Ligusticum

Taxobox


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Ligusticum mutellinoides"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Apiales
familia = Apiaceae
tribus = Selineae
genus = "Ligusticum"
genus_authority = L.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text

"Ligusticum" is a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae, native to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its name is believed to derive from the Italian region of Liguria.Huxley, A., ed. (1992). "New RHS Dictionary of Gardening". Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.]

They are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Mouse Moth which has been recorded on "L. scoticum".

pecies

*"Ligusticum ajanense"
*"Ligusticum apiifolium" - Celeryleaf Licorice-root
*"Ligusticum brachylobum"
*"Ligusticum calderi" - Calder's Licorice-root
*"Ligusticum californicum" - California Licorice-root
*"Ligusticum canadense" - Canadian Licorice-root
*"Ligusticum canbyi" - Canby's Licorice-root
*"Ligusticum filicinum" - Fernleaf Licorice-root
*"Ligusticum gingidium"
*"Ligusticum grayi" - Gray's Licorice-root
*"Ligusticum holopetalum"
*"Ligusticum hultenii"
*"Ligusticum huteri"
*"Ligusticum ibukicola"
*"Ligusticum jeholense"
*"Ligusticum monnieri"
*"Ligusticum mutellina" - Alpine Lovage
*"Ligusticum mutellinoides" - Small Alpine Lovage
*"Ligusticum porteri" - Osha or Porter's Licorice-root
*"Ligusticum scoticum" - Scots Lovage
*"Ligusticum sinense - Kao-pau
*"Ligusticum tenuifolium" - Idaho Licorice-root
*"Ligusticum vaginatum"
*"Ligusticum verticillatum" - Northern Licorice-root
*"Ligusticum wallichii" - Chuānxiōng

Uses

The roots of two species are used as medicinal herbs. "L. wallichii" is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in Chinese herbology, where it is called "chuānxiōng" (); in English, Szechwan Lovage. [ [http://www.herbasin.com/database/chuanxiong.htm Page about use in Chinese medicine] ] "L. porteri" (Osha) is used in Western herbal medicine.

"Ligusticum wallichii" (Ligusticum) root or "L. porteri" (Osha) root can be soaked in ethanol (whisky, vodka, etc.) for at least a month. The resulting tincture is an effective, though pungent, liniment for sore muscles that can be stored (in a cool place) indefinitely.

References