Yerba mansa is showy in spring when in bloom. Calamine lotion, witch hazel, and yerba mansa, a Californian plant, are astringents. "Yerba mansa" is one of those names which confounds linguists. Yerba mansa was believed to cure gonorrhea, as well as many other afflictions. Yerba mansa is used as an antimicrobial, an antibacterial, and to treat vaginal candidiasis.