2. Eriodictyon
Synonyms Yerba Santa; Consumptive's weed; Bear's weed; Mountain balm; Gum plant.
Biological Source It is obtained from the dried leaves of Eriodictyon californicum (H. & A.) Greene belonging to family: Hydrophyllaceae.
The plant is an evergreen shrub indigenous to the mountains of California (USA) and northern Mexico. The Indians of California have been using this as a drug since many years.
Chemical Constituents It contains a volatile oil, eviodictyol i.e., the aglycone of eriodictin, homoeriodictyol, chrysoeriodictyol, xanthoeriodictyol, eriodonol, eriodictyonic acid, ericolin, formic acid, butyric acid, tannin and a resin.
Uses
1. It is used as a pharmaceutic flavouring aid to disguise the bitter taste of quinine formulations.
2. It has also been employed as a stimulating expectorant.
