Magical Plant from Mexico could be the New Goldenseal

Is it possible that a “magical new plant” has been discovered?  According to a news report, this “magical plant” has actually been known in the Southwest United States and northern Mexico as a healing plant, similar to goldenseal and Echinacea.  American Indians and Hispanics have been using it to help with a variety of health issues from toothaches to sinus infections for years. So what is this magical plant? Let’s take a closer look . . .

What is yerba mansa?
The herb is called “yerba mansa” which in its translated form means “calming herb.”   It has also been known as “lizard tail” or “swamp root.”   It is a perennial plant that produces white flowers that bloom in the early spring.  The flowers are also surrounded by 4-9 large white bracts.  As the flower matures, it develops stains that will turn bright red in the fall.

The plant grows near the riverbanks and wetlands in the Southwest and northern Mexico, but is now threatened to become extinct. 

Why is this plant threatened to become extinct?
This herb is not well known outside of its native home, but its healing properties are becoming more and more recognized.  It would be wonderful if a new natural herb can be used to develop different types of natural products to help heal ailments.  The problem is that there is not enough of this plant to go around. 

Researchers are looking to find a way to protect the “ecologically-threatened plant from depletion by habitat loss and urban development.”

The habitat of this plant is being threatened because of the increasing home and urban developments along the Rio Grande.   Irrigated agriculture used to dominate this land.  Sadly, now there is less than one percent of the state’s entire land base where this plant can be found.

A possible solution
Charles Martin, a researcher at New Mexico State University's Sustainable Agriculture Science Center thinks he has found the answer.  His plan is to make yerba mansa a viable agricultural crop for the small farmers in New Mexico.

"As far as I know, our center is the only place in the U.S. conducting production research (on yerba mansa)," Martin said. "We targeted native herbs in an effort to find alternative crops for small farmers that are drought-tolerant and have a built-in pest resistance, and yerba mansa is an ideal plant that meets the criteria."

What obstacles can this solution run into?
Water is the major factor that small farmers may have a problem with.  

"It will grow in a wide variety of conditions and soils, including alkaline-encrusted soil and in all degrees of sunlight," he said. "Once established, it doesn't need any more water than a typical crop, like say alfalfa."

Farmers will need to find ways to deal with this obstacle.  However, it is becoming harder because of the fact that the population is growing and creeks are drying up.  Native plants could be lost forever, if something is not done.

Because the secret is out on this magical plant and the demand for herbal remedies has grown significantly, the need exists to find ways to grow this plant and preserve it for their future generations. If that can be accomplished, who knows what positive effects this “magical plant” can have on the health and well-being of hundreds of individuals?