You are here: YERBA BUENA: Analgesic drug formulation | Philippine Council for Health Research and Development

Technology Generator
National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP),
Institute of Herbal Medicine National Institutes of Health,
University of the Philippines – Manila
Project Leader: Dr. Nelia C. Maramba et al.
The Problem
Effective control of post-operative pain is an integral part of patient management. Poor post-operative pain control often leads to complications, increased risk of blood clots, prolonged patient recovery, and increased cost of health care expenses. There is a need for efficacious and safe analgesics or pain relievers to successfully manage post-operative pain.
The Solution
Mentha cordifolia Opiz,commonly known as yerba buena, mint, or spearmint; has been traditionally used in the Philippines as cure for headache, toothache, arthritis, and dysmenorrhea. The proponents have successfully formulated an analgesic drug from yerba buena extracts. Yerba buena leaves contain a compound called Menthalactone which has been shown to have analgesic or pain-relieving activity. Results of clinical trials prove that Menthalactone is safe and effective in relieving moderate to severe post-operative pain after circumcision, dental extractions, and childbirth (post- episiorrhaphy). The drug has been recorded to take effect within 30 minutes after administration.
Product Development Stage
Yerba buena tablet (analgesic drug) is ready for adoption and commercialization (TRL 9). The proponents are currently seeking for pharmaceutical companies who will produce, manufacture and distribute the product.
Contact Person
Cecilia C. Maramba-Lazarte, MD, MScID, MScCT
Director, Institute of Herbal Medicine
National Institutes of Health, UP Manila
ccm.lazarte@gmail.com
FAQs
How do you make Yerba Buena herbal medicine? ›
To drink as a tea or decoction, Yerba Buena leaves must be washed thoroughly under running water, chopped, and then crushed. Take 2 teaspoons of the crushed leaves and boil it in a cup of water over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes. To relieve pain, you can drink 1 cup every 3 hours.
What is the medicinal uses of Yerba Buena? ›The Solution. Mentha cordifolia Opiz, commonly known as yerba buena, mint, or spearmint; has been traditionally used in the Philippines as cure for headache, toothache, arthritis, and dysmenorrhea. The proponents have successfully formulated an analgesic drug from yerba buena extracts.
What is the procedure on how do you use Yerba Buena? ›Bring water to a boil and add the fresh yerba buena leaves. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-8 minutes with a lid on the pot. Add the cup of ice and bring the tea back to a low boil for 3-5 minutes. Cool, strain, and refrigerate to serve cold.
What is Yerba Buena herbal medicine? ›Yerba Buena is a rambling aromatic herb of the mint family that is known and used for culinary and perfumes but also as herbal medicine worldwide because of its medicinal properties. It helps soothe pain, relieves nasal congestion, and treats digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Is Yerba Buena a pain reliever? ›Marshmint or commonly known as Yerba buena (Mentha cordifolia Opiz) contains Menthalactone which has been shown to have analgesic or pain-relieving activity for treatment of headaches, toothaches, arthritis, and dysmenorrhea.
What are the components of Yerba Buena? ›Studies have shown that Yerba buena contains pulegone, menthol, menthene, menthenone and limonene.
What are the adverse effects of Yerba Buena? ›It contains caffeine, which can cause some side effects such as inability to sleep (insomnia), nervousness and restlessness, stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and breathing, high blood pressure, headache, ringing in the ears, irregular heartbeats, and other side effects.
Is Yerba a drug? ›Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. The caffeine in yerba mate is a stimulant drug. Ephedrine is also a stimulant drug.
What is Yerba Buena called in English? ›In Cuba, yerba buena generally refers to Mentha nemorosa, a popular plant also known as large apple mint, foxtail mint, hairy mint, woolly mint or, simply, Cuban mint.
How much water does yerba buena need? ›Yerba Buena needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when it doesn't get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0" pot. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
How do I make enlightenment Yerba? ›
- Fill your french press or desired brewing vessel with your loose leaf yerba mate + mint, and sweetener of choice to taste.
- Cover with hot water and let brew for 4 minutes or to desired strength.
- Once fully brewed, strain out all plant matter and toss it in your compost.
Yerba santa has long been known for its anti-inflammatory properties [32] and in our phenotypic screens we found that sterubin had potent anti-inflammatory activity in BV-2 microglial cells whereas eriodictyol was less effective and homoeridodicytol had no effect at concentrations up to 10 µM (Table 2).
What ailment is treated with yerba buena tea? ›Medicinal Uses of Yerba Buena
However, it is perhaps best known for its use as a digestive aid due to its stimulating effects on digestive fluids such as bile, as well as its soothing effects on digestive membranes, and has long been used to treat cramps, diarrhea, constipation, gas and colic.
Wild lettuce is a plant that has been used for pain relief and to induce sleep. It's used by people interested in alternatives to conventional medications. Though wild lettuce might have some health benefits, many people are unaware of the adverse side effects that can occur from ingesting this plant.
How much caffeine is in a Yerba? ›A serving of yerba mate tea has between 30-180 mg of caffeine. The average cup of yerba mate contains about 70 mg of caffeine, compared to 120 mg of caffeine in a cup of coffee. However, a strong cup of yerba mate can have far more caffeine than a cup of coffee if brewed a certain way.
What is the difference between Yerba Buena and mint? ›"Yerba buena" (Spanish for "good herb") refers to several different plants. The name is most commonly used to refer to spearmint (Mentha spicata), but it is also used to refer to a relative of mint, Satureja douglasii. The latter is a trailing plant with mint-scented leaves.
Is yerba mate good for arthritis? ›(Aquifoliaceae), popularly known as yerba mate, is a native species from Southern Latin America, where it is used as a beverage and has great economic and social importance. In traditional medicine, it is used to treat arthritis, fatigue, obesity, and liver and intestinal affections [1].
Is yerba mate FDA approved? ›CURRENT AUTHORIZED USES IN COSMETICS, FOODS, AND MEDICINES
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies natural extractives of yerba maté as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in conventional food products.
Brain food
Some of the most exciting research on yerba mate centers on the plant's impact on the brain. Yerba mate has been shown to not only increase dopamine levels, which can activate motivation, but to also help keep your mind healthy and active.
This plant produces a natural stimulant called Mateine, which is made up of three compounds: caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Since yerba mate contains caffeine, and caffeine decreases fatigue and drowsiness, we know that yerba mate drinking is a great way to stay energized throughout the day.
Is yerba mate legal in the US? ›
Remember, yerba mate is a legal botanical herb (not a controlled substance), so there is nothing to worry about. You haven't broken any laws whatsoever.
Why does yerba mate make you feel good? ›The herbal tea stimulates the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with the pleasure centers of the brain. This herbal tea has an impressive nutritional profile of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. Apart from vitamins A, C, and E, Yerba mate tea contains several B-complex vitamins.
What does Yerba stand for? ›Yerba (yair-buh) is the Spanish word for Herb. Mate (mah-tay) is from the Native American Guarani language, and it means Cup. Yerba Mate means Herb of the Cup. Many North Americans think Yerba Mate is the brand-name of a tea company. Still others refer to Yerba Mate drinks as Yerbas.
Is Yerba Buena mint edible? ›Yerba Buena Spearmint is a perennial herb that is typically grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well.
What does Yerba Santa taste like? ›Yerba Santa has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and extracts are used as a flavoring agent.
How much yerba is too much? ›Some studies suggest that people who drink large amounts of yerba mate for a long time may have a higher risk of some types of cancer. This includes cancer of the mouth, throat and lungs. The higher risk is linked with drinking about 1 to 2 liters, or 4 to 8 cups, of yerba mate a day.
How many times can you infuse yerba mate? ›When you infuse Yerba Mate with a french press or tea infuser, you can infuse it 2 or 3 times just as any regular tea. When you infuse Yerba Mate with a gourd and bombilla, it can be re-infused up to 20 times, depending on the infusion time and temperature of the water.
What temperature should Yerba be? ›Generally, yerba mate is steeped in hot water, not boiling, at a temperature similar to a green tea, around 160 to 180 degrees. This is somewhere just off the boil.
What is the ratio of grams of yerba mate? ›Add 5 grams of yerba mate (1 heaping teaspoon) per 8oz of water to a frenchpress (i.e., add 4–5 teaspoons to a 32oz frenchpress or tea infester). Step 3. Brew your yerba mate for 5–10 minutes, then pour into a pitcher and allow to cool down (15 minutes min.).
Why is yerba mate so popular? ›In recent years the popularity of yerba mate has spread the world over, in part due to it's perceived medical benefits. These include providing an energy boost, helping with digestion, weight loss, and improved concentration.
How is yerba mate different from caffeine? ›
Yerba mate and coffee both contain approximately 75–80 mg of caffeine per cup. However, the caffeine in mate seems to work differently. While several cups of coffee easily cause jitters and crashing effects, mate has the unique dual action of stimulating and soothing, even after several servings.
Does yerba mate give you euphoria? ›Its stimulating effects are fairly similar in nature to cocaine and its relaxing, euphoric effects are somewhat akin to marijuana. I find it interesting that people gather in circles to pass around and share yerba mate the way people share marijuana.
How do you make high caffeine yerba mate? ›The same type of yerba mate made with cold water will have about 85 mg of caffeine. However, tea made with roasted tea leaves will have only around 13 mg of caffeine per cup (182ml)[2]. Therefore, if you want to get the most caffeine from yerba mate, opt for dried and powdered green type.
Why does yerba mate not make you jittery? ›Unlike coffee, yerba has a steady rise in energy which gives a feel of stimulation to the drinker's minds and bodies. That's also why yerba mate doesn't give you the jitters, unlike coffee. This effect occurs from a combination of caffeine and theobromine, which we'll get into a bit later.
How do you make mullein herbal tea? ›To make mullein tea, you can use commercially prepared mullein tea bags or dried loose leaves. Pour 1 cup of water over 1–2 teaspoons of dried mullein leaves or flowers. Steep it for 10-15 minutes before drinking. You can drink the tea three or four times a day.
Can Yerba Buena tea be made from fresh? ›Yerba Buena Tea
Tea can be made from either fresh or dry leaves; today's tea was brewed with dried leaves. Dry Yerba Buena leaves for about two weeks in a warm dry area, or in a dehydrator. Steep in boiling water for up to 30 minutes.
Mullein Tea
Drinking tea from this yellow flowered plant helps to relieve issues like sore throat, cough, colds, hoarseness and bronchitis. Some even use it to ease digestive complains like diarrhea and joint pain. To make the tea, the leaves are simply simmered in boiling water and then strained.
Although it has been used medicinally since ancient times, the popularity of common mullein has been increasing commercially for the past few years. Today, the dried leaves and flowers, swallow capsules, alcohol extracts and the flower oil of this plant can easily be found in health stores in the United States.
What is the most effective way to use mullein? ›For the tincture, 1/4–3/4 teaspoon (1–4 ml) is taken three to four times per day. As a dried product, 1/2–3/4 teaspoon (3–4 grams) is used three times per day. Mullein is sometimes combined with other demulcent or expectorant herbs when used to treat coughs and bronchial irritation.
Can you drink too much mullein tea? ›In addition, mullein tea may help promote digestive health. It is also good for relieving pain and spasms, thyroid issues, and headaches. However, excess intake may lead to skin irritation or breathing issues. If you experience any adverse effects, limit its use and seek medical advice.
How does mullein tea make you feel? ›
Mullein tea is a natural sedative that might aid with sleep issues (01). Mullein has sedative effects in its roots, leaves, and flowers, which can help with sleep problems (10). Experts believe that this tea contains a chemical that serves as a natural sedative and aids in sleep induction.
What are the side effects of mullein tea? ›Mullein tea is an old herbal remedy for coughs, colds, digestive issues, and other problems. Mullein is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial and potential side effects include skin rashes and herbal interactions.
What is yerba buena called in English? ›In Cuba, yerba buena generally refers to Mentha nemorosa, a popular plant also known as large apple mint, foxtail mint, hairy mint, woolly mint or, simply, Cuban mint.
What are the side effects of yerba buena tea? ›It contains caffeine, which can cause some side effects such as inability to sleep (insomnia), nervousness and restlessness, stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and breathing, high blood pressure, headache, ringing in the ears, irregular heartbeats, and other side effects.
How often should you drink yerba? ›Studies typically use a dose of 3 cups (330mL each) of yerba mate a day, for up to 60 days. It's safe to drink up to 1.5 liters of yerba mate a day, though toxicity has not been shown to occur from higher doses either.