USE OF THE LOMATIUM ROOT

A NUMBER OF CALIFORNIA INDIGENOUS TRIBES USED THE LOMATIUM ROOT AS A MEDICINE (LOMATIUM CALIFORNICUM). THE ROOT WAS DUG UP WITH A DIGGING STICK AND TRADED AMONG TRIBES. IT HAS AN ABILITY TO MULTIPLY BY LEAVING SOME OF THE RHIZOMES IN THE SOIL. THEY BOILED THE ROOT TO MAKE A BITTER TEA THAT HAD A GREAT QUANTITY OF VITAMIN C. IT WAS ALSO KNOWN FOE CURING HEADACHES BY INHALATION.

IN ARIZONA IT WAS USED IN THE 1940'S FOR CURING THE EPEDEMIC OF THE FLU. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS ROOT WHEN I WAS AN ARCHAEOLOGIST THERE BUT IT PROBABLY GREW WITHIN SHADED DRAINAGES.

IT SMELLS LIKE A BITTER TURNUP AND IS EASILY RECOGNIZED BY ITS 6 - 8 UMBLES OF FLOWER HEADS WHICH CONTAIN SEEDS. APPARENTLY IT IS USED AS AN ANTIBIOTIC AND THE ROOT CAN BE DRIED AND GROUND FOR STORING FOR FUTURE USE. THERE WERE OVER 30 SPECIES OF LOMATIUM IN THE NORTH COAST RANGES.