Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American tribes and later by Western herbalists, for supporting respiratory health, including the relief of wheezing, coughs, and bronchial congestion. The leaves contain compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have mild expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. Traditional preparations—typically as teas, tinctures, or smoked leaves—were used to help loosen mucus and ease breathing in cases of bronchitis, asthma, and other respiratory complaints characterized by wheezing. However, while these uses are well documented in ethnobotanical literature and early pharmacopeias, robust scientific studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of yerba santa for wheezing are limited. There is some in vitro and animal research suggesting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, but direct clinical trials on humans for wheezing or asthma are lacking. Therefore, while the use of yerba santa for wheezing is justified by a strong tradition, the scientific evidence remains insufficient, and its effectiveness for this indication is not conclusively validated by modern research.

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