Porter's Licorice Root

Ligusticum porteri

Basic Information

Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

Genus: ligusticum

Plant ID (slug): ligusticum-porteri

Numeric ID: 8809

USDA Hardiness: 5-9

Ratings

Edible Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Rating: ★★★☆☆

Other Uses Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Physical Characteristics

Ligusticum porteri is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

South-western N. America.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Condiment The leaves are used as a flavouring, a celery substitute[155].

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic Antispasmodic Diaphoretic Diuretic Expectorant Febrifuge Kidney Stomachic TB Uterine tonic The roots, seed and essential oil (obtained from the roots and the seed) of this plant are a bitter, camphoraceous warming herb that stimulates the circulation, kidneys and uterus[238]. They are also antirheumatic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, digestive, expectorant, febrifuge and stomachic[155, 172, 238]. They are used internally in the treatment of eruptive fevers, bronchial infections, digestive complaints, toothache, painful menstruation and retained placenta[238]. They have also been used to treat TB. and headaches[155, 172]. An infusion of the roots is used externally to treat body aches[257]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[238].