Yerba Mansa
Also known as: Yerba mansa, Mexican tea, Lizard tail, Anemopsis californica
Overview
Yerba mansa, scientifically known as Anemopsis californica, is a perennial herb native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, commonly found in moist, alkaline soils. Traditionally, the root and rhizome of this plant have been utilized in folk medicine for various ailments, including wound healing, pain relief, menstrual cramps, and as an antimicrobial agent. Modern research has begun to investigate its essential oils and extracts, which are rich in monoterpenoids and phenylpropanoids such as elemicin, methyleugenol, and thymol. The specific composition of these essential oils can vary, influencing the plant's biological activity. While some in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted, the overall research maturity is moderate, with a notable absence of high-quality clinical trials, systematic reviews, or meta-analyses. Consequently, the evidence supporting its efficacy and safety in humans is generally considered low to moderate, primarily relying on preclinical data.
Benefits
Yerba mansa exhibits several potential benefits, though most are supported by preclinical evidence rather than robust clinical trials. Its essential oils have demonstrated selective antiproliferative effects in vitro against certain cancer cell lines, including uterine (AN3CA) and cervical (HeLa) cancer, with IC50 values around 0.05% (v/v). Some studies also suggest activity against breast and colon cancer cells, indicating potential broad anticancer properties, but these findings are limited to cell culture models and lack clinical validation. Extracts have shown antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and nontuberculous mycobacteria, which supports its traditional use for infections and wound healing. While traditional uses imply anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential for conditions like pain and menstrual cramps, rigorous clinical evidence is currently lacking. Anecdotal and ethnobotanical reports also suggest uses for colds, flu, and urinary tract conditions, but these claims have minimal to no scientific support.
How it works
The bioactivity of Yerba mansa is primarily attributed to the essential oil components found in its root and rhizome, such as elemicin, methyleugenol, thymol, and piperitone. These compounds are believed to exert their effects through various mechanisms. For instance, their potential antiproliferative effects against cancer cells may involve interference with cellular growth pathways, although the precise molecular targets are not yet fully understood. The observed antimicrobial effects likely stem from the disruption of microbial cell membranes or the inhibition of essential enzymes necessary for pathogen survival. While traditional use involves both topical and oral preparations, the absorption and bioavailability of these active compounds in the human body are not well characterized, requiring further research.
Side effects
The safety profile of Yerba mansa is not well-established due to a significant lack of comprehensive clinical safety trials. There are no well-documented serious adverse effects, but this is largely due to the limited controlled human studies. Caution is advised regarding potential central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects, and it should be used with caution when combined with sedative medications due to the possibility of additive drowsiness. Yerba mansa may also irritate the urinary tract, and its use is contraindicated in individuals with existing urinary tract disorders. Furthermore, there is insufficient data regarding its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding, leading to a recommendation for avoidance in these populations. The absence of robust clinical data means that definitive conclusions about its overall safety and potential drug interactions cannot be made at this time.
Dosage
Due to the absence of clinical trials, there are no established clinical dosing guidelines for Yerba mansa. Traditional use primarily involves decoctions or poultices prepared from the root and rhizome, but these traditional preparations do not provide standardized dosages. The concentrations of essential oils found to be effective in in vitro studies are not directly translatable to safe or effective human doses. Given the potential for CNS effects and urinary tract irritation, caution is strongly advised with any preparation. Without scientific validation, specific dosage ranges, timing considerations, or different dosages for various purposes cannot be recommended. There are also no established upper limits or safety thresholds for human consumption.
FAQs
Is yerba mansa effective for cancer treatment?
In vitro studies show selective antiproliferative effects on certain cancer cell lines, but no clinical trials confirm efficacy in humans. It is not a proven cancer treatment.
Is it safe to use during pregnancy?
Safety is not established during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and its use is not recommended due to insufficient data.
Can it be used with sedatives?
Caution is warranted when combining Yerba mansa with sedatives due to the possibility of additive central nervous system depression.
How soon might benefits appear?
There are no clinical data available to determine the onset of effects, as human efficacy studies are lacking.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2330197/ – This in vitro study identified three chemotypes of Anemopsis californica root oils, demonstrating selective antiproliferative activity against uterine (AN3CA) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells at low concentrations (IC50 ~0.05% v/v). However, no activity was observed against lung, breast, prostate, or colon cancer cells. The research is preclinical, supporting traditional uses for uterine cancer but lacking clinical validation.
- https://yerbamansaproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Anemopsis-californica-monograph.pdf – This monograph provides a comprehensive overview of Anemopsis californica, including its traditional uses, chemical constituents, and some preclinical research findings. It highlights the plant's potential for various applications, such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, while also noting the limited clinical data available to support these claims.
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-338/yerba-mansa – This source provides a general overview of Yerba Mansa, detailing its traditional uses and some of the conditions it's anecdotally used for. It also touches upon the lack of scientific evidence for many of its claimed benefits and highlights safety concerns, particularly regarding its use during pregnancy and with certain medical conditions.
- https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/yerba_mansa.htm – This reference offers information on Yerba Mansa, including its common names, traditional applications, and a summary of what is known about its effectiveness and safety. It emphasizes the insufficient reliable information to rate its effectiveness and advises caution due to limited research on side effects and interactions.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35829819/ – This systematic review focused on Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate), not Anemopsis californica. It found no significant lipid-lowering effects, which is important for distinguishing between botanicals with similar common names and highlights the need for specific, high-quality research for each plant.
