What is Yerba Santa Leaf?

Yerba Santa Leaf is the cut and sifted dried leaf of Eriodictyon californicum, an evergreen shrub of the chaparral and montane slopes of California, Oregon, and northern Mexico. Its glossy, resinous leaves are aromatic and slightly sticky. The Spanish name Yerba Santa means "holy herb."

About the plant

The leaves were long used by many Indigenous Californian peoples, among them the Maidu, Miwok, Yokuts, and Pomo, and were adopted by Spanish missionaries, who gave the plant its "holy herb" name. It has a documented place in traditional smoking blends of the region, often alongside plants like mullein and white sage. Its constituents include the flavonoids eriodictyol and homoeriodictyol, along with resins and volatile oils.

Related herbs

• Mullein Leaf — another herb used in traditional smoking blends.

Yerba Santa Leaf: form & sizes

We carry Yerba Santa Leaf as cut and sifted dried leaf, sold by weight in sizes from 1 oz to 1 lb. We make no health or therapeutic claims.

Storage

Store Yerba Santa Leaf in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and humidity, to preserve its color and aroma.

Yerba Santa Leaf at a glance

Botanical name

Eriodictyon californicum

Family

Boraginaceae

Native region

California, Oregon, and northern Mexico

Plant part

leaf

Also known as

Holy Herb, Mountain Balm, Bear's Weed

Name meaning

"Holy herb" (Spanish), named by missionaries

Form

cut and sifted dried leaf

Sizes

1 oz to 1 lb