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| Anemopsis californica |
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Accession Number: 171617*1 Map | |
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Medicinal uses: Medically, yerba mansa is an analgesic, antiperiodic (preventing the regular occurrence of symptoms of a disease), anti-inflammatory, a blood purifier, disinfectant, diuretic, and laxative. It is also helpful in soothing stomach ailments such as indigestion, IBS, or colic. An infusion of the plant can be used to bathe aching muscles and feet. A tea made from the root is a blood purifier as well as a general pain remedy and treatment for pleurisy, gonorrhea, syphilis, and menstrual cramps. An infusion of the plant is an effective treatment of colds, chest congestions and stomach ulcers. Fresh, moist leaves can be made into a poultice or salve to put on burns, cuts, and wounds. Mythology/Folklore: Yerba mansa was used for centuries by Northern and Southern Americans before the days of Spanish conquests. The Spanish named the plant “yerba” for herb, and “mansa,” most likely referring to the Mansa Indians who used the plant, but no one really knows for sure. The Native Americans used this plant for its antimicrobial properties in treating swollen gums and sore throats. The Cahuilla people of Mojave Desert used yerba mansa to disinfect cuts related to knife wounds. The plant has been used as a douche and according to past reports, a tea made from the plant can help treat venereal sores. Medicinal recipes: Yerba Mansa Poultice: Simmer whole leaves in water for approximately 15 minutes, then drain and crush the leaves with a mortar and pestle, or just between your fingers. Smooth the crushed leaves over the infected area and then wrap with gauze for stability and to avoid messiness. Culture: Yerba mansa is quite easy to grow in containers or in the ground. It likes full sun to part-shade, making it useful in many gardens. It’s not picky about soil pH (range: 5.0 to 9.0) or soil type. It does prefer moist soils and will need regular summer water to keep it green in summer. It is best to plant with runners or stolons from a previous plant, but seeds work just as well. |
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