Eriodictyon californicum

Related Terms

Consumptive's weed, bear's weed, eriodictyol, Eriodictyon californicum, Eriodictyon glutinosum, gum bush, holy herb, mountain balm, sacred herb, tarweed, Wigandia californicum.
Note: Not to be confused with other herbs which share the same common name(s). For example, the common name "mountain balm" is also used for Ceanothus velutinus, Satureja chandleri, and Calamintha nepeta. The common name "consumptive's weed" is associated with three different Eriodictyon species. The common name "gum bush" is also associated with several different Eriodictyon species. The common name "bear's weed" is also used for Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. The common name "tarweed" is associated with many species of Hemizonia and Madia. The common name "holy herb" is used for marijuana (Cannabis sativa), hyssop (Sorghum vulgare), basil (Ocimum basilicum), verbena (Verbena officinalis) and aloe (Aloe barbadensis). The common name "Sacred herb" is used for marijuana and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).

Background

Chumash Indians and other California Indians have used yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum) and other related species (Eriodictyon crassifolium, Eriodictyon trichocalyx) for many centuries in the treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions, saliva production, and to stop bleeding of minor cuts and scrapes.
In the United States and Britain, Eriodictyon californicum was formally used for conditions including influenza, bacterial pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, and tuberculosis starting in the late 1800s until the 1960s (when drug regulations became more stringent around proof of efficacy). Subsequently, the extracts remained GRAS ("generally regarded as safe") as a flavor for foods, beers, and pharmaceuticals (such as to hide the bitterness of quinine). Eriodictyon plant extracts have also been used in cosmetics.
Eriodictyon species contain flavones with free radical scavenging (antioxidant) properties, and have therefore been proposed as being beneficial for a number of health conditions. However, there is little scientific study of yerba santa in humans, and effectiveness has not been demonstrated for any specific condition.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


There is an extensive clinical history of use of Eriodictyon extracts in pulmonary conditions such as influenza, bacterial pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, and tuberculosis. However, additional study is needed to make a firm recommendation.

 C


There is an extensive clinical history of use of Eriodictyon extracts in pulmonary conditions such as influenza, bacterial pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, and tuberculosis. However, additional study is needed to make a firm recommendation.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for yerba santa in adults. Traditionally, 1-2 milliliters of fluid extract has been taken by mouth with a spoon every 3-4 hours for no more than ten days.
Poultices have been made by crushing 0.2 kilograms of the leaves in 1,000 milliliters of water. The leaves have been used traditionally as a treatment for pulmonary (lung) congestion by placing the slightly wet leaves on the chest. The poultice is usually used once or twice every day for up to two weeks.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
The flavonoids homoeriodictyol and eriodictyol found in yerba santa may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood, and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Patients using any medications should check the package insert, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Ahmed MS, Galal AM, Ross SA, et al. A weakly antimalarial biflavanone from Rhus retinorrhoea. Phytochemistry 2001;58(4):599-602.
Doostdar H, Burke MD, Mayer RT. Bioflavonoids: selective substrates and inhibitors for cytochrome P450 CYP1A and CYP1B1. Toxicology 2000;144(1-3):31-38.
Gradolatto A, Basly J, Berges R, et al. Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of apigenin in female and male rats after a single oral administration. Drug Metab Dispos 2005;33:49-54.
Grael CF, Vichnewski W, Souza GE, et al. A study of the trypanocidal and analgesic properties from Lychnophora granmongolense (Duarte) Semir & Leitao Filho. Phytother Res 2000;14(3):203-206.
Huguet AI, Manez S, Alcaraz MJ. Superoxide scavenging properties of flavonoids in a non-enzymic system. Z Naturforsch [C ] 1990;45(1-2):19-24.
Ko WC, Shih CM, Lai YH, et al. Inhibitory effects of flavonoids on phosphodiesterase isozymes from guinea pig and their structure-activity relationships. Biochem Pharmacol 2004;68(10):2087-2094.
Konstantinopoulou M, Karioti A, Skaltsas S, et al. Sesquiterpene lactones from Anthemis altissima and their anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. J Nat Prod 2003;66(5):699-702.
Liu YL, Ho DK, Cassady JM, et al. Isolation of potential cancer chemopreventive agents from Eriodictyon californicum. J Nat Prod 1992;55(3):357-363.
Matsuda H, Morikawa T, Toguchida I, et al. Medicinal flowers. VI. Absolute stereostructures of two new flavanone glycosides and a phenylbutanoid glycoside from the flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum L.: their inhibitory activities for rat lens aldose reductase. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2002;50(7):972-975.
Matsuo M, Sasaki N, Saga K, et al. Cytotoxicity of flavonoids toward cultured normal human cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2005;28(2):253-259.
Rechner AR, Smith M, Kuhnle F, et al. Colonic metabolism of dietary polyphenols: influence of structure on microbial fermentation products. Free Rad Biol Med 2004;36:212-225.
'T Hart BA, Ip Via Ching TR, Van Dijk H, et al. How flavonoids inhibit the generation of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence by activated human neutrophils. Chem Biol Interact 1990;73(2-3):323-335.
Thiyagarajah P, Kuttan SC, Lim SC, et al. Effect of myricetin and other flavonoids on the liver plasma membrane Ca2+ pump. Kinetics and structure-function relationships. Biochem Pharmacol 1991;41(5):669-675.
Tsimogiannis D, Oreopoulou V. Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of 5,7,3',4'-hydroxy substituted flavonoids. Inn Food Sci Emerg Tech 2004;5:523-528.
van Zanden JJ, Geraets L, Wortelboer HM, et al. Structural requirements for the flavonoid-mediated modulation of glutathione S-transferase P1-1 and GS-X pump activity in MCF7 breast cancer cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2004;67(8):1607-1617.