If your stomach is upset due to overeating, gassy foods or a weak digestion yerba buena, scientific name linopodium douglasii, may be just the thing you need. This member of the mint family was given the Spanish name meaning "good herb" for a reason. It has numerous medicinal applications due to its ability to counteracting harmful microbes, cancer, spasm and vomiting. Most mints are very gentle, but consult your doctor before using any herbs.
Source
Native to North America, this spearmint flavored plant grows abundantly in wild areas in the American Northwest. According to Las Pallitas Nursery, yerba buena is easy to cultivate and grows in a variety of soils with a wide range of precipitation. Add it to your landscape as a sweet-smelling low-maintenance ground cover and use the fresh or dried leaves to heal aches and pains of the joints, muscles and stomach.
Yerba Buena And Digestion
Mints are especially healing for digestive problems, according to "The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants." As a member of the mint family, yerba buena will stimulate the flow of bile and other digestive fluids and soothe digestive membranes. Its anti-spasmodic action relaxes tense digestive organs--including stomach and intestine. Use it to treat cramps, diarrhea, constipation, gas or colic.
Application
Take yerba buena in a tea or tincture for acute problems. Drink the infusion after eating to help digestion. Add a few of the fresh leaves to a salad or use as a garnish for meat, fish, grains, pasta or vegetables for flavor, and to avoid intestinal troubles. Keep frozen treats of frozen yerba buena infusion on hand for your kids.
Preparation
Prepare a hot infusion of yerba buena by boiling a quart of water and pouring it over 2 tbsp. of dried or 1/4 cup of fresh yerba buena leaves. Steep for up to 30 minutes. Strain, add your choice of sweetener and sip slowly to soothe your tummy troubles. For frozen treats, let the sweetened infusion cool, pour into molds and put in the freezer for six hours.
Combinations
Prepare yerba buena along with other herbs to complement its healing powers. Chamomile will support its relaxing effect on the digestive organs. Hibiscus is also refreshing and relaxing and adds an exotic flavor and beautiful red color to your infusions. Angelica and lemon balm will enhance anti-spasmodic properties. Fennel helps stimulate the flow of digestive juices. Very large doses of chamomile may cause vomiting and the cooling action of hibiscus may aggravate severe chills, warns "The Yoga of Herbs."
References
- Philippine Herbal Medicine: "Yerba Buena"
- Calflora: Taxon Report 7351
- Las Pallitas Nursery: "Satureja douglasii"
- "The Encyclopediaof Medicinal Plants"; Andrew Chevallier; 1996
