Yerba Buena The term Yerba buena might sound strange to you but the good things you stand to gain from it are just phenomenal. It might interest you to know that yerba buena is a herb that has offered and continues to offer remarkable promising supports to humanity.
Yerba buena, which is botanically known as Clinopodium douglasii is the Spanish term for a collection of scent plants especially from the mint family of the genera Micromeria, Satureja or Clinopodium. It is also known as bergamot mint or mentha citrata and scientifically known as Mentha arvensis Linn. The term Yerba buena, implies good herb and the most popular species of this plant is Mentha spicata (spearmint).
Different parts of the world have different names for Yerba Buena for example, it is known as po-ho in China, hierba buena in Spain, mint, peppermint or marsh mint by the English people, minze by Germans and minta in Italy. In Cuba, it is known as Cuban mint, foxtail mint, Mentha nemorosa, apple mint, woolly mint or hairy mint while in Puerto Rico, its close relative known as Satureja viminea is mostly used.
Clinopodium douglasii is a creeping sweet-smelling herb that belongs to the mint family. Its wide usage is attributed to the minty aromatic flavour, culinary, medicinal and therapeutic attributes of this herb. Interestingly, different regions have different plant species that are regarded as yerba buena. This is largely dependent on the plant specie that grows wild in the area.
It is a perennial plant that can be found in several parts of the world such as Europe, America, Asia etc. It grows approximately 1 meter in height and tends to put out its shoots while growing. It is distinguished by its ovoid shaped leaves with ridged margins. The flowers are bluish-purple with hairy appearance and spiral axillary head.
Yerba Buena is an excellent source of antioxidants such as polyphenols quercetin, caffeine, catechin and caffeic acid. It is also rich in limonene, pulegone, menthol, menthenone and menthene. Studies reveal that Yerba buena is mostly used in folk, ayurvedic and herbal medicine for treating and healing several ailments. It offers relaxation to the body, mind and spirit. Apart from its healing properties, this herb is used for culinary purposes. Some remarkable benefits of this exceptional herb are discussed below.
17 Remarkable Benefits of Yerba buena (Clinopodium douglasii)
Culinary Purposes
Yerba buena can be eaten raw or used for preparing assorted dishes such as yerba buena salad, soup, stew etc. It is also used for blending minty yerba buena tea, Oregon tea. The herb can also be dried and used for seasoning food. It can also be used for preparing mint juice and mint detox drink. The minty flavour adds distinctive taste and aroma to dishes.
Yerba Buena Tea Supports the Cardiovascular System
Due to its rich constituents of antioxidants such as polyphenols, quercetin, caffeic acid and catechin, this herb offers great support to the cardiovascular system.
Dental Care
Popular toothpaste brands use yerba buena for preparing natural toothpaste and dental care. If you are also searching for good toothpaste for whitening teeth, look out for the one with yerba buena. Both yerba buena and other herbs can serve as natural ingredients in mouthwash.
Yerba buena herbal mouthwash recipe
~ Soak a handful of yerba buena leaves in a cup of warm water for approximately 1 hour.
~ Decant the minty yerba buena leaves solution.
~ The solution serves as a good mouthwash for keeping the mouth fresh and free from mouth odour,
Analgesic Properties
Studies reveal that yerba buena leaves contain analgesic properties thus can be used for relieving pain. The leaves concoction can be used for treating stomach ache, toothache and headache. For analgesic purposes, boil a handful of yerba leaves with a cup of water for 15 mins. Allow the drink to cool down before drinking. Repeat the process every 3 to 4 hours for relief.
For Headache;
~ Slightly heat up the leaves over the fire.
~ Place the heated leaves over the forehead and temples for 15 to 20 minutes.
~ Repeat the process at a 4-hour interval until the headache stops.
For toothaches;
~ Wash and squeeze some fresh yerba buena leaves.
~ Add the juice on a cotton wool.
~ Place the cotton wool on the affected tooth for 10 to 15 mins.
~ Remove the cotton wool and rinse mouth with clean water.
Yerba Buena Leaf Tackles Dizziness
The leaves can be squeezed and placed over the nose for 10 to 20 mins. During this period, the fresh droplets from the leaves are gradually inhaled to stop dizziness.
Wound Healing
The stems of yerba buena can be crushed to form a poultice. The poultice can be applied on wounds, bruises, abrasions and cuts for healing.
Treatment of Cold
Fresh or dried Buena herbs can be used for preparing yerba buena tea for tackling cold, fever and cough.
Treatment of Rheumatism
The leaves can be squeezed and used for treating rheumatism and arthritic pain. The squeezed leaves can also be mixed with eucalyptus essential oil before being applied to the affected body parts.
Aids Digestion
Yerba buena aids easy food digestion, relaxes the gastrointestinal tract and prevents flatulence.
Offers Relief from Menstrual Pain
Yerba buena tea can be taken during menstrual period to stop dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation).
Emmenagogue Properties
Hierba Buena acts as an emmenagogue thus the tea can be taken to induce menstrual flow.
Anti-spasmodic Properties
The leaves can serve as an antispasmodic herbal drug and as such can be used to relieve the body from spasm of involuntary muscle.
For Insects Bites
Yerba Buena leaves can be squeezed and applied on the the body parts bitten by insects. The application relieves the affected body parts from pain and itching.
Acts as a Repellent
Yerba buena can serve as a natural repellent for warding off insects and rodents away from the house.
Cosmetological Use
Due to the distinctive minty flavour and chemical compositions of Yerba buena, it is often used for producing cosmetics, scents, body creams, fragrances and body wash.
Stimulating Properties
Hierba Buena stimulates the body for increased activity.
Caution with Hierba Buena (Spearmint)
Be careful while taking Hierba Buena as large dosage can be harmful to the body.
Where to Buy Yerba Buena Products!!!
DISCLAIMER This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional diagnosis and treatments. Remember to always consult your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions or for counselling, guidance and treatment about a specific medical condition.
REFERENCES
1] Alfredo A. Hinay Jr, Lilen Dorothy C.Sarol, (2014), Screening of Mentha cordifolia O piz (Yerba Buena) buffer crude extract for aspartyl protease pepsin inhibitory activity, International Journal of Research in Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, Vol 3, Issue 1, pp. 28-38.
2] Koo H. N., Jeong H. J., Kim C. H., Park S. T., Lee S. J., Seong K. K., Lee S. K., Lyu Y. S. and Kim H. M. (2000), Inhibition of heat shock-induced apoptosis by peppermint oil in astrocytes.” Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 17, 391-396.
3] Raudenbush, B., Corley, N. and Eppich, W. (2001), Enhancing athletic performance through the administration of peppermint odor. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 23, pp. 156–160.
4] Sylianco, C.Y.L., Blanco, F.R., Lim, C.M. (1986), Mutagenicity, clastogenicity and antimutagenicity of medicinal plant tablets produced by the NSTA pilot plant IV, Yerba buena tablets. Philippines Journal of Science, 115: pp. 299-305.
5] Villaseñor I. M., Catalon L., Chua C., Edu D., and Nakar J. (1995), Preliminary bioactivity studies on Mentha cordifolia Opiz. leaf extracts. Phil. J. Sci. 124, pp. 333–343.
