Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon Californicum) Cut & Sifted Herb

Description ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon Californicum) Cut & Sifted Herb HERB COMMON NAME :  Yerba Santa HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :  Eriodictyon Californicum OTHER NAMES :  Mountain Balm, Bear’s Weed, Gum Bush, Gum Plant, Consumptive Weed, Sacred Herb, Holy Herb, Tarweed, Herbe des Montagnes, Herbe à Ourse, Herbe Sacrée, Herbe Sainte, Hierba Santa FAMILY :  Hydrophyllaceae ASSOCIATIONS & CORRESPONDENCES : Element: Water Planet: Mercury Direction: West Chakra: 4th Heart Chakra (Anahata) Energy: Yin Gender: Feminine Rune: Gebo Tarot:  Ace of Cups, 3 of Swords Sabbat or Holiday:  Samhain (Oct 31 – Nov 1)   Parts Used:  Leaves Description:  The name of the Yerba Santa plant literally translates from Spanish to “Holy Herb”. Although the dark green leaves of the plant are leathery and not particularly aromatic, they become brittle when dried and develop a balsamic flavor. Because the plant has the ability to draw and store reserves of water from its arid environment, its leaves have a high mucilage content. Historically, yerba santa is used to produce teas, tonics, syrups and alcohol-based tinctures. The leaves have historically been used to treat asthma, upper respiratory infections and allergic rhinitis. The Chumash used it as a poultice for wounds, insect bites, broken bones, and sores. It was also used in a steam bath to treat hemorrhoids. The flavonoid sterubin is the main active compound of Yerba santa and is neuroprotective against multiple toxicities of the aging brain, including possibly Alzheimer’s disease. Historical Uses:  asthma, upper respiratory infection, allergies, wound healing, insect bites and stings, broken bones, sores, hemorrhoids, cough, congestion, chronic bronchitis, cold, hay-fever, cuts, sores, bruises, sprains Mystical Attributes:  Yerba santa was revered by Spanish priests for its ability to heal emotional wounds, help find inner strength, as well as increase psychic awareness. The highly protective energy of Yerba santa makes it an excellent addition to charm bags and amulets. It is also a great addition to purification baths. Yerba santa is burned (often along with sage) over hot coals as a smudging incense for protection, spiritual healing, and courage, as well as to cleanse a person or tools prior to performing sacred work. It is a powerful herb for shamanic journeys, enlightenment, and meditation. Yerba santa used as an incense is said to help when you are feeling emotionally drained or heart broken. The herb has an uplifting and pleasant scent believed to release a person from worries or other mental suffering. To speak to the spirit of a loved one in your dreams, soak Yerba santa leaves in boiling water for a short period, then sprinkle over a photo of the loved one you wish to contact. Adding Yerba santa leaves and plants to the altar is believed to be an excellent way to honor loved ones who have passed on, as well as when asking for guidance from the divine. Yerba santa has been used as an altar herb for centuries as offering to a deity, angel, or God, who in return will bless your home or business. It is sometimes combined with other holy herbs such as Holy Ghost root or Blessed Thistle. Mystical Intentions:  grief, sadness, depression, despair, broken heart, smudge, inner strength, psychic abilities, home protection, cleansing, courage, awareness, consecration, blessing, enlightenment, meditation, uplifting, worry, mental suffering, emotional healing, spiritual healing, calling spirits of ancestors, calling spirits of the dead, communicating with the dead, divination, calling your guardian angel Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  Yerba santa is a shrub-like evergreen in the waterleaf family that grows abundantly in the dry hills of Northern Mexico, California, and Oregon, where it grows in several types of habitats. Yerba santa grows up to 3 or 4 feet tall. A shiny sticky resin coats the smaller branches and foliage which are often dusted with black fungi. Its dark-green, narrow leathery leaves are approximately 15 centimeters long and somewhat lance-shaped. The bell-shaped white to purplish flowers grow in clusters, blooming typically from July to August. Each flower grows between one and two centimeters in length. The Yerba santa plant grows in several types of habitats, including shrubby and bushed areas, Coast redwood forests, and dry mountain slopes in full sun. Yerba santa can become dominant on range lands, since livestock will consume other flora before approaching yerba santa. The plant prefers a well-drained sandy soil. Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. Transplant out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Keep the young plants in a greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant out in late spring or early summer. Give some protection from the cold for at least their first couple of winters outdoors. The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use. Store the dried yerba santa leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.     Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources **IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. 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