Yerba Santa, or eriodictyon californicum, translates to the “sacred herb” or the “holy herb”. It is also called ‘mountain balsam’ and ‘bear plant’. Yerba Santa is sacred in both its name and its powerful abilities.
Botany
This sacred herb is found on dry and rocky slopes. The species is native to California and Oregon, but thrives in many different habitats, including forests and chaparral environments. Yerba santa is a low and shrubby plant, growing 2 to 1.20 meters high. It has a smooth and resinous stem and the leaves are thick, leathery and yellowish. It blooms small, purple flowers that carry a soft and sweet scent. It is tart, sweet, bitter, astringent, warm and dry, making it beneficial to multiple body systems.
Functions and indications
Yerba Santa is known for its affinity with the respiratory tract, but also supports our digestion, immune system and skin. It supports our airways by helping to expel excess mucus and supports the immune system by releasing irritants and making coughs more productive. It is especially useful for a hard, dry cough and can also help soothe a nagging, spasmodic cough. Finally, Yerba Santa can open the chest and sinuses.
When it comes to digestion, Yerba Santa’s bitter properties can help improve appetite and a sluggish digestive tract. An optimally functioning digestive tract is critical to skin health, making Yerba Santa a great herb for thriving skin. In addition, Yerba Santa soothes skin irritations locally.
Preparations
For medicinal use, the dried leaf is prepared as a short decoction (infused in water) or a tincture (extracted in alcohol and/or water and glycerin). A short decoction is ideal because of its bitterness, which will increase the longer it is steeped. Decoctions are also ideal when the herb is used topically to soothe the skin. Tinted yerba santa is a great way to access the beneficial compounds because alcohol helps extract them effectively. It can also be made into a syrup, which is great when used to support coughs. It is just sweet enough to still have a pleasant taste.
Folklore and Energetics
On a less scientific note, yerba santa is known to have feminine energy and promotes physical beauty, especially when you bathe in it. Tribes in California, Arizona and Nevada have used it in herbal bundle sticks used as swabs to purify and protect the skin. everything that is ancient and sacred.
Whether it’s beauty or breathing, the anxious Yerba Santa is here to support and soothe!
Rebecca Younger is passionate about herbs and women’s health. She strives to plant seeds of inspiration within her community about plant medicine and healthier ways of living. She studied herbal medicine at Herbalism Roots in Denver and is a certified Doula through the Matrona Foundation. She is the customer journey leader at WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
Read further