PARSIPPANY, N.J.—The American Herbal Pharmacopeia (AHP) is working with the United Plant Savers (UpS) and University of Kansas botanist Kelly Kindscher to develop an AHP Monograph and Therapeutic Compendium for the North American native botanical osha.

Osha—Ligusticum porter—is an environmentally sensitive plant that has been neglected in terms of research. AHP will provide a suite of scientifically valid identification tests, which is critical because adulteration with potentially deadly species from the Apiaceae family can occur.  

“We are hoping the monograph, which will address identification, adulteration and sustainable harvesting practices, along with formal population studies, will help strike an appropriate balance between its use and availability, so we may approach the use of this plant safely and very consciously," AHP president Roy Upton said.

The genesis of the monograph arose from prior studies partially funded by the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) ERB Foundation and the United States Forestry Service. So far, AHP has received positive response from industry regarding the development of the monograph, along with initial seed funding even before formal announcement of the project.

“We hope this will underscore the importance of this monograph to other industry members and encourage further financial support for this important work," Upton said.