Eriodictyon sessilifolium

Used as a traditional medicine for respiratory issues (coughs, asthma), inflammation, and as a diuretic, often brewed into tea or applied topically as a poultice for pain, bruises, and wounds, with extracts also used to flavor foods and mask bitter tastes in medicines

As a smudge, or inscense, is one of the most powerful to ward off negative energies, cleanse and purify. Renews the energy of spaces, objects or people. Yerba Santa is a plant known for its power of purification and energetic protection. Its leaves are large and velvety and heart-shaped.

Yerba Santa refers to the “sacred plant,” named after missionary priests fascinated by its healing properties. This herb is traditionally used in bundled form as incense to neutralize negative energies during healing ceremonies. It is considered sacred by Native American and Hispanic cultures. The bundles of Yerba Santa were already used by the indigenous Americans in the colonial period as they were considered a mountain balm and a sacred plant.Origin: Native to the mountains and hills of California and Oregon north of Mexico.

The Yerba Santa bundle is specifically made to do energy cleansing and harmonization. It has a very relaxing aroma and for many years it has been used to protect and purify environments and the people in them.

It is a sacred plant with healing properties at a medicinal level and is also known for its bad energy cleansing properties. It is capable of capturing the slightest negative energy from the environment and neutralizing it. Protects from any type of negative or low vibration energy.

It brings peace, improves air quality, brings harmony and balance, relaxes and gives joy and happiness. It is also used for meditation and healing rituals. Helps attract good luck and success.

Salvia apiana

Promotes oral health. Sage is one of the most popular herbs in dentistry, as it targets pain, inflammation, and bad breath, and it exerts antibacterial and wound-healing properties. White sage tea may relieve indigestion. Traditionally, Native Americans drank it to relieve diarrhea as well.

“Simply put, sage clears bacteria in the air. Sage smoke offers rapid delivery to the brain and efficient absorption to the body. Scientists have observed that sage can clear up to 94 percent of airborne bacteria in a space and disinfect the air. When sage is burned, it releases negative ions, which is linked to putting people into a positive mood. The Latin word for sage salvia stems form the word heal. Other qualities believed to be associated with sage when burned are giving wisdom, clarity, and increasing spiritual awareness

Salvia clevelandii

is revered for its high aromatic quality and balanced energy. While it shares many cleansing properties with White Sage, it is considered more "expansive" and gentle. Cleveland Sage is often referred to as "Grandmother Sage" or "Grandfather Sage" for its lighter, gentler energy compared to White Sage. Ceremonial Smudging: Historically used by tribes like the Kumeyaay, its leaves are burned to create a fragrant smoke for purifying homes and clearing stagnant energy. Expansion & Abundance: In contemporary spiritual practices, it is specifically used to attract prosperity and success while gently removing negativity. Intuition & Focus: Its scent is a powerful aid in meditation, helping to quiet mental chatter, sharpen intuition, and create a sacred atmosphere for inner work. Spiritual Protection: It is believed to act as a guardian plant, providing a protective shield against malevolent spirits and bad vibrations. Medicinal Uses Traditionally, Cleveland Sage has been valued for its antimicrobial and soothing properties. Respiratory Support: A tea made from the leaves is a traditional remedy for coughs, chest colds, and sore throats. Some users find a strong infusion as effective as White Sage for drying up a runny nose. Infection & Wound Healing: It has been used to heal infections, particularly those caused by poison oak, and to treat minor wounds. Aromatherapy: The essential oils derived from this plant are used to reduce stress and promote emotional resilience and relaxation. Digestive Aid: While less common than garden sage, it may be used sparingly in teas to support digestion. Nutritional Use: Indigenous peoples also harvested the seeds, which could be toasted and ground into pinole or used as seasoning

brickellia californica

• Medicinal & Traditional Uses: Historically, Native American groups like the Hopi used the plant for headaches (by rubbing it on the head). It was also used in infusions to treat fevers, coughs, and sores, or as a tea substitute.

Indigenous groups like the Hopi, Navajo, and Kumeyaay utilized almost every part of the plant for specific ailments:

• Headaches and Fever: The Hopi, who refer to the plant as Pachaba, traditionally rub the plant directly on the head to relieve headaches. The Kumeyaay and Diegueño peoples used infusions of the leaves as a febrifuge (fever reducer).

• Respiratory and Stomach Relief: Infusions made from the foliage or stems were taken for coughs, respiratory issues, and stomach problems. The Navajo also used a decoction of the plant's tops specifically for coughs.

• Dermatological and Pediatric Care: The plant served as a healing lotion for sores. Specifically, the Navajo used it to treat infant sores believed to be caused by prenatal infections.

• Chronic Conditions: In traditional medicine, it has also been used to manage symptoms of diabetes, arthritis, and stomach ulcers, with modern research suggesting it may possess antioxidant properties that lower blood sugar.

Spiritual and Ritual Uses

The plant's potent aroma and physiological effects made it a key component in spiritual ceremonies:

• Ceremonial Emetic: The Navajo (Kayenta) used Brickellia californica as a ceremonial emetic—a substance used to induce vomiting—following certain social transgressions, such as clan incest, to "purify" the individual.

• Life-Restoring Rituals: Among the Kumeyaay, a potent tea of brickellbush was sometimes given to those appearing to be near death as a "revival" attempt; it was believed that if the bitter tea did not kill the person, it might bring them back to health.

• General Spiritual Healing: Like many sacred plants in the Southwest, brickellbush is recognized for its ability to "heal the spirit," often used alongside rituals like smudging or healing circles to address both physical and emotional well-being.

Artemisa Californica

Medicinal Uses

The plant contains potent aromatic oils—including camphor, terpenoids, and tannins—that provide significant antimicrobial and analgesic properties.

• Pain Management & Liniments: Modern research (2026) validates traditional uses of coastal sagebrush as a powerful topical analgesic. It is commonly prepared as an alcohol-based liniment to treat severe pain from arthritis, broken bones, rheumatism, and muscle strains. Some studies suggest it can be more effective and safer than certain opioid-based topicals due to its interaction with pain-sensitive TRP channels in the skin.

• Gynecological Aid: Historically, it was essential for women's health. The Cahuilla and Tongva used it to ease labor pains and stimulate uterine mucosa to quicken childbirth. It was also routinely taken as a tea before menstruation to relieve cramps or manage menopausal symptoms.

• Respiratory & General Illness: Infusions of the leaves are traditionally used to treat colds, coughs, and fevers. It was also used in sweathouses for bronchial relief.

• Topical Healing: The Ohlone and other groups applied chewed or crushed leaves directly to wounds, toothaches, or sores to act as a disinfectant and pain reliever.

Spiritual & Ritual Uses

Coastal sagebrush is regarded as a sacred "guardian plant" used to bridge the physical and spiritual worlds.

• Purification & Smudging: Similar to white sage, the leaves are dried and burned as a smudge to clear negative energy from a person or space. In traditional sweat lodges, the floor was often covered with sagebrush so its scent would fill the air during purification rituals.

• Funeral & Protection Rituals: The Chumash traditionally used the branches as incense and disinfectants during funeral rites. Some California tribes also wore necklaces made of the stems to ward off bad spirits.

• Hunting Rituals: The Luiseño and Kumeyaay burned sagebrush in ceremonial fires before hunting or rubbed the aromatic leaves on their bodies to mask human scent from prey.

• Spiritual Symbolism: It is often viewed as a symbol of resilience and endurance, representing the ability to thrive in the harsh, dry landscapes of the Golden State.

Euphorbia polycarpa, known as "Swallow's Herb," ​​is traditionally used in Mexico for skin problems (sores, warts, pimples), as a digestive remedy (diarrhea, vomiting), and for respiratory conditions (asthma, bronchitis), often in infusions or poultices. However, its latex can be irritating, and it is a potent homeopathic remedy against snake venom.

Traditional Medicinal Uses:

Dermatology: It is applied topically to treat chilblains, warts, sores, verrucas, and infected wounds; it is popular for treating pimples and acne.

Digestive Problems: It is used for diarrhea and, in some cases, to induce vomiting, according to tradition. - **Respiratory Conditions:** Useful for asthma, bronchitis, congestion, and phlegm in the nose and throat.

In homeopathy, it is considered a potent antidote against snake venom, protecting against its effects.

Primarily the aerial parts (stems and leaves).

It is prepared in decoctions for local infusions (such as washes) or poultices, and also in homeopathic preparations.

**All plants of the genus *Euphorbia* can be toxic; their milky sap causes irritation to the skin and mucous membranes and can be dangerous if it comes into contact with the eyes or is ingested without medical supervision.

Euphorbia Polycarpa

• Medicinal & Traditional Uses: Historically, Native American groups like the Hopi used the plant for headaches (by rubbing it on the head). It was also used in infusions to treat fevers, coughs, and sores, or as a tea substitute.

Indigenous groups like the Hopi, Navajo, and Kumeyaay utilized almost every part of the plant for specific ailments:

• Headaches and Fever: The Hopi, who refer to the plant as Pachaba, traditionally rub the plant directly on the head to relieve headaches. The Kumeyaay and Diegueño peoples used infusions of the leaves as a febrifuge (fever reducer).

• Respiratory and Stomach Relief: Infusions made from the foliage or stems were taken for coughs, respiratory issues, and stomach problems. The Navajo also used a decoction of the plant's tops specifically for coughs.

• Dermatological and Pediatric Care: The plant served as a healing lotion for sores. Specifically, the Navajo used it to treat infant sores believed to be caused by prenatal infections.

• Chronic Conditions: In traditional medicine, it has also been used to manage symptoms of diabetes, arthritis, and stomach ulcers, with modern research suggesting it may possess antioxidant properties that lower blood sugar.

Spiritual and Ritual Uses

The plant's potent aroma and physiological effects made it a key component in spiritual ceremonies:

• Ceremonial Emetic: The Navajo (Kayenta) used Brickellia californica as a ceremonial emetic—a substance used to induce vomiting—following certain social transgressions, such as clan incest, to "purify" the individual.

• Life-Restoring Rituals: Among the Kumeyaay, a potent tea of brickellbush was sometimes given to those appearing to be near death as a "revival" attempt; it was believed that if the bitter tea did not kill the person, it might bring them back to health.

• General Spiritual Healing: Like many sacred plants in the Southwest, brickellbush is recognized for its ability to "heal the spirit," often used alongside rituals like smudging or healing circles to address both physical and emotional well-being.

Cneoridium dumosum

Indigenous peoples, including the Luiseño and Kumeyaay, traditionally used boiled leaves as a mouthwashand gargle for toothaches, and the leaf infusion was noted for its blood-thinning and diuretic properties.

Pseudognaphalium canescens

Historically, the white flowers were ground and inhaled or smoked to treat head colds, chest colds, and breathing issues.

Bruised leaves have been used to make a paste or poultice used as a liniment for skin or joint issues.

 In various cultures, it has been utilized for anti-inflammatory purposes, digestive discomfort, and as a tea for overall health.

The name "Rabbit Tobacco" suggests its use by children or in, sometimes, traditional practices involving smoking the leaves.