitis, influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis. The root was burnt and the smoke inhaled in the treatment of asthma and other chest complaints, it was also used as a herbal steam bath for treating chest complaints. The root was used to make a drink that was taken as a tonic to help people in a weakened condition gain weight. A poultice of the peeled and crushed roots has been applied to open cuts, sores, boils, bruises and rheumatic joints. The root has been soaked in water and then used as an antidandruff wash for the hair.
References:
http://www.lomatium.com/index.htm
Plants for a Future. http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Lomatium+dissectum
Nature’s Bounty. http://www.naturesbounty.com/vf/healthnotes/hn_live/Herb/Lomatium.htm
