Description: creeping plant about 20 centimeters long. It has a particular smell. The branches have 4 nodes and the leaves are rough and wrinkled and opposite each other.How to Plant Yerba Buena:* Cut branches to about 10-15 centimeters long to include 3 or 4 pairs of leaves. Plant them in a pot or in between two tall plants. Yerba Buena also grows in shady areas. The roots will come out after 1 week.
* If Yerba Buena has been planted temporarily in a pot or can, transfer the plant to the prepared pot after 2 weeks.
How to Take Care of the Plant:
* Water the newly planted cuttings every to prevent them from drying. Remove the weeds and grass around them.
* Remove branches or leaves that have been destroyed by pests or by plant diseases to prevent them from spreading to the rest of the plant.
* If using fertilizer, use organic fertilizer only!
Harvesting and Proper Storage:
* Harvest only mature and healthy leaves.
* Make sure that there are enough leaves left on the plant to prevent the plant from dying.
* Dry the leaves to be stored. Place the dried leaves in a sealed plastic bag or tightly covered brown jar or bottle.
Used for:
* Body pains
Preparation:
* Chop the leaves and place in an earthen jar according to the following amounts.
For Dried Leaves:
ADULTS = 4 tbspful
7-12 y/o = 2 tbspful
For Fresh Leaves:
ADULTS = 6 tbspful
7-12 y/o = 3 tbspful
* Pour in 2 glassfuls of water Cover it
* Bring the mixture to a boil.
* Remove the cover and let it continue to boil for another 15 minutes.
* Let it cool and then strain the mixture.
How to Use:
* Divide the decoction into 2 parts and drink 1 part every 3 hours.
Source: doh.gov.ph, photo courtesy of globalpinoy.com
Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) - commonly known as Peppermint, this vine is used as an analgesic to relive body aches and pain. It can be taken internally as a decoction or externally by pounding the leaves and applied directly on the afflicted area.
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