Yerba Santa
Other names: bear’s weed, consumptives weed, gum plant, mountain balm, tar weed
Scientific name: Eriodictyon glutinosum
Common names:
Ayurvedic names:
Chinese names:
Bangladesh names: Yerba Santa
Arabic names: يربا سانتا (Yerba Santa)
Rain Forest names:
Family: Fabaceae
Approximate number of species known:
Common parts used: Leaf
Collection:
Annual/Perennial: Perennial
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Actions: aromatic, expectorant, tonic
Known Constituents: Eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, chrysocriol, zanthoeridol and eridonel. Also free formic and other acids, glycerides of fatty acids, a yellow volatile oil, a phytosterol, resin and glucose
Constituents Explained:
Description:
Yerba santa is an evergreen shrub; it is somewhat branching and grows to a height of 2-4 feet. The stems are smooth and exude a gummy substance. Leaves are 3-4 inches long, distinctively woolly on the undersides, containing a network of prominent veins, and the resinous substance appears as if the woolly fibers have been varnished; upper surface is smooth with depressed veins. The flowers are terminal, appearing in shades of dark lavender to pale shades of lavender to white; forming funnel-shaped clusters at the top of the plant. The honey is amber, with a slightly spicy flavor. Bees love this plant. The capsule fruit is oval, grayish-brown and contains small brown shriveled seeds.
Traditional Use:
Used for the lungs and mucous.
Clinical Studies: