Yerba Santa

Species Name: Eriodictyon californicum

Also Known As: holy herb, eriodictyon, eriodictyol, Eriodictyon glutinosum, tarweed, consumptive weed, bear's weed, mountain balm, gum plant, gum bush, bearsweed, sacred herb, and Wigandia californicum.

Native to the western United States, yerba santa is an evergreen aromatic shrub that develops a woody root stalk.

This plant is often cultivated in yards as an ornamental shrub for its hairy, lance-shaped leaves and white to lavender colored flowers.

What is Yerba Santa? Yerba santa products are generally made from the dried leaf of the plant, sometimes including the flowers. It is available as an alcohol tincture, tea, capsule, or syrup.

Yerba Santa Tea Preparation:

Yerba Santa tea can be made from 1 teaspoon of dried herb, steeped for 30 minutes in 8 ounces of boiling water.

This tea can be taken internally or used topically as a wash.

Home Remedies Using Yerba Santa:

Benefits of Yerba Santa:

For centuries Yerba Santa was used by Northwest Native American healers for both medicinal and spiritual use.

Medicinally it was used in the treatment of respiratory illnesses, and to heal bruises and cuts. The sticky leaf of the plant was often used to seal a wound until a better bandage could be devised.

Yerba Santa was also utilized in the treatment of rheumatic pain and tuberculosis.

Spiritual use of the herb has led to its common names like holy herb or sacred herb. Yerba Santa was believed to assist the soul in the process of awakening, creating deep soul experiences.

Yerba Santa is still used today to treat respiratory diseases. It is a popular expectorant and is often recommended in the treatment of coughs, colds, asthma, allergy attacks, tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, and to reduce fever.

You will find Yerba Santa in many herbal cough syrups. It is taken internally as an overall health tonic that helps combat fatigue and protect against the effects of stress. It can be helpful in treating spasms.

Topical uses of Yerba Santa extract include its use in the treatment of bruises, sprains, wounds, insect bites, or joint pain.

Yerba Santa is undergoing research as a substitute for tobacco use, and as a moisturizer for the skin.

Side Effects of Yerba Santa:

Yerba Santa is believed to be safe for most adults when taken orally or used topically. The potential side effects have not been studied.

Because this herb has not been studied for side effects it is recommended that you not use Yerba Santa if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.