Biscuit Root, Consumption plant, Pungent Desert Parsley

Lomatium dissectum is a member of the parsley family growing in semi-arid climates in the northwest USA. Its large root has given it the name ''biscuit root.''

This plant has traditionally been used to fight many infectious diseases, of both bacterial and viral origin, particularly those of the lungs, such as tuberculosis. Lomatium was used in the southwestern United States during the influenza pandemic of 1917 with reportedly good results.

Today, wildcrafted lomatium is a part of many herbal formulas for relieving common colds and the flu. Herbalists use Lomatium in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections such asthma and bronchitis.

Lomatium is an excellent topical antimicrobial agent, used in periodontal disease as a mouth rinse, as a fomentation or bath for skin infections, and as a douche for Candida and Gardnerella infections