North American sage

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.

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 .

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.

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

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.

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.