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Lomatium Dissectum
Desert Parsley, Indian Parsnip, Fern-leaved Lomatium. One of the best anti-viral herbs available. Lomatium Dissectum has primarily been available as a wild crafted herb. Domesticating a plant like this to a garden situation is a bit challenging but can be done. In its native habitat, Lomatium is found on the drier rocky slopes of the great basin on the east side of the Cascade Mountains of Washington and Oregon, Eastern High desert areas of California and in similar areas of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Idaho. It is often found in areas where the Arrowleaf Balsam Root is also present. The plant has distinctively large fern-like leaves and reaches a height of 3 feet with a single umbel of flowers, usually purple or yellow tinged. The root is the sought after medicine, thick and fleshy like an overgrown parsnip and very rich in bitter aromatic oils which give it a distinctive aroma and taste. Lomatium has been used traditionally by Native Americans, and the early Pioneers in the western US for lung problems, pneumonia, flu, topically for skin infections and as a gargle for sore throats. More recent laboratory research shows Lomatium to be a highly effective anti-microbial herb helping to shorten the duration of many different types of viral infections and bacterial infections including those in the urinary tract and the respiratory system. Increased pressure on the wild harvesting of this plant, and its great importance in the herbal medicine chest make it an important plant to add to the back yard herb garden. Requires careful placement in a garden situation in full sun and a very well drained soil. Once established it needs very little watering and is a hardy Perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
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