Yerba Santa
Eriodictyon californicum
A shrub from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico whose leaves have been used by Indigenous peoples for centuries, especially for breathing problems.
Safety at a glance
- PregnancyNothing recorded
- BreastfeedingNothing recorded
- MedicinesNothing recorded
- Who should avoid itNothing recorded
- AllergiesNothing recorded
- ToxicityNothing recorded
Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.
What is Yerba Santa?
- Plant family
- Namaceae, the nama family
- Parts used
- The leaves
- Where it grows
- Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico
- Genus
- Eriodictyon
- Species
- californicum
Also called
California Yerba Santa, Eriodictyon
Traditionally used for
- Breathing problems (traditional)
- Cough
Traditionally described as
- Traditionally used for breathing problems
Health topics
Where Yerba Santa appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Cough
Traditionally used by Indigenous peoples for breathing problems. It hasn't been studied in people.
Traditions that use it
- Native American Ethnobotany
Used by Indigenous peoples for centuries for various ailments, especially breathing problems.
How it's prepared
Common ways Yerba Santa is prepared or sold. This isn't advice on how to take it; see Safety below.
- Poultice
The Miwok put a poultice of the leaves on aching or sore spots.[1]Study
- Tea / Infusion
The Miwok took an infusion (tea) of the leaves and flowers for coughs and colds.[1]Study
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
Yerba santa species have been used by Indigenous peoples for centuries to treat various ailments, especially breathing problems. Despite this long history, many species have never been fully studied.[2]Study
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
Chemical studies found yerba santa leaves contain an essential oil (including 1,8-cineole, also found in eucalyptus) and plant compounds such as eriodictyol, sterubin and rosmarinic acid. Their effects in people haven't been tested.[1]Study
In short
It hasn't been studied in people for any health use.
Sources
- [1] Chemical Composition of Eriodictyon californicum (California Yerba Santa) Cultivated in Ontario, Oregon, USA — Molecules · DOI: 10.3390/molecules31081356Peer-reviewed study
- [2] Chemical characterization and quantitative determination of flavonoids and phenolic acids in yerba santa (Eriodictyon spp.) using UHPLC/DAD/Q-ToF — Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis · DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115570Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.