Yerba santa is an herb. The leaf is used to make medicine.
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.