Green Daily

Yerba Mansa is getting buzz as the next cross-over herbal remedy, claiming a place next to echinacea and goldenseal in your medicine cabinet.

The plant is native to southwestern North America and has long been used by Native Americans and Hispanic settlers, who gave it the name meaning "calming herb."

As a medicinal aid it has some similarities to goldenseal. It's been used to treat toothaches and sinus infections. It is also an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, and is said to be useful for various postpartum treatments.

Yerba mansa can still be found in the wild, growing in parts of New Mexico. However, its' natural habitat is rapidly being eliminated by urban growth. Researchers at New Mexico State University's Sustainable Agriculture Science Center are developing sustainable agricultural practices that they hope will help make yerba mansa a viable crop for small farmers.

If you're open to alternative remedies like this, consider adding yerba mansa to your list of things to discuss at your next check up. Remember that it's important to confer with your doctor before trying any kind of medication, especially to be sure it doesn't interact with any of your current prescriptions.