Herbs & Supplements

Eriodictyon glutinosum Scientific Name: Yerba Santa Other Names: Bear's Weed, Consumptive's Weed, Eriodictyon californicum, Gum Bush, Mountain Balm, Tarweed, Wigandia californicum Who is this for? Uses In the past, yerba santa has been used as a treatment for respiratory conditions. Because it has some expectorant properties, it helps to loosen and remove mucus from breathing passages. Yerba santa may be used to relieve coughs from conditions such as allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and colds. Although other cough and cold medications are more effective, yerba santa is often included in cough remedies because its pleasant taste hides the bitterness of other ingredients. A poultice made from fresh yerba santa leaves may be applied topically to relieve the soreness of bruises and sprains. A poultice is usually a soft cloth that has been soaked in a medication, possibly heated, and applied to an aching or injured area of skin. Historically, sticky yerba santa leaves were used to seal skin wounds before sterile bandages were widely available. When should I be careful taking it? >>

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.