I have never grown it so have no personal experiences to share, but did find a plant profile on Dave's Garden for it. I can't attest to the accuracy of the info there, of course.

From the reading I did (I am kind of interested in growing this plant, but no idea where to get it from) it doesn't seem important that the soil be salty or alkaline, but it does seem important that it never be in a soil that dries out.

You said your neighbor's aren't doing so well. Are they in containers or the ground? Any idea the moisture levels in the soil they are growing in?

justaguy- That was one thing I forgot to mention about my quick research yesterday was the fact that it needs constant water. She actually has some in pots and some in the ground. After a second look at them again today they seem very small but healthy. I think its place of orgin is south america. Having said that maybe its just in a slow growth cycle because the time of year. Hopefully when the weather warms it will take off. I'm thinking she should transplant the one she has in a pot to a SWC. I'll also ask her where in the heck she got it from.

Damon

I used to grow Yerba Mansa in Phoenix. It is known around the Mexican and Indian communities.
I bought it as a seedling and kept it moist till established.
I didn't use it as a medicine, but I like the scent.

You can get the dried root cut in Richters.