北美聖草

Overview

North American holy herb (scientific name: Eriodictyon californicum), also known as Yerba santa (Spanish, meaning "holy grass" or "sacred herb"), consumptive's weed, bear weed, mountain balsam/ Mountain balm.

The three most common and used species are E. California grass, E. trichocalyx, and E. angustifolium, representing northern, southwestern, and eastern California respectively.

The genus belongs to the family Hydrophyllaceae, or Waterleaf family: a family known for its beautiful flowers (examples gratia, pale blue-eyed flower, and five-spotted flower).

North American sage is a herbaceous plant. The leaves are used in medicine.

Holy grass is a shrub native to North America. Its leaves are used in traditional Native American medicine.

North American sage contains chemicals that may loosen mucus in the chest. It also contains chemicals that may aid weight loss.

North American holy grass is used to treat respiratory ailments including coughs, colds, tuberculosis, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. It is also used for fever and dry mouth. Some people use it to relieve muscle spasms, reduce phlegm and as a tonic.

North American holy grass is sometimes made into a warm dressing (saint) and applied directly to the skin to treat bruises, sprains, wounds, insect bites, and to relieve joint pain (rheumatism).

In food and beverages, sage extract is used as a flavoring agent.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, sage is used to mask the bitter taste of certain medicines.

How to identify

Woody lower branches with shredded bark erect. Sticky, yellow-green new growth produces spear-shaped, 2 to 6 inch long, often hairless leaves. These toothed or smooth-edged leaves are dark green, sticky, shiny on top, and have hairs between the veins forming a web-like pattern on the light-colored underside. The stems are lined with 1/3 to 2/3 inch long tubular flowers, ranging in color from white to pink to purple, that spread out like a scorpion's tail from late spring to early summer. The small seeds can lie dormant for decades, waiting for fire or mechanical disturbance to stimulate germination, maturing in small capsules in late summer.

When, where and how to carry out field work

This shallow-rooted, evergreen shrub 2 to 8 feet tall grows in dry, sunny fields and south-facing rocky slopes and in open woodlands along roadsides at low to mid-elevations. Its spreading roots help stabilize soil at burn sites or disturbed areas. Santa grass begins at the northern border of Josephine and Jackson counties in Oregon and extends south into California.

Harvest from early to late summer for vibrant new leaves. Cut off the branch ends above the outward-facing buds to encourage bushier growth. Lay the stems with leaves flat to dry. Turn them over regularly so the leaves don't stick together and turn brown. Remove the leaves from the stems and use them in tinctures, teas, or smoking; leave them on the stems to use as smudge sticks.

Medicinal uses

Holy grass leaves warm and stimulate the respiratory system; reduce inflammation of the sinuses, throat, and lungs; dry excess secretions in the lungs or upper respiratory tract. Taking a tincture of the leaves can provide relief from chronic asthma, bronchitis, or seasonal allergies that come with lots of and easy coughing up mucus, but keep in mind that santa leaves can be very astringent. If you take higher doses (more than about 45 drops), the drying effect may make your tongue feel like it's been wrung out, but if you take smaller doses, you'll find that the North American Holy Grass first gently dries and then re-moisturizes and refresh mucous membranes.

A cooled tea or tincture in room temperature water can speed the healing of urinary tract infections characterized by mucus discharge. Hot tea or hot water tincture can promote sweating and increase blood circulation to the extremities and skin surface.

North American holy grass leaves, also known as tuberculosis, have a history of treating tuberculous coughs and wasting. Its high flavonoid content (represented by its sweet taste) demonstrates its ability to nourish, build and maintain tissue integrity.

North American sage has a very interesting flavor profile - it starts out bitter and slowly becomes sweeter. It teaches us how to find sweetness in life's painful experiences by recognizing the initiating power of trauma.

Leaves are burned as a smudge to cleanse a space and remove heavy or dark energy from people. Crush the leaves and add them to herbal smoking mixtures to help clear mucus from your lungs.

How does it work?

Holy grass contains chemicals that are thought to loosen mucus in the chest and may increase urination.

Purpose and effectiveness

There is insufficient evidence to assess the effectiveness of...

  • cough .
  • cold .
  • fever .
  • Tuberculosis .
  • asthma .
  • Chronic bronchitis .
  • Mucus relaxes .
  • Spasms .
  • Used as a tonic .
  • Bruises, sprains, cuts, insect bites, or joint pain on skin contact .
  • Other conditions .

side effect

Oral: North American sage is commonly consumed in food. But there isn't enough reliable information to know whether North American holy grass is safe or what side effects it might have when used in large quantities as medicine.

When applied to skin: There is not enough reliable information to know whether holy grass is safe or what side effects it may have.

Special precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding : There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking santo during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Stay safe and avoid using.

interactive

Lithium Interaction Rating: Moderate Use this combination with caution. Please consult your healthcare provider.

North American holy grass may have effects similar to water pills or "diuretics". Taking holy grass may reduce the body's ability to eliminate lithium. This may increase the amount of lithium in your body and cause serious side effects. If you are taking lithium, consult your healthcare provider before using this product. Your lithium dose may need to be changed.

dose

The appropriate dose of North American holy grass depends on several factors, such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. There is currently insufficient scientific information to determine the appropriate dosage range for St. eucalyptus. Keep in mind that natural products are not always safe, and dosage matters. Always follow the directions on the product label and consult your pharmacist or doctor or other health care professional before use.

Review

All comments are moderated before being published

HealthyPIG Magazine

View all
無人機醫療配送:低空經濟下的香港新契機

無人機醫療配送:低空經濟下的香港新契機

  無人機醫療配送:低空經濟下的香港新契機 —— 從健康、醫療金融到商業模式的全球比較與啟示 在香港「低空經濟」監管沙盒下,無人機由數碼港跨海至長洲醫院,約 12 公里航線僅需 18–20 分鐘,相比傳統 45–65 分鐘大幅提速。本文聚焦醫療價值、醫療金融回報與商...
醫管局普通科門診改名「家庭醫學門診」——香港基層醫療新里程?

醫管局普通科門診改名「家庭醫學門診」——香港基層醫療新里程?

  基層醫療 家庭醫學 健康政策 醫管局普通科門診改名「家庭醫學門診」:利與弊、國際比較與香港基層醫療的下一步 醫務衞生局宣佈由 2025 年 10 月 11 日起,將「普通科門診」與「家庭醫學專科門診」統一命名為「家庭醫學門診服務」,74 間普通科門診...
基孔肯雅熱:被伊蚊叮咬後的劇痛病毒 — 病毒、傳播、症狀與防治全解析

基孔肯雅熱:被伊蚊叮咬後的劇痛病毒 — 病毒、傳播、症狀與防治全解析

什麼是基孔肯雅熱? 基孔肯雅熱(Chikungunya Fever)是一種由**基孔肯雅病毒(Chikungunya virus, CHIKV)**引起的急性傳染病,屬於 Togaviridae 家族 Alphavirus 屬。這種病毒最早於 1952 年在坦桑尼亞被發現,其名稱來自當地馬孔德...
登革熱:全球爆發中的熱帶威脅與防護全解析

登革熱:全球爆發中的熱帶威脅與防護全解析

登革熱係乜嘢? 登革熱(Dengue fever)係一種由登革熱病毒(Dengue virus)引起嘅急性傳染病,主要經由伊蚊(Aedes mosquito)叮咬傳播,特別係白紋伊蚊(Aedes albopictus)同埃及伊蚊(Aedes aegypti)。呢啲蚊喺日間最活躍,因此唔似瘧疾嗰...
流感點樣會引致腦病變、心肌炎同休克?——從「感冒」變成致命風暴

流感點樣會引致腦病變、心肌炎同休克?——從「感冒」變成致命風暴

近排有新聞報導,一名原本健康嘅中學生感染乙型流感(Influenza B)之後,出現腦病變、心肌炎同休克,情況危殆。好多家長都會問:「流感唔就係普通感冒?點解可以嚴重到影響腦同心臟?」其實,流感背後嘅機制比我哋想像中複雜得多。 一、流感病毒唔止攻擊呼吸道 流感病毒(包括甲型同乙型)主要透過飛...
牛骨湯食譜大全|Instant Pot 壓力煲 & 傳統老火湯版本

牛骨湯食譜大全|Instant Pot 壓力煲 & 傳統老火湯版本

牛骨湯食譜係香港家庭常見嘅煲湯之一,牛骨湯香濃滋補,配合中藥材更具養生功效。本文介紹肉骨類選擇、牛骨湯建議配搭、常見中藥材分類,以及Instant Pot壓力煲與傳統老火湯版本食譜,並引用科學研究支持。
澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南)

澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南)

澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南) 澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南) 重點:事件本身不代表飲水會感染;主要風險來自水經鼻腔進入。 目錄 ...
如何判斷雞翅是否變壞?

如何判斷雞翅是否變壞?

重點摘要 雞翅會變質嗎? 如何判斷雞翅是否變壞? 過期雞翅還能食嗎? 雞翅可存放多久? 如何儲存雞翅? 雞翅可以冷凍嗎? 結論 雞翅會變質嗎? 會。皮脂較多、表面不潔或溫度過高時,細菌繁殖更快。 如何判斷雞翅是否變壞? 外觀:皮色發黃、出黑斑或血水。 觸感:表面黏滑、軟爛。 氣...
如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞?

如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞?

重點摘要 雞蛋會變質嗎? 如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞? 過期雞蛋還能食嗎? 雞蛋可存放多久? 如何儲存雞蛋? 雞蛋可以冷凍嗎? 結論 雞蛋會變質嗎? 會。殼面有微孔,溫差及濕度變化會令細菌入侵。 如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞? 水測:沉底=較新鮮;浮起=多半變壞。 打開觀察:蛋白渾濁水樣、蛋黃...