Barestem lomatium

Lomatium nudicaule (in Boas: Peucedanum)

An umbellifer with blue-green leaves and yellow umbels. The seeds are strongly aromatic; related lomatiums are being studied for antiviral effects.

Safety notes

An umbellifer: never confuse it with the deadly water hemlock or poison hemlock. Related lomatiums can cause a rash when taken internally. Not in pregnancy. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.

Cautions by tradition (1)

Kwakwaka'wakw medicine: Never confuse it with water hemlock or poison hemlock. Not in pregnancy.

Preparation

Chew the seeds and blow them onto the painful place; for sore throat and cough keep them in the mouth and swallow the saliva.

Use in traditions

The Kwakwaka'wakw kept the seed carefully for when someone had a headache. The healer chewed it for a long time, blew it onto the patient's head and wrapped a warm cloth around it. It was also blown onto belly, back, throat and feet, and sprinkled into a steam bath with devil's club, 'for this is a very strong medicine'. The Kwakwaka'wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth also burn the seeds as incense at funerals, and singers chew them to ease their throats.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Kwakwaka'wakw medicine

Attributed effects

For headache, stomach ache, backache, constipation, swellings and cough. Also incense at funerals, and chewed by singers.

Preparation and amount

Chew the seed for a long time and blow it onto the head, with a warm cloth around it; blow onto belly, back or feet; for sore throat and cough keep it in the mouth and swallow the saliva. A handful in the steam bath with devil's club.

Caution: Never confuse it with water hemlock or poison hemlock. Not in pregnancy.

Ways to prepare herbs: Steam and bath

Sources

All herbs from North America →