Yerba mansa
| Botanical Name | Anemopsis californica |
| Common Name | Yerba mansa, Lizard's Tail |
| Family | Saururaceae - Lizard's Tail |
| Description | The green leaves are leathery, oblong, and mainly basal. It grows in moist, shady areas. |
| Mature Size | 6” - 18” |
| Bloom | Yerba mansa has a white, spiked, cone-shaped, 1"- 2" long inflorescence. The spike is surrounded by 4 - 8, striking, 1/2" - 1" long, white bracts that are often mistaken for petals. It blooms all summer. |
| Interesting Facts | According to Healing Herbs of the Upper Rio Grande (L.S.M. Curtin: 1947), probably among the Spanish Americans of the region, no other plant enjoys so wide a medicinal fame as Yerba mansa, or has a higher repute. Both Spanish Californians and Spanish New Mexicans declare that its creeping aromatic root is applied (in a tea, powder or poultice) with excellent results in all manner of ailments in men and animals. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses |
Yerba mansa's active compound is methyleugenol, which has been used to treat irritable stomach, inflammation of mucus membranes, swollen gums and muscles, sore throat, rheumatic diseases like gout and to prevent buildup of uric acid crystals in the kidneys. This plant also has antifungal properties and has been used to alleviate athlete's foot and diaper rash.
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Photo for SFBG by Janice Tucker
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