Hoja santa (Piper auritum, synonymous with Piper sanctum) is an aromatic herb with a heart-shape, velvety leaf which grows in tropic Mesoamerica. The name hoja santa means "sacred leaf" in Spanish. A Mexican legend says that Virgin Mary dried diapers of the infant Jesus on the bush of this plant, hence the name. It is also known as yerba santa,hierba santa,Mexican pepperleaf,root beer plant, and sacred pepper.