Scientific Name: Yerba Santa
Other Names: Bear's Weed, Consumptive's Weed, Eriodictyon californicum, Eriodictyon glutinosum, 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?Precautions
Very little information is available on how yerba santa might affect a developing fetus or an infant. Therefore, its use is not recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
What side effects should I watch for?
No side effects have been reported from the use of yerba santa. However, few reliable studies of yerba santa have been conducted so its possible side effects may not be known. Individuals who experience unexpected effects while using yerba santa should stop it and contact a doctor or pharmacist.
What interactions should I watch for?
No interactions have been reported between yerba santa and prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, other herbal supplements, or foods. However, because few reliable studies of yerba santa have been conducted, its possible interactions with drugs, foods, and other dietary supplements are not understood completely. Be sure that your doctor and pharmacist are aware of all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use yerba santa or any other herbal supplement.
Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how yerba santa interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.
Should I take it?
An evergreen that is native to the dry areas of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico, yerba santa is used frequently as an ornamental shrub along the Pacific coast and into the coastal mountains. In dry areas, the plants are usually less than 4 feet tall, but they can reach a height of 6 feet to 8 feet when they grow in milder mountain areas. The rubbery leaves of yerba santa are shiny on the top surfaces and hairy on the bottoms. Like the stems of the plant, the leaves produce a sticky resin with a pleasant smell similar to pine resin. In the early summer, clusters of white, lavender, or blue-colored flowers bloom on central stalks.
The natives of the American Southwest and northern Mexico have used yerba santa for generations, introducing it to the Spanish who came to the area in the late 18th century. Native people used it to treat breathing and digestive problems, as well as for injuries. Its common name translates from the Spanish as "sacred herb" reflecting its importance in folk medicine of the region. For medicine, yerba santa leaves are gathered after the plant blooms. Leaves are used either fresh or dried and they may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin. Yerba santa's pleasant taste is often used to disguise bitter-tasting medicines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not evaluate herbal products, but it has recognized yerba santa as a flavoring agent for beverages, drugs, and foods.
Dosage and Administration
A tea may be made from yerba santa by chopping or crushing about one teaspoonful of fresh or dried leaves, pouring about 8 ounces of boiling water over them, and letting them soak for 30 minutes. The solid particles are strained out before drinking the tea, which may be taken cold or reheated up to three times a day. Due to its pleasant taste, yerba santa tea may be added to other herbal teas to improve the flavor.
The resinous (sticky) parts of yerba santa do not dissolve well in water, however, so extracts and tinctures of yerba santa are commonly made with alcohol as a base. Extracts are concentrated liquid preparations usually made by soaking chopped or mashed plant parts in a liquid, and then straining out the solid parts. Tinctures are less concentrated than extracts, but they are prepared in similar ways. Individuals who decide to use a yerba santa extract or tincture should follow the directions on the label of the package that is purchased.
Summary
Yerba santa may be taken by mouth to treat coughing from a variety of respiratory ailments. It may also be applied to the skin to relieve soreness.
Risks
Pregnant and breast-feeding women are advised to avoid taking yerba santa.
Side Effects
No side effects have been reported after taking or applying yerba santa.
Interactions
No interactions have been reported between yerba santa and prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, other herbal products, or foods.
Last Revised October 19, 2007
References
Anon: Yerba santa. In: DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA, eds. Facts and Comparisons: The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, MO, Facts and Comparisons. March 1991.
Grieve M. Yerba santa. In: A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publishers, 1971. Available at: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html Posted 1995. Accessed June 6, 2003.
Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al, eds. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 3rd Edition. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2000.
Ley JP, Krammer G, Reinders G, Gatfield IL, Bertram HJ. Evaluation of bitter masking flavanones from Herba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum (H. and A.) Torr., Hydrophyllaceae). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2005;53(15):6061-6066.
Liu YL, Ho DK, Cassady JM, Cook VM, Baird WM. Isolation of potential cancer chemopreventive agents from Eriodictyon californicum. Journal of Natural Products. 1992;55(3):3573-3563.
Peirce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: Stonesong Press; 1999.
Plants for a Future Database. Eriodictyon californicum. No date given. Available at: http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Eriodictyon+californicum. Accessed June 6, 2003.
Salle AJ, Jann GJ, Wayne LG. Studies on the antibacterial properties of Eriodictyon californicum. Archives of Biochemistry. 1951;32(1):121-123.
Sievers AF. The Herb Hunters Guide. Misc. Publ. No. 77. USDA, Washington DC. 1930.
Last Revised October 19, 2007
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.