Yerba Santa Herb Eriodictyon californicum (Hook. & Arn.) Torr. and closley related species Monograph and Therapeutic Compendium

The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia® (AHP) is embarking on the development of an AHP Monograph and Therapeutic Compendium for yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum (Hook & Arn.) Torr. and closely related species). Yerba santa is a uniquely North American native medicinal plant widely used by regional herbalists for coughs and the treatment of upper respiratory infections. Initial funding to begin was provided by Wish Garden Herbs, Louisville,CO who considers it indispensable for their product line. According to AHP President Roy Upton; “AHP loves when valuable native plants for which no other monograph exists are sponsored. Yerba santa also has a few quality control challenges that need to be addressed, such as appropriate specie(s) and plant parts to use. While leaves are typically used, the upper stems are highly resinous. Yerba santa also has a limited growing range and to our knowledge is not under commercial cultivation, which is another important issue to address”. According to Director of Science, Sustainability and Education of WishGarden Herbs, Inc. ethnobotanist Erin Smith; “We felt there was a need and great value in seeing AHP develop a monograph. Yerba santa has been an important medicinal for the indigenous peoples throughout the plant’s native range for centuries and has been a key herb in the materia medica of North American herbalism. This rich history of use continues today particularly with herbal companies and herbalists in the Southwestern United States. Despite its rich history, little research has been done on it and what there is has never been compiled. WishGarden is happy to be the first sponsor of this work, which will be an important contribution to the enthnobotanical literature.”

AHP monographs represent the most comprehensive and critically reviewed body of information on herbal medicines in the English language, and serve as a primary reference for academicians, health care providers, manufacturers, and regulators. All AHP monographs are developed by acknowledged experts in the field of medicinal plants and include a diverse array of experts in botany, pharmacognosy, natural products chemistry and analysis, pharmacology, toxicology, and traditional herbal medicine. As with all AHP monographs, a suite of scientifically valid identi­fication tests will be provided, along with appropriate drawings and photographic images to help in the identification of the species. The following pages provide budget and sponsorship pledge form. We hope you will give this your sincere consideration.

Sincerely,

Roy Upton, President
American Herbal Pharmacopoeia