LDM-100 and SEES-2000

Lomatium dissectum is a member of the parsley family growing in semi-arid climates in the northwest.  Its large root has given it the name "biscuit root."  This plant has traditionally been used to fight many infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.

Today, wildcrafted lomatium is a part of many herbal formulas for relieving common colds and the flu.

Cultivation:  Not well understood at present.  In the wild Lomatium dissectum grown on rocky slopes, frequently facing south, in semi-arid areas.  Probably requires a warm period followed by a cold season and then another warm period.

Actions

Antibacterial, anticoagulant (possible), antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, (Candidia albicans, Clostridium (5 strains), Corynebacterium diptherium, Diplococcus pneumonia, E. coli, Hemophilus influenza, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Neisseria gonorrhea, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, Shigella (3 strains), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes), antiseptic, antiviral (DNA and RNA viruses), expectorant, immunostimulant, tonic

Indications

Asthma, bacterial infection, bronchitis, candidiasis (douche), chronic fatigue syndrome, common cold, congestion, cough, cuts (topical), cytomegalovirus, distemper, Epstein-Barr virus, gardnerella infections, gastroenteritis, hay fever, herpes simplex, HIV, influenza, leukocytosis, lymphangitis, mononucelosis, pharyngitis (early stages), pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, rheumatism, shigellosis, skin infections (topical), sore throat (gargle), sores (topical), stomatitis (topical), tonsillitis (early stages), urinary tract infection, vaginal infections (douche), viral infections

Chemicals & Nutrients

Carbohydrates, Columbianetin, Columbianin, Coumarin derivatives, Essential Oils, Fatty Acids, Gums, Luteolin, Luvangetin, Protein, Resins, Saponins, Tannins, Vitamin C

 Note

For mononucelosis, lymphangitis, and leukacytosis combine with Echinacea

Common name: Desert parsley

Parts used and where grown: The root of lomatium is used medicinally.  The plant is native to and continues to grow in western North America.

Historical or traditional use: Native Americans of many tribes employed lomatium root to treat a wide variety of infections, particularly those affecting the lungs.  Lomatium was used, particularly in the southwestern United States, during the influenza pandemic of 1917 with reportedly good results.

Active constituents: Tetronic acids and a glucoside of luteoling appear to be the main anit-microbial agents in lomatium rood.¹ Little is known about how these compounds act or if other ones might be as important.  The resin fraction ocasionally causes a whole-body rash in some people.  Another set of constituents, known as coumarins, may also contribute to the onset of rash.

Are there any side effects or interactions?  Use of extracts containing the resin (and possibly the coumarins) can, in some people, cause a whole-body rash.  The safety of lomatium during pregnancy and lactation is unknown and is therefore not recommended.

At the time of this writing, no evidence of drug interactions with lomatium was found in the medical literature.

 References

1. Vanwagen BC, Cardellina JH. Native American food and medicinal plants. 7. Antimicrobial tetronic acids from Lomatium dissectum. Tetrahedron 1986;42:1117.

2. Moore M. Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West. Santa Fe: Red Crane Books, 1993, 61-71.

Other Common Names: Carrotleaf Biscuitroot, Chocolate-tips, Cough Root, Fernleaf Biscuitroot, Fernleaf Lomatium, Lepotaenia, Leptotaenia, Lomatium dissectum

Range: Western N. America- southwards from Alberta and British Columbia.

Habitat: Open, often rocky slopes and dry meadows, often on talus

Fernleaf biscuitroot was widely employed medicinally by many native North American Indian tribes who considered it to be a universal panacea and used it especially in treating chest problems and skin complaints.  This is an importat native American Pacific Northwest anti-viral herb.  Works where other anit-virals fall short.  Fresh root (alcoholic) extract is best mode of administration.  Lomatium was used, particularly in the southwestern United States, during the influenza pandemic of 1917 with reportedly good results.  Although it is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism, but probably warreants investigation.

The whole plant, but especially the root, is desinfectant, pectoral, salve, stomachic and tonic.

The dried root was used in the treatment of rheumatism, stomach complaints, coughs, colds, hayfever, 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 poultice of teh peeled and crushed roots has been applied to open cuts, sores, boils, bruisis and rheumatic joints.  The root has been soaked in water and then used as an antidandruff was for the hair.

An infusion of the leaves and stems has been used as a tonic.

The root oil has been applied as a salve to sores and also used as an eye was in the treatment of trachoma.

Root-cooked.  Resinous and balsamic.  The root can be dried and ground into a powder and then be mixed with cereal flours or added as a flavoring to soups etc.  The roots have been boiled to make a refreshing and nutritious drink.

The pulverized root has been burnt as an incense.

Genus Species

Lomatium dissectum, Lomatium dissectum var. dissectum, Lomatium dissectum var. multifidum, Lomatium dissectum var. eatonii, Lomatium dissectum var. occidentalis, Leptoeania dissecta, Leptataenia multifida, Leptotaenia purpurea, Leptotaenia eatonii, Leptotaenia foliosa sert Parsnip, Indian Parsnip, Leptotaenia dissecta, Tohza, Toza, Wild Carrot

Location

Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Synonyms

Biscuit Root, Desert Parsley, Desert Parsnip, Fern-Leafed Lomatium, Ferula dissoluta, Indian Desert Parsnip, Indian Parsnip, Leptotaenia dissecta, Tohza, Toza, Wild Carrot