Yerba Santa's therapeutic uses
Yerba Santa, an evergreen plant native to the American Southwest, is recognized for its potential therapeutic uses. Traditionally known as "holy weed," it has been employed to address respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis, as well as to alleviate symptoms of the common cold. The leaves of Yerba Santa can be brewed into a tea, although its resinous components are better extracted in alcoholic tinctures. In addition to respiratory benefits, Yerba Santa has been suggested for treating skin conditions such as poison ivy and bruises, and may also offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Recent research in the 2020s is exploring its effectiveness in areas such as neuroprotection and weight loss, as well as its potential role in dementia treatment. While it is generally considered safe for use as a food flavoring, certain populations, including young children and pregnant or nursing women, may need to exercise caution, as safety for these groups has not been thoroughly established. Overall, while Yerba Santa holds a historical place in herbal medicine, further scientific studies are necessary to validate its therapeutic claims.
Yerba Santa's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Asthma, bronchitis, common cold, poison ivy, rash, antioxidant, pain, inflammation, fever, digestive issues, skin conditions
Overview
Yerba Santa is a sticky-leafed evergreen native to the American Southwest. Spanish Catholic priests, impressed with its medicinal properties, gave it its name, which means "holy weed." The aromatic leaves were boiled to make a tea to treat coughs, colds, asthma, pleurisy, tuberculosis, and pneumonia, and a poultice of the leaves was applied to painful joints.
Unlike many medicinal herbs, Yerba Santa actually has a pleasant taste. It has been used as a general food flavoring and in cough syrups to disguise the bad taste of other ingredients.
Therapeutic Dosages
Yerba Santa tea may be made by adding 1 teaspoon of crushed leaves to a cup of boiling water and steeping for half an hour. However, many of its resinous constituents do not dissolve in water, so alcoholic tinctures of Yerba Santa are commonly used.
Therapeutic Uses
Yerba Santa is often used to treat the common cold and chronic respiratory problems, such as bronchitis and asthma. It appears to aid in loosening phlegm, reducing inflammation, and improving airflow. However, there is little meaningful scientific evidence to indicate that it was effective and that clinical studies of Yerba Santa are ongoing. Scientifically, one of its constituents, eriodictyol, might have mild expectorant properties. Only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can determine the effectiveness of a substance, and none have been performed on Yerba Santa’s respiratory benefits. Also, topical Yerba Santa has been recommended to treat poison ivy and bruises. Clinical studies in the 2020s indicated that Yerba Santa might be effective as a neuroprotective and antioxidant supplement and aid in weight loss; however, further study is needed. Also in the 2020s, researchers began to investigate Yerba Santa as a treatment for dementia. The anti-inflammatory properties that allow Yerba Santa to treat repository issues may also help muscle and joint pain. Yerba Santa has traditionally been used to reduce fevers and may aid digestive issues.
Safety Issues
Yerba Santa is on the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) list for use as a food flavoring. There have been no reports of significant side effects or adverse reactions, except for the inevitable occasional allergic reaction. Nonetheless, safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, and those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Bibliography
"Identifying New Treatments for Dementia from the Museum's Plant Collection." San Diego Natural History Museum, 10 Mar. 2020, www.sdnhm.org/blog/blog‗details/identifying-new-treatments-for-dementia-from-the-museums-plant-collection/138. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.
Kim, Soo-Yeon, et al. "Anti-Obesity Effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguariensis): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial." BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 15, no. 338, 2015, doi.org/10.1186/s12906-015-0859-1. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.
Tierra, M. The Way of Herbs. New York: Pocket Books; 1990.
"Yerba Santa Uses, Benefits & Side Effects." Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/npc/yerba-santa.html. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.