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.

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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