Chapter 1.10
1.10 - Yerba buena (Satureja)
Jessica Anderchek , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Anderchek,J. (2022) Labrador tea. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Introduction
Yerba Buena is a plant that has been used for generations by Straits Salish peoples of Vancouver Island and neighboring Halkomelem tribes (Turner and Kuhnlein, 1991). This plant has historically been utilized by various Indigenous communities in many useful ways. This report will educate Canadians about Yerba Buena, its historical backgrounds, as well as its potential for everyday uses moving into the future.
Species Information
Yerba Buena, also commonly known by its scientific name Satureja Douglasii or Clinopodium Douglasii, is a vine-like and low growing perennial herb (Small, 2013). It is in the Lamiaceae family along with other common herbs such as mint (Small, 2013). The Lamiaceae family consists of 250 genera and more than 7000 species including sage, bee balm, thyme, summer and winter savory, rosemary, etcetera (Stankovic, 2020). The specific species Yerba Buena has woody stems which develop into roots where they encounter the ground (Small, 2013), as seen in the drawing displayed in figure 1. This allows the species to rapidly increase its surface area via rhizome growth allowing for quick spreading upon the ground (Small, 2013). Although Yerba Buena is a sprawling plant, it usually only grows to a height of 15 cm max (Small, 2013). The evergreen leaves range from 10-35 mm long (Small, 2013). It has tiny white flowers that become purple with increasing age and from fruits (Small, 2013). This species flowers in July and its fruits mature in early August to October (Montana Natural Heritage, 2021). Yerba Buena thrives in moist and shady habitats (Small, 2013)
Historical and Geographic Origins
Yerba Buena is closely related to the European savouries of the genus Satureja (United States Department of Agriculture, n.d.). Previously called Satureja Douglasii, Clinopodium Douglasii translates to “bent” or “sloping foot” and “of Douglas” (United States Department of Agriculture, n.d.). Yerba Buena was the former name of the original Spanish settlement (today’s San Francisco) which was discovered in 1776 by Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza (Van Meter, 2007). The plant Yerba Buena seemed to grow everywhere along the peninsula which is why the territory claimed that to be its name (Van Meter, 2007). Figure 2 displays that this plant is native to the Pacific coast of western North America in areas like the maritime islands of Alaska, southern British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, and Mexico (Small, 2013). Yerba Buena is more common near the Pacific coast due to its ability to thrive in moist and shady environments because of its adaptation to obtaining water from the fog (Small, 2013). Due to this, it can also be found in coastal shrublands as an understory plant in woodlands (source). Furthermore, it is also hardy enough to also grow in disturbed places (eg. along roadcuts) (Small, 2013).
Associated Indigenous Peoples
Native Americans and early settlers on the coast used Yerba Buena tea to cure a variety of health issues including toothaches, headaches, poor digestion, arthritis, and overall aches and pains (Small, 2013). Indigenous peoples gave it the common name “good herb” because of the positive effects it seemed to have on their health (Small, 2013). The tuberous roots from Yerba Buena plants were traditionally consumed by Straits Salish peoples of British Columbia and Washington – including Nlaka’pamux, Okanagan-Colville, Shuswap, and potentially the Kootenay (Turner and Kuhnlein, 1991). West coast Indigenous peoples rubbed their bodies and weapons with mashed Yerba Buena leaves to cover up their human scent for hunting purposes (Small, 2013). In Canada, Straits Salish and Halkomelem people are known to use the plants to make medicinal beverages (Turner and Kuhnlein, 1991). Mint is used more often than Yerba Buena because it can be more easily found in Indigenous communities, however their uses among groups are comparable. Both plants are used because of their pleasant aroma and minty flavour (Turner and Kuhnlein, 1991). Indigenous peoples of Canada also use these herbs in tea, medicines, meat, fish, and soup flavourings (Turner and Kuhnlein, 1991).
Consumption and Uses
Yerba Buena was traditionally used by Indigenous peoples in teas and medicines (Turner and Kuhnlein, 1991). Today, this plant is primarily used in herbal teas because of its aroma and slightly minty flavour (Francis and Leiblein, 2011). Similarly, to other herbs in the Lamiaceae family, it is also used to flavour other beverages and foods (Francis and Leiblein, 2011). Yerba Buena is becoming more popular in culinary dishes, such as albondigas soup and mojito cocktails (Small, 2013). Albondigas soup is a Spanish beef broth soup with meatballs and veggies which is traditionally flavoured with Yerba Buena (Small, 2013). Mojitos consist of rum, lime juice, sugar, sparkling water, and Yerba Buena or mint for flavour (Small, 2013). Yerba Buena is not only consumed; the strong oils from the plant can also be used in toothpaste, soaps, oils, and perfumes (Small, 2013). Despite these marketable products, Yerba Buena is still most commonly used as a folk medicine by Mexican, Native, and European Americans (United States Department of Agriculture, n.d.).
Health Benefits
Traditionally, Indigenous peoples have used Yerba Buena for medicinal and healing purposes (Small, 2013), and recent statistics prove that it can scientifically have many benefits to human health. Professor of Medicine, Stephen Holt, M.D. says that Yerba Buena has many health benefits. Firstly, the plant contains antioxidants which are good for skin quality (eg. reducing wrinkles, preventing dryness, etc.) (Holt, 2019). Simply breathing in the minty smell of Yerba Buena is especially beneficial for reducing nausea, often experienced by women during early stages of pregnancies (Holt, 2019). In addition, the minty aroma can help relax muscles in the respiratory system, which can aid in reducing asthma attacks and eliminate infections as well as reduce mucus found in respiratory tracts (Holt, 2019). Similarly, to other plant foods, Yerba Buena contains catechins and polyphenolic compounds which help fight bacteria and viruses; overall helping to boost one’s immunity (Holt, 2019). Crushing Yerba Buena stems and applying the material to wounds will speed up the healing process (Holt, 2019) in a similar way as Aloe Vera. Many species in the Lamiaceae family (like mint) have similar benefits so they can be interchanged very easily.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Yerba Buena was historically used by a range of Indigenous groups and continues to be utilized today by a small portion of consumers. The plant doesn’t grow commonly across North America but has the potential to thrive in other moist and shady environments (Small, 2013). Yerba Buena has many proven health benefits to humans and due to its relatedness to other mint species, it can be used in similar ways and interchanged according to availability. By becoming more educated on this species, Canadians can have the opportunity to expand the use of Yerba Buena.
References
1.Francis, C., Leiblein, G. (2011). Innovative Education on Agroecology : Experiential Learning for a Sustainable Agriculture. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232827329_Innovative_Education_in_Agroecology_Experiential_Learning_for_a_Sustainable_Agriculture
2.Guana, J. (n.d.). Yerba Buena (Clinopodium Douglasii). U.S. Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/clinopodium_douglasii.shtml
3.Holt, S. (2019). 10 Health Benefits of Yerba Buena You May Not Know About. Natural Wellness. https://www.naturalwellness.com/nwupdate/10-health-benefits-of-yerba-buena-you-may-not-know-about/
4.Montana Natural Heritage. (n.d.). Yerba Buena – Satureja Douglasii. Montana Field Guide.
5.Small, E. (2013). North American Cornucopia: Yerba Buena. 1: 705-708. https://www-taylorfrancis-com.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/chapters/oa-mono/10.1201/b15818-101/yerba-buena-ernest-small
6.Stankovic, M. (2022). Lamiaceae Species; Biology, Ecology and Practical Uses. MDPI. 1-142. https://www.mdpi.com/books/pdfdownload/book/2053
7.Turner, N., Kuhnlein, H. (1991). Traditional Plant Foods of Canadian Indigenous Peoples. Gordon and Breach publishing. https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Traditional_Plant_Foods_of_Canadian_Indi/fPDErXqH8YYC?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover
8.United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Clinopodium Douglasii – Yerba Buena. Natural Resources Conservation Service USDA. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=CLDO2
9.Van Meter, L. (2007). Colonial Settlements in America: Yerba Buena. (13th ed.). Infobase Publishing.