Eriodictyon californicum
| Eriodictyon californicum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 7' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Eriodictyon californicum (common name: yerba santa)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[1]. 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: Requires a position in full sun in a well-drained sandy soil[1].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[1]. 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[2].
This plant is remarkable for the coating of varnish-like resin that covers the upper leaf surface[1]. The foliage is very aromatic[1].
Range: South-western N. America - Oregon to California.
Habitat: Dry mountain slopes at altitudes up to 1,200 metres[3].
Edibility: The fresh leaves are chewed for their refreshing taste and to relieve thirst[4].
An aromatic sweet tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[4].
An extract of the leaves is used as a flavouring in baked goods, sweets, ice cream and soft drinks[4].
Medicinal: 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[2]. It is an ingredient of many patent cough medicines[2].
The leaves are an aromatic pleasant tasting tonic herb that reduces spasms, expels phlegm and lowers fevers[2][3]. 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[5][1][2]. A bitter tea made from the leaves has been much used as a bitter tonic and a stimulating balsamic expectorant[6][7].
A steam bath made from the branches and leaves has been used in the treatment of rheumatism[8].
A decoction of the leaves has been used as a wash for sore areas and painful fatigued limbs[8].
A natural mouthwash is prepared by rolling the leaves into balls and allowing them to dry in the sun[7]. 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[7].
The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[2].
The plant has been smoked as a remedy for asthma[7].
Usage: The leaves have been woven into skirts and aprons[8].
Soil: Can grow in light soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: E. glutinosum.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.