Bear Root – an herb whose usage was taught to the human beings from the bears themselves. Sounds like a myth? Well the Navajo legend states that the tribes of Rocky Mountain learned how to use this herb from the brown bears.

Therefore, this is where the name ‘bear root’ comes from. The bears tend to chew the roots of the bear root into a dilute paste and rub the maceration into their fur by rolling on it and covering their bodies with its fragrance. It is believed that they tend to do this to save themselves from harmful parasites and infections. Bears also tend to eat it when they come out of hibernation in order to cleanse their digestive system.

This is why it is also commonly known as bear medicine. In fact, it has also been seen that male bears tend to dig up bear roots to offer them to female bears. Thus, bear root can be considered as the red rose of the romantic world of bears.

Scientifically known as Ligusticum Porteri, it also has several other interesting names such as chuchupaste, empress of the dark forest, Indian parsley, mountain carrot, osha root, porter’s wild lovage and so on. It is a genus of around 25 diverse varieties of perennials and it comes from the Apiaceae family.

As the above legend suggests already, bear root is native to the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is a huge hairy perennial that loves to beautify itself with large dark green divided leaves, dark brown hairy roots and hollow stems.

Its long thin stalk can grow to be around three feet. It also shows off its lovely aroma that is akin to celery. Not to forget its petite white flowers at the top of the plant in umbels that boasts its sweet celery-like fragrance in the summer.

Bear root is not only beautiful from the outside but also from the inside. It possesses volatile oils and essential oils along with warm and bitter alkaloid. This aids in enhancing the flow of blood in the coronary arteries and brain, improves digestions, increases perspiration and stimulates circulation, kidneys and uterus.

It also contains imperative elements such as lactone glycoside, phytosterols and ferulic acid. The oils, seeds and roots all of this camphoraceous warming herb can be utilized for different purposes. It simultaneously acts as the following:

• antiviral – this eliminates or abates viruses to cure illnesses such as flue or respiratory disorders

• carminative – this helps in gas discharge from stomach or intestines

• decongestant – this removes congestion

• diaphoretic – this helps in increasing perspiration

• diuretic – this enhances the flow of  urine

• expectorant – this aids in excavating mucus

• stimulant – this promotes activity

It can be used as internal medicines to cure infections in bronchitis, menstrual cramps, digestive disorders, nausea, fevers, sore throats, colds, dry and wet coughs, tonsillitis, toothaches and viral infections; and also as external medicines as a remedy for minor injuries and skin wounds and cuts to prevent infection.

Apart from remedial benefits, bear root works magic in the world of cookery. This is because its leaves and seed have a flavor and fragrance that resembles chervil, celery and parsley. You can obtain this bear root in oil form or as a dried root.