diameter, green above, paler beneath. The small yellow flowers are in clusters in the month of July followed by one seeded fruit which is thick, black and resembles grapes. Its active principle is menispermin, and is sometimes used as a substitute for sarsaparilla. Medicinal Part: The root. Solvents: Alcohol, water. Bodily Influence: Tonic, Alterative, Diuretic, Laxative. Uses: Dr. O. P. Brown( 1875):“ Yellow Parilla seems to possess one virtue which is paramount to all others, it is essentially and particular antisyphilitic, anti-scrofulous, anti-mercurial.” Achieving this, it is of much merit for all diseases arising from either hereditary or acquired impurities of the system. It exerts its influence principally on the gastric and salivary glands and is found expressly beneficial in cases of adhesive inflammation and where it is found necessary to break up organized deposits and hasten disintegration of unwanted tissue. It is believed by some to be superior to Sarsaparilla as a blood purifier for scrofula, blood disorders, gout, rheumatism and cutaneous skin diseases generally. Also acts as a tonic and nervine and may be given in all cases of debility and dyspepsia. Dose: 1 teaspoonful to 1 cupful of boiling water, steeped 15 min.; take 1 – 4 cupfuls a day. Of the tincture, 5 – 20 min. Of the powder, 1 – 4 grains. If it produces vomiting, reduce the dosage. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of the root; trituration of menisperminum— Back ache, Headache, Itching, Tongue( swelling of).
YERBA SANTA Eriodictyon californicum, Benth.( N. O.: Hydrophyllaceae)
Common Names: Mountain Balm, Bear’ s Weed, Consumptive’ s Weed, Tarweed, Gum Bush. Features: This evergreen shrub is a member of the water leaf family( Eriodictyon), of which many species are known. It is somewhat branching and attains a height of 2 – 4 ft. The stems are smooth and exude a gummy substance. Leaves are 3 – 4 in. in length, distinctively woolly on the undersides, containing a network of prominent veins, and the resinous substance appears as if the woolly fibres have been varnished; upper surface is smooth with depressed veins. The flowers are terminal, appearing in shades of dark lavender through pale shades of lavender to white; forming funnelshaped clusters at the top of the plant. Yerba santa honey is amber, with a slightly spicy flavour. If we follow the bees to this plant we will find them growing on dry mountain slopes and ridges throughout the coastal ranges and up into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada from Monterey and Tulare countries northward. The capsule fruit is oval, greyish-brown and contains small brown shrivelled seeds. Medicinal Part: The leaves. Solvents: Boiling water, alcohol. Bodily Influence: Aromatic, Tonic, Stimulant, Expectorant. Uses: The name“ Yerba santa”( Holy weed) was given by the Spanish fathers who became aware of this corrective substance through the native Indians. They boiled the fresh or dried leaves for colds, coughs, sore throat, catarrh, stomach aches, vomiting and diarrhoea. Yerba santa is known to physicians as a leading agent for all respiratory conditions and has a reputation for healing haemorrhoids when other sources fail. Also used in kidney conditions and rheumatic pain. For more effective results some physicians recommend that Gum plant( Grindelia robusta) be combined with Yerba santa in syrup form. It should be used in small amounts as too large doses of G. robusta will irritate the kidneys. Make a 3:1 mixture and take in fluid extract, 10 – 30 drops, three or four times a day. Dose: Infusion of 1 teaspoonful of crushed leaves to 1 cupful of boiling water, steeped ½ hr. Take 1 – 4