Practical
Plants

Eriodictyon californicum

Yerba Santa

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Eriodictyon genus in the family Hydrophyllaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
2.25 m
Spread
2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fresh leaves are chewed for their refreshing taste and to relieve thirst[1]. An aromatic sweet tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[1]. An extract of the leaves is used as a flavouring in baked goods, sweets, ice cream and soft drinks[1].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Yerba Santa (the name means Holy weed) is a famous domestic remedy from south-western N. America where it is considered to be especially useful as an expectorant[5]. It is an ingredient of many patent cough medicines[5]. The leaves are an aromatic pleasant tasting tonic herb that reduces spasms, expels phlegm and lowers fevers[5][6]. They are especially recommended for treating diseases of the chest and respiratory system, including asthma, and are also used in the treatment of hay fever[8][2][5]. A bitter tea made from the leaves has been much used as a bitter tonic and a stimulating balsamic expectorant[3][4]. A steam bath made from the branches and leaves has been used in the treatment of rheumatism[7]. A decoction of the leaves has been used as a wash for sore areas and painful fatigued limbs[7]. A natural mouthwash is prepared by rolling the leaves into balls and allowing them to dry in the sun[4]. These are then chewed and at first have a bitter flavour but this is soon replaced by a sweetness if a drink of water is taken[4]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[5]. The plant has been smoked as a remedy for asthma[4].

Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves have been woven into skirts and aprons[7].

Product or use
Weaving

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Oregon to California.
Habitat
Dry mountain slopes at altitudes up to 1,200 metres[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on the young plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Give some protection from the cold for at least their first couple of winters outdoors.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a position in full sun in a well-drained sandy soil[2]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[2]. It is probably best grown against a sunny wall. If the plant needs pruning to keep it within bounds, then this is best carried out in spring or early summer. Do not cut back to wood more than 2 years old[5]. This plant is remarkable for the coating of varnish-like resin that covers the upper leaf surface[2]. The foliage is very aromatic[2].

References

  1. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  3. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  4. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

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