by Eric Yarnell, ND, RH(AHG)
last updated 20 Jan 2022
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Table of Contents
Clinical Highlights
Clinical Fundamentals
Pharmacy Essentials
Other Names
Interchangeablity of Species
References
Clinical Fundamentals
Pharmacy Essentials
Other Names
Interchangeablity of Species
References
Clinical Highlights
Western sweet cicely is a potent antimicrobial and likely an immunostimulant.
Western sweet cicely has a licorice-like taste that can make it more palatable than its very similar cousins, Lomatium dissectum (desert parsley) and Ligusticum spp (oshá and oshala).
Western sweet cicely is extremely safe.
Western sweet cicely has a licorice-like taste that can make it more palatable than its very similar cousins, Lomatium dissectum (desert parsley) and Ligusticum spp (oshá and oshala).
Western sweet cicely is extremely safe.
Clinical Fundamentals
Part Used: the fresh root is preferred. Carefully dried root that retains the sweet taste is acceptable.
Taste: The root is sweet with a definite licorice-like element, and is earthy.
Major Actions:
These actions are based on the traditional and empirical use of the plant. No research could be identified on this plant's mechanisms of action.
Major Organ System Affinities:
Major Indictions:
Western sweet cicely is an excellent choice especially for viral respiratory tract infections of all kind. For more serious infections, as well as for bacterial and fungal infections, it usually needs to be combined with conventional medicines for best results. Western sweet cicely has empirically been very helpful in preventing and treating CoVid-19; no research is available to confirm or deny this observation.
Major Constituents:
Adverse Effects: None have been encountered to date. It is theoretically possible it could be photosensitizing, as some members of the Apiaceae are. This has not been reported or observed clinically to date.
Contraindications: It is unwise to use this in patients with active autoimmune disease due to the risk of it causing a flare-up given its likely immunostimulating effects, at least until more information becomes available on this front. So far, this has not been noted to induce flare-ups in patients with asymptomatic autoimmune thyroiditis.
There is no information on western sweet cicely's use in pregnancy or lactation. It is believed to be appropriate for short-term use to treat infections in these settings, as the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks.
Drug Interactions: None known or reported to date. It is probable that this is immunostimulating, and therefore it has the potential to interfere with immunosuppressive drugs. Until more information is available, it is not recommended for patients with autoimmune diseases or organ transplants dependent on such drugs. Empirically it does not interfere with corticosteroid use in patients with acute infections.
Taste: The root is sweet with a definite licorice-like element, and is earthy.
Major Actions:
- Antimicrobial
- Immune stimulating
These actions are based on the traditional and empirical use of the plant. No research could be identified on this plant's mechanisms of action.
Major Organ System Affinities:
- Respiratory tract
Major Indictions:
- Viral respiratory tract infections, upper and lower
- Bacterial respiratory tract infections, upper and lower
- Fungal respiratory tract infections, upper and lower
Western sweet cicely is an excellent choice especially for viral respiratory tract infections of all kind. For more serious infections, as well as for bacterial and fungal infections, it usually needs to be combined with conventional medicines for best results. Western sweet cicely has empirically been very helpful in preventing and treating CoVid-19; no research is available to confirm or deny this observation.
Major Constituents:
- Phenylpropanoids (likely)
- Furanocoumarins (likely)
Adverse Effects: None have been encountered to date. It is theoretically possible it could be photosensitizing, as some members of the Apiaceae are. This has not been reported or observed clinically to date.
Contraindications: It is unwise to use this in patients with active autoimmune disease due to the risk of it causing a flare-up given its likely immunostimulating effects, at least until more information becomes available on this front. So far, this has not been noted to induce flare-ups in patients with asymptomatic autoimmune thyroiditis.
There is no information on western sweet cicely's use in pregnancy or lactation. It is believed to be appropriate for short-term use to treat infections in these settings, as the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks.
Drug Interactions: None known or reported to date. It is probable that this is immunostimulating, and therefore it has the potential to interfere with immunosuppressive drugs. Until more information is available, it is not recommended for patients with autoimmune diseases or organ transplants dependent on such drugs. Empirically it does not interfere with corticosteroid use in patients with acute infections.
Osmorhiza occidentalis in fruit (photo copyright E. Yarnell)
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Pharmacy Essentials
Tincture: 1:2–1:3 w:v ratio, 40–50% ethanol
Acute adult dose: 1–2 ml q2h for up to 3 days or shorter (until symptoms significantly recede) then reduce to four doses a day, adjusted for body size and sensitivities
Chronic adult dose: 1–2 ml tid (less often used this way)
Acute child dose: as adult doses but adjusted to body size
Decoction: 1 tbsp of root should be simmered in 250 ml of water for 15 min, covered, strained, and one such cup drunk up to q2h for acute illness, or up to tid for chronic problems or prevention.
If you need help formulating with this herb, or any other, you can use the formulation tool. Remember that when using this herb in a formula, due to synergy, you can usually use less.
Acute adult dose: 1–2 ml q2h for up to 3 days or shorter (until symptoms significantly recede) then reduce to four doses a day, adjusted for body size and sensitivities
Chronic adult dose: 1–2 ml tid (less often used this way)
Acute child dose: as adult doses but adjusted to body size
Decoction: 1 tbsp of root should be simmered in 250 ml of water for 15 min, covered, strained, and one such cup drunk up to q2h for acute illness, or up to tid for chronic problems or prevention.
If you need help formulating with this herb, or any other, you can use the formulation tool. Remember that when using this herb in a formula, due to synergy, you can usually use less.
Other Names
Latin Synonyms:
Current correct Latin binomial: Osmorhiza occidentalis (Nutt) Torr
Glycosma ambiguum A Gray
Glycosma bolanderi A Gray
Glycosma maxima Rydb
Myrrhis ambigua Greene
Myrrhis bolanderi A Gray
Myrrhis occidentalis (Nutt ex Torr & A Gray) Benth & Hook f
Osmorhiza ambigua JM Coult & Rose
Washingtonia brevipes (A Gray) JM Coult & Rose
Washingtonia claytonii (A Gray) JM Coult & Ros
Washingtonia hildebrandtii Kuntze
English Common Names: western sweet cicely, western sweetroot
Halq̓eméylem (Upriver Halkomelem, Salish) Common Names: táqalh, táqelh (“sticks in the throat”) (Galloway 2009)
Current correct Latin binomial: Osmorhiza occidentalis (Nutt) Torr
Glycosma ambiguum A Gray
Glycosma bolanderi A Gray
Glycosma maxima Rydb
Myrrhis ambigua Greene
Myrrhis bolanderi A Gray
Myrrhis occidentalis (Nutt ex Torr & A Gray) Benth & Hook f
Osmorhiza ambigua JM Coult & Rose
Washingtonia brevipes (A Gray) JM Coult & Rose
Washingtonia claytonii (A Gray) JM Coult & Ros
Washingtonia hildebrandtii Kuntze
English Common Names: western sweet cicely, western sweetroot
Halq̓eméylem (Upriver Halkomelem, Salish) Common Names: táqalh, táqelh (“sticks in the throat”) (Galloway 2009)
Interchangeability of Species
Other American species of Osmorhiza were also traditionally used medicinally are likely at least somewhat interchangeable, though the author has no experience using any other species. O. berteroi DC (mountain sweet cicely) root were and are also used by the Pikuni (Southern Piikani, part of the Niitsitapi or Blackfoot people) for respiratory infections (Hungry Wolf 2006). O. longistylis (Torr) DC (long-style sweetroot) root also appears to have a history of similar use.
References
Galloway BD (2009) Dictionary of Upriver Halkomelem, Volume I (Berkeley: University of California Press).
Hungry Wolf A (2006) The Blackfoot Papers, Volume 1: Pikunni History and Culture (Good Medicine Cultural Foundation).
Hungry Wolf A (2006) The Blackfoot Papers, Volume 1: Pikunni History and Culture (Good Medicine Cultural Foundation).