An herb entry from the Ancient Herbs and Modern Herbs book by James K. Sayre, Copyright, 2001. All rights reserved.
Yerba Santa - Eriodictyon californicum - family: Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family).
This is an aromatic evergreen shrub that grows to about ten feet high.
It has thick lance-to-oblong-shaped leaves. In the spring and summer it
produces clusters of small funnel-shaped flowers that range in color from
lavender to white. Capsules follow the flowers and contain dark-colored
seeds. Traditional Native American and American pioneer use of a tea made
from the leaves as a remedy for asthma, bronchitis, colds, coughs, diarrhea,
indigestion, rheumatism and vomiting. Modern American folk use as a remedy
for pneumonia. Traditional Native American and American pioneer use of leaves
as a poultice for rheumatism and wounds. Listed in the United States Pharmacopoeias
from 1890 to 1940. Native to California and Oregon in western North America.
End.
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Web page last updated on 26 May 2003.