Yerba Santa, which translates to "sacred herb" in Spanish, refers to several distinct botanical entities. While it is a common name for various plants, it specifically identifies species within the genus Eriodictyon, such as Eriodictyon californicum and Eriodictyon crassifolium.
The term is also associated with Hoja Santa. Although the provided source material mentions a city in Peru by this name, the primary botanical references focus on these specific plant species known for their "sacred" designation.