Names
Shoshone: doy.yah.oh.hah.gahn (Yellow on the Mountain)
English: Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Scientific: Balsamorhiza sagittata
Zone
Upper Foothills
Harvest Time
- Roots – April, May
- Flowers – September
- Seeds – Fall
Primary Uses
- Root to treat lung infection or congestion
- Seeds pounded into mush
- Stems are eaten as trail food
Secondary Uses
- Topical anti-inflammatory
Cautions
Does not store well for winter use
Can be preserved in honey or alcohol
Active Principle(s)
- Resins and glycosides
Video Description of Plant
Click play on the video to learn more about this plant.
Notes
General Uses
- Seeds are protein source
- Roots:
- Medicine steamed for lungs tea for infection and improve circulation
Medicinal Uses
- Allergy: Steamed dried root inhaled
- Antibacterial: Decoction of dried root drank and steam inhaled
- Anti-inflammatory: Decoction of dried root drank and steam inhaled
- Antiviral: Decoction of dried root drank and steam inhaled
- Chest: Steam of boiled root inhaled
- Congestion: Steam of boiled root inhaled
- Cough: Tea and steam inhaled
- Healing: Root steam inhaled for lungs
- Immune: Root tea
- Infection: Inhale steam for lung infections
- Lungs: Root tea (steam): decongestant antimicrobial
- Lymph: Root tea daily improves circulation of blood and lymph
- Neuropathy: Root tea is drunk to improve circulation
- Pneumonia: Inhale steam, bronchodilation; disinfectant
- Rash: Root is anti-inflammatory for rash and injuries
- Skin: Root for burns, blisters, bruises, injuries
- Stomach: Root tea for stomach pain
- Swelling: Root for wound dressing
- Throat: Root tea 3x/day for cough, pharyngitis
- Urinary Tract Infection: Root tea for UTIs
- Wounds: Root infusion as dressing
Process Prep
- Roots are cooked in trenches overnight; Peeled stems are trail food, “fast food of the mountains; seeds are pounded and cooked into a meal”
- Medicine Root. Steam 3-5x/day. Tea 3x/day