Yerba Santa is an aromatic herb with a heart-shaped, velvety leaf which grows in tropic Mesoamerica. The name hoja santa means "sacred leaf" in Spanish.

Yerba santa is used for respiratory conditions including coughs, colds, tuberculosis, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. It is also used for fever and dry mouth. Some people use it to relieve muscle spasms, to loosen phlegm, and as a tonic.

Yerba santa is sometimes applied directly to the skin in a warm dressing (poultice) to treat bruises, sprains, wounds, insect bites, and to relieve joint pain (rheumatism).

In foods and beverages, an extract of yerba santa is used as a flavoring.

In the manufacturing of medications, yerba santa is used to mask the bitter taste of certain drugs.

How does it work? Yerba santa contains chemicals that are thought to loosen mucus in the chest and may increase urination.

It is often used in Mexican cuisine for tamales, the fish or meat wrapped in fragrant leaves for cooking, and as an essential ingredient in mole verde, the green sauce originated in the Oaxaca region of Mexico. It is also chopped to flavor eggs and soups, such as pozole. In Central Mexico, it is used to flavor chocolate drinks. In southeastern Mexico, a green liquor called Verdín is made from hoja santa. It is also used for tea. In some regions of Mexico, goat cheese is wrapped with the hoja santa leaves and imbued with its flavor.

Typical Uses Per Industry

Cosmetic/Personal Care:  Infusions of the leaf are traditionally added to the bath to ease tired muscles and inflamed joints.
Culinary:  The dried leaf is used in tea blends. The herb is also combined with bitter herbs to produce tonics.
Household:  Yerba santa is used as a smoking herb, often in combination with lobelia and other herbs.
Industrial:  An extract made from the leaves is used in the food and beverage industries to flavor baked goods, soft drinks and some dairy products.

Botanical Name: Eriodictyon californicum
aka: Bear's Weed, Consumptive's Weed, Eriodictyon, Eriodictyon glutinosum, Gum Bush, Gum Plant, Herbe des Montagnes, Herbe à Ourse, Herbe Sacrée, Herbe Sainte, Hierba Santa, Holy Herb, Holy Weed, Mountain Balm, Sacred Herb, Tarweed, Wigandia californicum
Origin: USA
Notes: Non-irrasiated. Non-GMO. Kosher Certified. Volume approximately 19 cups dried/lb
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
* FDA disclaimer

References
wikipedia on Yerba maté
webmd