- Origin
- Southwestern United States and northern Mexico
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 632
Anemopsis californica
Herb · Central America and the Caribbean
Yerba mansa
Anemopsis californica
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness in joint pain that worsens in cold, wet weather, opens blocked sinuses and dries dampness in slow-healing wounds and swellings.
Safety notes
Not during pregnancy. Caution with qi or yin deficiency because of the strongly drying action. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Western herbs in Chinese medicine: Not during pregnancy; caution with qi or yin deficiency.
Preparation
Root and rhizome as a decoction or tincture; leaf or root as a wash, balm, plaster or bath.
Use in traditions
A staple of folk medicine in the south-western US and northern Mexico. From the viewpoint of Chinese medicine it belongs to the herbs that expel wind and dampness.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbs in Chinese medicine
- Nature and taste
- pungent, bitter, warm, aromatic
- Meridians
- lung, bladder, spleen
Attributed effects
For wind-damp pain with swollen joints, especially with cold; dissolves phlegm lodged in the channels. For wind-cold with blocked nose, running clear mucus, headache and muscle pain; has a preference for head and sinuses, also with thick yellow phlegm. Dries dampness and expels cold in slow-healing ulcers and swellings. In Western terms antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and astringent.
Preparation and amount
3–9 g as a decoction (the taste is spicy) or 2–4 ml tincture, preferably of fresh plant. A bath with the leaves helps stiff joints and muscles; bruised leaf makes a good plaster. Good dried root is rust-brown, smells aromatic, tastes pungent and bitter and slightly numbs the tongue. Despite its warm nature, well combined it is also used for heat and inflammation.
Combinations
- With bugbane, California figwort and willow bark for stiff, hot, painful joints (acutely with a little yucca root)
- With ragweed, magnolia buds and yerba santa for blocked sinuses with clear or white phlegm, plus echinacea, goldenseal and Chinese skullcap for yellow or green phlegm
- With goldenseal, Chinese skullcap and echinacea externally and internally for inflamed wounds and swellings (internally with licorice and ginger; with dang gui and astragalus for slow healing)
Caution: Not during pregnancy; caution with qi or yin deficiency.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionTinctureSalve and balmCompress, poultice and pasteSteam and bath