Practical
Plants

Osmorhiza occidentalis

Western Sweet-Cicely

a perennial member of the Osmorhiza genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root has a sweet liquorice or anise flavour and can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a flavouring for biscuits etc[6][1][3]. The taste is probably too strong for the whole root to be used as a vegetable[6]. The dried seeds are used as a flavouring[6][1][3]. The unripe seed, when still fleshy, can be nibbled raw[6][1].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Western sweet-cicely was widely employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it particularly to treat digestive disorders and as an antiseptic wash for a range of problems[3]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. An infusion of the plant is used in the treatment of coughs and colds[5][3]. The roots are antiseptic, carminative, febrifuge, oxytocic, pectoral and stomachic[3]. An infusion has been used to induce labour in a pregnant woman and to treat fevers, indigestion, flatulence, stomach aches etc[3]. An infusion of the roots has been applied externally as a treatment for swollen breasts, sores, sore eyes etc[3]. A decoction of the root has been used as a wash on venereal sores and skin rashes[3]. A poultice of the pulped roots has been used in the treatment of cuts, sores, swellings and bruises[3]. The root has been applied to teeth to relive the pain of toothache[3]. A hot decoction of the root has been used to kill head lice[3].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Oxytoxic
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roots have been used by women as a feminine deodorant[3]. They have also been placed in the clothes cupboard to impart a nice smell to clothes and have been used to rinse babies nappies[3]. A decoction of the root has been used as a dip to kill lice in chickens[3].

Product or use
Deodorant
Product or use
Incense
Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
Western N. America.
Habitat
Shady or partly shady areas, often on slopes and in valleys[4][6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise sow it in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any deep moisture-retentive soil in sun or dappled shade[2]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[2]. Well suited to naturalistic plantings in a woodland or wild garden[2]. A sweetly aromatic plant[2].

References

  1. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13↩14

  4. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

  5. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  6. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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