Yerba Santa Leaf

Botanical Name: Eriodictyon californicum

🌍 Where It’s Grown

Yerba Santa is native to the western United States, especially California, Oregon, and the Southwest.
Your batch is typically harvested from dry mountainous regions, where the plant thrives in bright sun and mineral-rich soil.

🌿 Benefits

• Traditionally used to support respiratory health
• Helps soothe coughs, chest congestion, and mucus buildup
• Mildly expectorant and warming
• May assist digestion and stomach discomfort
• Energetically used to uplift the spirit and release emotional heaviness
• Known as a “sacred protector” herb in many Indigenous traditions

🔥 Hot Brew or ❄️ Cold Brew?

Best as a hot brew.
Yerba Santa releases its full benefits when warmed.

Hot Brew:
• 1 tsp per cup
• Water 200–212°F
• Steep 5–10 minutes
• The longer it steeps, the more resinous and medicinal the flavor

Cold Brew:
• Not commonly cold-brewed due to its resin profile
• Can be done, but the flavor becomes faint and less therapeutic

🍯 Flavor Pairings to Improve Taste

Yerba Santa has a naturally sweet, resinous flavor. To enhance it:

• Peppermint or spearmint
• Licorice root (boosts sweetness)
• Lemon peel
• Ginger
• Honey or agave
• Chamomile for a softer, sweeter blend

🌬 Can It Be Smoked in an Herbal Cigarette?

Yes. Yerba Santa is traditionally used in herbal smoke blends.

• Smooth, slightly sweet smoke
• Often added for lung support and gentle chest-opening effects
• Commonly paired with mullein, damiana, or lavender

✨ Spiritual / Metaphysical Uses

• Powerful herb for cleansing the lungs, aura, and emotional body
• Used to release grief, sadness, and old emotional burdens
• Supports self-love, boundaries, and protection
• Burned in ceremonies for purification and healing
• Helps restore inner strength and clarity

⚠ Contraindications

• Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Use caution with chronic lung conditions — always consult a professional
• Avoid if allergic to plants in the borage family
• Not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition

📦 How to Store

• Keep in an airtight container
• Store in a cool, dark place
• Avoid moisture, heat, and direct sunlight
• Shelf life: 1–2 years when stored properly