• Basic Info

Category

Herbs & Supplements

Synonyms

Apiose, big turnip, biscuit root, chocolate tip, coniferyl ferulate, cough root, coumarin glycosides, cous (Nimipu), desert parnip, fernleaf biscuit root, fern-leafed lomatium, ferula dissolute, ferulic acid, flavonoids, Indian balsam, Indian carrot, Indian consumption plant, Indian desert parsnip, Indian parsnip, leptotaenia, leptotaenia dissecta, lomatium, Lomatium californicum, Lomatium dissectum, Lomatium grayi, Lomatium nuttallii, Lomatium suksdorfii, luteolin, pungent desert parsley, suksdorfin, tetronic acid, tohza, toza, Umbelliferae (family), wild black carrot, wild carrot.

Background

Lomatium is a genus of 70 to 80 perennial herbs, which are native to western North America. Species include Lomatium dissectum, Lomatium grayi, Lumatium nuttalii, and Lomatium suksdorfii. Much of the information reported by scientific and by traditional or historical sources refers to desert parsley (Lomatium dissectum).

Desert parsley has been used by many Native American tribes to treat a wide variety of infections, mainly of the lungs. Historical and traditional sources report that desert parsley was used during the influenza pandemic of 1917 with positive results.

Lomatium species have inhibited rotavirus and HIV-1 replication in some laboratory studies.

There is limited scientific and human research involving Lomatium dissectum or any other species of Lomatium. More high quality scientific and human studies are needed before any conclusions about the clinical use of desert parsley can be made.

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
AIDS/HIV, antibacterial, anticoagulant (blood thinning), antifungal, antiviral, asthma, boils, bronchitis, bruises, chronic fatigue syndrome, colds, cough, dandruff, Epstein-Barr virus infection (mononucleosis), fibromyalgia, food uses, gastrointestinal conditions, hay fever, hepatitis (hepatitis C), herpes simplex, influenza, pneumonia, pulmonary conditions, rheumatism, sinusitis (sinus inflammation), tonic, tonsillitis, trachoma (eye disease), tuberculosis, upper respiratory infections, weight gain, wound healing.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for desert parsley. Nonetheless, desert parsley extracts with the resin removed (lomatium isolates) have been taken in doses of 1-3 milliliters daily. Desert parsley has also been taken by mouth as a tea or tincture.

Children (under 18 years old)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for desert parsley in children.