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Photo by Deb Jackson
Copyright 2000 |
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Sweet Cicely
Osmorhiza longistylis
Other Names: Aniseroot, Longstyle
Sweetroot, American Sweet Cicely, Licorice root, Wild Anise
Habitat
North America native perennial herb, found growing in rich woods
and thickets Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Ontario, Alabama, Tennessee,
Kansas and Colorado. Cultivation: a very attractive plant succeeds in any deep
moisture-retentive soil in sun or dappled shade from seed or transplants. The
root of Sweet Cicely is a very aromatic with a strong smell of licorice,
it is thick with long branches, light brown out side and white fleshy inside, a
little fibrous and very strong in fragrance, with a sweet taste, you begin to
smell it as soon as the ground is broken, almost always you will find earthworms
next to the roots. The stem is branched it grows from 2 to 3 feet high, it is
reddish and smooth with many lacey light green, leaves and white flowers in an
umbelliferae atop the stem. The sweet scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have
both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Blooming from April to
May. Gather the edible roots, flowers and leaves in spring, as soon as they
bloom. Dry roots for later herb use.
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Properties
Sweet Cicely was used extensively by Native American Indian tribes
to treat digestive disorders and as an antiseptic wash for a range of problems. Sweet
Cicely is medicinal and edible, the root being the strongest for use in alternative
medicine it is antiseptic, aromatic, febrifuge, oxytocic, pectoral, stomachic,
carminative, tonic, ophthalmic, and expectorant. Medicinal tea made from the root is a
very good digestive aid and is a gentle stimulant for debilitated stomachs. A weak herb
tea is used to bath sore eyes. A strong infusion has been used to induce labor in a
pregnant woman and to treat fevers, indigestion, flatulence, stomach aches. The crushed
root is an effective antiseptic poultice for the treatment of boils and wounds. A
medicinal cough syrup can be made of the fresh juice and honey, it is very effective and
quite tasty, children take it readily. The leaves and flowers are edible in salad and add
a great flavor, or boiled and eaten as a pot herb. The root is eaten raw or dried and
ground for use as spices.Folklore
A decoction of the herb was used as nostril wash
to increase dog's sense of smell. A valuable tonic for girls from 15 to 18 years of age,
according to an old herbal. The aromatic scent is said to be an aphrodisiac, used as a
love medicine.
Recipes
Fennel seed substitute: Cut root into small pieces,
dry, grind, and sprinkle on pizza instead of fennel seed.
"Medicinal" tea: Use fresh or dried root 1 tsp. to a
cup of water, bring to boil, steep 10 min.
Article by Deb Jackson & Karen
Bergeron
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