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Yerba Buena is a herb of the mint family. It is an aromatic plant used as herbal
medicine worldwide. It has elongated leaves and in summer bears small whitish or purplish flowers. The word Yerba Buena is
Spanish for "good herb" and was the former name of the California city of San Francisco.
Yerba Buena has been consumed for centuries as tea and herbal medicine as a pain reliever
(analgesic). Native American Indians used it even before the "white men" colonized the Americas. Today, this folk medicine's
efficacy has been validated by scientific research. In the Philippines, Yerba Buena is one of the 10 herbs endorsed by the Department
of Heath (DOH) as an effective alternative medicine for aches and pains.
As an herbal medicine, a decoction (boil leaves then strain) of Yerba Buena is effective
for minor ailments such as headaches, toothaches and joint pains. It can also relive stomach aches due to gas buildup and indigestion.
The fresh and dried leaves can both be used for the decoction. And because Yerba Buena belongs to the mint family, soaking fresh leaves
in a glass of water (30 to 45 minutes) makes for a good mouth wash for a clean, fresh smelling breath. |
