yerba santa

English

Etymology

From Spanish yerba (“herb”) + santa (“sacred”).

Noun

yerba santa (plural yerba santas)

1. Any of a group of plants native to southwestern North America. Eriodictyon californicum or other species in the genus Eriodictyon, which have traditionally been used medicinally.
2. Hoja santa, a Central American plant with sweet-scented leaves used to flavor food, Piper auritum.