01/20/2026
Yerba Mansa (The Little Cure-All) 🍃
While Osha is the King of New Mexico herbs, Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica) is often considered the Queen. It grows in the bosque (river valleys) and low, wet spots, recognizable by its white cone-like flowers and large, leathery leaves.
In New Mexico Spanish, mansa means "tame" or "calm." While it isn't a sedative, it is known to "calm" inflammation and infection better than almost anything else. It is the closest thing to a "cure-all" in the local medicine cabinet.
Primary Uses:👇
Infected Gums & Toothaches: This is its superpower. A tea made from the red, spicy roots is swished in the mouth to cure gingivitis, mouth sores, or sore throats. It acts as a powerful antibacterial mouthwash.
The Rheumatism Bath: For older folks with aching bones or arthritis, the large green leaves were boiled in a large pot of water. This dark water was then added to a bath (or used as a foot soak) to draw out the pain and inflammation from tired joints.
Stomach Ulcers: Drinking a mild tea of the roots is a traditional remedy for stomach ulcers and digestion issues, as it helps heal the mucus membranes of the gut.
Sinus Relief: Some old-timers would dry the root, grind it into a fine powder, and sniff a tiny pinch to violently clear out sinus infections (though this method is intense!).
