Yerba santa
Scientific names: Eriodictyon californicum, Eriodictyon angustifolium, Eriodictyon glutinosum, Wigandia californicum
Family: Hydrophyllaceae
Alternate names: Bear's Weed, Consumptive's Weed, Eriodictyon, Gum Bush, Gum Plant, Herbe des Montagnes, Herbe à Ourse, Herbe Sacrée, Herbe Sainte, Hierba Santa, Holy Herb, Holy Weed, Mountain Balm, Sacred Herb, Santa Herba, Tarweed
Actions: Anti-oxidant properties, Anti-parasitic, Cancer
Background
Yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum) is a shrub native to North America. Its leaf is used in traditional Native American medicine.
Yerba santa contains chemicals that might loosen mucus in the chest. It also contains chemicals that might help with weight loss.
People use yerba santa for respiratory infections, fever, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Yerba santa contains chemicals that might loosen mucus in the chest. It also contains chemicals that might help with weight loss.
People use yerba santa for respiratory infections, fever, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Yerba santa is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information available to know if yerba santa is safe or what the side effects might be when used in larger amounts as medicine.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information available to know if yerba santa is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information available to know if yerba santa is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if yerba santa is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using yerba santa for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of yerba santa might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Yerba Santa interacts with any medicines. Before taking Yerba Santa, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 01/05/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 17/09/2014 17:37:42. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
