“The leaves of Eriodictyon glutinosum, Bentham”—(U. S. P.) (Eriodictyon californicum, Bentham; Wigandia californica, Hooker and Arnott).
Nat. Ord.—Hydrophyllaceæ.
Common Names: Yerba santa, Mountain balm, Consumptive’s weed, Bear’s weed.
Illustrations: Hooker’s Botany, Beech’s Survey, Plate 88.
Botanical History and Source.—This plant is generally known as Yerba santa (holy or sacred herb). It is shrubby, from 2 to 4 feet high, and is found growing in clumps, in dry situations throughout California, and northern Mexico, where it is very common in certain localities. The stem is smooth, branched usually from near the ground, and covered with a peculiar glutinous resin, which exudes abundantly from all parts of the plant, excepting the under side of the leaves. The leaves are thick, leathery, and evergreen, their upper surface being coated, somewhat like a varnish, with the aforementioned resin. They are alternate, and attached by short petioles at an acute angle with the branch. In shape they are narrowly elliptical, from 2 to 5 inches long, and from ½ to ¾ of an inch in width. They are acute, and taper to a short leaf-stalk at the base. The upper surface is smooth and dark-green in color (sometimes black when dry). The under surface has a large, prominent mid-rib, and a close network of veins, and is covered, between the veins, with a close, white tomentum, which gives the surface a milky color. The margin of the leaf is dentate, with numerous unequal teeth, which are undulate and blunt. The flowers are bluish, and borne in terminal clusters, which consist of from 6 to 10 close, 1-sided racemes, that unroll as the flowers expand. The calyx is hairy, about ⅓ the length of the corolla, and deeply 5-parted, almost to the base. The corolla is broadly tubular, about ½ an inch long, and has 5 short, obtuse, spreading lobes. The 5 stamens are included in the corolla tube. The pistil consists of a free, ovate, hairy ovary, and 2 slender, diverging styles, with club-shaped stigmas.
History.—Eriodictyon was mentioned by Prof. Maisch in March, 1875, at the meeting of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, a specimen of the plant being at the same time presented. The October Eclectic Medical Journal (1875) contained an article from Dr. J. H. Bundy, of California, upon “Yerba santa.” This was followed by others, all speaking of it as Yerba santa. In February, 1876, Prof. J. M. Scudder received specimens of the leaves from Dr. Bundy, and immediately had them identified botanically by C. G. Lloyd. They proved to be Eriodictyon glutinosum. Prof. Scudder published the botanical name in the Eclectic Medical Journal, March, 1876, since which the plant has been generally recognized. The leaves are employed in medicine. They are fragrant even after long drying and exposure. Doubtless, oxidation or other modifications of the various resinous substances continually develops this fragrant principle, which seems not to be a volatile oil. The taste is aromatic and sweetish, eventually acrid to a slight extent, but not bitter. The after-taste is sweet, resembling dulcamara, and is accompanied by a flow of saliva.
Description.—Eriodictyon is thus described by the U. S. P.: “Oblong-lanceolate, 5 to 10 Cm. (2 to 4 inches) long, acute at the apex, and below narrowed into a short petiole, the margin sinuately toothed to nearly entire; upper surface green, smooth, and covered with a brownish resin; lower surface reticulate and minutely white-tomentose; odor somewhat aromatic; taste balsamic and sweetish”—(U. S. P.).
Only the opening of the article is transcribed; Chemical Composition and Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage follow.