Hoja Santa, acuo

Root Beer Plant. Used as both a culinary herb and medicinally in Mexico and Guatemala. The distinctive root beer flavored leaves are used to wrap various dishes and tamales while the leaves used as a tea are very relaxing to the nervous system. A close relative to Kava kava do not ingest long term as it does contain alkaloids which can be hard on the liver over time. Grows well as a houseplant in rich moist soil in partial shade. Large tropical-looking heart shaped leaves. Hoja will withstand temperatures into the 30’s, but prefers temperatures above 50. Tropical Perennial Hardy to zone 10.