![\"Yerba](\"https:\/\/wp-assets.futurism.com\/2019\/02\/holy-herb-promise-alzheimers-treatment-300x158.png\")
<\/div>Old Medicine<\/h2>
The name native California tribes gave to the plant Eriodictyon californicum — “Yerba santa” — translates to “holy herb” in English, and the moniker is a testament to the tribes’ respect for the plant, which they used to treat everything from headaches to sore muscles.<\/p>
Now, in a heartening old-meets-new finding, scientists think they may have discovered yet another ailment Yerba santa<\/a> has the potential to treat: Alzheimer’s disease.<\/p> In a study<\/a> published in the journal Redox Biology <\/em>on Wednesday, researchers from the Salk Institute detail their discovery that Yerba santa could be useful for treating Alzheimer’s.<\/p> They started by screening 400 plant extracts known to have pharmacological properties for signs of anti-inflammatory or neuroprotective properties. This led them to the Yerba santa compound sterubin.<\/p> The researchers found through additional testing that “the compound was effective against multiple inducers of cell death in the nerve cells,” according to a press release<\/a>.<\/p> It had an anti-inflammatory impact on certain brain cells, and it was also effective at removing iron, which is known to add to the damage of nerve cells in people with neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p> The researchers now plan to test sterubin in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. After that, they’ll set out to determine the compound’s toxicity levels in animals and other characteristics.<\/p> Human testing could follow, but as researcher Pamela Maher pointed out in a press release, the team would likely created a synthetic derivative of sterubin rather than use sterubin drawn from a plant.<\/p> Ultimately, this wouldn’t be the first medicine with its roots in nature — aspirin and morphine are two well-known examples — but given the ever-growing number of people<\/a> suffering and dying from Alzheimer’s, the “holy herb” has the potential to be one that has an immediate and dramatic impact.<\/p> READ MORE:<\/strong> Native California Medicinal Plant May Hold Promise for Treating Alzheimer’s<\/a> [Salk Institute]<\/p> More on Alzheimer’s: Americans Are Living Longer. That Will Mean More People With Alzheimer’s.<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p> The post “Holy Herb” Shows Promise as Alzheimer’s Treatment<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> Read the original: Old Medicine The name native California tribes gave to the plant Eriodictyon californicum \u2014 \u201cYerba santa\u201d \u2014 translates to\u00a0\u201choly herb\u201d in English, and the moniker is a testament to the tribes\u2019 respect for the plant, which they used to treat everything from\u00a0headaches to sore muscles. Now, in a heartening old-meets-new finding,\u00a0scientists think they may have discovered yet another ailment Yerba santa has the potential to treat: Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Brain Protector In a study published in the journal\u00a0 Redox Biology on Wednesday, researchers from the Salk Institute detail their discovery that Yerba santa could be useful for treating Alzheimer\u2019s. Continue reading Brain Protector<\/h2>
Dramatic Drug<\/h2>
“Holy Herb” Shows Promise as Alzheimer’s Treatment<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"