The grass of the manso, yerba mansa or lizard's tail (Anemopsis califórnica) is a perennial herb whose root, bark and rhizome are used for medicinal purposes. It is the only species in the genus Anemopsis and occurs in very wet, swampy soils or shallow waters. It is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
The root is very fragrant and is edible raw or cooked. The seeds are ground to make flour and this can be used to make bread. The seeds pulverized in the mortar are cooked as mush or used to make bread. The fresh or dried leaf or roots can be taken orally as a tea, tincture, infusion, or dried in capsule form.
The teas are used to treat coughs, nausea, kidney problems, and menstrual cramps. Also as diuretics and to relieve pain. Ointments and poultices are used to prevent infection after burns and reduce swelling from bruises. It is also used in sitz baths and showers.
Composition and properties
Thirty-eight compounds have been detected and identified by gas chromatography in manso grass. Some are found throughout the plant and others are only present in the roots.
They are chemical compounds derived from the essential oils it contains. The main ones are elemicin, pinene, sabinene, α-phelandrene, 1,8-cineole, piperitone, methyl-eugenol, isoeugenol, thymol, cymene and limonene, among others.
Elemycin is recognized as an anticholinergic. These substances are used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and urological disorders, such as overactive bladder syndrome.
Limonene is used to relieve gallstones, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and heartburn.
Piperitone is credited with bronchodilator, anti-asthmatic, and flavoring effects. For its part, thymol is characterized by its disinfectant and fungicidal power. Solutions of 5% thymol in ethanol are used for dermal disinfection and against fungal infections.
At low levels of exposure, α-Pinene is a bronchodilator, has anti-inflammatory properties and could act as an antimicrobial.
Lastly, eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) is an ingredient in cough suppressant syrups and is also used as a flavoring in mouthwashes.
Benefits
Manso grass is one of the most important medicinal plants among the native cultures of the western United States and northwestern Mexico.
It has been used to treat a variety of ailments: from colds and scrapes to venereal diseases. Among the main benefits documented are the following:
- Used to treat inflammation of the mucous membranes, swollen gums, and sore throat.
- The herb is astringent. This means that it has the property of tightening the tissues with which it comes into contact; hence its usefulness to relieve sore throats, blisters, sunburns, hemorrhoids and rash, among other ills. It has analgesic properties.
- It is effective for stomach and intestinal problems, especially irritated bowel syndrome and inflammation of the urinary bladder.
- Its roots possess a pronounced anticancer activity against multiple human cancer cell lines.
- You can take an infusion of roots as a diuretic to treat rheumatic diseases such as gout. This herb contributes to the elimination of excess uric acid, which causes painful inflammation of the joints. Also, it prevents the accumulation of crystals in the kidneys, which could cause kidney stones.
- It is used in skin conditions to treat inflamed or infected areas. It is an antibacterial; reduces inflammation and helps you recover from infection. The withered leaves or the powder made from the root are also used; Dried root powder can be sprinkled on infected areas to relieve athlete's foot or diaper rash.
- Relieves muscle inflammation when the leaves are applied in poultices.
- It is used for respiratory ailments, especially for coughs and to reduce nasal congestion that accompanies sinusitis.
- Calms menstrual discomfort.
- It is used in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and vaginal candidiasis.
Contraindications
- It should not be used when there are infections in the urinary tract.
- It is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- The root can deepen sedation if ingested before a surgical procedure. It can also cause drowsiness, so driving and operating machinery should be avoided if you are consuming weed.
- Little is known about the effects of the herb in very young children. Before use it is advisable to consult a health professional. It can cause adverse reactions and also life-threatening side effects if combined with other medications.
How to take it?
- The medicinal preparations of grass of the manso have their origins in ethnobotany. The root of the plant is peeled, cut, squeezed and boiled to prepare a warm decoction and relieve colds, coughs, nasal congestion and pleurisy. In this case, 2 cups of manso leaves tea are taken a day.
- The tea is prepared with 4 leaves of the herb for ½ liter of water. This decoction has also been used for menstrual cramps, stomach ulcers, and for general pain management.
- For respiratory problems you can also spray, incorporating eucalyptus and sage to the leaves of the manso grass.
- Like many herbal teas, it works best when ingested a few times a day for a few days and not every day.
- For an upset stomach, drink the water after soaking the root in it.
- When wounds are to be treated, the sores are washed with the herb tea.
- The plant, dried and pulverized, is sprayed on the wounds as a disinfectant.
- The water from the boiled leaves is used to relieve muscle pain and foot pain.
- Poultices are made by crushing the roots and boiling them to treat localized inflammations.
- The roots are also chewed to calm a cough.
- It is used as a liniment for skin problems.
References
- Anemopsis (2018). Retrieved on May 6, 2018, at en.wikipedia.org
- Anemopsis californica (nd). Retrieved on May 7, 2018, at eol.org
- Childs, R. and Cole, J. (1965). Phytochemical and Pharmacological Investigation of Anemopsis californica. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 54 (5), pp. 789-791.
- Ethnobotany of southern California native plants: Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica) (sf) Retrieved on May 7, 2018, in ethnoherbalist.com
- Hierba del manso, Yerba manso medicinal properties (2016). Retrieved on May 5, 2018, at Plantasyremedios.com
- Kaminski, C., Ferrey, S., Lowrey, T., Guerra, L., Van Slambrouck, S. and Steelant, W. In vitro anticancer activity of Anemopsis californica. Oncology Letters, 2010 Mar, 1 (4), 711-715.
- Kelso, L. (1932 May). A Note on Anemopsis californica. American Midland Naturalist, 13 (3), p.110.
- Medina, A., Lucero, M., Holguin, F., Estell, R., Posakony, J., Simon, J. and O'Connell, M. Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Anemopsis californica Leaf Oil. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2005 Jul, 53 (22), 8694-8698.
- Medina-Holguín, A., Omar Holguín, F., Micheletto, S., Goehle, S., Simon, J. and O'Connell, M. Chemotypic variation of essential oils in the medicinal plant, Anemopsis californica. Phytochemistry, 2008 Jan, 69 (4), 919-927.
- Mosquin D. (2015). Anemopsis califórnica. Retrieved on May 6, 2018, at botanicalgarden.ubc.ca
- Uses and Benefits of Yerba Mansa (nd). Retrieved on May 6, 2018, at herbpathy.com
- Yerba mansa (sf) Retrieved on May 7, 2018, at webmd.com
- Yerba Mansa Root (Anemopsis californica) (2012) Retrieved on May 7, 2018, in naturalwellbeing.com
- Shebs S. (2017). Yerba del manzo a versatile healing herb. Retrieved on May 7, 2018, at taosnews.com