January News View on our Website [http://www.taosherb.com/emails/january11.html] Mobile/Text Version [http://www.taosherb.com/emails/january11.txt] [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taos-Herb-Online/145296588853266] [http://www.taosherb.com] In This Issue: Wild Bear Root: Osha [#1]Bear Story Contest Winner [#3]: Read the StoriesWild Bear Root: Osha "The most widely used herbal medicine in the Southwest." --Michael Moore, Los Remedios: Traditional Herbal Remedies of the Southwest [http://www.taosherb.com/store/osha_root_extract_wild_bear_root_2oz.html] Ligusticum poteri Osha [http://www.taosherb.com/store/osha_root_extract_wild_bear_root_2oz.html] or oshá (Chuchupate) is a mountain plant, and can be found in deep, moist soils rich in organic material at elevations between 9000 - 10,000 ft. in Taos County of New Mexico and other Rocky Mountain regions of the Southwest. Osha plants form large clumps, and in areas of New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah, can reach heights of 6 to 7 feet. They produce circular colonies with dozens of root crowns growing from a central root mass. Osha are seriously threatened in many areas due to over harvesting. Since osha defies cultivation outside of its habitat, commercial osha root [http://www.taosherb.com/store/Osha_Root.html] is almost entirely harvested from wild stands of the plant. Our Taos Herb Company Osha is ethically wild crafted to protect the plant population of this very important and sacred root. Native Americans of North America often observed that bears would look for osha and consume the plant roots directly after emerging from winter hibernation or when wounded or sick. Osha is commonly used today by the Taos, and other Northern New Mexican Pueblo People for a variety of purposes, including placing a root in irrigation acequias (ditches) to inhibit cutworms and other larvae. In the Jicarilla language, osha is called ha'ich'idéé. The White Mountain Apache call it ha'il chii' gah. According to White Mountain Apache elders, it is used for a wide variety of applications. Osha is a native american word for bear, and is referred to as "Bear Medicine" since the plants are eaten by bears for what appear to be medicinal purposes. [http://www.taosherb.com/store/Osha_Root.html] Osha Root [http://www.taosherb.com/store/Osha_Root.html Grows in the Rocky Mountains In his seminal publication Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West [http://www.taosherb.com/store/Medicinal_Plants_of_the_Mountain_West_book_by_Michael_Moore.html], Michael Moore states "I have at least once been offered quantities of Osha root for purchase when the picker had mistakenly dug water hemlock roots, a deadly poison! Even the Spanish New Mexicans make mistakes, for one little valley is blithely labeled "Osha Canyon" on all maps, but is crawling with ...Conioselinum. If the plant is at least two or three feet tall, but the seeds have little thin bracts reflexed downward it is not Osha, but hemlock parsley (Conioselinum). The root is smaller with little scent, whereas Osha stinks!" "Poison Hemlock looks very much like Osha but never grows above 7,500 feet. Water Hemlock can grow as high as 9200 feet, but the leaves are much coarser resembling a combination of celery and marijuana." -- Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West [http://www.taosherb.com/store/Medicinal_Plants_of_the_Mountain_West_book_by_Michael_Moore.html]. [http://www.taosherb.com/store/osha_root_extract_wild_bear_root_2oz.html] Osha Root is also known by the following names: Porter's Lovage, Colorado Cough Root, Chuchupate, "Indian Parsley", mountain ginseng, and Bear Medicine. Wild Bear Osha Root Extract 1 oz. [http://www.taosherb.com/store/osharootwildbear1oz.html] and 2 oz [http://www.taosherb.com/store/osha_root_extract_wild_bear_root_2oz.html]. is now on sale [http://www.taosherb.com/store/specials.html] through Jan. 10, 2011, along with 30 frequently requested erbal extracts and products [http://www.taosherb.com/store/specials.html]. Ocha Syrup [http://www.taosherb.com/store/ocha_root_syrup.html], is made from the wild Osha root from the mountains of New Mexico.Use One Tablespoon in a glass of warm water. Contains: Osha root, White Pine bark, Yerba santa, Grindelia, Wild cherry bark, Anise seed, Aralia root (American Spikenard), Poplar bud, local honey, organic grain alcohol, distilled water, vegetable glycerin. Osha contains oxytocin and should not be ingested or used by women who are nursing or pregnant. This product is not intended to diagnose or cure any disease. If you are sick or believe you might be sick, consult your doctor. Email Feedback [mailto:news@taosherb.com] | Facebook Feedback [http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=93&uid=145296588853266] Our Bear Story Contest Winner [http://www.taosherb.com/store/bearstory.html]The winning Bear Story was submitted by April Mondragon Abbott. Read April's Bear Story [http://www.taosherb.com/store/bearstory.html], and 4 more delightful stories by Drew Waepew-Awaehsaeh, Marie Kulman, Lois West, and Walter Gale. "One day I was picking arnica quietly on a slope on my hands and knees and heard a big crunch. About 30 feet away stood a big pumpkin-colored bear." We asked our readers to complete the story. A $25 Gift Certificate has been issued for April from the Taos Herb Company store. Email Feedback [mailto:news@taosherb.com] | Facebook Feedback [http://www.taosherb.com/emails/january11.txt] [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taos-NM/Taos-Herb-Company/369811088602] To ensure delivery of this newsletter to your inbox and to allow images to load in future mailings, please add news@taosherb.com to your e-mail address book or safe senders list. Should you no longer wish to receive these messages you may unsubscribe [http://www.taosherb.com/store/subscribe_free_newsletter.html] or change your subscription [http://www.taosherb.com/store/subscribe_free_newsletter.html] to receive emails only once a month, but you would not be informed about featured products and special offers. Subscribe to receive monthy news and emails [http://www.taosherb.com/store/subscribe_free_newsletter.html] Taos Herb Company www.TaosHerb.com 710 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Suite J Taos, NM 87571 Tel: 1-800-353-1991 news@taosherb.com [mailto:news@taosherb.com]Taos News Company is committed to recognizing your need for appropriate protection and management of contact information you share with us. We do not sell or share our mailing list with other marketers, and you may unsubscribe [http://www.taosherb.com/store/subscribe_free_newsletter.html] from our mailing list at any time. Statements made in this email have not been evaluated by FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.