This sticky-leafed evergreen, native to our continent, given its significant name of the Spanish priests who were impressed with its medicinal properties, known since pre-Inca cultures and constitute a valuable contribution to humanity.
Since colonial times was considered a medical gift from heaven, which was recently confirmed by scientific research for active constituents.
Her fame is enshrined in healing the legendary Cuban guaracha Celia Cruz became popular in much of Latin America decades ago when promoted a range of medicinal herbs: “I bring yerba santa pa ‘throat, jechimón pa’ swelling, rue pal ‘she sneezes, apazote for seed …. ”
Medicinal properties
For centuries the aromatic leaves were boiled to make tea to treat coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, pleurisy, tuberculosis and chronic respiratory conditions.
Scientists agree that one of its components, the eriodictyol, could have extraordinary expectorant properties.
It also serves as a sedative, tonic, muscle pain reliever, astringent, tonic and aids digestion.
Dose
Yerba santa tea may be made by adding one teaspoon of crushed leaves in a cup of boiling water and steeping for half an hour.
However, many of its resinous constituents do not dissolve in water and for that reason alcoholic tinctures of yerba santa are recommended.
Eternal Use
The poultice of the leaves is used for sore joints from rheumatism, fever, rash of babies, colic, colds, dandruff, hemorrhoids, dermatitis, measles and inflammation.
It is recommended especially for the treatment of the rash (Poison Ivy).
Sedative: Take decoction of the leaves.
Emmenagogue: Take the tea leaves.
Bronchitis: Take decoction of the leaves.
Dandruff: Apply the infusion of the plant in the form of washes.
Dermatitis: Apply in the form of washing water maceration of the leaves.
Diarrhea: Take the infusion of the leaves.
Dyspepsia: Take the infusion of leaves and flowers.
Hemorrhoids: Apply in the form of sitz baths infusion of the leaves.
Security
Yerba santa is on the list of government agency responsible for U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA (Food and Drug Administration, for its acronym in English) as GRAS (generally recognized English as safe) for its use as a food flavoring.
There are no reports of significant side effects except for the inevitable occasional allergic reaction that can occur in any substance.
However, safety in children, pregnant or nursing women and those with severe liver or kidney disease has not yet been determined by that entity.
For this reason any information on medicinal plants should be considered as a supplement to the advice or diagnosis that has been given by a physician and in no way a substitute.
Magic Rituals
It is considered a holy herb as a plant with extraordinary powers to ward off bad vibes and provide peace of mind with its sedative properties.
In magical rituals used the holy herb baths, incidentally, are also recommended by naturopathic doctors for the treatment of neurosis and skin problems.
A shrub about 3 meters tall building on the coast, highlands and Amazon. It spreads by seeds and can be planted at any time of year so it is a wonder of nature is available to everyone.
1 Trackback to “Grass Santa, a gift from heaven medicinal”