Plantas de Cuba

Guide to Afro-Cuban
Herbalism
By
Dalia Quiros-Moran
© 2003 by Dalia Quiros-Moran. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without written permission from the author.
ISBN: 1-4107-4630-5 (e-book)

ISBN: 1-4107-4629-1 (Paperback)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2003092640
This book is printed on acid free paper.
Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, IN
1stBooks - rev. 08/28/03

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This work arises out of a research project assigned by Oba Oriate Miguel
Ramos, Ilari Oba during one of his Orisha Worship seminars. I wish to acknowledge
my gratitude for the stimulating influence of his teachings, and for being such an
inspiring mentor whose principles continue to impact on my work as an Olorisha.
My recognition is due to many people that have given me their assistance in this
project; I am especially grateful to Oba Oriate Jorge Perez, Oba Oriate Wagner
Barreto, Oluwo William Garcia Rosallie, Ika Ogunda; Oluwo Alejandro Cruzado, Iwori
Bogbe; Olorisa Carina Aparicio, Shango Omo Alade and the late "La Guardia".
Last but not least I thank my family and godchildren for their support and
encouragement.
To all of the persons mentioned above and the many others I have not
mentioned, my most sincere appreciation.
iii
iv
INTRODUCTION
Since the beginning of time, Humankind has depended on Nature to preserve, improve or
recuperate health. As Earth evolved, atmospheric conditions and landscape changed, resulting
in an assortment of plant life, a diversity of herbs that can be used to treat similar diseases in
the various geographic locations.
Over a long period of time, each culture in the World developed its own healing system. The
use of vegetal species with healing properties is revealed in early documents and inscriptions
of Ancient Babylonia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, among others. Perhaps the oldest
evidence of all is the Babylonian Hammurabi Code, which accounts for the use of numerous
medicinal plants.
Inscriptions of medicinal plants can be found in The Karnack temple of Egypt; a compilation of
medicinal plants still used in this day and age. In India, ancient healing traditions date back to
the years 1400 and 1500 BC; these were oral traditions at first, then documented in the sacred
books of Veda, written in the Sanskrit language. Chinese traditional medicine also dates to four
thousand years ago; records of illnesses, medicines and treatment methods were found
inscribed on oracle bones from the Shang Dynasty. A number of Chinese medical treatises
were found written on silk banners and bamboo slips. These treatises were transcribed
between the Chin and Han Dynasties and represent the oldest surviving Chinese medical
literature.
In the African continent, communities have been applying indigenous beliefs, knowledge, skills
and cultural practices concerned with human health for more than four thousand years. African
traditional healing focuses deeply into the psychological, spiritual, and social contexts of illness
by using healing ceremonies and natural medicinal preparations. This healing system believes
that many afflictions come from destabilizing forces; protection against them involves warding
off the negative forces and maintaining equilibrium with the fellow man, the spirits, and the
ancestors. Thus African traditional healers take into consideration both the medicinal and
spiritual powers of each plant, since their purpose not only lies on counteracting the forces of
disease in the human body, but also to accomplish spiritual balance.
For the last four centuries African traditional healing has also been part of the daily lives of
individuals in the Caribbean, and the Americas due to the influx of African slaves into the New
World. Captives from the various African territories identified similarities in the New World's
flora and continued to practice traditional healing.
Particularly, during Cuba's slavery times, African traditional medicine merged with pre-existing
aboriginal medicine, Spaniard traditional medicine and to a lesser proportion, Chinese
traditional medicine. This combination constituted Afro-Cuban traditional medicine which has
been passed down from generation to generation until the present time, consequently, plants
continue to be prized for their medicinal properties as well as the special range of energies,
vibrations or powers they possess.
This book embraces the medicinal action of over 700 plants and their power beyond the normal
range of perception. It is intended to serve as a reference to anyone re-discovering the roots of
Humanity in our quest for physical and spiritual healing.
v
vi
Guide to Afro-Cuban Herbalism
Gathering the Plants

Every herbalist should know the use of each plant, its characteristic appearance, odor, growth
pattern, and properties. It's very important to correctly identify the desired plant; some plants
look similar but can have drastically different properties.
Identifying plants by common names or verbal descriptions is not recommended; common

names can change from region to region, and verbal descriptions may omit a critical identifying
characteristic.
Gathering of healing plants should be done with respect, care and tenderness. First, pay the
necessary offerings to ensure the effectiveness of the herbs. Traditionally, herbalists let the
plant know what they want from it before they gather it and use it for medicinal or magical
purposes.
There are specific times and seasons in which to gather plants so their healing properties are
optimized. Healing plants are harvested in harmony with the movement of the heavenly bodies
such as the moon, sun, etc.
Basic factors about gathering healing plants:
• Plants are at their best when in bloom, just before going to seed or fruit.
• Plants should be picked up on the full moon, right after sunrise when the dew has
dried.
• Gathering of healing plants should not be done after sun down.
• Plants should never be gathered while it is raining or at noontime.
• Aromatic plants should be gathered at sunrise; bitter tasting plants right before
sundown.
• Roots should be harvested before the plant blooms, just before sunrise or after
sunset.
• Barks should be gathered after sunrise, preferably in the fall or spring, during full
moon, through the dry season or before new leaves begin to grow.
To gather the plants, always use a sharp cutting object such as shears, or a machete,
depending on their age or size. Annuals should be cut off at ground level, and perennials about
one-third down the main stem, including the side branches.
To avoid plant damage, observe the following criteria:
• Leaves - Cut off side branches only.

• Bark – Cut lengthwise, at an angle.
• Flowers, fruits and seeds – Always leave some to insure reproduction.
• Roots – Cut thicker roots without affecting the main stem.
When taking leaves or branches of a plant, collect just enough to suit your needs; always leave
enough for the plant to survive. Any plant part that has signs of disease or discoloration should
not be harvested. Never harvest in areas that have been sprayed with insecticides or
herbicides, or that have been exposed to the dust, fumes or contaminants that can render the
plants poisonous.
After collecting the plants, rinse the leaves and stems with cold running water to remove any
soil, dust, bugs or other foreign material. Remove blossoms from the plants before using.
1
Dalia Quiros-Moran
A USES
Medicinal
ABA / SAND BOX TREE Constipation. Skin rashes. Swollen feet.
(Hura crepitans) Vaginal infections.
Other names: Religious/Magical:

Brazil – Assacu, Acacu Orisha Worship
Colombia – Ceiba amarilla, Ceiba de Belongs to Inle.
leche
Cuba - Haba, Salvadera
ABRAN DE COSTA / WOODLAND
Haiti – Rabi
COFEE
Kongo - Finli
(Bunchosia nitida)
Lukumi – Abaa
Mexico – Arbol del Diablo
Other names:
U.S. – Monkey's dinner bell, possum wood
Cuba - M... de gallina
Venezuela – Ceiba blanca, Ceiba habillo
Haiti – Bois Senti
Description
Description
Tree reaching up to 90 feet. The bark is
Indigenous shrub with an unpleasant, fetid
covered with conical thorns. The leaves
odor. The wood is dark, hard and
are long-stemmed, papery thin, heart-
compact; fine grain. The leaves are
shaped and up to 2 feet long; the flowers
glossy; yellow flowers.
are red. The wood is soft, pale yellow or
brown. The seedpod explodes producing
USES
a loud sound that disperses the seeds all
over. The plant produces a milky juice.
Medicinal
Inflammation. Protruding navel in newborn
USES
children.
Medicinal
Religious/ Magical
Eczema, circulatory ailments, constipation,
Orisha worship
paralysis, tired legs and feet,
Belongs to Inle.
Rites of Palo
Religious/Magical
For healing rituals.
Orisha Worship
∗ For cleansings.
Belongs to Elegba
Used to make ritual omiero. ∗ Used to ward off evil eye in healing
rituals.
∗ Used for purification, to banish
negative energies and for protection.
ABRECAMINO / THOROUGHWORT
(Eupatorium villosum)
ABELMOSCO: Ambarina
Other names:
ABEY MACHO / BLACK POUI Cuba - Albahaquilla, tribulillo,
(Jacaranda Sagraeana) rompezaraguey.
U.S. – Bitter bush
Other names:
Cuba - Abey macho Description
Lukumi – Egbelegun Indigenous perennial plant 3-4 feet high.
U.S.A. - Boxwood The leaves are aromatic, 4-8 inches long,
rough, serrate, and taper to a long point.
Description Fuzzy, white or pale purple flower heads.
Large tree with beautiful foliage, showy Blossoms appear in August and
lilac flowers, Wood is fairly hard and September.
compact. Found in calcareous soils and
lower areas.
2
USES USES
Medicinal Medicinal:
Ague, cold, constipation, cough, cystitis, Asthma, boils, congestion, eye itching and
dyspepsia, flu, fluid retention, gout, inflammation, gas, gonorrhea, gout,
headache, intermittent fever, jaundice, impotence, incontinence of urine,
malaria, muscle cramp, nervousness, inflammation, kidney diseases, leprosy,
night-time urination, peripheral blood liver ailments, nocturnal emissions in
circulation, pleurisy, pneumonia, males, ophthalmia, painful urination,
rheumatism, sore throat, spasm, stuffy psoriasis, scabious skin diseases, tumors,
nose, tumor, urinary stones, wound. stomatitis.
Religious/Magical Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Orisha Worship Belongs to Inle
Belongs to Elegba, Correlating Odu: Oshe Eyioko, Oshe
Babalu Aye and Oshun. Iroso.
Correlating Odu: Otura Obara, Otura Rites of Palo
Ika, Otura Otrupon, Works with the Nkisi.
To pack amulets and Eshu Elegba. Abakuá Society
Used for Babalu Aye rituals For rituals. Known as "Mendiba".
Rites of Palo ∗ Used for purification baths.
Works with the Nkisi
Used to make Nkisi lango. ABROJO AMARILLO/PUNCTURE VINE
∗ Used for purification baths and (Tribulus cistoides)
cleansing of the household.
∗ Protects from negativity and attracts Other names:
good fortune. Cuba - Abrojo Amarillo
∗ For love spells. Kongo - Fugwé
∗ In amulets to overcome legal issues. Lukumi – Berí Oggún
U.S. – Jamaican Fever Plant
ABROJO / JAMAICAN FEVERPLANT
(Tribulus cistoides) Description
Weed shrub to vine with diffusely
Other names: branching stems. The leaves are elliptic.
Haiti - Poupye, Zèb Soleil, Herse Showy, bright yellow flowers. The fruit is
Kongo - Fugwé hard, wide; produces a few stout spines.
Lukumi - Berí oggún
Mexico – Abrojo Rojo USES
Puerto Rico - Abrojo
U.S. – Large yellow caltrop, puncture Medicinal
plant, Taken internally in small quantities to
goathead expulse the placenta.
Venezuela – Yerba de pasmo
Religious/Magical
Description Orisha Worship
Annual or biennial plant growing to 12 Belongs to Ogun and Inle.
inches. Found in dry open habitats, and Rites of Palo
sandy seashores. It is in flower from April For rituals and ceremonies.
to August. The roots are thick, woody. For Nkisi Lango
Yellow flowers. Fruit spiny, divided into
five segments, with 3 to 5 seeds.
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
ABROJO TERRESTRE / BIG bluntly pointed at the tip, rounded at the

CALTROPS base, entire. Flowers on numerous lateral
(Kallistroemia maxima) racemes, pinkish, united in a tube, one
separate white. Pods yellow-green when
Other names: immature, turning blackish; elliptic, flat,
Cuba - Abrojo shiny, black seed.
Kongo - Ngúngo
Lukumi - Ewe Shoro, igbeleggún USES
Description Medicinal
Annual/Biennial growing up to 12 inches Boils, bruises, burns, colds, cough,
high. It is in flower from April to August. debility, eruptions, erysipelas, fever,
Grows on dry open habitats, often as a fractures, gangrene, head-ache, itch,
weed in sandy seashores. The stems and prickly heat, rheumatism, skin, sore,
leaves are succulent; flowers are yellow. tumors, ulcers, urticaria, and wounds.
The fruit is green, reddish green when
mature. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
USES Belongs to Obatala.
Correlating Odu: Iwori Ofun, Ika Irete, and
Medicinal Otura Meji.
Asthma, boils, eye itching and irritation, To pack amulets and Eshu Elegba.
superfluous hair, tumors, ulcers. Rites of Palo
For rituals and ceremonies.
Religious/Magical ∗ In baths and household cleansings to
Orisha Worship attract prosperity
Belongs to Inle.
Rites of Palo ACANA / WILD DILLY
For rituals and ceremonies. (Manilkara Albescens)
For Nkisi Lango
∗ For purification and cleansings. Other names:
∗ To reverse spells and send them Cuba - Acaná blanca
back to the sender. Dominican Republic - Nisperillo
Haiti - Sapotille marron, bois huile
ACACIA / QUICKSTICK Puerto Rico - Nisperillo
(Gliricidia Sepium) Kongo - Ancanaá, ntola
Lukumi - Iggi yáita, tóbi, taimánm, aganju
Other names: igbo
Arada - Aweleti
Colombia - Matarratón Description
Costa Rica - Sangre de drago Evergreen tree or shrub; wood heavy,
Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama - hard, strong, and close-grained.
Madera negra Frequently found in coastal hammocks.
Cuba - Bien vestida, piñón amoroso, The leaves are leathery, dull, and dark
piñón florido green. They cluster at the ends of the
Guatemala - Cansim branches. Flowers are light yellow and
Kongo - Topiá form drooping clusters. The brown, rough-
Lukumi - Sideé, boni, ewe firinaya skinned fruit is globe shaped.
Mexico - Madre de cacao, lengua de
perico USES
Nicaragua - Madriado
Panama - Bala, matarratón Religious/Magical
Philippines – Cacaute Orisha Worship
U.S. – Mother of Cacao Belongs to Shango and Ogun.
Rites of Palo
Description Works with the Nkisi.
Smooth, deciduous tree growing up to 30
ft. high. The leaves are oblong-ovate,
4
∗ For charms to ward off negativity, evil dense, brightly colored flower heads which
spirits, and the evil eye. usually stand above the foliage.
ACATE: Titonia USES
Religious/Magical
ACEBO DE SIERRA / MOUNTAIN
Orisha Worship
HOLLY
Belongs to Orunmila.
(Ilex Montana)
Rites of Palo
Other names:
Cuba - Acebo de sierra, Acebo cubano
(Oriente) ACEITERO / CRABWOOD
Dominican Republic - Palo Blanco (Gymnanthes lucida)
Haiti - Houx
Kongo - Abayo Other names:
Lukumi - Sucui Brazil – Madera Verde
Puerto Rico - Acebo de sierra Cuba – Aceitillo, Yaiti
U.S. Cassine, Mountain winterberry Dominican Republic - Yaite
Kongo – Inki
Description Lukumi – Tuquio, Epairo
Evergreen tree, growing up to 30 feet in U.S. - Oysterwood
rich moist soils, cold swamps and on their
borders. Occasionally found on high Description
sandy banks of pine barren streams. It is Indigenous tree. Generally columnar in
in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, growth, to 20 feet in height, found in
and the seeds ripen from October to coastal hammocks. The wood is yellow,
February. hard, compact and heavy; very fine grain;
can be beautifully polished.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Fevers, indigestion, liver ailments. Medicinal
Muscle spasms and sprains, rheumatic
Religious/Magical aches.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala. Religious/Magical:
Rites of Palo Orisha Worship
For rituals and ceremonies Belongs to Babalu Aye and Elegba.
∗ For purification baths. Rites of Palo
∗ Planted outside the home for For rituals and ceremonies
protection.
ACEITUNILLO / SLUGWOOD
ACEDERA: Raíz Paciencia. (Hufelandia pendula)
Other names:
ACEDIANA / CRESTED COCK'S COMB Costa Rica – Comenegro, Quizarra
(Celosia cristata) Cuba - Cabeza de toro, curavara,
mastacila, mulatto
Other names: Kongo - Ancayo
Cuba - Amaranto, bledo morisco, moco de Lukumi - Iggioro.
pavo. Panama – Aguacatillo, Torpedo
U.S. - Red Velvet, Celosia Cockscomb,
Feather Amaranth Description
Indigenous tree that reaches up to 80 ft.
Description high. Found in mountainous areas; the
Erect, branching plants with oval or lance- trunk is erect and cylindrical; the leaves
shaped, strongly veined leaves 2-6" long are elliptical, alternate, grayish white
and hundreds of tiny flowers packed in
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
underneath, slightly aromatic when USES

crushed. The fruit is similar to an olive.
Medicinal
USES Dropsy. Hemorrhage. Stomach ailments.
Stomach parasites.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship Religious/Magical:
Belongs to Orunmila. Orisha Worship
Rites of Palo Belongs to Obatala.
Works with the Nkisi. Rites of Palo
∗ The root to make amulets to attract For rituals and ceremonies.
success.
ACHIOTE / ANNATO
ACELGA/COLLARD GREENS (Sloanea curatellifolia)
(Brassica Olearacea)
Other names:
Other Names: Argentina – Achiote
U.S. - Kale, collards, flowering cabbage, Colombia - Achiote, onoto, bija
cole. Costa Rica - Achiote
Cuba - Achiote, bija, achotillo, cacicuto
Description Ecuador - Achiote
A variety of biennials and perennials Guatemala - Achiote, achote, bija
plants usually grown as annuals for their Kongo - Gué
edible leaves. The leaves are dark green, Lukumi– Bábá Iyé
thick, fleshy and smooth; up to 2 ft. long Mexico - Achiotillo, arnato
and 1.5 ft. wide. The upper leaves are Peru -Achiote
erect, while the lower leaves tend to sag Venezuela - Onoto
down.
Description
USES Shrub or small tree that grows 3 feet in
height, approximately 50 seeds grow
Religious/Magical inside of prickly reddish-orange heart
Orisha Worship shaped pods at the end of the branches.
Belongs to Oshun and Yemaya
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ejionle, Irete USES
Ogunda.
Offerings for the Orisha and Egun. Medicinal
Fevers, heartburn, hepatitis, phlegm in
ACHICORIA / DWARF CANADIAN newborn babies, skin diseases, skin
HORSEWEED infections, stomach distress, and vaginal
(Leptilon pusillum) infections.
Other names: Religious/Magical

Cuba –Ancaraña Orisha Worship
Kongo - Gué Belongs to Obatala.
Lukumi – Amuyo Rites of Palo
U.S. - Fleabane, hogweed For rituals and ceremonies
Description ACORO / SWEET FLAG

A coarse weed with an erect stem with (Acorus calamus)
branching clusters. Grows up to 5 ft. high.
The leaves are lanceolate. The tiny daisy- Other names:
like flowers give this tall plant a fuzzy Cuba - Acoro Aromatico
appearance; they are aromatic, blue, and U.S. - Myrtle Grass, Myrtle Sedge, Sweet
close at noon. Myrtle, Sweet Root, Sweet Rush, Sweet
Sedge
6
Description Religious/Magical
Perennial growing up to one foot high in Orisha Worship
moist soils and shallow water in ditches, Belongs to Oshosi.
marshes, river edges and ponds. The Rites of Palo
leaves are pointed; small greenish-yellow For rituals.
flowers, borne in a fleshy spike about 3 ∗ To dominate and confuse the enemy.
inches long. It is in flower from May to ∗ For love spells.
July, and the seeds ripen from July to
August. The long creeping rootstocks are ADORMIDERA DE SABANA / WILD
thick and fleshy, and have numerous TANTAN
rootless. They have an agreeable (Desmanthus virgatus)
aromatic odor and a pungent, bitter taste.
Other names:
USES Puerto Rico - Desmanto
U.S. – Ground Tamarind
Medicinal
Arthritis, bronchitis, convulsions, diarrhea, Description
digestive complaints, dyspepsia, epilepsy, Perennial, herbaceous shrub; deep
flatulence, gall bladder disorders, induce rooted, stems erect growing up to 4 ft high
abortion, neuralgia, rheumatic pains, skin from a basal crown. The leaves are ovate,
eruptions, sinusitis, stomach acidity, the flowers white.
toothaches.
USES
Other
Insect repellent and insecticide. Medicinal
Tooth aches.
ADORMIDERA / OPIUM POPPY
(Papaver somniferum) AGALLA DE COSTA / WHITE INDIGO
BERRY
Other names: (Randia Aculeata)
Cuba (Matanzas) -Vergonzosa
Lukumi – Erunkumi Other names:
Colombia – Cruceto, Maíz tostado
Description Cuba-Yamaguey de costa, pitajoní bravo,
Annual or biennial herb, 1 ft. high, stems yamaguey de costa, Juan de la Cruz
slightly branched, erect leaves large, Kongo – Clé-kukumenga
numerous, ovate to oblong, serrate; Lukumi - Bien
flowers on long peduncles with nodding Mexico - Espino cruz, crucete
buds that expand into erect flowers; white Puerto Rico - Tintillo, escambrón, palo de
to purplish, in varieties also pink, violet, cotorra, cambrón
bluish, or red. Fruit a capsule, ovoid, U.S. – Cabainate, Christmas tree, box
glabrous; seeds oily, white, dark gray to brier, dogwood, inkberry
black, or bluish. It is in flower from July to
August. Description
Indigenous shrub. Grows in edges of
USES coastal hammocks, pine rock lands, and
rocky flats. The leaves are opposite,
Medicinal elliptical, slender. Fruit round, black when
Asthma, bladder, bruises, catarrh, cold, dry.
colic, conjunctivitis, cough, diarrhea,
dysentery, enteritis, fever, flux, headache,
hypertension, hypochondria, hysteria,
inflammation, insomnia, leukorrhea,
malaria, mania, melancholy, nausea,
neuralgia, otitis, rheumatism, spasm,
sprain, stomachache, swelling, toothache,
tumor, ulcers, and warts.
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES USES
Medicinal Medicinal
Diarrhea, hemorrhage, leucorrhoea, liver Conjunctivitis, fluid retention, gonorrhea,
ailments. hypertension, infections, paludism, and
swollen eyelids
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship Religious/Magical
Belongs to Elegba. Orisha Worship
Rites of Palo Belongs to Obatala.
For rituals and ceremonies. Correlating Odu: Osa Iwori.
Rites of Palo
AGAPANTO / AGAPANTHUS Works with the Nkisi.
(Agapanthus africanus) For rituals and ceremonies
Other names: AGRIMONIA /SMALL COASTAL

Cuba - Agapanto, lirio, tuberosa azul. GERMANDER
Kongo - Nfei (Teucrium cubense)
Lukumi – Ebblé
U.S. African Lily Other names:
Cuba – Yerba del Pasmo
Description
Evergreen bulb; grows to 2 feet high. It is Description
in leaf all year, in flower from July to Annual indigenous herb found in red soils
September. The flowers are blue, white in most instances. Grows up to 2 ft. high.
and lilac. Deep gray-green, dissected leaves with
small creamy flowers.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Boils. Tumors. Medicinal
Religious/Magical Diarrhea, insect bites jaundice, kidney
Orisha Worship ailments, liver ailments, skin problems,
Belongs to Obatala. slow healing wounds, sores, and ulcers.
∗ For purification baths.
Religious/Magical
AGRACEJO / WEST INDIAN BOXWOOD To banish negative energies and spirits
(Gossypiospermun praecox) Placed under the pillow will guard the
person's sleep.
Other names:
Cuba - Agracejo, Jia-Jia, Agracejo de AGUACATE / AVOCADO
monte (Persea gratissima)
Kongo - Doúki
Lukumi – Yán Other names:
Venezuela - Zapatero Brazil - Abacateiro
Colombia – Cura
Description Ecuador, Peru – Palta
Indigenous tree. It is abundant in hills and Haiti - Zaboka, Zabelbok
calcareous soils. The fruit is wrapped in a Kongo - Akún
golden wool or cotton. White-yellowish Lukumi – Otobi
wood; strong, and fine; compact grain. Mexico - Aguacatillo
U.S. – Alligator Pear Tree.
8
Description Description
Fruit tree. Grows up to 30 feet. The leaves Indigenous shrub. Grows in hills and
are alternate and elliptical. White flowers. mountainous areas. Reaches up to 30 ft.
Grows in any type of soil. high. The leaves are extremely bitter in
taste, dark green, and pinnate, setting off
USES large, and pendant clusters of green fruit,
which ripen from red to black.
Medicinal
Chest ailments, difficult menstruation, USES
dysentery, gas, gout, high blood pressure,
stomach ailments, liver ailments, lose Medicinal
teeth. Burns, digestive and intestinal ailments,
fever, mucous, small skin injuries, skin
Religious/Magical lesions, venereal diseases, and wounds.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango, Elegba, Yemaya and Religious/Magical
Ogun. Rites of Palo
Correlating Odu: Ofun Ojuani, For rituals and ceremonies.
Used to make ritual omiero. ∗ To ward off illness.
Rites of Palo
For rituals and ceremonies AGUILEÑA / COLUMBINE
∗ For ritual baths to ward off from (Aquilegia vulgaris)
accidents, calamity, hostility and
negativity in general. Description
∗ For amulets to attract good fortune. Perennial plant. Grows up to 3 feet high.
Found in must shady positions, especially
Other uses on calcareous soils or fenland peat. It is in
To erase facial lines. flower from April to July, and the seeds
Vermin. ripen from July to August; scented flowers;
generally blue, seldom white or pink.
AGUACATE MORADO / AVOCADO
USES
Description: See Avocado
Medicinal
USES Affections of the nervous system, gum
disease, jaundice, urinary track stones.
Medicinal
Difficult menstruation, vaginal infections. AGUINALDO BLANCO/ CHRISTMAS
Religious/Magical VINE
Orisha Worship (Turbina Corymbosa)
Belongs to Oya.
Used to make ritual omiero Other Names:
Cuba – Aguinaldo de Pascuas,
AGUEDITA / BITTER BUSH Campanilla
(Picramnia pentandra) blanca, Bejuco de gimirú.
El Salvador - Campanilla
Other Names: Kongo - Túanso
Brazil - Erva de Bugre Lukumi – Ewe bere, Oniyoko
Cuba - Aguedita, quina del pais o de la Mexico – Flor de Pascuas, Pascuas
tierra.
Haiti - Bwa Madame, Vanyan-Gason, Description
Graines dorées, Bwa Montagne, Bwa Climbing vine with heart shaped leaves.
Poison Abundant white flowers; scented, shaped
Lukumi - Aiya like a bell. In flower all winter.
Panama - Cascara amarga
Puerto Rico – Guarema, Hueso
9
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES AITE / CARIBBEAN PRINCEWOOD

(Exostema caribaeum)
Medicinal
Difficult labor, palpitations, slow healing Other names:
wounds or ulcers, vaginal infection. Bahamas - Princewood.
Cuba - Yaití, macagua de costa, falsa
Religious/Magical quina, cera amarilla, cerillo.
Orisha Worship Haiti - Kenkina
Belongs to Obatala. Mexico - Sabac-ché, falsa quina.
Rites of Palo Puerto Rico - Cuero de sapo, lechesillo.
∗ To banish negative energies and Description
spirits. Indigenous tree. Reaches up to 30 ft. The
∗ For purification baths. leaves are bright green; grayish branches.
∗ In the mop water to cleanse and Beautiful wood, yellow/purple color; hard,
purify the household. compact. Deep root.
AGUINALDO MORADO / BUSH USES

MORNING GLORY
(Batatas crassicaulis) Medicinal
Anemia, Fevers, Diarrhea, Hemorrhoids,
Other Names: Stomachaches, Intestinal parasites.
Brazil – Algodao Bravo (Poisonous
variety) AHORCA JIBARO: Aretillo
Cuba-Campana gallega, campanola, vete
de AJI AGUJETA (variety of "aji guaguao")
aquí, yerba de guanajay
El Salvador- Chilco, campanola, USES
campanilla
Kongo - Nbuembo Medicinal
Lukumi – Ewe beberi, Obanieko Renal ailments, weak testicular tissues.
Mexico - Hiedra de la India, palo santo de
Castilla Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Description Belongs to Osayin.
A native, evergreen bush up to 15 feet Correlating Odu: Okana Iwori
high that produces large, ovate, dull green
leaves and a profusion of lavender to pink AJI CHILE / CAYENNE PEPPER
morning-glory flowers that are followed by (Capsicum annuum)
woolly seed capsules.
Other names:
USES Kongo – Kualay. Inkako, Kindungo
Lukumi – Ata
Medicinal U.S. – Sweet pepper
Chest colds, cuts, fevers, flu, lack of Description
urination, scabies, itching, wound. Evergreen perennial; grows up to 3 ft.
high. It is in leaf all year, in flower from
Religious/Magical July to September, and the seeds ripen
Orisha Worship from August to October.
Belongs to Orunmila, Elegba, Ogun and
Yewa. USES
Rites of Palo
For rituals and ceremonies. Medicinal
Asthma, debility in convalescence or old
age, digestive problems, fevers,
10
hemorrhoids, unbroken chilblains, Religious/Magical

neuralgia, pleurisy, rheuma, seasickness, Orisha Worship
sprains, typhoid fever, varicose veins. Belongs to Yemaya.
Rites of Palo
Religious/Magical For rituals and ceremonies
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba AJI GUAGUAO / LOCOTO
Rites of Palo (Capsicum baccatum)
For rituals and ceremonies
Other Names:
AJI DE CHINA Colombia – Aji Pajarito
(Salanum Havanense) Kongo – Yumbe, Inkako Kindungo
Lukumi – Ata
Other names: Mexico - Chile Serrano
Cuba - Tomatillo de la Habana. Puerto Rico – Aji picante, aji caballero
Kongo – Nkafo Kibulo U.S. – Cayenne Pepper, Cayenne. Wild
Lukumi – Ata filani Pepper
Indigenous shrub. Glossy leaves. Purple Perennial; grows up to 9 ft high. It is in
flowers. flower from August to September. Grows
wild in mountain areas. Small leaves, the
USES fruit is the size of a grain of pepper, red or
yellow when ripe, very hot.
Medicinal
Eye ailments, intestinal worms. USES
Religious/Magical Medicinal
Orisha Worship Asthma cold, debility in convalescence or
Belongs to Elegba, Ogun and Osayin. old age, difficult menstruation, digestive
Rites of Palo problems, fevers, hemorrhoids, neuralgia,
For rituals, spells and amulets pleurisy, rheuma, sprains, varicose veins
AJI DULCE / GREEN PEPPER Religious/Magical

(Capsicum annuum) Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba, Ogun y Osayin.
Other Names: Correlating Odu: Okana Eyioko
Kongo – Mowngo, Inkakdo Mungua Rites of Palo
Lukumi - Ata Abalaiye For rituals, ceremonies and amulets.
∗ Reduced to powder for spells.
Description ∗ To make the enemy uneasy.
Evergreen perennial; grows up to 3 feet
high. It is in leaf all year, in flower from Other uses
July to September, and the seeds ripen Insect repellent
from August to October.
AJO / GARLIC
USES (Allium sativum)
Medicinal Other names:

Angina, asthma, cold, debility in Haiti - Lay
convalescence or old age, fever, digestive Kongo – Kualango Dianputo, Niasa
problems, hemorrhoids, neuralgia, Kumpiricunansieto
pleurisy, rheuma, sore throats, sprains, Lukumi – Jokojo Eweco, Alu deso guere
toothache, varicose veins, sea-sickness.
11
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Description Rites of Palo

A bulb-forming herb of the Liliaceae (lily Taboo for the Nkisi.
family). The leaves are long, narrow and ∗ Wards off negativity
flat like grass. The bulb consists of
numerous bulblets, known as cloves, ALACRANCILLO / INDIAN
grouped together and enclosed within a HELIOTROPE
whitish skin, which holds them as in a sac. (Heliotropium indicum)
The flowers are placed at the end of a
stalk rising erect from the bulb and are Other names:
whitish, grouped together in a globular Arada - Kloklotesu
head. The plant grows to 2 feet. Haiti - Crête Coq d'Inde, Verveine crête de
coq, Verveine-à-pian, Zèb-à-pian, Zèb-a-
USES Malin'n
Kongo – Blwoto
Medicinal Lukumi - Ewe Makogun
High blood pressure, infections, infectious U.S. - Turnsole
skin diseases, kidney ailment, leprosy
palpitation, phlegm, stomach parasites. Description
Annual plant. Grows upright 2-3 feet in
Religious/Magical height and is very leafy. The leaves are
Orisha Worship dark green, alternate, entire, and hairy.
Correlating Odu: Oshe Meji, Oshe Ofun, The stems are also hispid. Flowers are
Ojuani Okana, blue or violet (rarely white).
∗ To protect from the evil eye.
∗ To ward off illness, negative energies USES
and attract good fortune.
∗ Burned with incense for purification Medicinal
Eczema, hemorrhoids, inflammation,
AJONJOLI / SESAME SEED muscular pain, skin irritations, ulcers
(Sesamum indicum)
Religious/Magical
Other names: Orisha Worship
Arada – Alpiri Belongs to Obatala and Elegba.
Haiti - Wowoli Correlating Odu: Okana Meji, Ojuani Irete,
Kongo – Ndeba, Guanillila Ika Iroso, and Otura Iwori.
Lukumi – Yanmoti, Amati Used to make ritual omiero.
Rites of Palo
Description For rituals and ceremonies.
Erect annual original from Africa, growing ∗ For purification baths.
up to 6 feet high. The leaves are oblong or
lanceolate and have white to light pink ALACRANCILLO ROSADO
flowers; the plant is covered with fine hair.
The fruit is a capsule often containing Description
more than 100 (hundred) seeds. The See Alacrancillo
seeds are small and flattened; contain a
high percentage of oil. USES
USES Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Medicinal Belongs to Oshun
Anemia, blurred vision, constipation.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Babalu Aye.
Taboo in houses where this Orisha lives.
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Odi and Iroso
Ofun, Irete Ojuani.
12
ALAMANDA / GOLDEN TRUMPET Lukumi - Afoma, Ofá, Abaila, iggolé

(Allamanda cathartica) ikiyényo
U.S. - Peepul-tree, sacred ficus
Other Names:
Cuba - Barbero loco, flor de barbero. Description
Fast growing tree; usually begins as an air
Description plant that grows on trees but develops
Evergreen, sprawling shrub or woody roots to support its height of ninety plus
climber; leaves opposite or whorled, feet. It has purple figs and is different from
simple, glossy, leathery; flowers tubular, other species, because of its slender, long
yellow, in clusters at ends of branches. leaf tip.
USES USES
Medicinal Medicinal
Constipation. Need to vomit. Asthma, atrophy, cholera, dysentery,
fever, gonorrhea, gravel, inflamed feet,
Religious/Magical otitis, pimples, rheumatism, skin disease,
Orisha Worship smallpox, sore, toothache, weak nerves,
Belongs to Oshun. hair loss, vaginal infection, hemorrhoids.
Used to make ritual omiero.
Religious/Magical
ALAMBRILLA Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango Odua and Egun.
USES This plant is essential for all initiation and
funeral rites or ceremonies.
Religious/Magical Correlating Odu: Eyioko Osa, Iwori Ika,
Orisha Worship Odi
Belongs to Yemaya, Oshun e Inle. Ika, Odi Otura, Iroso Osa, and Osa Iroso,
It is not used for ritual omiero. Ika Osa, Oshe Osa.
Rites of Palo To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
For spells and rituals. Removes impurities and negativities and
provides protection in the household.
∗ To banish evil spirits.
ALAMBRILLO / ENGLISH HIBER
(Rajania cordata) ∗ To attract good fortune.
Other names: ALBAHACA / BASIL

Cuba - Ñame volador, ñame cimarrón (Ocimun basilicum)
Description
A variety of long stemmed plants that have Other Names:
the appearance of a wire. Arada – Debesui
USES Brazil - Alfavaca
Haiti - Basilic, Framboisin, Common basil
Religious/Magical Kongo - Mechuso
Orisha Worship: Lukumi - Efinkini, Ororo
Belongs to Inle
∗ To expel or make disappear. Description
Annual herb up to 3 ft. Erect stems, round
below, squared above. Ovate or
ALAMO / BOTREE
lanceolate leaves, very odorous; flowers
(Ficus religiosa)
grouped in spikes, with six flowers each.
White or pink corolla, stamens white.
Other names:
Argentina - Higuera de las pagodas
Brazil - Figueira-da-india, figueira religiosa
Dominican Republic - Higuillo, Alamo
laurel
Kongo - Mánlofo
13
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES Description
Annual herb, up to 18 inches high; it
Medicinal grows into a low bush. It has small leaves
Bad breath, blisters, buccal aches or with a strong smell. The flowers are small
pains, difficult digestion, difficult labor in and purple.
women gastric spasms, inappetence,
infections, inflammations, intestinal USES
parasites, intestinal unrest, need of
vomiting, slow production of milk in Medicinal
nursing women, sore throat. Abdominal pains, fevers, high blood sugar
level, respiratory tract infections, snake
Religious/Magical and insect bites.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun and Babalu Aye. Religious/Magical
Correlating Odu: Otura Obara, Otura Orisha Worship
Okana, Ofun Iwori. Belongs to Osun and Odudua
Used only for Babalu Aye ritual omiero. ∗ In baths and household cleansings to
Rites of Palo attract prosperity
For rituals and ceremonies Other
∗ To banish negative energies and To kill fleas.
spirits from the household.
∗ For cleansings and purification baths. ALBAHACA DE HOJA ANCHA
∗ To attract good fortune and (Ocimum basilicum, diforme)
prosperity.
∗ For love and binding spells. Other names:
Cuba - Albahaca mondonguera
Other - Hair loss. Insect repellent. Lukumi – Efinsho
ALBAHACA ANISADA / BASIL USES

(Ocimum basilicum)
Religious/Magical
Small plant with white flowers. The leaves Belongs to Elegba
have a distinctive scent of anise.
ALBAHACA DE CLAVO / WILD BASIL
USES (Ocimun gratissimum)

Colic, flatulence, gas. Cuba – Clavo canela, oregano cimarron
El Salvador - Albahaca montés
Religious/Magical Guatemala - Albahaca silvestre
Orisha Worship Haiti - Zèb-a-klou
Belongs to Obatala Mexico – Albahaca de Monte
∗ Purification baths and cleansings. Puerto Rico - Albahaca cimarrona
∗ To ward off against the evil eye.
∗ For protection Description
Wide leaf variety; scented like cloves. The
ALBAHACA CIMARRONA/ BASIL leaves are obovate, lanceolate.
(Ocimun Micranthum)
USES
Other names:
Cuba-Albahaca de clavo, Albahaca Medicinal
Morada Earaches, eyesores, difficult menstruation,
headaches, menstruation pains.
14
ALBAHACA MENUDA/ BASIL ALBAHAQUILLA / THOROUGHWORT

(Eupatorium Villosum)
Other names:
Haiti - Basilic, Framboisin, Common basil Other names:
Lukumi - Efinkini Cuba - Filigrana, zanca de grulla,
trebolillo, travesera, abrecamino
USES
Description
Religious/Magical Shrub found in or around hammocks; the
Orisha Worship leaves, when crushed have a mint-like
Belongs to Orunla e Inle odor; the disk flowers are white or pinkish.
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Ofun.
∗ Purification baths and cleansings. USES
ALBAHACA MONDONGUERA/ BASIL Medicinal

(Ocimum basilicum, difforme) Contusions, fever, paludism.

Cuba - Albahaca de hoja ancha Orisha Worship
Lukumi - Ewe Abioyo Belongs to Babalu Aye and Oshosi
Description Used only for Babalu Aye ritual omiero.
Common variety.
ALCANFOR / CAMPHOR TREE
USES (Cinnamommum Camphora)

Skin rashes. Brazil - Canforeiro
Haiti - Camphier
Religious/Magical Kongo - Gougoró
Orisha Worship Lukumi – Téemi
Belongs to Oge and Oshun U.S. - Japanese camphor tree
ALBAHACA MORADA / HOLY BASIL Description

(Ocimun sanctum) Tree originally from Asia. Leaves are
similar to the cinnamon tree but smaller;
Other names: crushed in your hand expel a strong scent
Lukumi - Ororo of camphor.
Description USES
Indigenous variety.
Medicinal
USES Bruises, muscular aches, rheumatic
aches.
Medicinal
Stomach ailments. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical Belongs to Shango and Elegba.
Orisha Worship Rites of Palo
Belongs to Ogun, Oshosi, Yemaya and For rituals and ceremonies.
Babalu Aye. ∗ To ward off from illness.
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Ofun, Osa ∗ Works as an aphrodisiac.
Eyioko, ∗ The infusion of the young shoots for
Ika Yeku. cleansing baths and to ward off
Used only for Babalu Aye ritual omiero. illness.
15
Dalia Quiros-Moran
ALCOTAN / PAREIRA BRAVA USES

(Cissampelos pareira)
Medicinal
Other names: Asthma, gout, hernias, rheuma, syphilis,
Costa Rica - Bejuco azul, venadero skin ulcers, wounds.
Cuba - Tomatillo de sabana, bejuco azul
El Salvador - Alcotán, bejuco de alcotán Religious/Magical
Guatemala - Alcotán, cotán Orisha Worship
Jamaica - Velvetleaf Belongs to Ogun, Oshun and Shango.
Mexico - Oreja de ratón, pareira brava Correlating Odu: Eyioko Meji, and Iwori
Nicaragua - Pica mano Otrupon, Obara Okana, Iroso Osa, Ika,
Puerto Rico - Bejuco de mono Iroso,
Venezuela - Hierba ratón Ika Osa, Otrupon Iwori, Otura Obara,
Otura
Description Okana, Irete Ogunda, Oshe Ojuani.
A woody vine, climbing a considerable Not used for ritual omiero.
height over trees; the leaves are very Used for funeral rites
large; the flowers have four petals, the To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
berries, first scarlet, then black, are oval. Rites of Palo
The root is cylindrical in varying lengths; For powerful spells.
blackish brown, longitudinally furrowed, In amulets to attract good fortune and
transverse knotty ridges, it is hard, heavy, overcome legal issues.
tough, and when freshly cut has a waxy
luster. Stem deeply furrowed; color gray.
ALGODON / COTTON
USES (Gossypium arborum)

Asthma, bladder complaints, boils, burns, Arada - Zezzma
cold, cystitis, diarrhea, difficult labor fluid Cuba - Algodonero
retention, dropsy, dyspepsia, erysipelas, Kongo - Ndúambo
fever, hemorrhage, hypertension, Lukumi – Ewe Ou
jaundice, kidney ailments, kidney stones,
palpitation, phlegm, rheumatism skin Description
rashes, sores. Annual sub-shrub, up to 5 ft. tall; the
leaves are alternate; flowers large, white
or yellow; the fruit is a capsule, spherical,
ALEJO MACHO
smooth, light green, with few oil glands;
USES seeds ovoid, dark brown, about 36 per
fruit, bearing hairs of two kinds: long fibers
Religious/Magical or lint, and short fibers or fuzz; well-
Orisha Worship developed taproot with numerous laterals.
Belongs to Babalu Aye
Rites of Palo USES
Works with the Nkisi.
Medicinal
Abdominal pain, burn and wound pain,
ALGARROBO / RAIN TREE
colds, delivery, diarrhea, dysentery,
(Pithecellobium saman)
earache, fatigue, headaches,
Other names: hemorrhoids, laryngitis, pulmonary
Cuba - Algarrobo del país. inflammations, urinary infection,
Kongo - Flecheo pregnancy tonic.
Lukumi – Afoma
Religious/Magical
Indigenous tree that grows up to 60 ft. in Belongs to Obatala Oshanla and Odudua.
fertile wet soils. The fruit is a large Correlating Odu: Osa Meji, Iwori Obara,
seedpod, reaching up to six inches long. Odi Ogunda, Odi Ofun, Iroso Odi, Iroso
The wood is reddish brown.
16
Ogunda, Iroso Ofun, Iroso Otura, Ojuani Religious/Magical

Ejionle, Ojuani Iroso, Okana Ofun, Osa Orisha Worship
Obara, Ika Oshe, Ika Ofun, Otura Ika. Belongs to Elegba and Shango.
Used to make ritual omiero. Correlating Odu: Ejionle Okana, Obara
For rituals and ceremonies Eyioko, Ofun Ojuani.
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba Used to make ritual omiero.
Rites of Palo To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
For rituals and ceremonies. Rites of Palo
Used to make Nkisi lango. Used for rituals and ceremonies.
∗ For purification baths. Burned with garlic cloves to banish
∗ To ward off from death and negative energies
negativity. For purification baths and cleansing of
persons, objects and the household.
ALMACIGO / GUMBO LIMBO
(Elaphrium Simaruba) ALMENDRILLO / WEST INDIAN
CHERRY
Other names: (Prunus myrtifolia)
Cuba–Azucarero, aceitero, almasigo
colorado Other names:
Colombia - Caratero Brazil - Duraznero de monte, marmelo
Costa Rica - Juñocuavo, jiñote bravo, marmelo do matto, virarú
Guatemala - Jicote, chino, chinacahuite, Cuba - Cuajani hembra, cuajincillo
palo chino Dominican Republic - Membrillito
Guiana - Indio desnudo, pellejo de indio Haiti - Amandier a petites feuilles
Haiti - Gomye-blan, Gommier barrière Jamaica - Wild cassada, cassad-wood,
Honduras – Copón, Palo chino ants
Kongo – Imbi Iye wood
Lukumi – Igi Addana U.S. - Laurel cherry
Mexico – Chaca piocha, palo mulato, palo Venezuela - Almendro
colorado, quiote, zongolica
Nicaragua - Jiñocuavo, jiñicuite Description
Puerto Rico - Almasigo encarnado Slender tree 25 to 40 feet tall, gray,
Venezuela – Indio desnudo roughened bark. When crushed, the dark
U.S. Torchwood green, elliptic to oblong-ovate leaves give
off the aroma of almonds. Small, white
Description flowers appear in winter, followed by black
A smooth exfoliating barked tree, 60 feet fruit in the summer.
or more in height, with a trunk reaching a
size of two to three feet in diameter, USES
topped by massive branches spreading
out at wide angles and many stout round Medicinal
branches, greenish the first year and Aches caused by broken bones, nervous
turning reddish brown the next year. conditions.
Orisha Worship
Medicinal Belongs to Obatala and Odudua.
Arthritis/rheumatism, asthma, back pain, Used to make ritual omiero.
blood tonic during pregnancy, bruises, ∗ For purification baths.
colds, colds in children, fever, flu,
diarrhea, diarrhea with blood, gonorrhea, ALMENDRO / WEST INDIAN ALMOND
hoarse voice, intestinal ailments, kidney (Terminalia Catappa)
ailments, leukorrhea, high blood pressure,
respiratory ailments, skin irritations, stings, Other names:
sore throat, syphilis, need to sweat, Brazil – Castañola, parasol
stomach hemorrhage, snakebite, wounds,
wounds inflicted by rusty objects.
17
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Colombia - Kotamba USES

Cuba, El Salvador -Almendro de la India
Haiti- Zanman'n, Amandier, Amandier- Medicinal
Pays Irregular menstruation.
Kongo - Tuánso
Lukumi – Abusi, Igi Ekusi, igí uré Religious/Magical
Yucatan, Puerto Rico, Philippines - Orisha Worship
Almendrón Belongs to Orunmila
Description ALTEA / ROSE OF SHARON

Beautiful exotic tree reaching considerable (Hibiscus syriacus)
heights, erect trunk, horizontal branches.
Wood is white, smooth bark, red inside; Other names:
large leaves, oval shaped, narrow at the Lukumi - Lukuari
end. Flowers small, greenish white. The Mexico - Flor de una hora
fruit is similar to the common almond. U.S. - Marshmallow
USES Description
Upright deciduous shrub; grows up to 10 ft
Medicinal high. Distinctive leaves, arranged
Constipation in newborn children; fatigue, alternately; three deep lobes, toothed;
intestinal worms and parasites, vaginal bright or dark green. Flowers may be
infections. single or double; white, blue, purple, or
pink; some have a pronounced crimson
Religious/Magical base. The texture of shrub is coarse.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala, Orunla and Odudua. USES
Correlating Odu: Iroso Ogunda, Osa Iwori,
Irete Otrupon. Medicinal
Used to make ritual omiero. Hoarseness, intestinal afflictions, need to
Rites of Palo perspire, sore throat, vaginal infection.
∗ Used in purification baths, cleansing Religious/Magical
of persons, objects and the Orisha Worship
household. Belongs to Obatala and Orunmila
∗ To attract good fortune and
prosperity. AMANSA GUAPO / BOXWOOD
(Schaefferia frutescens)
ALMENDRO DE LA INDIA: Almendro
Other names:
ALMOREJO / PEARL MILLET Haiti - Bois capable, Petit garcon
(Setaria glauca) Lukumi – Kunino
Puerto Rico - Cafeillo
Other names: U.S. – Florida Boxwood, Yellow wood
Cuba - Rabito peludo, rabo de gato.
U.S: - American fountain grass, Yellow Description
bristle grass, Yellow foxtail, Yellow pigeon Small to medium size shrub, found close
grass to the tidewater are on sandy soils and
hammocks. Smallish leaves are borne
Description close together; yellow green. The flowers
Warm season grass; begins growing in are small, greenish white. Fruits turn from
May. Heads will emerge in June and begin green to yellow, then bright red. The bark
flowering in July through September. is smooth gray or brown.
Abundant in disturbed sites, especially in
wetter cultivated soils and waste places.
18
USES USES
Orisha Worship Arthritis backache, back pain, blood
Belongs to Elegba. infections, body aches and pains,
Correlating Odu: Iroso Ika, Osa Okana, bronchial asthma, colic, constipation,
Otrupon She. convulsions, diarrhea, digestive disorders,
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. dysentery, impotence, kidney ailments,
Rites of Palo leucorrhoea, malaria, muscle pains,
Works with the Nkisi nervousness, ovarian hemorrhages,
For rituals and ceremonies. ovarian problems, slow milk production in
Used to make Nkisi lango. lactating women, urinary tract ailments,
∗ To appease, dominate, and bind. vaginal discharges, vaginal infections,
venereal disease, venereal sores,
AMAPOLA: Marpacífico. wounds.
AMARANTO: Acediana
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
AMBARINA / MUSK OKRA
Belongs to Oshun
(Hibiscus abelmoschus)
Correlating Odu: Osa Meji.
∗ Used for love spells, lovers who have
Other names:
lost interest in their mates. To make
Cuba - Abelmosco, viuda.
a loved one return.
Mexico -Monacillo del río.
Description ANACAGÜITA / PANAMA TREE

Cultivated plant. Beautiful flowers; pink, (Sterculia apetala)
purple or white.
Other names:
USES Cuba - Anacagüita, anacahuita.
Colombia – Camaruca, camajon duro
Medicinal Mexico – Anacahuita, bellota, castañas
Chest colds and fever.
Description
Religious/Magical Copious tree reaching up to 60 ft. high;
Orisha Worship the trunk is thick; large heart shaped
Belongs to Oshun leaves. Fruit similar to a peanut. Flowers
Rites of Palo are slightly scented.
For rituals and amulets
USES
AMOR SECO / STRONG BACK
Medicinal
(Meibomia barbata)
Common cold, flu, respiratory ailments.
Other names:
Lukumi – Ewe weená ANAMU / GUINEA HEN WEED
U.S. - Hard Man, Hard Stick (Petiveria alliacea)
Description Other names:

Indigenous multi branched weedy Argentina – Pipí
perennial herb 1.5 ft tall. Produces Cuba - Namu
numerous light purple flowers and small Guatemala - Apazote zorro, hispasina
green fruits/bean in 2" long pods. Found in Haiti - Fèy Ave
open forests, pastures, yards and Lukumi - Yena
roadsides. Mexico – Zorrillo, hierba de las gallinitas
Nicaragua – Ipacina
Venezuela - Mapurite
19
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Herbaceous perennial; grows up to 3 ft. Orisha Worship
tall. Often called "garlic weed" as the plant Belongs to Oshun
and especially root have a strong garlic- Rites of Palo
like odor. For rituals and amulets
For purification baths
USES ∗ Placed under the pillow to ward off
bad dreams and nightmares.
Medicinal
Arthritis, digestive ailments, dropsy, fever, ANON / SUGAR APPLE
flatulence, headache, malaria, migraine (Annona squamosa)
headaches, pain, poor memory, rheumatic
pain and other types of pain, rheumatism, Other names:
sinusitis, skin diseases, sluggish digestion, Haiti - Kashiman Kanèl
to induce abortions, tooth pain. Lukumi - Irábiri
Mexico - Ahate, anona blanca.
Religious/Magical Philippines –Ate
Orisha Worship Puerto Rico - Chirimoya
It is not used for ritual omiero.
Children of Obatala and Yemaya should Description
not handle this herb. Small deciduous tree, reaches up to 20 ft.
Correlating Odu: Iwori Irete The leaves are lanceolate to oblong-
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. lanceolate. The fruit, which ripens in the
Rites of Palo spring, is ovoid. It is composed of loosely
For rituals cohering carpels, which are usually
∗ To ward off from evil spirits and covered with a white or bluish bloom. The
witchcraft: carpel separates readily when ripe,
∗ Prepare an infusion of the leaves exposing the cream colored flesh in which
outside the household and wash are imbedded numerous small brown
down the front door with it. glossy seeds.
∗ For purification baths to ward off
witchcraft USES
ANIS / ANISEED Medicinal

(Pimpinella anisum) Nervousness, stomach ailments,
indigestion, urinary track infections, head
Other names: lice.
Lukumi - Ewe Ise
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Obatala, Oshun and Ibeji.
Annual that grows 1-2 feet high. It needs Used to make ritual omiero.
120 days to produce fully ripened seed Rites of Palo
head. For spells and rituals.
USES ANTEOJO DE POETA: Bejuco

Borococo
Medicinal
Abdominal pains, asthma, belching,
bronchitis, chronic diarrhea, cold
abdomen, colic in children, gallbladder
stones, gas, griping, hernia, indigestion,
intestinal colic and flatulence, insomnia,
intestinal ailments, irritable coughing,
nausea, nervousness, sluggish digestion,
slow milk production in nursing women,
tonic during menopause, vomiting,
whooping cough.
20
AÑIL/WEST INDIAN INDIGO USES

(Indigofera suffructicosa)
Medicinal
Other names: Gas, slow milk production in lactating
Cuba – Añil cimarrón, Azul de hojas women, intestinal parasites and worms in
Dominican Republic – Azul, Azulejo small children, tension, weak system,
Kongo - Firio stomach ailments, anemia, asthma,
Lukumi – Ewe Olu, Yiniya dysentery, Diphnea, fatigue, nervousness,
Mexico – Jiquilete, añil montes rheumatism, conjunctivitis, tumor, sore.
Indigenous legume abundant in Orisha Worship
calcareous soils. Some species have been Belongs to Babalu Aye
cultivated for industrial use to extract the Correlating Odu: Otrupon Ofun.
añil or indigo coloring. A maceration and Used to make ritual omiero
fermentation process of the leaves
extracts this product. Rites of Palo
USES Used to make Nkisi lango.
Fan the walls with the branches to ward
Medicinal off negative energies and evil spirits.
Internal tumors, epilepsy, gonorrhea. ∗ To annoy an adversary
Religious/Magical APIO BLANCO /GARDEN CELERY

Orisha Worship (Apium graveolens)
Belongs to Yemaya and Oshun
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Meji, Otura Niko, Other names:
Ofun Otrupo, Osa Ofun. Haiti – Celeri Des Jardins
For rituals and ceremonies U.S. – Wild Celery
∗ For cleansings. It has purifying
properties. Description
Biennial plant up to 6 ft tall; grows in
APASOTE / MEXICAN TEA cultivated beds.
(Chenopodium ambrosoides)
USES
Other names:
Cuba – Biengranada Medicinal:
Haiti - Ambroisie du Mexique, Semen This herb should not be prescribed for
Contra, Herbe-à-Vers, Thé du Mexique pregnant women
Lukumi - Oline High blood pressure, indigestion, uterus
Mexico - Epazote inflammation, hysteria, rheumatism,
U.S. - American wormseed kidney complaints
Annual/Perennial, growing up to 3 feet Orisha Worship
high found in low sandy coastal areas and Belongs to Babalu Aye
red soils. Leaves are scented, oval,
serrated, long and narrow. Reddish trunk. Other
The scented flowers are green. It is in Insect repellent
flower from July to October, and the seeds
ripen from August to October.
21
Dalia Quiros-Moran
ARABO ARABO DE PIEDRA

(Erythroxylon havanense) (Erythroxylon minutifolium)
Other names: Other names:

Cuba - Arabo carbonero, arabo jiba, arabo Cuba - Cubanicú, sibanicú.
prieto, arabo real, jiba. Kongo – Fiko
Lukumi - Benkeye Lukumi - Bunda
Small tree found in low coastal areas. Shrub or small tree growing up to 30 ft.;
Grows up to 24 ft. The leaves are obovate, leaves elliptical, obovate. The fruit is
slender, light green. The flowers are white. orange.
Fruits are consumed by wild pigeons and
other birds. USES
Orisha Worship
Medicinal Belongs to Ogun.
Cold, flu, fever, sore throat, muscular Rites of Palo
aches. Works with the Nkisi
For rituals
Religious/Magical ∗ To attract stability or success.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Orunla and Oshun. ARARA / SPINY BUCIDA
Rites of Palo (Bucida angustifolia)
Burned in incense to purify and protect. Other names:
Cuba -Júcaro, arará de hojas angostas,
ARABO COLORADO chicharrón de montes, júcaro de playa
(Erythroxylon confusum) Kongo – Groo
Lukumi – Amukan, Biose
Description Mexico -Puk-té
Indigenous tree; grows to 50 ft. found in Puerto Rico - Ucar, bucaro
coastal areas or riverbanks. It is in flower U.S. - Gregory wood, black olive
from March to May and fruits from June to
August. Wood fairly heavy. Dry and Description
coarse bark with long uneven Shrub reaching up to 24 ft high. Found in
indentations, approximately two lines arid coastal areas. Extended branches
wide. with 2-3 terminal spines. The leaves are
slender at the base. Blooms in spring.
USES Green/white flowers.
Religious/Magical USES
Orisha worship
Belongs to Shango, Orunmila Medicinal
Rites of Palo Seasickness.
∗ The leaves pulverized, if scattered in Religious/Magical
a household, will create turmoil Orisha Worship
among the family Belongs to Babalu Aye and Orunmila
∗ Used to agitate quarrels. Rites of Palo
22
ARBICUAJER / ARBICUA Description

Perennial shrub. Grows up to 3 ft high.
Other names: The trunk is ligneous and dark color, while
Kongo – Mbentun the ends of the branches are greenish.
Lukumi - Afilayo Leaves oblong-lanceolate. The showy
flowers are white or yellow with red
Description tonalities.
Indigenous tree. Reaches great heights,
abundant in Cuba. Excellent wood. USES
USES Medicinal
Scabies, skin infections.
Medicinal
Earaches. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical Belongs to Obatala, Orishaoko and Yewa
Orisha Worship Used to make ritual omiero
Belongs to Odudua Rites of Palo
Rites of Palo For rituals and ceremonies.
For spells and rituals ∗ The root is used for binding spells.
To attract and bind persons who
ARBOL BONITO have grown apart for any reason.
(Pithecellobium glaucum)
ARBOL DE LA CERA / SOUTHERN
Other names: BAYBERRY
Cuba - Palo bonito, Abey (Myrica cerifera)
Dominican Republic - Caracoli
Kongo - Bukua Other names:
Lukumi – Kukunduku, Iki, Oddara Yeye Cuba - Arbol de sebo, arraigan.
Jamaica - Waxberry, wax wood.
Description Kongo - Masere
Indigenous tree of copious foliage found in Lukumi – Aki Yembu
riverbanks. Reaches up to 30 ft. Flowers Puerto Rico - Arrayan.
in racemes, white. Its shade keeps the soil U.S. - Candleberry, southern myrtle, wax
fresh and fertile. Lateral roots. The fruit is myrtle.
obovate, brown.
Description
USES Deciduous shrub reaching up to 35 ft.
Grayish bark, waxy branches, and dense,
Religious/Magical narrow, delicately toothed leaves dotted
Orisha Worship with resin glands, which produce a
Belongs to Oshun and Oya fragrant aroma when crushed. Yellow
Rites of Palo flowers appear in spring and produce
For rituals and ceremonies nutlike fruits thickly covered with wax.
∗ To attract success in business,
gambling and love. USES
ARBOL DE LA BIBIJAGUA / ANGELS Medicinal

TROMPETS This plant should not be used during
(Datura suaveolens) pregnancy.
Alimentary tract ailments, asthma and
Other names: chills, bacterial infections, bleeding gums,
Cuba - Campanilla, floripundio blanco boils, bowel inflammation, bronchitis,
Haiti - Datira bruises, chronic gastritis, chronic sore,
Kongo – Musi Nguengua, Nkunia
Lukumi – Agogo, Balanke
23
Dalia Quiros-Moran
circulatory ailments, cholera, colds, Kongo - Gwangango

diarrhea, dysentery, epilepsy, excessive Lukumi – Maeri
menstrual bleeding, fever, flu, gum Mexico- Arbol del cuerno, cuernos del
diseases, hard to heal ulcers, toro, cornerzuelo
hemorrhoids, indigestion, jaundice, lack of Nicaragua - Cornezuelo
perspiration, laryngitis, leukorrhea, U. S. – Wattle
scrofula, skin rashes and itches, sinusitis,
sore throat, typhoid, uterine discharge, Description
varicose veins, wounds. Indigenous shrub with large spines
arranged in pairs, simulating small horns.
Religious/Magical Wood is hard and compact.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala USES
Rites of Palo
Insect bites, impotence.
Other
Tooth powder. Religious/Magical
To neutralize odors caused by foot Orisha Worship
perspiration Belongs to Ogun, Oshun, Odudua,
Obatala
ARBOL DE LA VIDA / ARBOVITAE Rites of Palo
(Thuja orientalis) For spells.
To make amulets for men who wish to
Other names: regain their vitality.
Cuba - Guiqui, Tuya.
Dominican Republic - Pinillo ARBOL DEL PAN / BREADFRUIT
El Salvador - Cipres Romano (Artocarpus altilis)
Guatemala - Incienso
Puerto Rico - Tuya Other names:
Brazil - Fruta-pão
Description Cuba - Fruta de pan
Evergreen tree growing to 50 ft. Grows in Haiti - Arbre à pain, L'arbre-à-pain, Fruit-à-
either dry or moist soil and can tolerate pain
draught. U.S. - Breadnut
USES Description
Stately erect tree, 40 ft. tall, with a wide
Medicinal and spreading crown. The trunk, leaves,
Arthritic pain, asthma, bacterial dysentery, and fruit exude a milky sap when injured.
bronchitis, burns, constipation in the The mature fruit is round or ovoid; 5 to 8
elderly, cough, excessive menstruation, inches long by 4 to 6 inches in diameter,
hemorrhage, insomnia, mumps, nervous and may weigh from 2 to 10 pounds. The
disorders, palpitations, parasitic skin yellowish-green rind is divided into a
infections, premature baldness, series of low projections that may bear
rheumatism, scalds, skin diseases. short spines in some varieties.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala and Odudua Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
ARBOL DEL CUERNO / BULLHORN Belongs to Odua, Obatala
ACACIA Correlating Odu: Ejionle Obara, Ogunda
(Acacia cornigera) Otrupo, and Oshe Okana.
Other names: For rituals
Cuba - Tarrillo, cuernecillo
El Salvador - Iscanal blanco
24
ARBOL DEL SEBO / CHINESE TALLOW Religious/Magical

TREE Orisha Worship
(Stillingia sebifera) Belongs to Orunmila, Aganju
Rites of Palo
Other names: For rituals and ceremonies.
Cuba - Arbol de la cera ∗ In amulets to attract confidence and
Kongo - Kousu assertiveness.
Lukumi – Sainde
U.S. - Popcorn tree ARETILLO
(Savia sessiliflora)
Description
Deciduous tree growing to 30 ft. Leaves Other names:
are ovate to 3" becoming yellow red in Cuba - Ahorca jíbaro, amansa guapo,
autumn. It is in flower from January to carbonero de costa, guizacillo, hueso.
February, produces a 4" flower spike. The
seed ripens in November. Description
Small indigenous tree; the wood is hard,
USES good grain.
Medicinal USES
Boils, constipation, kidney ailments,
urinary track ailments, skin ulcers Medicinal
Gum disease.
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Babalu Aye Orisha Worship
Rites of Palo Belongs to Elegba
ARNICA
Other
(Arnica Montana)
The wax extracted from the seed changes
gray hair to black.
Other names:
U.S. – Leopard's bane
ARCERDIANA / SILVER COCK'S COMB
(Celosia Cristata) Description
Perennial plant that grows to a height of 1
Other names: to 2 ft. Generally found in mountainous
Cuba - Arcerdiana, Amaranto, bledo parts. The plant is rather hairy plant, with a
morisco, moco de pavo dark or blackish root. The stem is simple,
Kongo - Sigua pubescent, rough, obscurely angled,
Lukumi – Biole striated. The leaves are entire and
U.S. – Crested cockscomb opposite. In flower from June to August.
The flowers are large, orange-yellow; in
Description erect or drooping heads.
Cultivated for its flowers in the shape of a
cockscomb. Blooms are violet, yellow or USES
salmon color.
Medicinal
USES In large doses, arnica causes heat in the
throat, nausea, vomiting, purging,
Medicinal spasmodic contractions of the limbs,
Can be toxic if taken in large quantities. difficulty of respiration, and sometimes
Bloodshot eyes, bloody stool, blurriness of inflammation of the alimentary canal,
vision, diarrhea, cataracts, hemorrhoid coma, and death.
bleeding, hypertension, intestinal
parasites, leukorrhea, uterine bleeding
25
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Abdominal pain, contusions, Description

inflammations, skin cuts and lacerations Plant reaching 18-20' high. Wood is hard,
compact, and heavy. The core is light red.
AROMA AMARILLA U OLOROSA /
SWEET ACACIA USES
(Acacia Farnesiana)
Medicinal
Other names: Nasal congestion, nasal discharge.
Argentina, Uruguay – Espinillo
Cuba - Aroma Religious/Magical
Guatemala, Salvador - Espino blanco Orisha Worship
Haiti - Gren'n l'Eglise, Lyan'n Réglisse, Belongs to Obatala
Lyan'n L'Église, Réglisse, Graine-Réglisse Correlating Odu: Osa Okana, Ika Ofun,
Kongo - Sunsumie Otrupon Oshe, Irete Otura.
Lukumi – Erite, Ereen
Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Peru, AROMO UÑA DE GATO/CAT'S CLAW
Philippines, Colombia - Aromo, Aroma BLAKBEAD
Nicaragua – Cachito de aroma (Pithecellobium unguis-cacti)
Venezuela - Cuji
Other names:
Description Cuba - Aruña gato, manca montero.
A deciduous shrub growing to 12 ft. in dry Kongo - Bericolae
sandy soils in pinelands, hammocks and Lukumi - Madde
disturbed areas. It is in flower from U.S. – Bread and Cheese, Blackbead
February to March. Scented flowers.
Description
USES Thorny stemmed shrub. The bark is
purplish brown, with white specks. Wood
Medicinal yellow. Small flowers. The fruit is a
Gangrenous tissue, nervousness, seedpod, containing black seeds.
palpitation, skin infection
USES
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship Medicinal
Belongs to Oshun, Elegba, Babalu Aye Dysentery, intermittent fevers, kidney
Correlating Odu: Otura Meji ailments, kidney stones, sores
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
Rites of Palo Religious/Magical
For rituals and ceremonies Orisha Worship
∗ To cause chaos Belongs to Elegba, Ogun
∗ To harass and produce constant Rites of Palo
anxiety in an adversary For spells.
To break up relationships, and
AROMA BLANCA / WHITE LEAD TREE partnerships.
(Leucaena glauca) ∗ Causes chaos and discord among
family members and couples.
Other names:
Bahamas - Jumby-bean ARRAIGAN: Arbol de la Cera
Cuba – Soplillo
Dominican Republic - Granalino
Lukumi - Riani
Mexico - Guacis
Puerto Rico - Hediondilla
U.S. – Tantan, Wild Tamarind
26
ARRIERO / MOROTOTO Religious/Magical

(Didymopanax morototoni) Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala
Other names: For rituals and ceremonies
Argentina - Ambayguazu Prepared as an offering to Obatala.
Brazil - Mandioqueira ∗ For cleansings of the household to
Colombia - Yarumero banish negative energies and evil
Cuba - Yagruma macho, Badana, spells.
Cordoban, Padero, Papayón ∗ To attract good fortune and
Kongo - Kuakari prosperity
Lukumi - Pikoto
Mexico - Chancaro blanco ARRURUZ / ARROWROOT
Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic - (Maranta arundinacea)
Yagrumo macho
Venezuela - Tinajero Other names:
Cuba - Curcuma, leren.
Description
Tall basally swollen tree reaching a height Description
of 100 ft and more; trunk diameters to 30 Plant with perennial fibrous rhizome,
inches. Wood is pale brown throughout. producing several fleshy, scaly, pendulous
Abundant in calcareous hills. tubers from its crown. The stems are thin,
hairy, reaching up to 2 or 3 feet high. The
USES leaves are alternate, with long, leafy, hairy
sheaths, hairy underneath, and pale-green
Medicinal on both sides. The flowers are white.
Tension, hysteria Globular fruit the size of a small currant.
Rites of Palo
For rituals and amulets Medicinal
∗ For purification baths to banish Wounds, scorpion and black spider bites,
negative energies and hysteria. gangrene, vegetable poisoning.
ARROZ / RICE ARTEMISA, ALTAMISA / ANNUAL

(Oriza sativa) RAGWEED
(Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
Other names:
Kongo - Loso Other names:
Lukumi – Euo, Sincofa, Irasi Arada – Bamare
Cuba - Palma de alcanfor, Palma sagu y
Description sagu
Erect annual grass, to 3 feet tall; leaf- Kongo - Dioke
blades long, flat, many long, ascending Lukumi – Liniddi
branches; kernel free-threshing, oblong, U.S. - Roman wormwood
flattened on the sides, straw colored or
yellow. Description
Common plant with ridged stem. Grows 4
USES or 5 ft. tall. Lives in moist soils. It can grow
in semi-shade or no shade.
Medicinal
Abdominal ailments, arthritis, bowels,
burns, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia,
erysipelas, fever, flux, heart condition,
inflammations, jaundice, nausea,
ophthalmia, paralysis, piles, poor appetite,
psoriasis, skin ailments, sores, stomach
ailments, and swellings.
27
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES Puerto Rico - Astrómeda

Salvador, Nicaragua - Júpiter
Medicinal
Insect bites, rheumatic joints, various Description
skins complaints, fevers, pneumonia, Ornamental shrub originally from Asia.
nausea, intestinal cramps, diarrhea, The bark is mottled and smooth. With age,
intestinal cramps, diarrhea, mucus the gray bark exfoliates to reveal a
discharges, menstrual disorders, stroke, reddish-brown color underneath. The
hemorrhoids, measles, colic, pimples, leaves are deciduous, oval, and smooth.
boils, mumps, sprains They are usually arranged alternately. The
individual flowers are ruffled, delicate, and
Religious/Magical crinkly to the touch; they last from 65-120
Orisha Worship days. The fruit is oval and brown or black
Belongs to Osayin (Obatala or Babalu in color, appearing after the flowers begin
Aye) to drop. When mature, the dry capsules
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Okana, and split and the seeds are released.
Obara Osa.
Used to make ritual omiero. USES
Rites of Palo Medicinal
For rituals and ceremonies Colds, constipation, fever, urinary
Used to make Nkisi lango. ailments, weak system, sores, boils,
∗ For cleansings and purification baths. wounds.
ARTEMISILLA / SANTAMARIA Religious/Magical

FEVERFEW Orisha Worship
(Parthenium hysterophorus) Belongs to Orunmila
Other names: ∗ Used for purification baths, to banish
Cuba- Escoba amarga, confitillo, negative energies.
altamisilla ∗ The roots are used to make amulets.
Haiti - Absent bata, Balai Amer, Absinthe
marron, Zèb-a-Pian ATEJE / RED MANJACK
Kongo - Luanga (Cordia Collococca)
Lukumi – Ewe Irii
Other names:
Description Colombia, Costa Rica - Nigüito, buriogre,
See Escoba Amarga muñeco.
Dominican Republic - Palo de muñeco
USES blanco.
El Salvador- Cuajatinta, zompopo,
Religious/Magical manuno, manone.
Orisha Worship Haiti - Trois pieds.
Belongs to Obatala Jamaica - Cherry, wild cherry.
Rites of Palo Kongo - Langwe
For rituals and ceremonies Lukumi – Lacheo
For purification and cleansing. Puerto Rico -Sarguaso prieto, palo de
∗ To attract happiness, prosperity and muñeca.
success of personal endeavors. Venezuela - Alatrique, caujaro.
ASTRONOMIA / CRAPE MYRTLE Description

(Lagerstroemia indica) Indigenous tree reaching up to 16 ft in all
sorts of soils, mainly calcareous. Leaves
Other names: similar to the coffee plant. Blooms in
Cuba - Júpiter February. Produces small red fruits in
Kongo - Duanje racemes, from April through May.
Lukumi - Take
Mexico - Astrónimica, atmosférica
28
USES Rites of Palo

Medicinal For rituals and ceremonies.
Dropsy, fever.
ATEJE HEMBRA / RED MANJACK
Religious/Magical (Cordia Valenzuela)
Orisha worship
Belongs to Osayin, Odudua, Oya, and Other names:
Elegba Cuba -Vomitel amarillo, ateje común o
Correlating Odu: Oshe Okana, Okana colorado
Osa, Otura Ojuani. Dominican Republic - Muñeco, palo de
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. muñeco
Rites of Palo Ell Salvador - Manuno, manone
Works with the Nkisi Haiti - Trois pieds
For rituals and ceremonies. Jamaica - Wild cherry
Kongo - Chunue
ATEJE AMARILLO / WHITE MANJACK Lukumi - Bembere
(Cordia Alba) Puerto Rico - Cerezo, palo de muñeca
Venezuela - Alatrique, caujaro
Other names:
Colombia - Uvita mocosa, cuájaro, gomo Description
blanco. Indigenous tree growing up to 30 ft. The
Costa Rica - Tigüilote. leaves are elliptical, glossy, and narrow
Cuba - Varia blanca, ateje blanco, atejo towards the base. Extended branches.
amarillo Makes excellent wood; yellow, compact
El Salvador-Tigüilote, tiguilote negro, and hard. The root grows very deep.
cebito. Produces red fruits.
Haiti - Bois chique.
Honduras - Chachalaco. USES
Jamaica - Dope-cherry, duppy cherry.
Lukumi - Mbota Medicinal
Mexico - Zazamil, sasanil, gualbere, Skin blemishes.
chirimo
Nicaragua -Tigüilote. Religious/Magical
Panama - Uvillo, uvero, goma. Orisha Worship
Puerto Rico - Capa, capa blanca. Belongs to Osayin
Venezuela- Caujaro, cariaco, tarare Rites of Palo – Works with the Nkisi.
amarillo, tarare blanco, pardillo blanco, For rituals and amulets
baboso, candilero, grimanso, flor de
angel. ATEJE HERMOSO / SALMWOOD
(Cordia gerascanthus)
Description
Fast growing tree, reaching up to 60 ft. Other names:
Excellent wood, heavy, hard compact; Argentina - Loro negro
color light yellow with streaks. Yellow Brazil - Louro pardo
flowers, fruit the size and shape of a white Colombia, Venezuela – Canalete
grape, bland taste. Cuba - Baria
Kongo - Billaca
USES Lukumi – Malau, Iredan
Mexico - Siricote, Bocote, Cupane, Amapa
Medicinal asta
Muscular cramps, dropsy, tumors, boils,
chest ailments, tumors, chest ailments.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Osayin, Oshun, Babalu Aye.
29
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Small to large tree reaching up to 100 ft. Erect scrub, 5 to 6 ft. wide. Wood soft,
high. Valued for its wood; tobacco colored white. Leaves alternate, pale green.
to reddish brown, with irregular dark brown Flowers green, five petals, unscented. The
or blackish streaks and variegations. fruit is a round capsule divided into three
compartments, each holding one white
USES almond, with taste somewhat similar to the
exotic almond.
Medicinal
Skin blemishes caused by burns. USES
Superficial scars.
Medicinal
Religious/Magical Renal ailments.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Osayin Religious/Magical
Rites of Palo Orisha worship
For rituals and amulets Belongs to Osayin, Oba, Oshun
Rites of Palo
ATEJE MACHO / MUCILAGE MANJACK Works with the Nkisi.
(Cordia Sulcata) For rituals and amulets.
Other names: AYUA / WHITE PRICKLY ASH

Cuba - Tabaco. (Zanthoxylum martinicense)
Dominican Republic – Majagua de Indio
Kongo - Pangua Other names:
Lukumi – Sayi Cuba - Ayúa macho, ayúa amarilla, ayuda
U.S. - Manjack, sticking berry, Jack tree Kongo – Lunga Kuma
Lukumi - Elegun
Description U.S. - Toothache tree
Indigenous tree found in mountain ranges
and hills. The wood is hard, ash color with Description
white streaks. Deep roots. It is in bloom in Tree found in rocky calcareous areas.
February. Grows up to 60 ft. high with thick conical
spines. Easily identified for its thorny trunk
USES and leaves.
Medicinal USES
Skin blemishes.
Medicinal
Religious/Magical Wounds, liver ailments, infectious
Orisha Worship diseases, syphilis, rheumatism,
Belongs to Babalu aye toothaches, chest ailments.
Rites of Palo
Works with the Nkisi. Religious/Magical
For rituals and ceremonies. Orisha worship
Belongs to Ogun
AVELLANO DE COSTA Rites of Palo
(Omphalea trichotoma ) Works with the Nkisi.
Other names: ∗ For protection amulets. The thorns
Cuba – Avellano de America protect against the evil eye.
Lukumi – Muyale, Rueri
30
AZAFRAN / SAFFLOWER USES

(Carthamus tinctorius)
Medicinal
Other names: Hepatic ailments, gonorrhea.
Haiti - Safran
Kongo – Mayanda Religious/Magical
Lukumi – Ewe pupa Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Ika Meji.
Description
Annual shrub reaching up to 3 ft. The AZUCENA/TUBEROSE
leaves are ovate. Flowers are orange (Polianthes tuberosa)
which contain colorant substances. It is in
leaf from May to October, in flower from Other names:
August to October, and the seed ripen Cuba – Nardo, tuberosa
from September to October. Kongo – Touje
Lukumi – Ododo fun
USES
Description
Medicinal Perennial garden plant growing to 2 ft.
Rheuma, menstrual pains, uterus Long, bright green leaves clustered at the
ailments, measles, fever, eruptive skin base; smaller, clasping leaves along the
complaints, bruises, sprains, skin stem; fragrant, waxy white flowers.
inflammations, wounds, and sores.
USES
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Obatala Cardiac conditions.
To condiment food offerings for the
Orishas Religious/Magical:
Orisha Worship
AZUCARERO: Palo cochino Belongs to Obatala, Odudua
Correlating Odu: Ika Ofun.
AZUCARITO / BREAD-AND-CHEESE ∗ Used in purification baths.
(Paullinia pinnata) ∗ To attract peace and prosperity.
∗ Placed in any room heightens the
Other names: energy within and promotes
British Antilles - Bread-and-cheese tranquility.
Cuba – Azucarillo, Bejuco de vieja, Bejuco
matancero, Bejuco de Indio (Santiago de
Cuba)
El Salvador – Chilmecate, Nistamil
Mexico - Barbasco, bejuquillo
Puerto Rico -Bejuco de costilla, Bejuco de
paloma
U.S. – Supple jack
Description
Stout and woody vine that forms mats in
forest openings and ascends rocks and
trees by means of forked tendrils to
access full sunlight. It may reach up to 30
ft long. The leaves are serrated, glossy
above; independent, small white flowers;
red or maroon fruit.
31
Dalia Quiros-Moran
B Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ofun
BADANA: Arriero
Rites of Palo
BAGA / POND APPLE Works with the Nkisi.
(Annona glabra) For spells and rituals.
Weakens, causes lapses.
Other names:
Brazil - Araticum do brejo. BALSAMINA / GARDEN BALSAM
Colombia - Mayos (Impatiens balsamina)
Costa Rica - Guanábana silvestre
Cuba - Baga, Palo bobo, guanábana Other names:
cimarrona, cimarrona. Cuba - Madama
Dominican Republic – Guanábano de Haiti - balsamine des jardins, impatience,
corcho, mammon de perro, anon de río, bel-zanmy
baga, guanábana cimarrona U.S. - Rose balsam, spotted snap weed
Ecuador - Anona del campo
Guatemala, Honduras - Anoncillo Description
Haiti - Carossol marrón, mammier A colorful annual that thrives in partial
Kongo - Chona shade or full sun. Its frilly flowers are
Mexico -Corcho, arbol de corcho, palo de either semi-double or fully double, looking
corcho. rather like camellia blossoms. The blooms
Panama - Anón de puerco are white, cream, pink, rose, red or purple.
Puerto Rico - Cayur, corazón cimarrón, Most plants grow to 2 feet tall.
guanábano cimarrón, anón.
U.S.- Alligator apple, custard apple USES
Venezuela - Anón liso, chirimoya
cimarrona, guanábano cimarrón, Medicinal
guanábano bobo. Bacterial infections, circulatory ailments,
fluid retention, eye ailments, lumbago,
Description neuralgia, sores, wounds.
Indigenous tree reaching heights up to 35
ft. Grows near fresh water ponds and BALSAMO / SATIN WOOD
streams and in swampy hammocks; with a (Zanthoxylum pistacifolium)
much swelled, or buttressed, base and
short, clear trunk. The branches are stout Other names:
and irregular-shaped. The leaves are Arada - Xuntitina
leathery, bright green above, elliptical or Cuba - Vencedor, Palo vencedor
oval. The flowers open from a three-
angled bud on a stout flower stem, with six Description
petals in two series of three each, of a A deciduous shrub growing to 12 ft. Found
pale or yellowish white, the three outer on upland rocky hillsides and on moist
ones marked with a bright red spot near low-lying sites, in open woods, on bluffs or
the base in thickets. It is in flower from May to June,
and the seeds ripen from September to
USES October. The scented flowers are purple.
USES
Medicinal
Abdominal complaints, burns, coughing Medicinal
associated with TB, infantile diarrhea, Ague, arthritis, digestive problems,
jaundice, pulmonary ailments, dysentery, fevers, heart and kidney
rheumatism, intestinal parasites and troubles, leg ulcers, poor circulation,
worms. rheumatism, skin irritation, toothache.
32
Religious/Magical BALSAMO MAZU

Orisha Worship
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. Other names:
Rites of Palo Cuba -Azú, bálsamo azul, balsamo
For rituals and amulets tranquilo
∗ For purification baths and cleansings
of persons and the household. Description
∗ To banish negativity and evil spirits. Indigenous tree that is tapped like rubber
∗ To attract good fortune and trees to collect their resin-like saps known
prosperity. as "balsamo tranquilo". Its wood is hard,
∗ In amulets to overcome difficult compact and heavy.
situations and for protection.
USES
BALSAMO DE GUATEMALA / BALSAM
Medicinal
OF TOLU
Earaches. Muscular aches. Muscle
(Myroxylon balsamum)
spasms.
Other names:
Religious/Magical:
Cuba -Bálsamo de Tolú.
Promotes tranquility
U.S. – Balsam of Peru
Description BALSAMO TRANQUILO: Balsamo Mazú

A large and beautiful tree with a valuable BAMBU: Caña Brava
wood like mahogany, and a straight
smooth trunk; the last is coarse gray, BARDANA / GREAT BURDUCK
compact, heavy granulated and a pale (Arctium lappa)
straw color, containing a resin which
changes from citron to dark brown; smell Other names:
and taste balsamic and aromatic. Leaves Mexico – Lampazo
alternately, leaflets two pairs mostly U.S. - Bardane
opposite, ovate, lanceolate with the end
blunt emarginated; every part of the tree Description
including the leaves abounds in a resinous A biennial plant found along fences, walls,
juice. and roadsides, in waste places, and
around populated areas. The root is long,
USES fleshy, gray-brown outside, and whitish
inside. In its second year, the plant grows
Medicinal a furrowed, reddish, pithy stem with woolly
Abscesses, asthma, bed sores, bronchitis, branches. The leaves are green and hairy
catarrh, colds, diaper rash, diarrhea, on top and downy gray beneath. The
dysentery, granulations, headache, purple flowers appear in from July to
laryngitis, leukorrhea, lung ailments, September. The seeds ripen from
rheumatism, ringworm, scabies, sores, September to October.
sprains, tuberculosis, ulcerations, venereal
diseases, wounds. USES
Other Medicinal
The powdered bark as an underarm Bites, boils, blood ailments, bruises,
deodorant. burns, eczema, herpes, high blood sugar
levels, rashes and other skin problems,
BALSAMO DE TOLU: Bálsamo de ringworm, sciatica, skin diseases, sores,
Guatemala throat and other infections, toxins in the
blood, ulcers.
33
Dalia Quiros-Moran
BARIA / CORDIA Description

(Cordia gerascanthus) Annual herb. The leaves are opposite,
very soft, and coarsely toothed with round
Other names: teeth. Flowers occur in globes, slightly
Colombia - Canalete prickly to touch with thin leaves
Cuba -Capa roja, Varía, Varía blanca, immediately undeneath. Flowers are
Varía amarilla, Varía carbonera, varía orange and tubular.Stem is very rigid and
prieta square, plant is taprooted. Common in
El Salvador - Laurel blanco. fallow fields.
Nicaragua - Laurel macho.
Perú - Arbol del ajo. USES
Puerto Rico - Capa prieta.
U.S. – Salm Wood Medicinal
Venezuela - Canjaro, pardillo. High blood pressure, herpes, indigestion,
intermittent abscess, paludism, colitis,
Description anemia
Tree that reaches up to 100 ft. The trunk is
erect, flexible; valued for its reddish brown Religious/Magical
wood, with irregular dark brown or black Orisha Worship
streaks and variegations. The leaves are Belongs to Orunla. Used for Ifa rituals.
oval, rough, pointed at the end. Correlating Odu: Iroso Okana
Rites of Palo
USES For rituals and ceremonies
Medicinal BAYATE / WHITE ROSEWOOD

Colds, epilepsy, hoarseness, insomnia, (Linociera domingensis)
nervousness, skin ailments, sore throat,
toxins in the blood. Other names:
Cuba - Bayito, dominguito, guaney, caney,
Religious/Magical pico de gallo, hueso.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango, Oya, Elegba Description
Correlating Odu: Ika Ogbe, Tree found in hills and calcareous soils.
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. The leaves are long, lanceolate. Fruits are
Rites of Palo oval, smaller than an olive. The wood has
Works with the Nkisi streaks, very hard.
∗ For purification baths and cleansing
of persons and the household. USES
∗ To overcome difficult situations and
to dominate. Religious/Magical
∗ To attract good luck. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala
BASTON DE SAN FRANCISCO/ LION'S To expel unwanted persons from the
EAR household.
(Leonitis nepetifolia)
BAYONETA / SPANISH BAYONET
Other names: (Yucca Gloriosa)
Brazil – Cordao de Frade
Colombia – Cordon de Fraile Other names:
Cuba - Cola de león, molinillo. Bahamas - Sword Plant
Kongo - Tóngo Cuba - Bayoneta, cucaracha, espino,
Lukumi – Morobó maguey silvestre, piñon de puñal.
Puerto Rico – Boton de cadeta, Hisopo, Haiti - Bayonette, pinguin
Molinillo, Vara de San Jose Jamaica - Spanish dagger
U.S. Christmas candlestick
34
Lukumi - Peregun Description

U.S. - Spanish bayonet, aloe yucca Trifoliate vine. The leaves are alternate,
ovate at the base. The flowers are
Description yellow/green; they have a peculiar,
An evergreen shrub growing to 5 ft. It is in unpleasant scent.
flower from July to September. Grows in
sand dunes and the borders of beaches of USES
the seacoast. The flowers are white.
Medicinal
USES Alcoholism
Orisha Worship Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala. Belongs to Yemaya
Correlating Odu: Ofun Ogbe, Ofun Rites of Palo
Ogunda, Ofun Meji For rituals and amulets
Essential for initiation rituals
BEJUCO ANGARILLA / FOWLS FOOT
BAYUA: Ayúa (Serjania diversifolia)
BEJUCO DE ALCANFOR / Other names:

DUTCHMAN'S PIPE Cuba - Bejuco colorado.
(Aristolochia trilobata) Kongo - Seikon
Lukumi – Obolo, Yenkemi
Other names:
Haiti - Trèf carayib Description
Kongo – Embi Vine, also known as "Bejuco Colorado".
Lukumi – Ewe tuko Grows in low areas. It is in bloom in
November. The seeds mature in February.
Description
Flowering vine. The leaves are three- USES
lobed, glossy. The flowers have a bend in
them shaped like an old pipe; pale green, Medicinal
striped tan with a long tail. They emit an Hemorrhoids.
unpleasant and the stems have a foul
smell when crushed. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
USES Belongs to Babalu Aye
Rites of Palo
Religious/Magical For rituals and amulets
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oya BEJUCO BATALLA
Rites of Palo
For rituals and amulets Other names:
For cleansings to banish negativity. Kongo - Wangara
BEJUCO AMARGO / BIRTHWORT USES

(Aristolochia trilobata)
Religious/Magical
Other names: Rites of Palo
Brazil – Angelico, Contra Herva Bastarda, Essential for the Nkisi.
Jaruiba For rituals and amulets
Lukumi – Iye Koro
Puerto Rico – Buche de Pavos, Bejuco de
Santiago
Venezuela – Bejuco de Estrella
35
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Lukumi – Uñuare, Kawon.

BEJUCO BARACOA: Bejuco Vergajo Nicaragua - Hoja-chigüe
Description
BEJUCO BOROCOCO / WHITE
Woody vine with papery reddish bark, the
THUMBERGIA
leaves are rough, white flowers, four to six
(Thumbergia fragans)
fruit per bud, green color, containing black
seed.
Other names:
Cuba - Anteojo de poeta, jazmín del
USES
Vedado.
Kongo - Waniko
Medicinal
Lukumi - Yila
Chest ailments.
U.S. - sweet clock-vine, white lady
Religious/Magical
Description
Orisha Worship
Slender-stemmed climbing plant. Leaves
Belongs to Shango, Oshun
margined, lower ones more or less lobed
Rites of Palo
but upper ones rounded towards the base
or having two small teeth only. Corolla
lobes obliquely aligned to the tube, about
2 inches across the white, scentless flower BEJUCO CASTAÑO: Bejuco Guarana
that opens in the evening making a
detonation noise. BEJUCO COLORADO
(Serjania diversifolia)
USES
Other names:
Medicinal Cuba - Bejuco carey, bejuco de cerca,
Headaches. Insomnia. bejuco de corrales, bejuco de vara, bejuco
guara, Bejuco guarana y gauvillo.
Religious / Magical: Lukumi - Obolo
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun Description
Rites of Palo Reddish vine; reaches up to half an inch
For rituals and amulets thick, smooth, furrowed branches.
Flexible. Found in black soils. It is in flower
BEJUCO CARABALI from April through May.
Other names: USES

Cuba - Vencebatalla.
Medicinal
USES Chest ailments, leprosy, venereal
diseases.
Religious/Magical
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. Orisha Worship
Rites of Palo Belongs to Shango, Orishaoko, Elegba
For rituals and amulets Rites of Palo
To overcome; to succeed in any endeavor. For rituals and amulets.
BEJUCO CAREY BEJUCO DE CASTAÑA: Bejuco de Cruz

(Tetracera volubilis)
Other names:
Colombia - Bejuco chiparron, bejuco tome
Costa Rica - Raspa, raspa-guacales
Cuba - Bejuco Guará
Kongo - Ndukora
36
BEJUCO DE CONCHITA / BUTTERFLY BEJUCO DE CRUZ / HIPPOCRATEA

PEA (Hippocratea volubilis)
(Clitoria ternatea)
Other names:
Other names: Cuba - Bejuco de castaña, bejuco de
Cuba - Conchita, conchita azul, deleite, vieja.
divierte sabanerón, papito de la reina. Haiti - Lyan'n Z'Amande, Bois Z'Amande,
Lyan'n Rouge, Lyan'n Crabe
U.S. – Pigeon Wings Kongo - Npoti
Lukumi – Anmele, Saraundere
Description U.S. – Medicine vine
Tropical annual or biennial slender twiner
reaching 15 ft, with pinnate leaves, and Description
pea-like solitary, showy flowers with An indigenous climbing vine found in
broad, fan-like lip narrowing to the base, mountainous areas, and calcareous soils.
bright blue with beautiful markings in the Flowers small, green, in large terminal
throat, blooming all summer. panicles. Fruit green, divided in three
compartments filled with flat, winged
USES brown seeds.
Medicinal USES
Abdominal discomforts.
Medicinal
Religious/Magical Chest ailments. Snake bites.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun, Orishaoko Religious/Magical
Correlating Odu: Odu Ejionle Meji. Orisha Worship
Rites of Palo Belongs to Obatala, Odudua
BEJUCO DE CORRALES / FOWLS For ritual baths and amulets to attract
FOOT health and prosperity.
(Serjania diversifolia)
BEJUCO DE CUBA / CHEWSTICK
Other names: (Gouania polygama)
Cuba - Bejuco Colorado
Kongo - Twonfi Other names:
Lukumi - Waniri Cuba - Bejuco de dientes, bejuco
leñatero,
Description bejuco de indio, jaboncillo.
Vine. The glossy leaves are obovate, Kongo - Nyouyole
dentate. Flowers arranged in racemes, Lukumi - Idalla
the fruit have a fuzzy cover on the upper Panama – Jaboncillo
part. The seeds mature in February. It is
in bloom from October through December. Description
Vine. The leaves are olive-green above,
USES yellow green underneath. The sepals pale
tannish green.
Medicinal
Gum disease USES
Orisha Worship Skin infections
Belongs to Yemaya
Rites of Palo
37
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Osayin Medicinal
Rites of Palo Gonorrhea, eye irritation and swelling,
For rituals and amulets gum disease
BEJUCO DE DIENTES: Bejuco de Cuba Religious/Magical

Orisha Worship
Belongs to Orunmila
BEJUCO DE FIDEOS / DODDER
Rites of Palo
(Cuscuta americana)
Other names:
Cuba - Bejuco de fideo, fideillo. BEJUCO DE LOMBRICES: Bejuco
Haiti - Lamitie Lombriz
Kongo - Nyouyole
Lukumi - Uti BEJUCO DE JAIBA
Parasitary plants found in dry soils and Indigenous vine. Grows in low-lying areas,
hills, with leaves reduced to scales. The and riversides, aerial roots.
stems are thin, cylindrical and golden
yellow; they look like noodles, crawling USES
over plants to absorb their juice, covering
them almost completely. Medicinal
Hemorrhages
USES
Religious/Magical
Medicinal: Orisha Worship
Jaundice. Liver ailments. Blood toxins. Belongs to Yemaya.
Rites of Palo
Religious/Magical For rituals and amulets.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Orunmila BEJUCO DE PURGACION / CLIMBING
Palo Rites WARTCLUB
For rituals and amulets (Commicarpus scandens)
BEJUCO DE GIRIMU: Aguinaldo Blanco Other names:

BEJUCO DE INDIAS: Bejuco Leñatero Lukumi – Oguetiyo Aro
U.S. – Bush spiderling
BEJUCO DE INDIO / SPANISH
ARBORVINE Description
(Merremia tuberosa) Sub shrub; common on rocky slopes and
washes; flowers pale green, March &
Other names: November.
Cuba - Indio trepador.
Lukumi - Chinyo USES
U.S. – Moon Vine
Medicinal
Description Gonorrhea. Venereal diseases.
Perennial vine can smother tall forest
canopies. The large leaves are dark green
on the upper side and paler green on the
underside; divided in 5 to 7 narrow lobes.
The flowers are a bright yellow, funnel-
formed. The globular fruit turns into a
woody pod.
38
Religious/Magical Description
Orisha Worship Herbaceous vine, often blanketing nearby
Belongs to Babalu Aye vegetation. Slender cylindrical stems;
Rites of Palo leaves simple, opposite, ovate, bright
For rituals and amulets green on top, pale green underneath;
flowers small, white.
BEJUCO DE VARA: Bejuco Colorado
BEJUCO DE VIEJA: Bejuco de Cruz USES
Medicinal
BEJUCO DE LA VIRGEN
Asthma, bile, bloody stools, cholera, fever,
(Cassia Chryssocarpa)
flu, insect bites, malaria, rheumatism,
scorpion bite, sore, spasm, stomach,
Other names:
syphilis, tetanus.
Lukumi – Alai
Kongo – Nfita Ngana Maria
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Description
Belongs to Ogun and Osayin
Native vine. The flowers are yellow. The
Rites of Palo
fruit is gold.
To counteract ingested witchcraft.
USES
Medicinal BEJUCO GUARANA

Ear ailments and infections. (Davilla rugosa)
Religious/Magical Other names:

Orisha Worship Cuba (Camaguey) -Bejuco carey, bejuco
Belongs to Obatala colorado, bejuco de cerca, bejuco
Rites of Palo guarana,
For rituals and amulets guaranillo.
Kongo - Disoto
Lukumi – Kensa
BEJUCO GARAÑON
Mexico - Bejuco de agua
Nicaragua - Hojachigüe
USES
Description
Medicinal
Reddish vine; reaches up to half an inch
Impotence.
thick, smooth, furrowed branches.
Flexible. Found in black soils. It is in flower
Religious/Magical
from April through May.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun
USES
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Obara, Irete
Obara.
Medicinal
Rites of Palo
Hoarseness. Skin rashes.
Religious/Magical
BEJUCO GUACO / GUACO Orisha Worship
(Mikania guaco) Belongs to Orishaoko, Erinle
Rites of Palo
Other names: For rituals and amulets
Brazil - Cipó-Cabeludo
Haiti - Lyan'n Koulèv, Lyan'n serpent,
Lyan'n Françoise
U.S. - Hempvine
39
Dalia Quiros-Moran
BEJUCO GUAURO BEJUCO JIMAGUA / GRAPE VINE

(Gonolobus pubescens) (Vitis caribaea)

Cuba - Huevo de toro. Cuba - Parra cimarrona.
Kongo - Tabi Lukumi – Ewe lopamo, Ajara melli
Lukumi – Egua
Description
USES A deciduous, native vine; woody stem that
climbs by tendrils into and over the tops of
Medicinal nearby trees and other vegetation. The
Hemorrhoids. Need of vomiting. Tetanus. leaves are alternate and variable in form,
generally heart-shaped, three-lobed or
Religious/Magical unlobed, with or without serrations at
Orisha Worship edges. The flowers are small, greenish,
Belongs to Elegba, Oke five-petaled. Clusters of purple to black
edible fruits that appear from late summer
Rites of Palo to fall.
USES
BEJUCO INDIO: Bejuco de Cuba
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
BEJUCO JABONCILLO/ WHITE ROOT
Belongs to Elegba
(Guania Lupoloides)
Rites of Palo
Other names:
Colombia – Rabo de Mono
USES BEJUCO LECHERO / TORREY'S

TIEVINE
Medicinal (Ipomoea Ramoni)
Dropsy, stomach ailments.
Other names:
Cuba - Aguinaldo marrullero, marrullero.
BEJUCO JAIBA
Description
Description
Profusely flowering vine. The leaves are
Indigenous vine. Slender stems.
small, simple, heart shaped; the flowers
bell shaped, pink, lavender or lilac outside,
USES
dark purple inside. Fruit a capsule with
four brown or black seeds, smooth and
Medicinal
glossy.
Gonorrhea.
USES
Religious/Magical
Rites of Palo
Medicinal
Infected wounds. Insect bites.
BEJUCO JICOTEA Religious/Magical

USES Orisha Worship
Belongs to Orishaoko
Religious/Magical Correlating Odu: Ika Ogunda
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. For rituals and amulets
Rites of Palo
40
BEJUCO LOMBRICES / HEART LEAF

BEJUCO LEÑATERO / CHEWSTICK (Philodendron scandens)
(Gouania poligama)
Other names:
Other names: Cuba - Bejuco de lombrices.
Cuba - Bejuco de dientes, bejuco indio,
Description
bejuco jaboncillo.
Vine growing half an inch thick; leaves are
Colombia – Bejuco de Reina
long and thin; the root winds its way up to
Dominican Republic - Bejuco de Indio
the top of the trees.
Haiti - Lyan'n savon
Kongo - Etun USES
Nicaragua - Rabo de mono
U.S. – Soapstick Medicinal
Intestinal worms and parasites
Description
Vine found in all soils, the stem grows up Religious/Magical
to two inches thick. The leaves are Rites of Palo
alternate; small flowers. It is in flower For rituals and amulets
throughout the spring. The fruit is elliptical,
brown when mature. BEJUCO LOMBRICERO
(Philodendron lacerum)
USES
Other names:
Medicinal Cuba - Macusey macho.
Hemorrhage, burns, gum disease, dropsy,
gonorrhea Description
Vine with large platter-sized foliage that is
Religious/Magical slightly palmately lobed.
Rites of Palo
For rituals and amulets USES
BEJUCO LOMBRIZ Medicinal

(Philodendron Wrigtii) Arthritis, contusion, sore, toothache
Religious/Magical
Other names:
Rites of Palo
Kongo – Sekuse
Lukumi - Omisu
Description BEJUCO LONGANIZA

Indigenous climbing vine found in (Serjania oblongata)
mountainous areas and calcareous hills.
Grows up to 30 ft. The stems are thin, the USES
leaves ovate.
Religious/Magical
Rites of Palo
USES
Medicinal
Intestinal worms and jaundice BEJUCO MACUSEY: Bejuco
lombricero.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship BEJUCO MADRINA
Belongs to Babalu Aye, Elegba
For rituals, ceremonies and amulets Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Obara Iroso
41
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Rites of Palo BEJUCO PENDOLA

For rituals and amulets (Securidaca volubilis)
BEJUCO MARRULLERO / COW PEAS Other names:

(Vigna vexillata) Kongo – Areto
Lukumi - Leremi
Other names:
Cuba - Caracolillo de cerca. USES
Lukumi – Floido
U.S. – Wild Mung, wild cowpeas Medicinal
Liver ailments.
Description
Long trailing vines with narrow pointed Religious/Magical
bean-like leaves, pods and seeds Orisha Worship
resemble mung beans, and the roots are Belongs to Oshun, Oba
nodulated. Rites of Palo
USES ∗ To bind a couple that is still in love,
but has parted due to a spell.
Medicinal
Sores. BEJUCO PERDIZ / CATCLAW VINE
(Macfadyena unguis-cacti)
Religious/Magical
Rites of Palo Other names:
For rituals and amulets Cuba - Bejuco de perdiz, bejuco
perdicero.
BEJUCO ORIENTE Kongo - Mansagro
Lukumi – Duela
USES U.S. - Bignonia
Medicinal Description
Rheumatism. Lianas up to 50 ft. or more long, often
rooting at the nodes, glabrous or nearly
Religious/Magical so. Leaves drying dark green to nearly
Rites of Palo black, leaflets narrowly ovate to
For rituals and amulets lanceolate, tendril deciduous, 3-forked,
each fork bearing a small horny hook.
Flowers usually in axillary clusters of 1-3;
BEJUCO PARRA: Bejuco Jimagua
calyx cup-like, glabrous. Capsules drying
blackish, linear, flattened, tapering at both
BEJUCO PELADOR ends.
(Serjania glabra)
USES
Other names:
Kongo – Buaña, Buare Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
USES Belongs to Orishaoko, Oshosi
Rites of Palo
Medicinal For rituals and amulets
Skin infections, ulcers and wounds. ∗ To separate and create chaos among
friends.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Babalu Aye, Orishaoko,
Obatala
Rites of Palo
42
BEJUCO PRIETO BEJUCO SAN PEDRO

(Serjania subdentata) (Stigmaphillon lineare)

Cuba - Alambrillo, bejuco becerra, bejuco Cuba – San Pedro de flor amarilla
casero, bejuco colorado, bejuco lechero, Kongo – Bejuco Zarabanda Yayanke
Bejuco vergajo blanco, curamaguey prieto Lukumi - Jisollo
y tripa de pollo.
Kongo - Brose Description
Lukumi – Ruye Woody climbing vine, very common in low-
lying areas and arid soils. The leaves are
Description opposite, ovate, rounded at the base,
A woody, climbing vine with long leaves, smooth above, pubescent underneath.
white flowers and inedible dark, grape The flowers are axillary, bright yellow.
sized, berries. It resembles a ruffled
ribbon, winding its way up to the top of the USES
tree. The stem is deeply furrowed, color
gray, and covered with patches of lichen. Religious/Magical
The odor of the vine is slightly aromatic. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun, Elegba
USES ∗ To cause chaos and turmoil.
∗ For protection.
Medicinal
Boils, conjunctivitis, buccal ailments and BEJUCO TORTUGA / BAUHINIA
pain, difficult menstruation, minor kidney (Bauhinia heterophyllia)
problems, pre- and postnatal pain,
rheumatism, testicle inflammation, Other names:
unbalanced female hormones, uterine Cuba - Bejuco de tortuga.
hemorrhages. Mexico - Timbe, hierba de la vaca,
papalocahuite
Religious/Magical U.S. – Monkey ladder
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Eshu Description
Correlating Odu: Ofun Ogunda. Vigorous woody vine found in sandy soils.
Rites of Palo – For rituals and amulets The mature stem is flat, very tortuous. The
∗ To banish evil spirits scented flowers are pale yellow, with
purple specks inside. The fruit is green,
BEJUCO SABANERO with purple specks in the center.
(Stigmaphyllon sagraeanum)
USES
Other names:
Cuba (Camaguey) - Bejuco San Pedro. Medicinal
Lukumi - Ogumona Boils, bronchitis, colds, coughs, diarrhea,
dysentery, dropsy, liver ailments, malaria,
USES ulcers, wounds
Belongs to Eshu, Ogun, Orishaoko Belongs to Shango, Yemaya
Rites of Palo Correlated Odu: Ika Okana
To cause turmoil. For rituals and amulets
43
Dalia Quiros-Moran
BEJUCO UBI-hoja ancha / POSSUM Description

GRAPE Climbing vine, leaves are large, heart
(Cissus sicyoides) shaped, glossy, and simple. Grows in all
soils.
Other names:
Colombia - Bejuco chirriador, bejuco USES
castro
Costa Rica - Iasu, bejuco iasu Medicinal
Cuba - Bejuco ubi Colds, ear infections, excess wax in the
Dominican Republic - Caro, bejuco de ears, influenza, inflammation, rheumatism
caro
Guatemala, Honduras - Bejuco Religious/Magical
comemano Orisha Worship
Haiti -Lyan'n mol, Lyan'n Brulante, Lyan'n Belongs to Yemaya
à Corde, Lyan'n à-Chasseur Rites of Palo
Mexico - Vid silvestre, tripas de juda For rituals and amulets
Nicaragua - Uvilla
Puerto Rico - Caro, bejuco de caro BEJUCO UBI MACHO / SORREL VINE
U.S. – Season Vine, Princess vine (Cissus trifoliata)

Vine found in calcareous hills, the leaves Cuba - Parrita cimarrona, Ubi colorado.
are small, simple, and glossy. Flowers Lukumi – Ewele keri
green, disk and stamens are yellow. Mexico - Hierba del buey, Bolontobi
Nicaragua – Uvilla
USES U.S. – Marine Vine
Back pain, boils, bruises, gangrene, Evergreen vine with thick, light green
hemorrhoids, influenza, itching, mental leaves that are deeply notched.
disorders, phlegm, rheumatism, skin sores
including sunburn, swollen feet, and ulcers USES
Orisha Worship Skin, sore, tumor
Belongs to Yemaya
For rituals and amulets Orisha Worship
Belongs to Yemaya
BEJUCO UBI- de cinco hojas / SEASON To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
VINE Rites of Palo
(Cissus sicyoides) For rituals and amulets
Other names: BEJUCO VENCEBATALLA: Bejuco

Colombia - Bejuco castro, bejuco Carabalí
chirriador
Costa Rica - Iasu, bejuco iasu
BEJUCO VERGAJO/ DRAGON WITHE
Cuba - Bejuco Ubi
(Heteropterys laurifolia)
Guatemala, Honduras - Bejuco
comemano
Other names:
Lukumi – Ewele Keri
Costa Rica - Coral
Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo - Bejuco de
Cuba - Vergajo de toro, mata negro,
caro, caro
bejuco
Mexico - Tripa de vaca, vid silvestre,
baracoa, Juan caliente.
tumbavaqueros, hierba del buey.
Kongo - Nontori
Nicaragua - Uvilla
U.S. – Possum Grape, Princess vine
44
Lukumi – Failla, Atire BEJUCO ZARZUELA / LANCELEAF

Mexico - Pinsanillo, escobillo, bejuco de GREENBRIER
caballo. (Smilax domigensis)
Panama - Cointura
Puerto Rico - Bejuco de buey Other names:
Cuba - Bejuco zarzaparrilla, raíz de china.
Description
Vine reaching up to half and inch thick. Description
The leaves are deep green, opposite, Perennial vine. A long, tuberous rootstock
lanceolate. Flowers in racemes, yellow. producing a vine which trails on the
Blooms in spring. Produces green fruits. ground and climbs by means of tendrils
Deep roots. growing in pairs from the petioles of the
alternate, orbicular to ovate, evergreen
USES leaves. The small, greenish flowers grow
in axillary umbels.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship USES
Belongs to Orishaoko
For binding spells Catarrh, colds, fevers, flatulence, gout,
For rituals and amulets rheumatism, ringworm, skin problems,
scrofula.
BEJUCO VERRACO
(Elsota virgata) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Osayin
Cuba (Camagüey) – Perlilla It has negative properties. Can harm the
Dominican Republic – Maravedi expecting mother and the unborn child.
Kongo – Fumasi, Kuenye
Lukumi – Arebo BELLADONA / CATHEDRAL BELLS
(Kalanchoe aegyptiaca)
Description
Indigenous woody vine with violet flowers. Other names:
Cuba - Peregrina.
USES Haiti - Lougarou
Asthma, bronchitis, constipation, cough, Herb. The flowers are pale green. In
delayed menstruation, dementia, bloom from February through March.
depression, flatulence, impotence, kidney Found occasionally in shady places.
troubles, laryngitis, menstrual cramps,
nervousness, rheumatism, skin sores, USES
snakebite, swollen legs/feet, venereal
disease. Medicinal
Bronchitis, eye irritation, fever, flatulence,
Religious/Magical: headache, heartburn, internal fevers,
Orisha Worship intestinal upset, sores, ulcers, urinary tract
Belongs to Elegba inflammation
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Ogunda
For rituals and ceremonies Orisha Worship
∗ To banish the evil eye and breaking Belongs to Odudua, Obatala, Yemaya
spells. Correlating Odu: Osa Iwori.
45
Dalia Quiros-Moran
BEN: Paraíso Francés USES
Religious/Magical
BERGAJO
Orisha Worship
(Rourea glabra)
Belongs to Yemaya
Taboo for Oshun Ololodi
Other names:
Taboo in Odu Odi Meji
Cuba (Camagüey) - Bejuco baracoa, mata
negro, Juan caliente.
∗ To attract good fortune
Description
Climbing vine found in calcareous soils, BETEL / BETEL PEPPER
near low coastal areas. The leaves are (Piper betle)
composite, lustrous; yellow fruit.
Other names:
USES U.S. – Betel Leaf
Orisha Worship An evergreen vine, it climbs to a height of
Belongs to Odua 12 ft. The stem is slender, twining and
rounded; the leaves are oval-acuminate,
green and smooth; the flowers are green,
BERENJENA / EGG PLANT
occurring in spikes; the fruit are fleshy, red
(Solanum melongena)
berries.
Other names:
USES
Yoruba - Igba Aja
Medicinal
Description
Gum disease, burn pain, dandruff
An annual herb or a perennial shrub with
alternate, ovate or elliptical purplish-green
leaves. Abundantly found in plains. The BIBONA
flowers are violet. Berries purple, white or (Gilibertia arborea)
black. It is in bloom February through
March. Fruits April through May. Other names:
Costa Rica - Cacho de venado.
USES Cuba - Palo santo, Ramon de vaca,
víbona, ahorca jíbaro, palo cachimba.
Medicinal Kongo - Kinkua
Fever, Pyorrhea Mexico - Palo santo, palo de danta, mano
de danta, mano de león.
Religious/Magical Panama - Vaquero.
Orisha Worship Puerto Rico - Vívona, Palo cachumba,
Belongs to Oya Muñeca.
Correlating Odu: Irete Otrupon
Description
Indigenous tree with trunk reaching up to
BERRO / WATERCRESS
18 ft. high, and six inches in diameter.
(Nasturtium oficinale)
Found in hills, near forests and riverbanks,
black and brown soils. The wood is white;
Other names:
leaves are alternate, glossy, elliptical and
Haiti - Kreson-Frans
lanceolate.
Lukumi –Iguere, yeye peregun
Description
Aquatic perennial herb. The plant is
characterized by long, floating and
ascending stems, green, fleshy leaflets,
and small white flowers.
46
USES U.S. – Green Heart
Fever Commonly diffuse shrub. The upper sides
of the leaves are dark green and shiny
Religious/Magical and the undersides are covered with rusty
Orisha Worship down. The younger parts of the tree have
Belongs to Eshu numerous conspicuous rusty-read hairs.
Rites of Palo The star-shaped flowers are yellow and
For rituals and ceremonies the ripe fruits are purple to black. They
sometimes open explosively and scatter
BIENGRANADA: Apasote three black seeds.
BIEN VESTIDA: Acacia
USES
BIJA / ARNOTTO TREE
Religious/Magical
(Bixa orellana)
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Eshu
Other names:
Rites of Palo
Brazil - Urucum
Colombia - Achote, Onoto
Cuba - Bija, cacicuto
∗ Causes insanity
Guatemala – Achote
Haiti – Woucou
Lukumi - Oen BLEDO BLANCO / SLENDER
Venezuela – Onoto AMARANTH
(Amaranthus viridis)
Description
Profusely fruiting shrub or small tree; Other names:
grows 15 to 30 ft. in height. Approximately Cuba - Bledo, espinaca.
50 seeds grow inside of prickly reddish- Lukumi – Ewe tete
orange heart shaped pods at the end of Puerto Rico – Blero, Bledo manso
the branches. The trees are literally U.S. - Green calalu
covered by these brightly colored pods
and one small Bixa tree can produce up to Description
600 pounds of seeds. The seeds are Annual weed of waste grounds and
covered with a reddish aril, which is the roadsides.
source of orange-yellow dye.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Medicinal Boils, dysentery and inflammation
Fevers, hepatitis, liver disease, phlegm in
newborn babies, skin problems. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical One of the five essential plants to make
Orisha Worship ritual omiero.
Belongs to Elegba and Shango. Belongs to Obatala and Elegba
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Ogunda, Okana
Other Ika, Osa Okana, Irete Untelu, Irete Iwori.
Food coloring
BIJAGUA O BIJAGUARA / WILD

COFFEE
(Colubrina, colubrina)
Other names:
Cuba - Bijaguara, birijagua.
47
Dalia Quiros-Moran
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. Religious/Magical

∗ For cleansings and purification of Orisha Worship
objects, household and persons. Belongs to Babalu Aye.
Used for Babalu Aye rituals.
BLEDO CARBONERO / POKE To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
(Phytolacca icosandra)
BLEDO FRANCES / LOVE LIES
Other names: BLEEDING
Brazil – Tinturera (Amaranthus caudatus)
Colombia – Grava
Cuba – Terba carmin Other Names:
Puerto Rico – Juan de Vargas Lukumi - Gbegbe
U.S. -Pokeweed, red weed, red ink plant, U.S - Amaranth, Grain Amaranth, Red
garget, pigeon berry, American Cockscomb, Tassel flower.
nightshade, red ink berries.
Description
Description Annual growing to 6 ft. It is in flower from
Herb reaching up to 3 ft. high. Grows in July to September and the seeds ripen
calcareous, coastal areas. The leaves are from August to September. The red
long, lanceolate. Flowers are erect flowers are individually small but are borne
growing in a raceme. Fruit is red, and then in long, narrow, finger-like clusters. Some
turns black when it matures. of the clusters will branch and droop
providing a cascade of dark red.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Catarrh, laryngitis, mumps, scabies and Medicinal
other pests, swollen glands, syphilis and Scrophulous sores.
malignant tumors, rheumatism, tonsillitis,
upper respiratory tract infections. BLEDO MORISCO: Acediana
Religious/Magical
BOJ DE CUBA
Orisha Worship
(Picardaea cubense)
To pack amulets and Eshu
Other names:
Cuba - Boje
BLEDO ESPINOSO / SPINY AMARANTH
(Amaranthus spinosus) Description
Shrub found in calcareous soils. The
Other names: leaves are opposite, short petiolate; the
Haiti-Zepina-à-Shyen,Zepina-Koshon, blades are obovate. The flowers are cup
Zepina-Pikan, Zepina-Rouj, Zepina-Kabrit shaped, white to cream-white inside, and
U.S. - Wild Spinache, Amaranth, Pigweed red, violet to purple outside Fruit a
capsule, thinly woody.
Description
Annual plant growing to 1 ft. Found in USES
roadsides, waste places and fields.
Medicinal
USES Paludism, liver ailments, jaundice,
toothaches, intestinal worms.
Medicinal
Broken bones, colic, diarrhea, eczema,
excessive menstruation, gonorrhea,
internal bleeding, nosebleeds, snake
bites, ulcerated mouths, vaginal
discharges, and wounds.
48
BONIATO / SWEET POTATOE BORRAJA / BORAGE

(Ipomoea batatas) (Borrago officinalis)
Other names: Description

Brazil - Batata da ilha Annual reaching to 2 feet in height. It is in
Mexico - Camote flower from June to October, and the
Dominican Republic – Batata seeds ripen from July to October. Grows
Kongo - Mbala in waste grounds near houses.
Lukumi – Oduko, undukumduku
USES
Description
Crawling vine producing large rhizomes. Medicinal
Well known for its nutritional value. The Chest problems and kidney problems,
stems are smooth; leaves elliptical; damaged or irritated tissues, fevers,
flowers pale purple. hormonal unbalance, high blood pressure,
inflammatory swellings, melancholy, skin
USES complaints and pre-menstrual tension.
Medicinal Religious/Magical
Slow milk production in lactating women, Rites of Palo
pimples, skin blemishes For rituals and ceremonies
Religious/Magical Other uses

Orisha Worship The growing plant is said to repel insects.
Belongs to Orishaoko, Oshun
Used for rituals and offerings to the BOTON DE ORO / INDIAN MALLOW
Orishas. (Abutilon indicum)
BONIATO DE PLAYA / BAYHOPS Other names:

(Ipomoea pes-caprae) Lukumi – Ewe oshiwere, ewe fin

Puerto Rico – Bejuco de Playa Shrub with solitary, pale peachy-yellow
U.S. - Railroad vine flowers formed among the large broad,
toothed, hairy leaves and at the ends of
Description the branches. Grows up to 6 ft. high.
A native, robust vine reaching up to 10 ft.
long. It is found in coastal areas, forming USES
large colonies; in flower year-round,
peaking from May till November. The Medicinal
stems are flexible, thick and root at the Diabetes, urinary infections
nodes. The leaves are green, leathery;
they are two-lobed and look more heart- Religious/Magical
shaped. The flowers are pink to lavender, Orisha Worship
funnel-like, open in the morning, only one Belongs to Elegba, Oshun, Inle
time each. The fruit is brown, and in the Correlating Odu: Ejionle Odi, Oyekun
form of half an inch pods, each containing Iwori, Odi Osa, Irete Wori.
four seeds. Used to make ritual omiero.
USES Rites of Palo
Medicinal
Arthritis pains and aches, jellyfish stings.
Religious/Magical
Ritual baths to banish evil spells.
49
Dalia Quiros-Moran
BRUJA/ YELLOW AUTUMN CROCUS

(Sternbergia lutea)
Other names:
Cuba – Brujita
U.S - Winter daffodil, Fall daffodil
Kongo - Guengue
Lukumi - Erere
Description
Cultivated bulb. Gently curving flowers
extend up to 2 inches from 6 to 8 inches
stems. Produces crocus-like leaves after
flowering that lasts through the winter. The
flower is yellow, pink or white.
USES
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun
BRUSELLA
USES
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs Shango
Rites of Palo
50
C sub acid fruits. It is in flower during the

spring.
CABALONGA / TROMPET FLOWER USES

(Thevetia peruviana)
Medicinal
Other names: Tetanus, wound
Arada – Kuyomasa
Brazil - Castanha elétrica Religious/Magical
British Antilles - Lucky nut, luck seed Rites of Palo
Colombia -Cabalonga, cobalonga, For rituals and amulets
amancay, ∗ To ward off illness
aje de monte, pepa de cruz, castañeto
Costa Rica -Chirca
CABO DE HACHA / BROOMSTICK
El Salvador -Chilindrón, campanilla
(Trichilia Hirta)
amarilla
Guatemala -Chirca
Other names:
Haiti - Fèy-Sezisman
Cuba - Guaban, Jubaban
Mexico -Chirca, narciso amarillo
Dominican Republic - Jojoban
Nicaragua -Chilca
Haiti - Monben bata
Puerto Rico -Caballón
Kongo - Nkunia, beleloasu
U.S. - Yellow oleander
Lukumi - Ere, iggi, nika, akudiyica
Venezuela -Lengua de gato, retama
Mexico - Garbancillo, Jumay, Palo
colorado chico, azuica.
Description
Nicaragua - Mata-piojo
Graceful tree with shiny leaves and yellow
Panama – Conejo colorado, Matapiojo
or apricot Funnel shaped flowers; five
Puerto Rico - Cabo de Hacha, Guaita,
petals.
jobillo, nolinillo, palo de Anastasio, retamo.
The globular fruits are segmented and
green in color. Latex and fruits are
Description
poisonous.
Tree of the mahogany family that reaches
up to 35 ft high. The trunk is erect,
USES
cylindrical. Bark is maroon. Wood often
used for timber. Produces aromatic cream
Medicinal
flowers. Fruits are green turning brown
Fever, insomnia, malaria.
when matured.
Religious/Magical
USES
Orisha Worship
Medicinal
Used only for rituals of this Orisha.
Anemia, asthma, bronchitis, fever,
Rites of Palo
pneumonia, sore, tumors.
∗ The seed for amulets.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
CABEZA DE TORO: Aceitunillo Belongs to Oya.
Correlating Odu: Iroso Ika
CABIMA / CUBAN MANGOSTEEN Rites of Palo
(Rheedia aristata) Nkisi rituals and amulets.
∗ Purification baths to banish
Other names: negativity.
Cuba - Manaju
Other - Body lice, Vermin
Description
Native tree reaching up to 35 ft. The trunk
bears one-inch diameter, reddish wood;
leaves sharp-tipped; lateral roots; yellow,
51
Dalia Quiros-Moran
CACAO / COCOA CAGADILLA DE GALLINA / DINGY

(Theobroma cacao) FLOWERED ONCIDIUM
(Oncidium undulatum)
Other names:
Brazil - Cacau Other names:
Kongo – Pentongo
Description Lukumi - Munumi
Tropical evergreen tree growing up to 25 U.S. – Mule ear orchid
feet. The pod contains the cacao beans
that are fermented, roasted, and Description
processed to extract cocoa powder. Cultivated orchid.
USES USES
Religious/Magical
Medicinal
Orisha Worship
Asthma, burns, chest colds, cough,
Belongs to Ibeji.
digestive complaints, dry lips, fever,
insomnia, malaria, rheumatism, scars,
snakebite, and wounds. CAGUAIRAN / COPAL TREE
(Copaifera hymenaefolia)
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship Other Names:
Belongs to Obatala. Cuba - Caguairán, quiebrahacha
For rituals and ceremonies. Kongo - Uye
Lukumi - Bi
CAFÉ / COFFEE Description
(Coffea arabica) Indigenous plant. Maroon wood.
Other names: USES

Haiti – Kafe
Kongo – Tufiolo, Kuandia Medicinal
Lukumi – Obi motiwa, Iggi Kan, Sores, hard to heal wounds, warts.
Ekanchachaete
Religious/Magical
Evergreen shrub up to 15 feet in height. Belongs to Babalu Aye.
The leaves are elliptical, glossy. The fruit Correlating Odu: Okana Osa.
is a fleshy berry, in which 2 seeds are Rites of Palo
imbedded. Blossoming and fruit setting For rituals and amulets.
occur mainly 2 to 3 times per year.
CAGUAJASA / PASSION FLOWER
USES (Passiflora alata)

Toothaches. Constipation. Fever. Chest Cuba - Güirito de pasión, pasionaria.
ailments. U.S. - fragrant granadilla, winged-stem
passionflower
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship Description
Egun rituals and other ceremonies. Vigorous liana, with thick quadrangular
Taboo in Odu Ejionle Odi. winged stems. The leaves are oval or
Rites of Palo oblong, the flowers are spectacular, and
For rituals and ceremonies. the fruit is oval yellow to bright orange,
resembling tiny calabashes.
52
USES CAIMITO / STAR APPLE

(Chrysophyllum cainito)
Medicinal
Acne. Other names:
Colombia - Maduraverde
CAGUASO / SEASHORE PASPALUM Haiti - Abiaba, Kayimit
(Paspalum virgatum) Kongo – Ennua, Yere
Lukumi - Asan
Other names: Mexico - Caimito, Cayumito
Cuba – Caguazo, Caguate Puerto Rico – Caimitero
Perennial grass. The robust stems are 3 – An evergreen tree that reaches a height of
6 ft. high. Blades rough, sharp edged; 50 ft. The oblong-lanceolate leaves are
inflorescence green with 10 to 15 dark green and smooth on the upper
racemes. surface and silky golden brown on the
under surface. The purplish-white flowers
USES are small. The globose fruits range up to 4
inches in diameter and are green or
Religious/Magical purplish. The tough skin surrounds a
Orisha Worship white, sweet, edible pulp in which are
Belongs to Oshosi. imbedded the small, hard, brown, glossy
seeds.
CAIMITO CIMARRON: Caimitillo
USES
CAIMITILLO / SATIN LEAF Medicinal

(Chrysophylum oliviforme) Diarrhea. Gum disease. Hemorrhage.
Sores.
Other names:
Cuba - Caimitillo, caimito cimarrón, Religious/Magical
macanabo. Orisha Worship
Haiti - Ti kayimit Belongs to Oya.
Lukumi – Ewe kosaa Correlating Odu: Iwori Ika, Odi Okana,
U.S. - Golden leaf tree. Obara Otrupon, Okana Ogunda, Osa
Okana.
Description Used to make ritual omiero.
Slender tree of distinctive shinny, stiff, To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
dark green leaves with satiny fuzz on the Rites of Palo
underside. Tiny pale green, clustered Works with the Nkisi.
flowers. The green fruit, an oval berry, For rituals and amulets.
resembles a small olive, as indicated by
the botanical name. The resemblance
CAIMITO BLANCO / WHITE CAIMITO
persists when the fruit ripens to purple-
(Chrysophyllum cainito)
black.
Description
USES
Variety of the common caimito.
Medicinal
USES
Diabetes. Fever.
Religious/Magical
Religious/Magical
Rites of Palo
Orisha Worship
For Nkisi rituals and amulets.
Belongs to Oya.
Correlating Odu: Odi Okana.
CAIMONI: Camagua
53
Dalia Quiros-Moran
CAIREL / BEACH BEAN Religious/Magical

(Mucuna urens) Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango, Babalu Aye, and Inle.
Other names: Correlating Odu: Ojuani Eyioko, Otura
Cuba - Jairey, Jairel, Pica-Pica. Osa, Otura Irete.
Lukumi - Inabi Used to make ritual omiero.
U.S. – Cowhage To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.

A large woody perennial vine with a For rituals and amulets.
fibrous root and a twining, herbaceous, Used to make Nkisi lango.
much-branched stem of considerable To banish illness caused by witchcraft or
length. Leaflets elliptic, lustrous, and the evil eye.
purplish below, green above. The flowers
are large, have a disagreeable odor; the CAJUELA / SURADAN PILON
legume sessile, oblong, and covered with (Hyeronima alchorneoides)
irritant setae; seeds 1-4, compressed or
subglobose, orbicular, brownish fuscous. It Other names:
is found in woods along river courses, Brazil - Licurana
upon fences, and in waste, neglected Colombia - Cargamanto
places. Cuba - Carne de doncella
Venezuela – Carne Asada, Trompillo
USES
Description
Medicinal Large straight trees with spreading
Abdominal discomfort, cholera, dropsy, rounded buttresses; reaching heights of
hemorrhoids, leucorrhoea, paralysis, 130 ft. bark rough reddish. Leaves
toothache. glabrous, with thick, tan, pubescence
below, peltate scales above; Flowers
Religious/Magical without petals, calyx cuplike yellowish-
Orisha Worship green.
Belongs to Shango.
∗ For amulets to attract good fortune USES
and love.
Medicinal
CAISIMON / MONKEY'S HAND Burns
(Pothomorphe peltata)
Religious/Magical
Kongo - Tagwan Belongs to Osayin, Shango, Ogun.
Lukumi – Ewe okuwe Rites of Palo
Mexico (Pothomorphe auritum) – For rituals and amulets.
Caisimón, Mano de zopilote, Santilla de
culebra CALABAZA / PUMPKIN
Puerto Rico - Basquiña (Cucurbita Maxima)

Native perennial shrub reaching heights of Arada - Ahohuwe
5 ft. Found in lowlands and mid-elevation Cuba – Calabaza amarilla
forests. The erect stems are ridged, green. Dominican Republic – Auyama
Large leaves, pointed at the end. In flower Kongo – Male, malengue
during the spring, cream scented flowers. Lukumi - Ewe Elegede
USES
Medicinal
Cystitis. Erysipelas. Gonorrhea.
Inflammation.
54

An annual creeper with stems up to 30 For rituals amulets.
feet long, furnished with large claspers. For purification baths
The leaves are large and rough like
Melons. The flowers are large like yellow CAMAGUA
Lilies in color. The fruit is very large and (Wallenia laurifolia)
contains white, flattish seeds.
Other names:
USES Cuba - Caimoní, carmoní, casmagua,
caumao, guacamarí.
Medicinal Dominican Republic – Caimoni, Pendola
Bowels and urinary tract irritations; burn Haiti – Bois Crapaud
pains, catarrh, eczema, enlarged prostate, Kongo - Bisonto
tapeworms.
Description
Religious/Magical Native shrub found in low-lying wet areas,
Orisha Worship the wood is brownish very pale red with
Belongs to Oshun. slight streaks, hard, has no bark; it is all
Correlating Odu: Odi Ika, Obara Meji, core. The leaves are large, elliptical;
Obara Ogunda, Obara Otrupo. flowers in panicles, terminal.
Used for healing rituals.
Used for Babalu Aye's rituals and USES
ceremonies.
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. Medicinal
∗ For purification baths to attract good Constipation.
fortune
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
CALAGUALA / RABBIT'S FOOT FERN Belongs to Shango and Ogun.
(Polypodium aureum)
CAMAGÜIRA
Other names:
Brazil – Avenca Dourada
Other names:
Cuba - Calaguala, Carraguala
Lukumi – Koko yakebere
U.S. - Golden polypody
Description
Description Native tree, the wood is yellow with
Plant that has a thick creeping rhizome streaks, hard, compact and heavy, fine
covered with golden-brown scales. The grained.
furry appearance of these rhizomes give
the plant its common name that it shares USES
with a number of other fern species.
Medicinal
USES Pleurisy, lung ailments.
Abscess, boils, bronchitis, colds, colic, Orisha Worship
cough, contusions, fever, flu, gout, gripe, Belongs to Yemaya.
high blood pressure, immune disorders,
menstruation problems, paludism, CAMARON / SWAMP FERN
psoriasis, respiratory disorders, (Acrostichum excelsum)
rheumatism, skin, tumor, urinary
infections. Other names:
Cuba - Camarón, bruja, guayacancillo,
Religious/Magical helecho arbo, hueso de costa, palmera sin
Orisha Worship espinas.
Belongs to Oshun.
55
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Kongo – Toufen, inbrinda CAMBUTERA/ CYPRESS VINE

Lukumi – Ewe de (Quamoclit pinnata)
U.S. - Inland leather fern
Other names:
Description Cuba - Cambustera, cambustera fina.
Fern with lanceolate leaves, simple, over 3 U.S. - Cardinal climber, star glory
ft. long.
Description
USES Annual smooth twining vine that can climb
to 20 ft. or more; smooth stems, lacy
Medicinal leaves and scarlet flowers. The leaves are
Backaches, lower back pain. 3-4 inches long and feather-like, finely
divided into threadlike segments. The
Religious/Magical scarlet red (rarely white) flowers are
Orisha Worship tubular, and flare out at the mouth into a
Belongs to Yemaya, Ogun. five-pointed star.
Rites of Palo
For rituals and amulets. USES
CAMBIA VOZ / FLORIDA BOXWOOD Medicinal

(Schaefferia frutescens) Catarrh, piles.

Cuba - Cambia voz, amansa guapo, Rites of Palo
cuaba. For rituals and amulets.
Dominican Republic – Cabra
Haiti - Bwa Kapab, Capab, Petit-Bwa CAMELOTE / GALINGALE
Blanc, Bwa Petit Garçon, Plé, Balai de (Cyperus Articulatus)
Montagne
West Indies - Florida boxwood, yellow Other names:
wood Cuba - Junco.
Lukumi - Ibaru
Description U.S. – Jointed flat sedge
Shrub found close to the tidewater area on
sandy soil and hammocks. Smallish Description
leaves borne close together Leaves are Tall wetland sedge with hollow stems to 6
yellow green Small greenish white flowers ft. tall, wide at base, gradually narrowing,
are borne in the leaf in compact clusters. stem cross-hatching at regular node-like
Fruits turn from green to yellow then bright intervals; purplish basal sheaths; short-
red. The bark is smooth gray or brown. and long-stalked spikelet clusters;
spikelets narrow, linear, to 2 in. long;
USES nutlet dark brown, 3-angled, shiny.
Medicinal USES
Flu, cough, impotence.
Medicinal
Religious/Magical Ache, colic, internal tumors, sedative.
Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Osa Ogbe, Osa Okana. Religious/Magical
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Oyekun Otura. Belongs to Oshosi.
Rites of Palo
For rituals and amulets.
It has aphrodisiac powers.
For amulets to attract love
56
CAMPANA / ANGELS TRUMPETS Jamaica - Spanish carnations

(Datura suaveolens) Mexico - Tabachin, flor de camarón,
maravilla
Other names: Nicaragua - Barbona roja
Colombia – Borrachero, guante Perú - Angel sisal
Cuba (La Habana) - Campana, flor de Puerto Rico - Clavelina
campana, campanilla, floripundio blanco, U.S. - Flower fence poinciana, Barbados-
árbol de la bibijagua, trompeta de Angel, flower fence, Golden Shower, Indian
Dama o reina de la noche. Laburnum, Purging Fistula
Kongo - Kusuambo ngunga
Lukumi – Agogo Description
Mexico – Floridondio A medium-sized, deciduous tree of about
Puerto Rico - Cornucopia 10 meters tall. Leaves are compound, with
4-8 pairs of opposite leaflets. Flowers are
Description golden yellow and in hanging bunches of
Perennial shrub that can reach a height of up to 40 cm long. They appear when the
3 ft. The trunk is ligneous and dark color, branches are bare, just before the new
while the ends of the branches are leaves emerge.
greenish. Leaves oblong-lanceolate. The
showy scented flowers are white or yellow USES
with red tonalities.
Medicinal
USES Cholera, constipation, fever, high blood
sugar, pain, viral infections.
Medicinal
Asthma, bronchitis, chest congestion, Religious/Magical
hemorrhoids. Rites of Palo
Religious/Magical Works with the Nkisi.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala and Odudua. CANDELILLA / STINGING NETTLE
Used to make ritual omiero. (Tragia gracilis)
Rites of Palo
For rituals and amulets. Other names:
Used to make Nkisi lango. Cuba - Ortiga, pringamoza
∗ For purification baths and cleansing Kongo – Banso, Nfula feino
of persons, objects and the Lukumi – Ewe tinabo
household. Nicaragua - Pringamoza.
∗ To banish negativity. Puerto Rico - Pringamoza.
U.S. – Tragia
CAMPANA GALLEGA: Aguinaldo
Morado Description
CAMPANILLA: Arbol de la bibijagua Perennial herb that grows up to 6 ft. from
CAMPANILLA BLANCA: Aguinaldo a creeping rootstock. The stem and leaves
Blanco are covered with stinging hairs that upon
CAMPANOLA: Aguinaldo Morado touching them produce a burning
sensation or itch.
CAMPECHE / FLOWERFENCE
(Caesalpina vesicaria) USES

Brazil - Maravilha, barba de barata. Orisha Worship
Colombia - Angelito Belongs to Shango y Oke.
Cuba - Palo campeche, palo del Brasil,
guacamaya de costa
Dominican Republic - Carzazo
El Salvador - Barbón
Haiti – Francillade
57
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Rites of palo Description

For spells. Erect tree generally 25 ft tall. Slender in
Negative properties. Causes chaos, habit or with a spreading crown, it has
quarrels. brown furrowed bark. The evergreen
leaves, relatively thin, glossy, short- to
CANELA DEL MONTE / WHITE WOOD long-stemmed, fragrant, flowers, cream-
TREE colored, silky-hairy. The fruit, somewhat
(Canella alba) oval, which on ripening turns lemon
yellow, golden-yellow or pale orange-
Other Names: yellow, is very smooth and glossy.
Cuba – Curbana
Haiti – Canelle USES
Kongo – Mokokuaguando
Lukumi – Iggi epo kan Medicinal
Puerto Rico – Barbasco, Canela blanca, Skin eruptions.
Molambo
U.S. – Wild cinnamon tree, Pepper Religious/Magical
cinnamon Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun and Ibeji.
Description Correlating Odu: Obara Okana, Otrupon
A straight tree, from 20 to 50 feet high, Ogbe, Ofun Irete.
with erect branches at the summit only. Used to make ritual omiero.
The bark is yellowish-white; the inner bark ∗ In amulets to attract good fortune and
thick, smooth, and pale, with a biting, overcome legal issues.
aromatic taste. The leaves are scattered,
shining, and yellowish-green. The flowers CANUTILLO / WHITEMOUTH
are small, and borne in clusters, and of a DAYFLOWER
purple color. Berry the size of a pea, (Commelina Elegans, virginica,
fleshy, smooth, blue, or black, hot and longicaulis)
biting while green. The bark is of a pale
yellowish-white color, occurring in hard, Other names:
twisted pieces, with an acrid, peppery Cuba - Cañamazo dulce, pitilla, pito de
taste, an aromatic, clove-like, or bejuco, tibisi chico, yerba de sapo.
cinnamon-like odor. Kongo -Totoi
Lukumi - Ewe Karodo, cotonembo,
USES cotonlo, mini
U.S. - Dayflower
Medicinal
Cold, diarrhea, difficult menstruation, Description
sluggish digestion, wound pain. Perennial growing to 2 ft. It is in flower
from July to September, and the seeds
Religious/Magical ripen from August to October. Found in
Orisha Worship pinelands, sand dunes and fields.
Belongs to Oshun.
Correlating Odu: Osa Meji. USES
Rites of Palo
∗ For love amulets and potions. Skin irritations.
∗ To attract good fortune, love and
prosperity. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
CANISTEL / EGG FRUIT Belongs to Yemaya and all the female
(Pouteria campechiana) Orishas.
Other names:
Lukumi – Igi Emé
58
Correlating Odu: Odi Ogunda, Iroso Religious/Magical

Ejionle, Obara Irete, Otrupon Irete, Irete Orisha Worship
Oshe, Ofun Otrupon. Belongs to Nanaburuku, Babalu Aye, and
Used to make ritual omiero. Elegba.
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. Correlating Odu: Odi Okana.
CANUTILLO BLANCO Rites of Palo
Used for attributes, rituals and
Description – See "Canutillo" ceremonies.
USES ∗ To annoy an adversary.
Medicinal CAÑA CORO

Eye ailments.
Other names:
Religious/Magical Kongo - Lidde
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala and Yemaya. USES
CANUTILLO MORADO Medicinal

Kidney and bladder ailments.
Description – See "Canutillo"
Religious/Magical
USES Orisha Worship
Belongs to Yemaya and Shango.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship CAÑA DE ARROYO: Caña Santa
Belongs to Shango.
∗ For purification baths to attract food CAÑA DE AZUCAR / SUGAR CANE
fortune. (Saccharum officinarum)
CAÑA BRAVA / BAMBOO Other names:

(Bambusa vulgaris) Lukumi – Ewe ereke

Arada - Do Giant grass, most cultivated species grow
Cuba - Bambú, cañambú, güin, pito. to 5-7 feet tall. Its stalk contains sweet
Haiti - Bambou, Bwa-bambou, Bambou- juice from which sugar can be extracted. It
commun is grown by planting "seed cane," pieces
Mexico - Caña hueca, carricillo, carrizo. of sugarcane stalk that germinate and
Lukumi - Oko, iggisu, yenkeye produce new sugarcane plants.
Description USES
Giant grass. Found in ditches, riversides
and marshland. The stems are woody, Medicinal
erect, hallow, reaching up to 30 ft. in Fever. Paludism.
height and 2 inches in diameter.
Religious/Magical
USES Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango, Oshun.
Medicinal ∗ The juice for ritual baths to attract
Asthma, blood toxins, cystitis, vaginal good fortune and prosperity.
infections.
59
Dalia Quiros-Moran
CAÑA DE CASTILLA / GIANT REED Description

(Arundo donax) Medium-sized, deciduous tree of about 30
ft. tall. Leaves are compound, with 4-8
Other names: pairs of opposite leaflets. Flowers are
Arada - Saekue golden yellow and in hanging bunches.
Cuba - Caña brava, güin. Fruits are woody, cylindrical pods,
Mexico – Carrizo, Caña hueca becoming blackish with maturity.
Puerto Rico – Caña Guana
USES
Description
Perennial grass growing to 18 feet. It is in Medicinal
flower in September, and the seeds ripen Fever, constipation, cholera, intestinal
in October. Found in ditches, riversides parasites, pain.
and marshland.
Religious/Magical
USES Rites of Palo
Medicinal
Difficult menstruation, excessive milk flow CAÑA SANTA / SPIRAL GINGER
in lactating women. (Costus spicatus)

Orisha Worship Cuba - Cañuela santa, caña de arroyo,
Correlating Odu: Odi Eyioko. esquinanto.
Abakua Society Haiti - Canne-Congo, Canne-d'Eau, Petit-
Used for rituals and ceremonies. Degonfle
Kongo – Nfita, maddiada
CAÑA FISTULA / PINKSHOWER
(Cassia fistula) Description
Plant from the ginger family that grows to
Other names: about 6 to 7 feet tall. Leaves are about a
Brazil - Cañafístola, jeneuna, marimary foot long and about 4 inches wide.
preto, Flowers are reddish-orange.
marimary rana, marimary saro
Colombia - Cañafístula, cañandonga USES
Costa Rica - Sandal, Carao
Cuba - Caña fístola, carbonera, Medicinal
cañandonga. Chest colds, excessive menstrual
Dominican Republic - Palo de chivo, palo bleeding, high blood pressure.
de burro
El Salvador - Cargo, Carao Religious/Magical
Haiti - Casse, casse espagnole, Kas dous, Orisha Worship
Kanéfis, Kas-Zabitan, Casse z'habitant Belongs to Ogun.
Hawaii - Coral-shower Correlating Odu: Ojuani Otura.
Honduras - Cargo, Carao Rites of Palo
Jamaica - Horse cassia. For rituals and amulets.
Kongo – Musengue, Monuambo
Lukumi – Ireke moye CAÑAMAZO AMARGO / SOUR GRASS
Mexico - Cañafístula, quahuayo (Paspalum conjugatum)
Nicaragua - Carámano, caragua
Puerto Rico - Caña fístula cimarrona, Other names:
Velamuerto Cuba - Cañamazo hembra, cambute.
U.S. - Cassia, pink shower. Lukumi - Ogbo, okutako
U.S. - T grass, ti grass, sour palpalum
60
Description CAOBA/ MAHOGANY

Perennial grass that grows in wet habitats (Swietenia Mahogoni)
forming a dense ground cover. The stem
spreading by long, often reddish-purple Other names:
stolons, leaves flattened, green or tinged Cuba - Caoba, Caoba macho
with purple margins somewhat hairy. Haiti – Kajou
Kongo - Yukula
USES Lukumi – Ayan
U.S. - West Indian mahogany
Medicinal
Hemorrhoids. Description
An upright growing tree, up to 150 feet in
Religious/Magical height, with a broad rounded symmetrical
Orisha Worship crown. The leaves are pinnately
Belongs to Babalu Aye and Yemaya. compound, ovate-lanceolate. The fruit is a
Rites of Palo large greenish-brown woody capsule,
For rituals and amulets. splitting into 5 parts releasing flat, long
winged, light-brown seeds. It is among the
Other most valued timber species in South
Vermin America; the wood is dense, close-grained
and red-brown.
CAÑAMAZO DULCE / BROAD LEAF
CARPET GRASS USES
(Axonopus compressus)
Medicinal
Other names: Anemia, bleeding wounds, blood toxins,
Cuba - Cáñamo, canutillo. constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, fever,
Lukumi - Ogbo malaria.
Grass. It is clump forming and spreading; Orisha Worship
stems flattened, erect to 3 ft. tall. The Belongs to Oba and Shango.
leaves Correlating Odu: Osa Meji.
Wood carved paraphernalia.
are flat, broad, rounded at the tip. Flowers To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
on lower side of inflorescence branches. Rites of Palo
Found in wetlands, under trees and horse For rituals and ceremonies.
stalls.
CAOBA MACHO: Caoba
USES CAOBA HEMBRA: Caobilla
Religious/Magical CAOBILLA / MAHOGANY

Orisha Worship (Swietenia Mahogoni)
Belongs to Oshun.
Other names:
CAÑAMAZO HEMBRA: Cañamazo Cuba - Caoba hembra
amargo
CAÑAMBU: Caña Brava Description
CAÑAMO: Cañamazo dulce An upright growing tree with a broad,
CAÑANDONGA: Caña Brava rounded, symmetrical crown. The shape of
the tree appears to make it wind resistant
and the wood is tough. The leaves are
medium green in color.
61
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES Description
Tree that grows in calcareous soils, near
Religious/Magical the coastline, reaching up to 20 ft. high.
Orisha Worship Copious foliage, white flowers and
Belongs to Oba and Ogun. globose fruits, similar to a cherry but white
Rites of Palo or pink, edible.
∗ For purification baths and cleansings USES
of persons to attract mental stability
and peace. Medicinal
Herpes, chest ailments, vertigo, insomnia,
CAOBILLA DE SABANA / RONDELETIA stress.
(Rondeletia stellata)
Religious/Magical
Cuba - Encospe, Hatillo, Vigueta blanca. Belongs to Eshu
Correlating Odu: Okana Ogunda
Description ∗ For purification baths and cleansings
Indigenous shrub found in damp, acid
soils. Reaches up to 24 ft. The branches CARACOLILLO DE CERCA: Bejuco
are hairy; leaves ovate; the flowers are Marrullero
white.
CARAGUARA
USES
USES
Medicinal
Dog bite, insect bites, wounds inflected by Religious/Magical
poisonous plants, blood toxins. Rites of Palo
Religious/Magical For healing rituals.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Eshu.
CARAMBOLI / STAR APPLE
(Averrhoa carambola)
CAPULINA /CAPULI / STRAWBERRY
TREE Description
(Muntingia calabura) Attractive ornamental tree that attains a
height of 30 to 35 feet. The leaves have 3
Other names: to 11 leaflets; small, fragrant, rose-colored
Brazil - Calabura, pau de seda flowers. The fruits are star-shaped when
Colombia -Mahaujó, chitotó, manguito, cut across and are crisp, juicy, and
acurucó, chirriador, majagüito aromatic, although usually acid in taste.
Cuba - Capulinas, capulina, guásima
cerezo, memizo. USES
Dominican Republic - Memiso
Ecuador - Nigüito Medicinal
El Salvador - Capulí Mumps, tumors, blood toxins.
Haiti - Bois d'orme, bois de soie marron
Mexico - Capulin, Jonote, bersilana, puan, Religious/Magical
palman Orisha Worship
Peru - Bolina, yumanaza Belongs to Shango.
Philippines - Dátiles, rátiles Used to make ritual omiero.
Puerto Rico - Capulin
Venezuela - Cedrillo, majagua, mahaujó
CARBONERA: Caña Brava
62
CARBONERO / CASSIA Religious/Magical

(Cassia biflora) Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun and Elegba.
Other names: Used for Babalu Aye rituals
Cuba (Camagüey) - Carbonero. To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
Mexico - Flor de San Jose, Rites of Palo
Nicaragua - Ahumada, montenegrillo For rituals and ceremonies.
Puerto Rico - Retama
Venezuela - Brucha CARDON / ELKHORN
(Euphorbia lactea)
Description
Flowering shrub or tree reaching up to 9 ft. Other names:
high, leaves compound, with 4-5 pairs of Colombia - Lechero de lindero
leaflets, flowers light yellow. Cuba - Cardón, tuna de cruz, cruz de
caravaca.
USES Dominican Republic - Candelero, cato,
raqueta
Medicinal Haiti – Candelabre
Foot discomfort, fever. Kongo – Disa
Lukumi - Ika
Religious/Magical Puerto Rico - Escambrón, moteado,
Orisha Worship candelero
Belongs to Ogun, Dada. U.S. – Frilled Fan, Mottle spurge,
Rites of Palo milkstripe
For rituals and amulets. euphorbia
Works with the Nkisi. Virgin Islands - Monkey puzzle euphorbia,
Malaya spurge-tree
CARBONERO DE COSTA: Aretillo
Description
CARDO SANTO / PRICKLY POPPY Succulent shrub, much branched, up to 7
(Argemone Mexicana) feet tall. Resistant to dry climates.
Propagated from stem tip cuttings.
Other names:
Haiti - Chadron Benit, Chadron, Zeb- USES
Chadron, Zeb-Dragon, Chadron Marbre
Kongo – Cando ere Medicinal
Lukumi - Ika, Igbeelegun Paludism, need of vomiting.
Mexico – Chicalote
U.S. - Mexican Poppy Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Description Belongs to Babalu Aye and Ogun.
Annual plant has a stem about 2 feet high, Correlating Odu: Okana Osa.
erect, bristly, and glaucous. The leaves Used for Babalu Aye's rituals and
are alternate, armed with prickly spines, ceremonies.
and spotted with white patches. The To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
flowers are either yellow or white. The ∗ Planted outside, near the front door
plant, when bruised, exudes a viscid, milk- of the house for protection.
like juice, which turns yellow when
exposed to the atmosphere. CAREY / BLACK IRONWOOD
(Krugiodendron ferreum)
USES
Other names:
Medicinal Cuba (Camagüey) - Carey de costa.
Pain, warts, cold sores, coetaneous Lukumi - Ayapaeka
affections, skin diseases, itches, cataracts,
dropsy, jaundice, colic, fever, cough, chest
complaints, nervousness in children,
chronic skin diseases.
63
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Description
Trees of very dense, heavy wood; CARQUEZA / COASTAL RAGWEED
because of the specific gravity of its wood, (Ambrosia hispida)
it does not float in water. It has gray bark.
The leaves are thick, dark, and heavy with Other names:
a blunt notched end. They sometimes Cuba - Carquesa, artemisa de playa,
appear tattered because they may remain artemisa de costa.
on the tree for several years. A small Kongo – Urekere
yellow-green flower becomes a black Lukumi – Mireure
round fruit with a single seed. Mexico – Margarita del Mar
U.S. – Bay geranium
USES
Description
Medicinal Perennial vine that grows in the wild,
Anemia, blood tonic, emphysema, gum along the seashore. The leaves are
ailments, malaria, purgative, pleurisy, opposite, firm texture.
toothache.
USES
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Oshun. Menstrual problems, muscle pains,
Not used for ritual omiero. This plant rheuma, sprains, paralysis.
infuriates Oshun.
Religious/Magical
CARMONI: Camagua Orisha worship
CARNE DE DONCELLA: Cajuela Belongs to Yemaya.
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Odi.
CAROLINA PUNZO / WILLOW BUSTIC Used to make ritual omiero.
(Dipholis salicifolia) ∗ For purification baths and cleansings
of objects and the household.
Other names:
Cuba (Oriente) - Carolina punzó, jocuma CARRASPITA / CANDYTUFF
blanca, almendro silvestre, cuyá. (Iberis odorata)
Lukumi – Ewe Osauro
Mexico - Xac-chum Other names:
Puerto Rico - Almendrón, tabloncillo Cuba - Carraspique, carraspica, pinito de
West Indies - Wild cassada, cassadawood flor, zarapico.
Lukumi – Aronyu, Ina
Description
An evergreen shrub or small tree that Description
reaches heights of 35 ft. The leaves are Cultivated herb with smooth and stout,
simple, alternate, and oblong to pointy leaves. The clustered florets on
lanceolate, stems 6 to 12 inches long; white, pink, red
shiny, dark green above and dull, pale and lavender. Slightly scented.
green below. The fruit is a leathery, nearly
round; black berry with thin, dry flesh. The USES
gray or reddish-brown bark is divided into
square-shaped scales. Religious/ Magical
Orisha worship
USES Belongs to Eshu.
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Wori.
Religious/Magical It has negative properties.
Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Osa Ogbe.
For rituals.
Rites of Palo
64
CASCABELILLO / RADDLEBOX USES

(Crotalaria lotifolia)
Medicinal
Other names: Fatigue.
Cuba - Maromera, maruga.
Kongo – Koro, Nkeri Religious/Magical
Lukumi – Ladde. Ewe pariwo Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oba.
Leguminous plant with showy racemes of For rituals and amulets.
yellow flowers. The fruit a peapod, when
matured the dry seeds sound like a rattle. CAUMAO
(Wallenia laurifolia)
USES
Other names:
Medicinal Cuba - Casmagua, guacamarí.
Eczema, itch, ringworm. Kongo – Bautenso
Lukumi - Patire
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Oshun. Native shrub found in low-lying wet areas,
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Yeku. the wood is brownish/pale red with slight
streaks, hard, has no bark, all core. The
CASCARILLO: Croto leaves are large, elliptical; flowers in
panicles, terminal.
CASCO DE MULO / PINK ORCHID TREE
(Bauhinia monandra) USES
Ornamental tree native from Asia. Grows Rheumatism.
to 20 feet tall. It has lobed leaves and 5
inch flowers with overlapping petals; color Religious/Magical
pink or white. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba.
USES Rites of Palo
Religious/ Magical
Orisha Worship CAUQUI / MATRIMONY VINE
Used to make ritual omiero. (Lycium chinensis)
CASTAÑO / TOAD WOOD Description

(Cupania americana) Small shrub, obovate leaves and purple
flowers; the fruits are ovate and red.
Other names:
Cuba - Guara, guara común, guáramo. USES
Dominican Republic - Guarana Medicinal
Haiti – Satanyet Eye ailments.
Kongo – Boue
Lukumi - Orun CAYAJABO / BAY BEAN
(Canavalia cubensis)
Description
Tree with small branches; leaves Other names:
dentated, brown inflorescence, the Cuba - Mate.
capsule or fruit is divided into three Lukumi – Iru, orire, iggi irubi
compartments, each containing one black
seed.
65
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Sturdy far reaching vine with a strong root Plants with hollow leaves and an enlarged
system. The leaves are wide, flat. The bulb that develops at ground level. The
pods produce sea beans throughout the roots come off the bottom of the bulb. The
year. flowers are produced in the second
growing season consisting of many small
USES showy purplish flowers.
Medicinal USES
Warts.
Medicinal
Religious/Magical Cold, influenza, insomnia, kidney and
Orisha Worship bladder stones, tumor.
Belongs to Elegba.
For rituals and amulets. Belongs to all the Orishas.
∗ For amulets to attract good fortune Rites of Palo
For rituals.
and ward off from negativity.
CEBOLLA MORADA / PURPLE ONION

CAYAYA
(Tournefortia bicolor)
USES
Colombia - Lagrimas de San Pedro Orisha Worship
Cuba - Bejuco cayaya macho, nigua. Belongs to Babalu Aye.
Mexico - Ortiguilla, Amapa hasta, perlas Babalu Aye rituals and ceremonies.
Nicaragua - Tiricia, frutilla ∗ For cleansing baths to attract good
Puerto Rico - Nigua, Mata de Nigua, fortune, prosperity and ward off from
Bejuco de Nigua sickness.
Description
Liana. Flowers white, inflorescence a CEBOLLETA / NUT GRASS
scorpiod cyme, anthers blue-green, (Cyperus rotundus)
filaments very short. Common in beach
Other names:
vegetation.
Cuba - Ajo cimarrón, cebollín, coquito,
corojillo, macagüita.
USES
Kongo – Temje-tenje
Lukumi – Alubosa
Medicinal
Blood toxins, infectious diseases. Description
Perennial growing from 2 ft. tall; triangular
Religious/Magical 3-sided unbranched flower stems; grass-
Orisha Worship like leaves; purple to brown flowers; leaf-
Belongs to Elegba. like bracts under flower clusters are
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Iwori. shorter than the flowers; rough, oblong,
Rites of Palo irregularly shaped tubers; tubers have a
For rituals and amulets. bitter flavor.
CEBOLLA / ONION USES

(Allium cepa)
Medicinal
Other names: Asthma, digestive problems, head aches,
Haiti – Oignon head sores, intestinal worms and
Kongo - Molabo parasites, menstrual complaints skin
Lukumi - Alubosa, Ella Sro itches and sores, skin and renal infections,
stomach/uterus spasms and pain.
66
Religious/Magical more than 200' high: with widely spreading

Orisha Worship branches. While still on the tree, the fruits
Belongs to Babalu aye and Yemaya. burst open exposing the cotton like
∗ Burned with incense to expel substance.
negativity.
USES
CEDRO/ MEXICAN CEDAR
(Cedrela mexicana) Medicinal
Asthma, dysentery, fevers, kidney
Other names: diseases, menstruation bleedings and
Cuba – Cedro venereal diseases.
Haiti – Sèd
Kongo - Nkunia menga tuala Religious/Magical
Lukumi - Igi Opepe, Roko Orisha Worship
Mexico – Cedro Sacred tree. Belongs to Odudua.
U.S. - Barbados cedar, spanish cedar Correlating Odu: Ejionle Meji, Iwori Iroso,
Iroso Osa, Ojuani Ogunda, Obara Iroso,
Description Obara Irete, Osa Obara, Osa Okana, Osa
A tree reaching 60 to 90 ft. in height with a Ogunda, Otrupon Ika, Otura Yeku, Otura
stout trunk to more than 3.5 ft. in diameter; Iroso, Otura Obara, Otura Osa.
it is clear of branches for two third of the Used to make ritual omiero
trunk. The grayish bark is deeply grooved. To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
The wood has a strong aromatic odor. The Rites of Palo
flowers are small, white with glabrous For rituals and amulets.
filaments. The fruit is a capsule. Used to make Nkisi lango.
USES of persons, objects and the
household.
Medicinal ∗ To attract good fortune and ward off
Fever, malaria, and rheumatism. from accidents, calamity, hostility and
negativity in general.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship CEIBON DE ARROYO/DRAGO
Sacred tree. Belongs to Shango. It is (Bombax Emarginatum)
taboo to burn cedar wood.
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Ofun, Odi Iroso, Other names:
Obara Irete, Osa Ojuani, Ofun Ejionle, Cuba - Drago, Carolina, lanero.
Otrupon Oshe, Otrupon Ogbe, Ofun Ika.
Used to carve religious paraphernalia and Description
attributes. Tree with white wood and reddish tones,
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. lustrous, silky like yet very porous and
Rites of Palo light. Lateral roots.
∗ A cedar cross placed behind the front USES
door protects the household.
Religious/Magical
CEIBA / KAPOK TREE Orisha Worship
(Ceiba pentandrum) Belongs to Aganju.
Other names:
Arada – Wele honsu
Haiti - Kapokier, Mapou, Fromagier
Lukumi - Araba
U.S. - White silk cotton tree
Description
A very large majestic tree, with
conspicuously buttressed trunk. It grows
67
Dalia Quiros-Moran
CELOSA CIMARRONA / GOLDEN Rites of Palo

DEWDROP For rituals and amulets.
(Duranta repens)
CEREZO / SWEET CHERRY
Other names: (Prunus avium)
Brazil - Grao de galo.
Colombia - Adonis blanco, adonis morado, Description
garbancillo, espino negro. Small deciduous tree with round red fruit.
Cuba - Celosa cimarrona, celosa, Highly rated for timber. Height 20ft.. The
garbancillo, no me olvides, violetina. leaves are alternate, simple, toothed on
Dominican Republic - Fruta de paloma. the margin, with 2 small glands at base of
El Salvador - Heliotropio, chulada blade; flowers 1-few in a rounded cluster,
Haiti - Bois jambette, mais bouilli. 5-parted, white; fruit fleshy, yellow or red,
Jamaica - Angels-whisper, poison macca. with a large pit (stone).
Mexico - Espina blanca, capocoche.
Nicaragua - Pensamiento, heliotropo USES
morado.
Panama - Espina de paloma, lora, barita Religious/Magical
de Orisha Worship
San José. Correlating Odu: Odi Ejionle.
Puerto Rico - Lluvia, azota caballo, lila,
cuenta de oro.
CERRAJA / COMMON SOW-THISTLE
(Sonchus oleraceus)
Description
Large, evergreen shrubs that produce
Other names:
graceful, drooping branches, a few thorns,
Cuba - Cerraja lechosa.
bright green ovate leaves and numerous
small flowers throughout the year which
Description
are followed by numerous, small, golden
Very common weed of gardens, in
"balls." having dense foliage and lilac
woodland,
colored flowers.
parkland, hedgerows, roadsides etc. The
USES
plant is tap rooted and has small yellow
flowers. It contains a bitter milky juice;
Medicinal
upper stalks and flower bracts usually
Throat infections.
covered in gland-tipped hairs.
Religious/Magical
USES
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala, Oshun.
Medicinal
Colic, dyspepsia, fever, liver, hepatitis,
CENIZO sore, stomach ailments, vitality. wart,
(Pithecolobium obovale) wound.

Cuba - Abey, abey blanco, encinillo Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun.
Description Correlating Odu: Ika Meji.
Tree reaching up to 30 ft. found near Used to make ritual omiero.
riverbanks and streams. The flowers in
racemes. Seeds are elliptical, bluish color.
USES
Religious/Magical
Orisha worship
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Iroso.
68
Rites of Palo USES

Medicinal
CHAMICO / JIMSONWEED Bladder complaints, kidney stones,
(Datura stramonium) venereal diseases.

Cuba – Chamico, Clarin Rites of Palo
Lukumi – Ewe Ofo, ewe eshela For rituals and amulets.
Mexico – Burladora, Cornescopia, Higuera
loca, Santas noches, trompetilla CHAYOTE
Panama – Floripondio blanco (Sechium edule)
U.S. – Thorn Apple
Venezuela - Ñunque Other names:
Cuba – Chayote, Chote
Description Kongo - Benbanguaria
A bushy, smooth, fetid, annual plant, 2 or Lukumi – Wobedo, mionl, tutu
3 feet in height. The root is rather large, of Puerto Rico – Chocho, Tallote
a whitish color, giving off many fibers. The
stem is much branched, forked, spreading, Description
leafy, and has a yellowish-green color. A tender, perennial-rooted cucurbit, with
The leaves are from the forks of the stem, climbing vines and leaves resembling
large, ovate, smooth, dark-green above, those of the cucumber. The light green,
and paler beneath. The flowers are large, pear-shaped fruit, which contains a single,
axillary, erect, white, and about 3 inches flat edible seed, may weigh as much as 2-
long. 3 pounds, but most often is from 6-12
ounces. The fruits may be slightly grooved
USES and prickly.
Medicinal USES
Acute ophthalmia, bladder affections,
impotence, inflammatory rheumatism Medicinal
enteritis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, peritonitis, Kidney and bladder ailments, kidney
pleurisy, painful ulcers, rheumatism, stones, pneumonia.
swelled breasts.
Religious/Magical
Religious/Magical Orisha Worship
Orisha Worship Belongs to Oshun y Yemaya.
Belongs to Eshu. Used to make ritual omiero.
Correlating Odu: Iroso Obara.
Used to make ritual omiero CHICHARRON DE MONTE
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. (Terminalia intermedia)
Rites of Palo
For rituals and amulets Other names:
∗ Produces insanity Cuba - Chicharrón amarillo.
Kongo – Moronki
CHAYO / SPURGE NETTLE Lukumi - Yenke
(Jatropha urens)
Description
Other names: Indigenous trees.
Cuba - Chaya.
Description
Bushy upright plant to 8 feet. Dark blue-
green leaves and paler veins, clusters of
white flowers on 8 inch stems held well
above the foliage.
69
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES Description
Deciduous tree with false leaflets. Found
Religious/Magical in semi calcareous, mountainous forests.
Rites of Palo Thick branches; leaves elliptical; the
For rituals and ceremonies. flowers are pink/white.
CHICHICATE / ORTIGA BRAVA USES

(Urera baccifera)
Religious/Magical
Colombia - Guaina, Pringamosa, Belongs to Yemaya.
pringamoza ∗ For cleansings of the household to
Cuba - Chichicastre, Ortiga, Jamo. banish negativity.
Dominican Republic - Pringamosa,
pringamoza CHIRIMOYA / CUSTARD APPLE
El Salvador - Chichicazte nigua (Annona reticulata)
Guatemala – Chichicazte
Lukumi – Ewe ñina Other names:
Mexico - Ortiga de Caballo, chichicastle Costa Rica - Chirimoya
Panama - Ortiga Cuba - Mamón.
Puerto Rico - Ortiga, Ortiga brava Haiti – Kashiman
Venezuela - Pringamosa, pringamoza Kongo - Biloko
Lukumi – Ewe Mekeri
Description Mexico - Anona colorada, chirimoya
A weak stemmed woody shrub that Nicaragua – Anona
sometimes becomes a small tree. The Philippines – Anona
most recognizable feature of the plant is Puerto Rico - Corazón
the presence of many sharp, stinging U.S. - bullock's heart
spines on the leaves, branches and stem. Venezuela - Riñón
The leaves are alternate, coarse toothed
with thin blades and stout petioles. The Description
stem bark is smooth, light gray and green It is a small, spreading tree, up to 25 ft. in
over white inner bark, and thick greenish height, the leaves vary in size; the upper
pith. It is in flower during February and surface of the leaves is sparsely hairy and
fruits in April. the lower surface is velvety-tormentose.
The fruits vary in form but usually are
USES heart-shaped or conical. The light-green
surface of the fruit is variable in
Medicinal appearance. In some varieties it is almost
Burns, gallbladder stones, ovarian smooth with slight depressions, but in
hemorrhage, tuberculosis. others the carpels are terminated by an
abrupt point.
Religious/Magical
Rites of Palo USES
∗ Causes negative effects. Medicinal
Debility, diarrhea, fatigue, leprosy.
CHINCHONA / PRINCEWOOD
(Exostema ellipticum) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Obatala and Ibeji.
Cuba - Plateado, cayateje, vigueta, lirio Used to make ritual omiero.
Santana ∗ For cleansings of persons and the
Dominican republic - Piñipiñi, guinea household
criolla
Kongo – Monkorina
Lukumi - Monbalan
Puerto Rico - Plateado
70
Description
CIDRON / LEMON VERBENA Tree of excellent wood that is propagated
(Lippia Citrodora) by seed. The wood is hard, compact and
fine grain, yellow with virtually invisible
Description linear streaks. Grows up to 50 ft. The
A deciduous shrub reaching a height of 15 leaves are ovate; single flowers; ovoid
feet. The leaves are very fragrant, fruit.
lanceolate, arranged in threes, with
smooth margins, pale green in color; the USES
many small flowers are pale purple,
Religious/Magical
blooming during August in slim, terminal
Orisha Worship
panicles.
Belongs to Yewa.
USES
CIRUELA / HUG PLUM
Medicinal (Spondias purpurea)
Dyspepsia, indigestion and flatulence.
Other names:
Arada - Feti
CIMARRONA: Bagá Colombia - Ciruela calentana
Costa Rica - Jocote tronador, sismoyo
CIPRES / CYPRESS Cuba - Ciruela campechana colorada o
(Cupressus funebris) loca.
Lukumi – Igi Yeye, Yemere
Other names: Mexico – Capuatlcacao
Kongo - Nkunia lele nsambian Puerto Rico - Jobillo, jobo francés
Lukumi - Iggiku, oru, iko
U.S. - Chinese weeping cypress Description
A deciduous tree, up to 25 ft in height,
Description stout trunk and stiff branches. The pinnate
An evergreen tree growing to 70 ft. It is in leaves are 6 to 9 inches long with 17 or
leaf all year. Forms woods on mountain thinner, obliquely oblong-elliptic leaflets.
slopes and ravines, especially in limestone The reddish flowers are produced on short
areas. Wood is hard, tough, white, growths from wood of the previous
durable, and close grained. season. The deep red fruits, which ripen in
early summer, are borne singly, or 2 or 3
USES together. They vary in shape and size but
usually are oval in outline, 1 to 2 inches in
Medicinal length, and have a somewhat irregular
Colds, bleeding hemorrhoids, excessive surface. A layer of very juicy, sub acid,
menstrual bleeding. aromatic pulp surrounds the rather large,
slightly rough seed.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship USES
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ogunda, Ofun
Odi. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oya.
CIRIO
Correlating Odu: Irete Untelu
(Xylopia obtusifolia)
Other names:
Cuba - Malagueta CLAVELINA/COASTAL PLAIN WILLOW
Kongo – Sonjuo (Salix Longipes)
Lukumi – Enee Opa
Other names:
U.S. – Carolina Willow
71
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Description San Juan.

Shrub or small tree to 20 ft tall, found in Dominican Republic - Cuero de puerco,
rocky soils, along riverbanks, gravel bars, tomasina, caracol.
sandy shores and low woods. The twigs Kongo – Nkunia Ntoka
are reddish- to grayish-brown, thin, and Lukumi – Ofuntana
brittle. The leaves are green above, pale
underneath, lanceolate, wide, glabrous, Description
acuminate, finely serrate; petioles hairy; Small mountain tree. The leaves are
catkins at ends of branchlets. The flowers ovate, rigid. Reddish hard wood. The fruit
are very small, numerous, pale yellow. is elliptical, hairy.
The capsules 1/4 inch long, ovate, long-
pointed. USES
USES Medicinal
Backaches.
Religious/Magical
Correlating Odu: Ika Ojuani, Ofun She, Orisha Worship
Oshe Iwori. Belongs to Osayin.
COCOTERO / COCONUT Rites of Palo
(Cocos nucifera) Works with the Nkisi.
Other names:
Cuba - Cocotero COJATE
Haiti – Kokoye (Alpinia occidentalis)
Kongo – Sandu, Kumelenga
Lukumi – Agbon, Obi Other names:
Puerto Rico – Palma de Coco Colombia - Bagala
Cuba - Cojate, colonia, colonia cimarrona.
Description
Lukumi – Oru, Oburo, Didona
A tree growing from 50 to 100 feet high.
Puerto Rico – Bijao, Narciso
The narrow, long, rigid leaflets compose
Venezuela - Conopio
the leaves, which are of great length, and
borne in a cluster at the apex of the tall
Description
trees. The flowers are yellowish-white and
Aromatic perennial found deep in the
the fruits, borne in clusters of from 10 to
woods; grows over 6 ft. tall. The leaves
20, are the well-known coconuts.
are slender, lanceolate, smooth. The
USES flowers in racemes, conical, red.
Medicinal USES
Kidney ailments, shingles, toothaches.
Medicinal
Religious/Magical Headaches, urinary track and kidney
Orisha Worship ailments.
Belongs to Obatala.
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Meji, Osa Ojuani Religious/Magical
For divination and offerings to the Orishas. Orisha Worship
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba Belongs to Obatala.
∗ For cleansings of persons and the Rites of Palo
household For rituals and amulets.
∗ For purification baths to attract good
COCUYO luck and expel negativity.
(Pouteria Dictyoneura) ∗ For cleansings of persons and the
household to banish evil spirits and
Other names: negativity.
Cuba - Vigueta peluda, árbol de las
sierras,
72
Religious/Magical
COL/CABBAGE Orisha Worship
(Brasica Oleracea) Correlating Odu: Odi Otrupon, Ojuani
Irete, Ika Odi.
A biennial plant, producing it's large, waxy COMBUSTERA CIMARRONA /

leaves surrounding smaller compacted MANETTIA
head leaves in first year, and a flower stalk (Manettia coccinea)
bearing yellow flowers the second year.
Description
USES Climbing shrub up to 6 ft. with long stalk;
narrow tubular flowers, slightly tightened in
Religious/Magical
the center, pink with red.
Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ogbe
USES
COLA DE LEON: Bastón de San Religious/Magical

Francisco Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oya y Shango.
COLCHON DE PERRO / WASHER Rites of Palo
WOMAN For rituals and amulets.
(Alternanthera caracasana)
COMECARA / STOPPER
Other names: (Eugenia aeruginea)
Cuba - Sanguinaria, yerba de carretero.
U.S. – Matt chaff flower Other names:
Lukumi - Orerere
Description
Perennial herb.
Description
USES Tree reaching to 60 ft. heights. The glossy
leaves are elliptical, the small white
Medicinal flowers occur in racemes, the ovoid fruit
Intestinal discomfort, colitis, enteritis, purple and edible.
dysentery, intestinal ailments.
USES
COLONIA/SHELL GINGER
Religious/Magical
(Alpinia speciosa)
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Yemaya and Ogun.
Cuba – Cojate, Pepu Rites of Palo
Puerto Rico – Boca de Dragon, Dragon For rituals and amulets.
U.S. – Shell plant, Queens candle
CONSUELDA / COMFREY
Description (Symphytum officinale)
Aromatic plant cultivated in gardens for its
ornamental and aromatic properties. Both Other names:
the plant and rhizomes are robust, Brazil - Confrei
reaching up to 9 ft. in height. The leaves U.S. - Blackwort, boneset, bruisewort,
are lanceolate; beautiful flowers gum plant, healing herb, salsify, and
resembling and orchid; pink with yellow slippery root.
and read throats.
USES
Medicinal
Catarrh, headaches, skin conditions.
73
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Description USES
Erect-growing herb that can reach 3 feet
high covered with a prickly pubescence, Medicinal
the plant develops flowers colored from Bronchitis, catarrh, cystitis, diarrhea,
white to purple, a thick, externally black gonorrhea, hemorrhoids, psoriasis, skin
root, and relatively large leaves. sores, skin disorders, stomach ulcers,
syphilis, urinary incontinence.
USES
Religious/Magical
Medicinal Orisha worship
Bleeding, contusions, digestive Belongs to Babalu Aye, Odudua.
disturbances, internal inflammations,
ulcers. COPAL
(Icical Copal)
CONTRAYERBA
(Flaveria repanda) Other names:
Cuba - Copal, negracuba, canelillo.
Other names: Kongo – Nyimbo, Guaria
Cuba - Yerba de la vieja Lukumi – Ewe Gbegbe
Description
Description
Indigenous tree with rose/white wood.
Common weed that grows in sandy or
Found in wet, acid forests. Grows up to 30
calcareous soils. Reaches up to 1 ft. tall,
ft. The branches are cylindrical; leaves are
multiple branches, dentate leaves and
large. Produces flowers in short racemes.
very small yellow flowers.
The fruit is ovoid.
USES USES
Medicinal Medicinal
Dysentery, gastrointestinal ailments. Tension, nervousness.
COPAIBA Religious/Magical
(Copaifera officcinalis) Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Iwori Meji.
Other names:
Cuba - Capalba, bálsamo de copaiba, COPALILLO DEL MONTE
palo (Thouinia nervosa)
de aceite.
Kongo – Monchunto Other names:
Lukumi - Enenen Cuba - Copalillo del monte, Negracuba,
U.S. - Jesuit's Balsam Canelillo.
Kongo – Nyimbo
Description Lukumi – Boru Fefe
A well branched tropical tree that grows up
to 90 feet in height. It has pinnate leathery Description
leaves and blossoms are borne in whitish Tall indigenous tree. Wood is hard,
racemes. The fruit is a coriaceous legume compact, heavy and fine grain; light
containing a single seed. It is harvested by yellow/red, lateral roots.
tapping or drilling holes into the wood of
the USES
trunk and collecting the resin that drips
out, much like rubber trees are tapped. Medicinal
Tension headaches, stomach cramps.
74
Belongs to Yemaya, Olokun. Belongs to Orunmila, Oya.
Ritual baths to attract good fortune. Correlating Odu: Ojuani Otrupon, Ika
∗ Burned with incense to expel evil Iroso.
spirits and banish negativity. To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
COPETUDA / MARYGOLD COQUITO AFRICANO / KOLA NUT

(Calendula officinalis) (Cola acuminata)

Cuba - Flor o clavel muerto o de Indias Cuba - Cola, Kola
Mexico - Cempoajochitl Dominican Republic - Palo de col
U.S. – Calendula Jamaica – Bissy
Lukumi – Kola
Description Puerto Rico - Nuez de cola, colero, kola
Annual plant related to sunflower, 1 to 2 U.S. - Kola nut, goora-nut, kola, kola nut
feet high and hairy, with oblong, entire,
thick leaves. The flowers are large heads Description
with yellow or orange rays. A tree from 40 to 60 feet high, somewhat
resembling the common chestnut tree.
USES The trunk is erect, smooth, and cylindrical.
The bark is green and thick. The leaves
Medicinal are alternate, entire, smooth, green, and
Toothaches, earaches, menstrual oblong-acuminate. The flowers are
irregularity, intestinal worms. greenish-yellow or white and purple at the
margins of the petals. The fruit is
Religious/Magical composed of follicles, containing from 1 to
Orisha Worship 10 oblong obtuse seeds.
Belongs to Oshun.
USES
∗ For cleansings and purification of
persons and the household. Medicinal
Cardiac debility, cardiac irritability,
COPEY / AUTOGRAPH TREE conditions of the ears, chronic diarrhea,
(Clusia rosea) digestive complaints, hysteria, migraine,
nervous depression, neuralgia of debility
Other names: neurasthenia, seasickness, vomiting of
Cuba - Balsamo cimarrón. pregnancy.
Lukumi - Yana
Panama, Puerto Rico - Cupey Religious/Magical
U.S. – Pitch apple Orisha Worship
Belongs to Odua.
Description For rituals, ceremonies and amulets.
Evergreen tree. Grows on hills and
riverbanks; reaches up to 35 ft. The bark CORALILLO / CORAL VINE
is smooth; leaves are green, obovate, very (Antigonon leptopus)
leathery and tough. In flower during the
summer; presenting showy pink and white Other names:
flowers. The wood is reddish brown. Cuba - Coralillo, coralillo rosado
Haiti - Belle mexicaine
USES U.S. – Chinese love vine
Colds, infectious diseases, rheumatic Vine that supports itself by tendrils and
pains and aches, rheumatism, stomach grows virtually anywhere. The leaves are
ulcers. green, pointed and heart-shaped. The
flowers are small, white or rose pink
75
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Religious/Magical CORAZON DE PALOMA / RAUWOLFIA

Orisha Worship (Rauwolfia salicifolia)
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Osa, Osa Otura. Other names:
Used to make ritual omiero. Cuba(Oriente) - Corazón de paloma.
∗ For amulets. (La Habana) - Wallenia laurifolia
Casmagua.
CORALILLO BLANCO / CHRISTMASS Lukumi – Okan'jele
VINE
(Porana paniculata) Description
Shrub growing usually found growing
Other names: among pine trees. The fruit has the shape
Kongo - Yuye of a dove's hear.
Lukumi – Cueyen
USES
Description
Climbing plant, originally from India. It's a Religious/Magical
vigorous grower, reaching up to 30 ft. Orisha Worship
long; leaves are oval – heart shaped. In Belongs to Obatala.
winter, this plant is full of numerous small Correlating Odu: Iroso Meji.
white flowers. The fruit is a globule Used to make ritual omiero.
capsule, very small. ∗ Purification baths to banish
negativity.
USES
CORDOBAN / MOSES IN THE
Medicinal CRADDLE
Torpid tumors. (Rhoeo discolor)

Orisha worship Cuba - Cordobán, Zapatillo, Amor y cellos,
Belongs to Obatala, Oshun. Barquito
∗ Ritual baths to attract good fortune. Kongo - Nrio
Lukumi – Peregun pupa
CORALILLO ROSADO / Puerto Rico – Sangria, Sangrinaria
CONFEDERATE VINE U.S. - Oyster Plant
(Antigonon leptopus)
Description
Other names: Perennial found in cultivated grounds and
Cuba - Coralillo rosado, coralillo pinelands, forming a dense cover. Short,
El Salvador - Bejuco de colación stout stems; forms clumps by offshoots.
Haiti - Belle mexicaine The leaves are spreading, erect, dark
Mexico - San Miguelito, hierba de Santa green and yellow stripes above, pale
Rosa, Fulminosa, Corona, Bellisima purple underneath. The flowers are small,
white.
Description - See Coralillo
USES
USES
Medicinal
Medicinal Asthma, catarrh, respiratory ailments,
Alcoholism, hangover. rubella typhoid fever.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oya and Ayao.
76
Religious/Magical CORONA DE NOVIA/LEMON VINE

Orisha Worship (Pereskia aculeata)
Belongs to Shango, Oya.
Correlating Odu: Oshe Ofun. Other names:
Used to make ritual omiero. Cuba - Grosellero de la Florida, guinda,
tomate americano.
CORONA DE LA REINA
(Euphorbia antiquorum) Description
Cultivated plant; scented white flowers,
Description the fruit an acrid and yellow peapod.
Shrub resembling a cactus, thick stems,
no leaves and large needles. USES
USES Medicinal
Inflammation, sore, syphilis.
Medicinal
Ear ailments. CORONILLA / ROUNDLEAF SPURGE
(Euphorbia serpens)
COROJO / OIL PAM
(Acreemia crispa) Description
Annual herb with glabrous stems and
Other names: leaves; leaves gray-green, very small,
Cuba – Corojo de Jamaica entire, and opposite; stipules united into a
Kongo - Gesi triangular scale-like structure often lobed
Lukumi – Aobara, Epo Pupo or fringed at the tip; and involucres with
Puerto Rico – Corojo, Grugru rather conspicuous white petal-like
appendages. In flower July- October;
Description fruiting July-October.
Indigenous palm common in calcareous,
rocky soils. Forms colonies and reaches USES
more than 25 ft. in height. The erect trunk
is narrow at both ends and thick in the Medicinal
middle. The young trees are covered of Diarrhea menstrual problems, skin, slow
long dark needles, including the branches milk production in nursing mothers, tumor.
and leaves. In flower during the spring.
The fruit is round one inch in diameter, CRESTA DE GALLO COCKSCOMB
yellow outside, inside a solid nut, white, (Celosia argentea/celosia cristata)
with a taste similar to the common coconut
someone softer. Other names:
Brazil - Crista de galo
USES Cuba - Cresta de gallo, mirabel, moco de
pavo.
Medicinal Lukumi – Libbe kuko
Gonorrhea, headaches, inflammation, U.S. – Wool flower
menorrhagia.
Description
Religious/Magical Ornamental plant 6 - 30 inches high, erect,
Orisha Worship branching. Leaves lanceolate to ovate.
Belongs to Shango, Elegba. Small flowers form plumose or crested
Correlating Odu: Odi Okana, Osa Meji, spikes, red, yellow, orange, or pink.
Ojuani Iwori, Ojuani Osa.
For rituals, ceremonies, amulets.
To condiment offerings for the Orishas.
Rites of Palo
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES flowers are without odor and of varying

hues. The tree is parasitic, and will attach
Religious/Magical itself to other plants by tuberous
For courage. processes on its roots.
CROTON USES
(Codiaeum variegatum)
Medicinal
Other names: Fevers, venereal diseases.
Cuba - Croto
Religious/Magical
Evergreen shrub with alternate, simple Correlating Odu: Ofun Ika.
leaves mottled with white, yellow, or red; To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
flowers white. Rites of Palo
Essential for the Nkisi.
USES The root burned as an incense to banish
negativity and attract good.
Medicinal Note: the black cuaba variety has
Stomach acidity. destructive properties.
Religious/Magical CUBANICU: Arabo de Piedra

Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba. CUABARI
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Osa, Osa Otura.
Used to make ritual omiero. Other names:
Rites of Palo Cuba - Ambia.
For Nkisi rituals.
∗ Planted outside the house for USES
protection.
∗ Ritual baths to banish negativity. Medicinal
Nervous conditions.
CRUZ DE CARAVACA: Cardón.
Religious/Magical
CUABA / WHITE SANTAL Orisha Worship
(Amyris balsamifera) Belongs to Shango and Ogun.
Other names: CUAJANI / WEST INDIE

Cuba - Cuaba blanca, cuabilla, cuaba de LAURELCHERRY
monte, palo guachinango, cambiavoz. (Prunus occidentalis)
Dominican Republic - Guaconejo, palo de
teja Other names:
Haiti - Bois chandelle, Bwa Shandèl Vèt Cuba - Cuajaní, cajuaní macho, almendro,
Jamaica – Torchwood juba
Kongo - Inkita, nkunia bondan sua Dominican Republic- Almendro,
Lukumi - Loaso almendrito,
Mexico - Limoncillo almendrón, membrillo.
Puerto Rico - Teílla Haiti - Amandier a grandes feuilles
U.S. - Balsam amyris, Balsam torchwood Jamaica - Prune tree
Venezuela – Tigua Kongo – Faere
Lukumi - Maddeteo
Description Puerto Rico - Almendrilo
A small tree growing to a height of 20 or
30 feet, Found in coastal areas and sandy
soils. The leaves are opposite, smooth,
glaucous on under surface, oval or
lanceolate in shape. Its numerous small
78
Description USES
Tree reaching over 60 ft. high and 4 ft.
diameter. The leaves, thick bark and fruit Religious/Magical
release a strong bitter almond scent. Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Osa Ika.
USES For cleansing rituals.
Medicinal CULANTRILLO DE POZO /

Cough, gripe, asthma, skin rashes, itch. MAIDENHAIR FERN
(Adiantum tenerum)
CUAJANI HEMBRA: Almendrillo
CUAJINCILLO: Almendrillo Other names:
Brazil – Avenca
CUCARACHA / WONDERING JEW Haiti - Adi-yant'
(Zebrina pendula) Kongo – Vititi Masa, Ngoso
Lukumi – Kotonio, Ofi, necenten
Other names: Mexico – Capilaria de Mexico
Colombia - Panameña
Description
Kongo – Kienguene bias mamba
A small evergreen fern found throughout
Lukumi - Ayan
in moist forests. It grows up to 1 ft high,
Mexico – Yerba de Pollo
growing in stands from its creeping
Venezuela – Cohitre morado
rhizome with leaves up to 2 ft long.
Description USES
Creeping and pendulous, succulent herb.
The obovate leaves are glistening and Medicinal
multicolored above and purple below. The Bronchitis, colds, coughs, gallstones, hair
surface colors may be green and silver loss, heartburn, menstrual difficulties
edged with pink. The small flowers are respiratory problems, rheumatism,
purplish. snakebites, sour stomach, urinary
disorders
USES
Religious/Magical
Medicinal Orisha Worship
Colitis, kidney stones, menstruation Belongs to Oshun and Ogun.
problems, warts. Correlating Odu: Ofun Odi.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship CULANTRO / FITWEED
Belongs to Yemaya, Oya. (Eryngium foetidum)
Correlating Odu: Iroso Ejionle.
Used to make ritual omiero. Other names:
Brazil - Chicória
CUERNECILLO: Arbol del Cuerno Cuba - Culantro, culantro del país,
cimarrón,
CULANTRILLO sabanero o de Cartagena, Yerba de Sapo.
Kongo - Bianki
Other names: Lukumi – Ishoro
Lukumi – Ewe Kotonio U.S. – Long Coriander, Coriander
Common name given to various plants An annual tropical herb that grows best
from the genus Adiantum and/or under moist shaded conditions near
Asplenium. They are common ferns found cultivated areas. It has a pungent odor;
in wetlands and shady locations. the
79
Dalia Quiros-Moran
leaves have toothed margins and they upper surface shining. Inflorescences
grow in a basal rosette pattern. The fruit is multi-flowered, in racemes reduced to a
round and covered with rounded few axillary flowers. Flowers 4-6, white;
protrusions. capsule dry, brown, globose to oblong;
seeds numerous, minute, crescent-
USES shaped.
Medicinal USES
Constipation, diabetes, diarrhea, flu,
fevers, irregular menstruation, vomiting. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical Belongs to Shango, Babalu Aye.
Orisha Worship Correlating Odu: Okana Oshe.
Belongs to Yemaya and Oya. ∗ For purification baths and cleansing
Offerings for the Orishas. of persons and the household.
CUNDEAMOR / BITTER MELON CURAMAGÜEY/ CATESBY'S VINE

(Momordica balsamina) (Uretiches lutea)

Brazil – Melao de San Caetano Cuba - Curamagüey amarillo
Cuba – Cundeamor Lukumi – Iwo
Lukumi – Ewe eyimi, ewe abonla Puerto Rico – Barbero amarillo
Puerto Rico - Cundeamore U.S. – Wild Unction
U.S. – Balsam pear
Description
Description Indigenous vine found in rocky areas and
A monoecious climber with dark green, calcareous soils. The stem reaches up to
deeply lobed leaves. The flowers are 2 inches thick, somewhat woody. The
yellow and the fruits are oblong and lumpy leaves are opposite, lanceolate, dark
with a light green to greenish white, waxy green above, pale green underneath.
skin. The seeds are small and black. Large flowers appearing in July, seeds in
February.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Diabetes, fever, gastrointestinal infections, Religious/Magical
hypertension, skin conditions Orisha Worship
stomachache Belongs to Ogun, Eshu.
Rites of Palo
Religious/Magical For rituals and amulets.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Babalu Aye, Inle, Ogun. CURA, MATA O VUELVE LOCO /
Correlating Odu: Odi Otrupon, Osa Meji, MILKWEED
Obara Eyioko, Irete Untelu. (Asclepias curassavica)
To pack amulets. Other names:
Brazil – Ceca Olho,Ipecacuana falsa,
CUPIDO LA UNA / GINORIA Official de sala
(Ginoria americana) Cuba - Flor de la calentura.
Haiti - Zèb-Man-Boivin, Herbe-à-Ouatte,
Other names: Calypso, Ti-Kadri, Zeb-Papiyon, Quadrille
Cuba - Clavelina, Rosa de río. Mexico – Margarita
Lukumi - Mamboti Panama – Mal casada, Niño muerto
Peru – Cachumeca
Description Puerto Rico – Algodoncillo, Algodon de
Glabrous tree or shrub with opposite, Mariposas
lanceolate to narrowly elliptical leaves, U.S. – Blood flower
80
Description gray/green with scaly linear leaves. In the

Perennial herb, up to 3 feet tall, 3 feet fall produces 6" erect spikes with funnel
spread. Reddish orange and yellow shaped blue or violet flowers.
flowers in umbels spring and fall.
USES
USES
Religious/Magical
Aches, dysentery, fevers, gonorrhea, Belongs to Elegba, Odudua, and Oshun.
leprosy, leucorrhea, pile, poison, toxins, Correlating Odu: Ofun Ogunda, Osa
and wart. Ogunda, Oshe Meji, Oshe Iwori, Ofun
Ogunda, Otrupon Yeku, Otura Niko.
Religious/Magical To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
Rites of Palo
For rituals.
According to how is used, it can cure, kill
of drive someone insane.
CURBANA: Canela de Monte
CURABOCA / STRONGBACK
(Bourreria succulenta)
Other names:
Cuba – Ateje de Costa, Cateicito, Frutica
de Catey, Raspalengua de costa, Roble
negro
Puerto Rico – Palo de vaca, roble guayo
Description
Tree that reaches up to 18 ft. tall. It has
rounded leaves long with a somewhat
weeping growth habit. Especially
noticeable when laden with clusters of
orange fruit. Clusters of small, fragrant
white flowers.
USES
Medicinal
Buccal sores, cold, flu.
CURAVARA: Aceitunillo
CURUJEY / BALL MOSS

(Tillandsia Recurvata)
Other names:
Cuba - Guataca de burro.
Puerto Rico – Nidos de Gundulen
U.S. - Air plant
Description
An inconspicuous plant that grows on
other plants but does not steal their
nutrients. Instead it gets its water from the
air. It grows in a globular clump. It is
81
Dalia Quiros-Moran
D USES
Medicinal
DAGAME / LANCEWOOD Skin eruptions and other skin problems,
(Calcophyllum candidissimum) sunstroke.
Other names: DAMIANA / TURNERA

Colombia - Alazano, guayabo alazano, (Turnera diffusa)
guayabo colorado.
Costa Rica - Salamo, Madroño. Other names:
El Salvador - Salamo. Cuba - Rompecamisa macho
Guatemala - Salamo, Madroño, palo de Haiti - Oreg mawon
peine.
Honduras - Madroño, Solano. Description
Mexico - Camarón, palo camarón. Densely branched dwarf shrub, the
Nicaragua – Espino madroño branches clothed with tiny gray aromatic
Panama - Alazano, guayabo alazano, leaves. Small brilliant yellow flowers.
harino.
Puerto Rico - Dágame, dégame. USES
U.S. - Lemonwood.
Venezuela - Araguato, betun. Medicinal
Cold, diabetes, dysentery, dyspepsia,
Description headache, hormonal imbalance, infection,
Tree abundant in calcareous soils. liver ailments, nervous depression,
Reaches great heights and it can be nervous disorders, pain, poor appetite,
readily distinguished for its erect, smooth, stomach ache.
pale red trunk. Wood hard, heavy and
compact; color uniform light yellow. Religious/Magical
Flowers small. For purification baths.
USES DATIL/ DATE PALM

(Phoenix Dactylifera)
Medicinal
Fever, infertility. Other names:
Cuba – Palma Datil
Religious/Magical
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Ojuani, Oshe Tall evergreen un-branched palm growing
Otura. up to 50 ft. The trunk is surrounded from
Rites of Palo the ground upward in spiral pattern with
For ritual and amulets. the base of earlier formed leaves. The
leaves are large, alternate. Flowers are
borne in bunches at the top of the tree.
DAGUILLA
The fruit is a drupe and has one seed,
(Lagetta lintearea)
varying in size, shape, color and quality of
flesh. Unripe dates are green in color,
Description
maturing to yellow, then reddish-brown
Indigenous tree reaching 30 ft. high and 2
when fully ripe.
ft. wide. The flowers are white, produced
in terminal racemes. In flower April and USES
May; the inner bark is elastic, mesh like.
Found in mountainous areas. Medicinal
Colds, respiratory ailments.
82
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship DIVIDIVI
Belongs to Shango. (Caesalpinia coriaria)
Correlating Odu: Otura Irete, Odi Otura.
Other names:
DIAMELA / ARABIAN JASMINE Colombia - Libilibi
(Jasminum sambac) Costa Rica - Nacascol
Cuba - Dibidibi, guatapaná
Other names: Dominican Republic -Dividivi, guastapaná
Cuba - Jazmín diamela, Jazmín de la Guatemala -Nacascolote
India, Jazmín de Arabia, Jazmín de Mexico - Cascalote
Francia Nicaragua - Nacasolo
Puerto Rico – Jazmín Oloroso Panama - Agallo
Venezuela - Guatapán, guatapanare
Description
An evergreen bush; thick, glossy, dark Description
green, oblong leaves about one and one A tree that grows to approximately 30 feet
half inches long and a profusion of very tall. The trunk and branches are gnarled,
double, fragrant, white flowers about an with gray bark. Leaves alternate; leaflets
inch and a half in diameter. Blooms from numerous, regularly nearly touching to
June to September. overlapping; flowers are small, in terminal
clusters, white or yellow, pea-like,
USES inconspicuous, very fragrant. Fruit are
small curved, dished, or twisted flat pod
Medicinal
with rounded ends.
Cold, eye infections, headache, insomnia,
skin, sore.
USES
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Obatala. Colic, diarrhea, gangrene, heart, pile.
∗ For love amulets.
∗ Ritual purification baths and DORADILLA / RESURRECTION FERN
cleansings. (Polypodium polypodiodes)
∗ Planted in the household heightens
the energy within and promotes Description
tranquility. Fern that grows attached to trees in humid
woodlands, riverbanks, and swamps.
Prefers trees such as Buttonwoods,
DIENTE DE LEON / DANDELION
Beauty leaf, Black olive; the leaves are
(Taraxacum officinalis)
evergreen, leathery, stem is skinny,
Other names: creeping along the bark of large trees.
Mexico - Amargon
USES
Description
A common perennial plant worldwide. The Medicinal
plant grows to a height of about 12 inches. Liver ailments.
Leaves oblong, irregularly dentate; grow in
a rosette from the milky taproot, which Religious/Magical
sends up one or more naked flower stems, Orisha Worship
each terminating in a single yellow flower. Correlating Odu: Oyekun Iwori, Irete Odi.
USES
Medicinal
Eczema, liver, gallbladder, hepatitis and
other diseases of the liver, joint problems
kidney, poor digestion, water retention.
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES
DORMIDERA / SENSITIVE PLANT
(Mimosa pudica) Medicinal
Bruises, corns, gout, herpes, furuncles,
Other names: and felons, skin diseases, sores, sprains,
Cuba - Vergonsoza, Sensitiva, Morivivi, swellings.
Maldita
Guatemala – Cierra tus puertas
Haiti - Kapris, Honteuse, Zèb-a-manzèl,
honteuse-femel, Marie-honte
Mexico – Sensitiva, Vergonzosa
Description
Short-lived evergreen sub-shrub. It is
grown for its curiosity value—the fern-like
leaves close up and droop when touched,
usually re-opening within minutes. It has
prickly stems and small, fluffy, ball-shaped
pink flowers in summer. It grows to a
height and spread of around 3 ft.
USES
Medicinal
Dysentery, eczema, fever, headache,
insomnia, sore.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Odi Osa, Otura Ika.
∗ To dominate.
∗ For love and binding spells.
DULCAMARA / NIGHTSHADE
(Solanum dulcamara)
Other names:
U.S. - Bittersweet nightshade, bittersweet,

bittersweet herb, bittersweet stems,
bittersweet twigs, blue nightshade, fever
twig, garden nightshade, nightshade,
nightshade vine, scarlet berry, staff vine,
violet bloom, woody,
Description
A perennial woody vine found in moist
areas, around houses, and among hedges
and thickets. The shrubby, thumb-thick,
ashy-green, climbing stern can reach a
length of up to 10 feet. The dark green (or
purplish when young) leaves are alternate
and variable in shape. The purple, star-
shaped flowers appear in clusters from
May to August. The fruit is a scarlet, bitter
berry that hangs on the vine for months
after the leaves have fallen.
84
E Description
Annual plant found in wet places specially
EBANO / EBONY paddy fields. It is in flower in August.
(Diospyrus Ebenus)
USES
Other names:
Cuba - Zapote negro Medicinal
Anemia, athlete's foot, catarrh, dermatitis,
Description diphtheria, dropsy, eczema, jaundice, liver
Ebony is the common name for the tree complaints, premature graying of the hair,
genus Diospyrus that contains some 300 scorpion stings, tooth loss, ulcers,
species. The ones most associated with wounds.
the black colored rare wood are African
ebony, East Indian ebony, Macassar
EMBELEZO / CAPE PLUMBAGO
ebony and Nigerian ebony. It is believed
(Plumbago capensis)
that ebony gets its deep black color from
deposits of tannins. A hard gum fills the
Other names:
heartwood fibers making it black and
Cuba - Embeleso, azulejo, jazmín azul,
brittle.
jazminillo, velesa.
U.S. - Leadwort
USES
Description
Religious/Magical
Cultivated ornamental shrub to 6 feet tall,
Orisha Worship
10 feet wide. Blooms throughout the year,
To make attributes and paraphernalia
with denser blooms from March to
November. Flowers vary in color from
white to intense blue.
EBANO CARBONERO
(Maba crassinervis) USES
Other names: Medicinal

Cuba - Ebano real, manati, tagua-tagua, Warts.
sapote negro
Religious/Magical
Erect, indigenous tree reaching up to 7 ft. Belongs to Ogun, Oshosi.
Found in arid soils, particularly coastal Used to make ritual omiero.
areas. Wood black, compact, hard, heavy Correlating Odu: Obara Eyioko.
can be polished. Leaves ovate, elliptical, ∗ For love amulets.
glossy, color dark green, light green
underneath. Small flowers.
EMPANADILLA / TICK TREFOIL
USES
(Desmodium Canum)
Medicinal
Other names:
Skin.
Brazil – Amor do Campo
Cuba – Amor Seco
Religious/Magical
Puerto Rico - Zarzabacoa
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba, Oshun.
Correlating Odu: Ofun Ika.
ECLIPTA BLANCA / ECLIPTA

(Eclipta alba)
Other names:
Puerto Rico – Hierba del Tajo
85
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Description USES
Perennial legume with upright and
creeping stems that root at the nodes. Medicinal
Leaves on upright stems are lance shaped Cough, diarrhea, earache, fever,
and often have a white mark along the hemorrhoids, indigestion, kidney
midrib; those on trailing stems have fewer problems, painful menstruation, post-
markings and are oval or round. childbirth recovery, rheumatism, swollen
body parts, tiredness, and vaginal
USES infections.
Cystitis, fever, liver ailments, parturition. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Odua.
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Odi
ENCINA / SAND LIVE OAK
(Quercus virginaria)
ESCOBA AMARGA / FALSE RAGWEED
Other names: (Parthenium hysterophorus)
Cuba - Encino
U.S. - Live Oak Other names:
Cuba - Escoba amarga, confitillo,
Description artemisilla.
Small shrubby tree. Grows individually or Haiti - Absent bata, Balai Amer, Absinthe
in thickets with other shrubby oaks. In marron, Zèb-a-Pian
longleaf pine forests, this tree can reach U.S. - Parthenium weed, parthenium,
the height of moderate to fairly large trees. White top
The bark is dark red-brown, up to 1 inch
Description
thick, somewhat furrowed, and separating
Coarse, upright, annual plant growing 12-
into small scales. It grows on sites having
40 inches high. Each flower head consists
relatively deep, infertile sands.
of 5 white ray flowers and numerous disk
flowers. The leaves are 4-8 inches long
USES
and are deeply lobed.
Medicinal USES
Diarrhea, dysentery, eye, nasal and
urinary hemorrhages, hemorrhoids, sores, Medicinal
varicose ulcers, whites. Backache, headache, cold, chest
ailments, dysentery, eczema, fever,
ENCOSPE: Caobilla de Sabana. leprosy, neuralgia, paludism, pimples,
rashes, rheumatism, skin ulcers, tumor,
ESCABIOSA / GOATWEED pimple.
(Capraria biflora)
Religious/Magical
Cuba - Esclaviosa, majuito, magüiro, Belongs to Elegba and Babalu Aye.
viuda. Correlating Odu: Odi Ogunda, Obara
Haiti - Te-peyi, Thé des Antilles, Thé de Iroso, Okana Iroso, Osa Ogbe, Ofun
santé, Thé muray, Thé des Anglais, Otrupo.
Capraire Used to make ritual omiero.
Common herb. Grows in calcareous soils Used to make Nkisi lango.
and coastal areas; oval lanceolate toothed Abakua Society
leaves. For rituals and ceremonies.
∗ For ritual baths and cleansings to
banish illness.
∗ For purification cleansings of the
household.
86
ESPARTILLO / SMUTGRASS
ESCOBA CIMARRONA / ANGELSTEM (Sporobolus indicus)
(Abutilom trisulcatum)
Other names:
Other names: Cuba - Espartillo, alambrillo, pajilla, pajón.
U.S. – Indian Mallow Lukumi – Iye eran
U.S. – West Indian drop seed
Description
Description
Evergreen shrub. Grows to 9 ft. In flower
Coarse grass. Grows to a height of 5 ft.
from April to September.
The seed head resembles a rat's tail. The
branches at the bottom of the seed head
USES
often droop away from the central stem.
The seeds, which are about the size of
Medicinal
sugar grains, form at the ends of each
Asthma.
floret. They are initially white and turn
yellow-brown at maturity.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship USES
Belongs to Eshu.
∗ A branch placed behind the door of Medicinal
the household will expel evil spirits. Tired feet.
ESPANTA MUERTO / ECLIPTA Religious/Magical

(Eclipta Alba) Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba, Oshosi.
Other names: Correlating Odu: Ojuani Osa, Otura Irete.
Brazil – Agria Do Brejo, Erva De Botao, To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
Herva Botao Rites of Palo
Lukumi – Aberinkunlo Works with the Nkisi.
Panama - Kongolala
ESPIGELIA / PINKROOT
Description (Spigelia anthelmia)
A creeping and moisture-loving herb; it
has a short, flat or round stem and small Other names:
white flowers on a long stalk. It grows 3" Cuba - Yerba lombricera.
tall; the leaves are opposite and lance- U.S. – Worm bush, West Indian Pinkroot
shaped.
Description
USES Annual weed, growing up to 2 ft.; the stem
is scarcely branched, with short stalked,
Medicinal feather lobed leaves set like a whorl. The
Anemia, asthma, dysentery, eye diseases, spikes with small purple flowers come out
and liver cirrhosis. of the middle of the whorl. The flowers are
on one side of the spike. The fruit is a two
Religious/Magical lobed, capsule with warty seeds.
Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Osa Meji, Osa Ogbe, USES
Irete Untelu, and Irete Otura.
Congestion, headache, intestinal worms,
∗ To banish negativity and evil spirits
neuralgia, pain.
from persons and the household.
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
Orisha Worship Coastal shrub found in arid, calcareous
Belongs to Oshun soils and hills. The leaves have needles at
∗ For ritual purification baths the tip; orange flowers.
∗ To re-unite lovers than have grown
apart. USES
ESPINACA / SPINACH Medicinal

(Spinacea oleracea) Blood toxins, eye ailments, and
toothaches.
Description
Annual crop plant, of the goosefoot family, Religious/Magical
grown for its nutritious and savory leaves. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba
USES To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
Rites of Palo
Medicinal Works with the Nkisi.
Arthritis, bowel, fever, inflammation,
toxins. ESQUENATO / LEMON GRASS
(Cymbopogon citratus)
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship Other names:
Belongs to Oshun. Cuba -Caña de limon, caña de la Meca.
ESPINILLO / JERUSALEM THORN Description

(Parkinsonia aculeata) Plant growing in dense clumps up to 6 feet
in diameter and has leaves up to 3 feet
Other names: long. Found in sandy, well-drained soils.
Cuba - Espinillo, junco marino, palo de
rayo. USES
U.S. – Mexican Palo Verde
Medicinal
Description Asthma, cold, cough, dyspepsia, fever, flu,
Deciduous, thorny tree, up to 30 feet tall. malaria, rheumatism, leprosy.
Green trunk. The leaves are narrow, long.
Produces masses of scented yellow ESTAFISAGRA / STAVESACRE
flowers in late spring. (Delphinium staphisagria)
USES Description
Biennial/Perennial plant growing to 3 ft.
Medicinal Found in field verges and in scrub, on hot
Epilepsy, fever. dry soils. It is in flower from May to
August. The flowers are greenish-white.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship USES
Belongs to Eshu and Oshosi.
Medicinal
ESPINO: Bayoneta Headache, herpes, injuries, itches, lice,
skin rashes, toothache, warts.
ESPUELA DE CABALLERO
(Jacquinia Aculeata) ESTEFANOTIS / BRIDAL BOUQUET
(Stephanotis floribunda)
Other names:
Cuba - Espuela de Rey, Rosetillo Description
Haiti - Bwa Bandé Twining vigorous shrub, to 15 feet or
more;
88
leaves elliptic, abruptly pointed at apex, USES

thick, glossy, the fragrant flowers are
white, waxy. Medicinal
Flu and colds, respiratory conditions,
USES fever, paludism, throat irritation.
Belongs to Obatala. Belongs to Obatala, Ogun.
Correlated Odu: Iroso Okana. Correlating Odu: Irete Oshe.
Ground to dusting powder to ward off
ESTROPAJO / VEGETABLE SPONGE disease.
(luffa luffa, lyoss) ∗ For cleansing of persons and the
household to expel negativity.
Other names:
Brazil – Bucha EXTRAÑA ROSA / CHINA ASTER
Cuba – Friega platos (Callistephus hortensis)
Puerto Rico – Esponja de Pobre,
Servilleta Other names:
Cuba - Reina Margarita.
Description U.S. – Annual Aster
A running vine with rounded leaves. The
fruits are smooth and cylindrical shaped. Description
The length of the fruit is one to two feet. Cultivated half-hardy annual, heights
range from 6 inches to 3 feet. The leaves
USES are ovate, coarsely toothed. The flowers
are radiate, terminal on long stem, single
Medicinal or double blossoms in blue, pink, white,
Eczema, hemorrhage, intestinal parasites. purple, creamy yellow, lavender, purple or
red, some with feathery flower heads.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship USES
Belongs to Obatala, Babalu Aye.
Correlated Odu: Ojuani Oshe, Okana Ika Religious/Magical
and Okana Oshe. Orisha Worship
∗ For ritual baths and cleansings of Belongs to Obatala, Oshun.
persons and the household for good ∗ For purification baths to attract good
fortune. fortune and prosperity.
EUCALIPTO
(Eucalyptus resinifera)
Other names:
Cuba - Eucalipto
U.S.- Red stringy bark, red-mahogany
eucalyptus, eucalyptus, eucalypt, red
mahogany.
Puerto Rico - Eucalipto medicinal.
Description
A tall tree with a rough persistent bark on
the trunk, but more or less deciduous on
the branches, the leaves are lanceolate,
the flowers grow in little clusters, yellowish
color.
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F FLOR DE AGUA / WATER HYACINTH

(Eichornia azurea)
FIDEILLO: Bejuco de Fideos Other names:

Cuba - Flor de Agua, jaboncillo de agua,
FILIGRANA/ BITTERBUSH cola de pato, boniatillo de agua.
(Eupatorium villosum) Kongo - Irituu
Lukumi - Ojogbo, tana fun fun
Other names:
Cuba - Filigrana, albahaca de sabana, Description
albahaquilla, travesera, trebolillo, verbena Aquatic plant. Common in swamps,
morada y zanca de ponds, rivers and streams.
grullo.
U.S. – Florida Keys Thoroughwort USES
Aromatic plant, common in calcareous Orisha Worship
hills. Belongs to Yemaya, Obatala, Oshun, Inle.
Correlating Odu: Iwori Odi, Obara
USES Ogunda, Obara Ika, Osa Oshe.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship FLOR DE LA CALENTURA: Cura Mata y
Belongs to Shango. vuelve loco
Correlating Odu: Ofun Irete.
FLOR DE MAR
FILIGRANA MORADA / AMERICAN
BEAUTYBERRY USES
(Callicarpa americana)
Religious/Magical
Cuba - Verbena morada, Filigrana de Belongs to Obatala.
Mazorca
U.S. - French Mulberry, Mulberry, Dwarf
FLOR DE MARMOL
(Sedum monregalense)
Description
Evergreen shrub. Growing to 9 ft tall.
Other names:
Leaves opposite and simple; oval-shaped,
Cuba -Bálsamo turco, rosa de mármol.
with an acute apex; green and usually
glabrous above, paler and pubescent
Description
below; flowers perfect and in sessile
Exotic plant forming a neat carpet of fresh
clusters around the leaf nodes; lavender;
green leaves borne in whorls of four.
blue pink; fruit is a 4-pitted lavender-pink,
Creamy, white flowers.
magenta, or violet drupe.
USES
USES
Religious/Magical
Medicinal
Orisha worship
Chest ailments, colic, Dropsy, dysentery,
Belongs to Odudua.
fevers stomach aches, malaria, and
rheumatism.
90
FLOR DE MAYO / LAELIA ANCEPS FRAILECILLO CIMARRON / LOBED

(Laelia anceps) CROTON
(Croton lobatus)
Description
Plants from the orchid family compact in Other names:
height, usually only 10-12 inches tall, with Dominican Republic – Avellana Purgante
a sprawling growth habit. The flowers are Puerto Rico – Tuatilla
2.5-3 inches, generally light lavender with Venezuela – Piño, Tartaro
a darker lip and throat. Clusters of 2-6
blooms are borne on the end of a spike Description
reaching 3 feet. Indigenous plant, much smaller than the
"Belly-ache" bush, with similar leaves and
USES fruit.
Orisha Worship
Medicinal
Belongs to Obatala.
Erysipelas.
FLOR DE MUERTO / AFRICAN

FRAILECILLO DE MONTE / BELLY-
MARIGOLD
ACHE BUSH
(Tagetes erecta)
(Jatropha gossypifolia)
Brazil – Rojao Brazil - Pinhão roxo
Colombia – Rueda de Arado Cuba - Cardecillo de monte, tua-tua.
Cuba – Clavelon, Copetuda, Copete Lukumi – Baisigue, paime
Cultivated compact, erect plant, 12 to 14 Evergreen shrub, up to 5 feet tall.
inches tall; flowers to 3 1/2 inches across, Brownish bark, whitish wood; leaves
most flowers are doubles with flat or ball- alternate; small flowers, white petals (4),
like flower heads; colors range from very aromatic; oval shaped fruit, yellow,
primrose yellow through pumpkin-orange. fleshy with one almond like seed.
leaves are opposite, pinnately divided into
lanceolate segments with serrate margins, USES
aromatic (unpleasant odor for many
people). Medicinal
Liver ailments.
USES
Religious/Magical
Chest ailments, stomach pains, venereal Belongs to Oshun
diseases.
FRAMBOYAN / FLAMBOYANT
Religious/Magical (Delonix regia)
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun, Ogun. Other names:
Arada - Adadase
FLOR DE UNA HORA: Altea Cuba – Framboyán
Lukumi - Seke-Seke, iggi tambina,
inaweko
FLORIPUNDIO BLANCO: Arbol de la
U.S. - Poinciana Tree
Bibijagua
Description
Tree often more that 30 feet high with
wide spreading branches from a domed
top. It has brown seedpods 2" long
resembling rezone strops.
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USES USES
Medicinal Medicinal
Rheumatism. Bruise, digestive problems, kidney
ailments, sores, intestinal parasites.
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Shango and Oya. Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Eyioko, Otura Belongs to Oshun, Yemaya.
Irete. Correlating Odu: Ofun Otrupo.
∗ In amulets to attract stability and Used to make ritual omiero.
prosperity. Rites of Palo
Used to make Nkisi lango.
FRAMBUESA/RASPBERRY For rituals and ceremonies.
(Rubus Idaeus) ∗ For cleansings of persons and the
household for good fortune and to
Other names: expel negativity.
U.S. – European Raspberry
FRIJOL CARITA / BLACKEYE PEA
Description (Vigna sinensis)
Thorny plant growing up to 10 ft. high. The
leaves are alternate, with very fine prickles Other names:
or glandular hairs. Arching round branches Cuba - Frijol carita, caupi criollo.
that are bristly hairy to slightly prickly and U.S. – Cowpea
reddish green. The flowers appear in June
and July; greenish, with very small white Description
petals. The fruit is juicy, red, multiple of A warm-season, annual, herbaceous
drupes. legume. Plant types are often categorized
as erect, semi-erect, prostrate (trailing), or
USES climbing. Leaves are smooth, dull to shiny.
Flowers are borne in multiple racemes on
Medicinal 8 to 20 in.; flower stalks pods are smooth,
Blood toxins, eye ailments, kidney 6 to 10 in. long, cylindrical and somewhat
ailments, skin conditions, and stomach curved.
ailments. This plant originated in Africa. Its history
dates to ancient West African cereal
Religious/Magical farming, 5 to 6 thousand years ago, where
Orisha Worship it was closely associated with the
Correlating Odu: Oshe Iroso. cultivation of sorghum and pearl millet.
FRESCURA / ARTILLERLY PLANT USES

(Pilea microphylla)
Religious/Magical
Cuba - Frescura, lentejuela, mañanita, Belongs to Babalu Aye.
señorita, yerba del tejado For rituals and ceremonies, and offerings
Puerto Rico – Madreselva, Verdolaguilla, to the Orishas.
Yerba de Vidrio
U.S. - Artillery Weed, Nettle,Gale of wind
Description
A small, prostrate herb with very small
fleshy leaves and tiny greenish female
flowers and pinkish, somewhat larger male
flowers. Gets its name from the way that
the stamens shoot out pollen. The pollen
shoots out in a tiny cloud, as if fired from a
miniature cannon.
92
FRIJOL NEGRO / BLACK BEAN Description

(Phaseolus vulgaris) A short-lived, fast-growing, woody, large
herb to 10 or 12 feet in height. All parts
Other names: contain latex. The hollow green or deep
Brazil - Feijao purple trunk is straight and cylindrical with
Haiti - Pwa nouris prominent leaf scars. The leaves emerge
U.S. – Black turtle bean directly from the upper part of the stem in
a spiral on nearly horizontal petioles. The
Description five-petalled flowers are fleshy, waxy and
Plant with trifoliate compound leaves; slightly fragrant. The pear-shaped fruit
somewhat showy, flowers; produces generally weigh about 1 pound and have
elongate legumes (pods) that contain from yellow skin when ripe. The flesh is bright
three to a dozen or more usually kidney- orange or pinkish, with small black seeds
shaped seeds. clustered in the center.
USES USES
Orisha Worship Burns and scalds, constipation, corns,
Belongs to Babalu Aye. dyspepsia, intestinal parasites, jaundice
For ritual and ceremonies. nervous pains, piles, psoriasis, ringworm,
∗ Ritual cleansings sea nettle stings, syphilis tumors, warts.
∗ For offerings to the Orishas
Religious/Magical
FRIJOLILLO Orisha Worship
(Hebestigma cubense) Belongs to Oya, Inle.
Correlating Odu: Irete Kana, Obara Osa.
Other names: ∗ For purification rituals.
Cuba - Frijolillo, guamá piñón, piñón de
costa, juravaina. FRUTABOMBA MACHO
Description USES
Indigenous tree reaching up to 40 ft. in
height. Leaves green, glossy, lighter Medicinal
underneath. Flowers light pink, five petals. Intestinal parasites, menstrual pain.
USES FULMINANTE / WILD PETUNIA

(Ruellia germiniflora)
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Shango, Ogun Cuba - Fulminante, triquitraque, salta
For amulets perico.
FRUTA DE PAN: Arbol del pan. Description

Perennial herbaceous plant that can reach
FRUTABOMBA / PAPAYA 35 inches in height and have few
(Carica Papaya) branches. The leaf arrangement is
opposite. Each leaf is entire. The flowers
Other names: are lavender sometimes violet. Blooms
Arada – Yipe, Sanasse first appear in late spring and continue into
Argentina - Manón late summer.
Cuba – Papaya
Haiti - Papay
Jamaica - Pawpaw
Mexico - Melón Zapote
Puerto Rico - Lechosa
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USES
Religious/Magical
Rites of Palo
The seeds are used to prepare protection
amulets.
FUMARIA / FUMITORY
(Fumaria officialis)
Description
Small and slender herb, with weak,
straggling, or climbing stems,
decompounded leaves, and clusters or
spikes of small flowers of a pinkish hue,
topped with purple, or more rarely, white.
The leaves have no odor, but taste bitter
and saline. The plant flowers almost
throughout the summer in fields, gardens,
and on banks, and in ditches, spreading
with great rapidity.
USES
Medicinal
Eruptive diseases, leprosy, liver
obstructions, milk-crust.
94
G Description
An evergreen bush up to five feet in height
that produces dark green, oblong leaves
GALAN DE DIA / DAY JESSAMINE and a profusion of greenish flowers, which
(Cestrum diurum) open only at night, are intensely fragrant.
The flowers are followed by oblong white
Other names: berries.
Colombia - Sauco tintoreo
Cuba - Galán de día, jazmín de día. USES
Jamaica - Wild jasmine, ink-bush
Kongo - Montoo Medicinal
Lukumi – Orufin, otoiro Epilepsy, hysteria, nervousness, spasm.
Mexico - Juan de Noche
Dominican Republic – Rufiana Religious/Magical
U.S. - Day cestrum Orisha Worship
Venezuela - Dama de día Belongs to Obatala and Orunmila.
Correlating Odu: Obara Iroso.
An upright growing plant up to ten feet To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
high that produces numerous willowy ∗ For purification baths to attract good
branches, bright green, lanceolate leaves, fortune and prosperity.
and clusters of small fragrant, tubular, ∗ Planted outside the house for
white flowers, which are followed by protection
succulent, purple berries.
USES GAMBUTERA / ALEXANDER GRASS

(Brachiaria plantaginea)
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Obatala and Odudua. Brazil - Capim-marmelada, papuã
Cuba - Gambute, bambutera, gambustera.
∗ For purification cleansings of the
household to attract good fortune,
Description
heightening the energy within and
Annual weed with prostrate, creeping
promoting tranquility.
smooth stems, rooting at nodes. Leaf
blades usually smooth, flat and wide. Leaf
GALAN DE NOCHE/NIGHT BLOOMING sheath often with hairs on margin. Seed
CESTRUM head branches spreading like "signal
(Cestrum nocturnum) flags" with seed on underside. Found in
turf and disturbed habitats.
Other names:
Costa Rica - Zorrillo. USES
Cuba - Galán de noche, Fedora, Jazmín
de Noche Religious/Magical
Dominican Republic - Rufiana, jazmín de Orisha Worship
noche. Belongs to Elegba.
El Salvador - Palo hediondo. ∗ Placed inside the home for
Guatemala - Galán de noche, reina de la protection.
noche.
Haiti - Lilas de nuit, jasmin de nuit.
Kongo - Dondoko GANDUL / PIGEON PEA
Lukumi - Orufirin, Elube (Cajanus indicus)
Mexico - Huele de noche, hierba
hedionda, galán de tarde. Other names:
Philippines - Dama de noche Costa Rica – Frijolillo
Puerto Rico - Dama de noche. Cuba - Gandua
U.S. -Night cestrum. Haiti - Pwa Kongo
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Nicaragua - Garbanzo falso Religious/Magical

Panama - Frijol de palo Orisha Worship
Venezuela - Chicharros, quinconcho Belongs to Eshu.
To disturb the enemy,
Description
Perennial woody shrub, mostly grown as GENCIANA DE LA TIERRA / WHITE
an annual for the legume; stems strong, HEAD
woody, to 12 ft. tall, freely branching; root (Enicostema verticillatum)
system deep. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate;
flowers multi-colored with yellow Other names:
predominant, red, purple, orange occur in Cuba - Genciana de la Tierra, de Costa
streaks or fully cover the dorsal side of the Kongo - Lonlo
flag, Pods compressed, 2–9-seeded. Lukumi - Iyendere
Seeds separated from each other in the
pod by slight depressions. Description
Perennial herb. Sessile lanceolate leaves.
USES The white flowers are arranged in clusters.
The fruits are capsule, globose, one-celled
Medicinal: with many small, pale, ridged ovate seeds.
Bladder stones bronchitis, coughs,
eczema, gripe, and pneumonia. USES
Orisha worship Digestion problems, rheumatic pain.
For cleansings and healing rituals Religious/Magical
Offerings to the Orishas Orisha Worship
For rituals and ceremonies Belongs to Yemaya and Ogun.
GARDENIA: Jazmín del Cabo GENJIBRE / GINGER

(Zinginber officinale)
GATEADO / BREADNUT
(Brosimun alicastrum) Other names:
Brazil - Gengibre Açafroa
Other names: Haiti - Gingembre, Gengamb'
Cuba - Güaimaro, Ramon de Mejico. Lukumi – Ewe atale
Guatemala, Honduras - Maseco
Mexico - Ramon, Ojite, Capomo, Description
Juandiego, Apomo. A perennial root which creeps and
Nicaragua - Ochoche. increases underground, in tuberous joints;
in the spring it sends up from its roots a
Description green reed, like a stalk, 2 feet high, with
Erect tree reaching 90 ft. high and 24 narrow lanceolate leaves; these die down
inches in diameter. Exfoliating rough bark, annually. The flowering stalk rises directly
grayish/black. The dark green foliage is from the root, ending in an oblong scallop
dense, with ascendent branches. The spike; from each spike a white or yellow
leaves are simple, glossy dark green on bloom grows.
top, dull pale green underneath. The
flowers are globose; fruit yellow or orange USES
when ripe.
Medicinal
USES Arthritis, body aches, colds, colic,
congestion, diarrhea, dyspepsia,
Medicinal flatulence,
Asthma, bronchitis, chest ailments,
nervousness.
96
flu, headaches, morning sickness in Religious/Magical

pregnant women, motion sickness, Orisha Worship
respiratory ailments sore throats. Belongs to Oshun and Ogun.
Correlating Odu: Ika Otura, Oshe Iwori.
Orisha Worship ∗ Attracts good vibes and fortune.
Belongs to Ogun. ∗ To banish evil spirits.
Correlating Odu: Oshe Iroso.
The fruit infuriates Ogun. GRAJO / WHITE STOPPER
Offering to the Orishas. (Eugenia axillaris)
Rites of Palo
Works with the Nkisi. Other names:
Cuba - Grajo, guairaje, guairaje colorado
GERANIO / ROSE GERANIUM Dominican Republic - Escobón colorado,
(Pelargonium graveolens) escobón de vara, palo de hueso
El Salvador - Guayacan negro, escobo,
Other names: chamiso
Cuba - Geranio de olor. Jamaica - Black cherry, rodwood, brown
Lukumi – Pupayo leaf rodwood.
Mexico, Guatemala - Guayabillo
Description Puerto Rico - Grajo, murta
Sub shrub, up to 3 feet tall. Exotic U.S - Eugenia Stopper
cultivated plant known for the curly, lemon
scented leaves. Description
A native shrub or small tree. The leaves
USES are ovate, glossy. Numerous white flowers
Medicinal and black globose fruit. The plant emits a
Nervousness, ovarian problems. musky unpleasant odor.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango and Oya. Religious/Magical
Correlating Odu: Ika Otura. Orisha Worship
∗ For purification baths to attract good Belongs to Ogun
fortune. ∗ To ward off evil spirits.
GIRASOL/SUNFLOWER GRAMA / BERMUDA GRASS

(Helianthus annuns) (Cynodon dactylon)

Cuba – Mirasol Brazil – Capin de Cidade
Kongo – Yongoso, tango Colombia – Pasto Bermuda
Lukumi – Keuoro, orunnife, yenkemi Cuba – Grama, Yerba Bermuda, Yerba
del Prado, Yerba Fina
Description Kongo- Nfita
Annual growing to 10 feet tall. It is in Lukumi – Kotonembo, Ewe Eran
flower from July to September, and the Puerto Rico - Grama
seeds ripen from September to October.
Grows in open dry or moderately moist Description
soils. Evergreen perennial growing to 1 foot. It is
in leaf all year, in flower from August to
USES October, and the seeds ripen from
September to October. Plants are
Medicinal sometimes grown as a cover for warm
High fevers, insect bites, lung ailments, sunny banks and are sometimes used for
malaria, pulmonary complaints, sores, lawns.
swellings, rheumatic aches and pains.
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USES GRANADILLO / JAMAICAN RAIN TREE

(Brya ebenus)
Medicinal
Catarrhal ophthalmia, cuts, diarrhea, Other names:
dropsy, dysentery, epilepsy, hysteria, U.S. – Jamaican Ebony, West Indies
insanity, piles, syphilis, wounds. Ebony, Ironwood
Orisha Worship Native tree reaching 30 ft. high. The
Belongs to Elegba. leaves are tiny and evergreen. Yellow-
One of the five essential plants to make orange flowers along the branches on and
ritual omiero. off all year - especially after a rain.
Rites of Palo USES
Religious/Magical
GRANADA / PROMENADETE Orisha Worship
(Punica granatum) Belongs to Shango, Ogun.
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ika.
Other names:
Arada – Aguwo GRANADO AGRIO / POMEGRANATE
Cuba – Granado Enano (Punica granatum)
Haiti - Grenad
Lukumi – Oroko, Mayaku, yayeku-kansore Other names:
Mexico - Granada, granado Brazil - Romanzeiro
Haiti - Pomegranate, Grenadier
Description
A small tree growing to about 15 feet with Description
brownish bark, long, narrow, willow-like A small tree growing to 15 feet; brownish
leaves and bright scarlet flowers. The fruit bark; long, narrow, willow-like leaves;
is the size of an orange, with a harder bright scarlet flowers. The fruit is the size
peel, containing sweet juice and of an orange, with a harder peel,
numerous seeds embedded in pulp. containing sweet juice and numerous
seeds embedded in pulp.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Fevers, intestinal worms. diarrhea and Medicinal
chronic dysentery, sore throat, Bleedings, intestinal worms, whites.
leucorrhoea, intermittent fevers.
GRANGANA / HOOP VINE
Religious/Magical (Trichostigma octandra)
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oya and Shango. Other names:
Correlating Odu: Ofun Oshe. Cuba - Bejuco de canasta prieto,
Used to make ritual omiero. grángana, guaniqui, guaniquique.
Rites of Palo Description
Used to make Nkisi lango. A large, perennial, sprawling vine-like
∗ To banish evil spirits and negativity. bush found in calcareous soils. The stems
∗ For purification baths to attract good are
fortune and ward off from accidents,
calamity, hostility and negativity in
general.
∗ To ward off dark spirits and ensure a
good night's rest.
98
long, flexible, and pliable used in making USES

baskets Elliptical, glossy leaves; flowers
white in racemes. The fruit is black. Medicinal
Digestive ailments, enteritis, fever, wound.
USES
Religious/Magical
Asthma, dropsy, wound. Belongs to Oshun.
Correlating Odu: Ika Oshe.
GREGUE: Grenguere
GUABAN: Cabo de Hacha
GRENGUERE / JEW'S MALLOW
(Corchorus olitorius) GUABICO
(Xilopia Glabra)
Other names:
Cuba - Gregue, Yute Other names:
U.S. – Jutes, Bush okra Cuba -Malagueta, pico de gallo, pino de
monte.
Description
An erect woody herb, usually 5 ft. high. Description
Leaves are short stalked, ovate to elliptic, Tree with twisted branches, smooth gray
margin serrated. Leaf blade usually with bark; leaves glossy, ovate, alternate, pale
basal protrusions. Flowers are yellow and green on top, lighter green at the bottom;
the fruits are short-stalked, cylindrical single flowers, six petals, the longer ones
capsule that splits into 5 parts. Seeds are brown, and the rest triangular in
grayish black, angled. shape.
USES USES
Aches and pains, cystitis, dysentery, Orisha Worship
enteritis, fever, gonorrhea, pectoral pains, Belongs to Elegba.
tumors. Correlating Odu: Ika Ofun.
∗ To sidetrack someone following you.
Religious/Magical ∗ For amulets.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Yemaya, Oshun, Shango, and GUACALOTE / GRAY NICKERS
Elegba. (Caesalpinia crista)
For food offerings to the Orishas
Other names:
GROSELLA / GOOSEBERRY TREE Cuba – Mate gris, quita maldicion
(Phyllanthus acidus) Panama - Calentura
U.S. – Fever nut, Wait-a-bit, Bonduc nut,
Other names: Nickernut, Sea nut
Cuba - Manzana lora.
Mexico – Ciruela cortada, Manzana Description
Estrella A woody climber with pinnately compound
Nicaragua – Grosella leaves and yellow flowers in terminal
racemes. The stems and leaves, bearing
Description recurved spines. The pods are 2-4
Tree reaching 40 ft. high. Wood is white, seeded, short, inflated and covered with
fairly hard. Leaves ovate, flowers in prickles. The seeds are nearly round,
panicles. Produces numerous acrid fruits. glossy gray.
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USES
GUACAMAYA COLORADA/ RED
Medicinal DWARF POINCIANA
Acne, asthma, colic, congestion,
convulsions, depurative, diarrhea, dropsy, Description
fever, gonorrhea, leprosy, malaria, A red variety of the Guacamaya plant
neuroses, palsy, snakebite.
USES
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Shango. Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Iroso Meji, Oshe Iroso, Belongs to Shango, Oshun.
Otura Iwori, Oshe Iroso. Correlating Odu: Otura Osa, Irete Ogunda.
For divination (Ibo). Used to make ritual omiero.
∗ For amulets to attract good fortune. Stronger than the yellow variety.
GUACAMAYA AMARILLA / YELLOW GUACAMAYA DE COSTA: Campeche

DWARF POINCIANA
(Poinciana pulcherrima)
GUACAMAYA FRANCESA/CANDLE
BUSH
Other names:
(Cassia alata)
Colombia- Guacamaya, clavelina, flor de
angel, florito, flor de pavo.
Other names:
Costa Rica - Clavelina, Hoja de sen.
Colombia - Bajagua, lucutema, mucuteno,
Cuba - Guacamaya amarilla, clavelina.
majagüillo.
Dominican Republic - Carzazo
Cuba- Guacamaya francesa,
El Salvador - Flor barbona.
guacamayón, yerba de los herpes o de los
Guatemala - Hierba de espanto, espanta
empeines.
lobos, gallito, Santa Rosa, flor de chapa.
Dominican Republic - Guajavo
Mexico - Flor del camarón, flor de
Guatemala, Honduras – Barajo
guacamaya
Haiti - Zèb-à-dartres, Kas-piyant', Kas-
Nicaragua - Guacamaya, guacamayo
Ailé, Cassia Alata
Philippines - Carzazo
Jamaica - Ringworm shrub
U.S. - Barbados flower, Barbados-pride,
Mexico - Flor del secreto, Taratana
flowerfence, bird-of paradise flower
Nicaragua - Soroncontil
Panama - Laureño
Description
Philippines - Capulco
Shrub that grows to a height of 10 to 15
Puerto Rico - Talantola, talantro
feet. The branches are prickly and the
U.S. – Candlestick senna, wild senna
leaves are large and doubly compound
with many small leaflets. The flower is
Description
fiery red and yellow "sunset color", has
Shrub growing up to 12 ft. high; erect
five petals with a yellow margin in a
yellow spikes resembling fat candles
pyramidal inflorescence.
before individual blossoms open. The
leaves are large, bilateral. The fruit is a
USES
pod; seeds small and square. Found in
secondary vegetation and along
Medicinal
riverbanks.
Inflammation, liver ailments, rheumatic
aches and pains.
USES
Religious/Magical
Medicinal
Orisha Worship
Acne, eczema, herpes, ringworm, skin
Belongs to Oshun.
infections, snake bites, uterus disorders,
Correlating Odu: Otura Osa, Irete Ogunda.
venereal diseases.
100
Belongs to Oshun. Belongs to Ogun and Osayin.
Used to make ritual omiero. Rites of Palo
GUACAMARI: Camagua ∗ To counteract ingested witchcraft.
GUACAMAYO / CARICATURE PLANT

(Graptophyllum pictum) GUAGUASI
(Zuelania guidonia)
Other names:
Cuba- Justicia, papagallo. Description
Tree of calcareous soils and coastal areas
Description reaching 40 ft. high. White-gray bark, trunk
Evergreen shrub reaching up to 6 feet tall. erect and cylindrical; branches long, at
The leaves are simple, coarse; purple, tan, right angles to trunk. Leaves slender,
greenish. It presents showy red flowers pubescent underneath. Flowers green;
that appear during the summer. fruits dark green. Abundant yellow,
transparent sap.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Earache, constipation, sore, swelling, Medicinal
wound. Body toxins, fever, intestinal ailments,
itches, rheumatism, skin ulcers, syphilis.
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Odua. Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Obara Ojuani. Belongs to Babalu Aye.
Correlating Odu: Osa Trupo.
GUACO / CLIMBING HEMPWEED
(Mikania cordifolia) GUAIMARO / RAMOON
(Trophis racemosa)
Other names:
Brazil - Cipó-Cabeludo, Hierba de Cobra Other names:
Haiti - Lyan'n Koulèv, Lyan'n serpent, Cuba - Palo Ramón, Ramón de bestia y
Lyan'n Françoise Ramón de caballos, balsamo.
Mexico – Cimarron Dominican Republic - Ramón, Ramon de
Puerto Rico – Bejuco de Aradores vaca, Ramon de bestia.
El Salvador - Ojushte, chulujuste, pilijuste
Description Guatemala - Ramon colorado
Herbaceous vine often blanketing nearby Haiti - Ramon, bois neuf rameau
vegetation. Slender cylindrical stems; Jamaica - Ramoon
leaves simple, opposite, ovate, acumeate, Kongo – Cuaribao, nkento, nkitan kitan
bright green on top, pale green Mexico - Ramon, ramoncillo, ushi
underneath; flowers small, white. Panama - Ojoche macho, breadnut
Puerto Rico - Ramoncillo, Ramon.
USES Venezuela - Marfil.
Asthma, cholera, Fever, Flu, Malaria, Native tree reaching up to 50 ft. high. The
Rheumatism, scorpion bites, sore, spasm, leaves are elliptical. Produces small edible
stomach ailments, syphilis, tetanus, tumor. orange fruits, with a large seed inside.
101
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Orisha Worship
Medicinal Belongs to Elegba
Slow milk production in nursing mothers.
GUAJEN / PUFFBALL
Religious/Magical (Lycoperdon gemattum)
Orisha Worship
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. Other names:
Rites of Palo U.S.- Smoke ball
To dominate spirits Description
Fungus in which the aboveground portion
GUAIRAJE / SPANISH STOPPER is typically a stem less brownish sac with
(Eugenia buxifolia) an opening at the top through which
issues the dust like mass of ripe spores.
Description
Native shrub up to 10 ft. high. The wood is USES
hard, similar to the guava tree, found in all
types of soils, especially in rocky soils Medicinal
near the coast. Wounds.
USES GUAMA / LANCEPOD

(Lonchocarpus domingensis)
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Elegba and Yemaya. Cuba – Guamá de soga, guamá de
Correlating Odu: Ika Ofun. majagua.
Dominican Republic - Anoncillo, anoncillo
GUAJACA / SPANISH MOSS de majagua, anon de río
(Dendropogon usneoides) Haiti - Bois caiman, Battre-à-Caïman.
Puerto Rico - Geno-geno
Other names:
Brazil – Barba de Velho, Samambaia do Description
Norte Evergreen tree found in low, wet areas
Colombia – Barbas de Viejo, Melenas such as riverbanks, streams, ponds, and
Cuba - Guajaca, barba española, swamps. Reaches up to 45 feet with
guajaquilla. extended branches. The bark is brown
Haiti - Bab-pan'yol, Barba de Ucar with white specks. The leaves are green,
Puerto Rico – Barbas de viejo pinnate, compound. In bloom during the
U.S. – Graybeard, Old man's beard summer, pink/violet flowers.
Description USES
Perennial, rootless epiphyte that hangs
over trees; stems slender, branching, Medicinal
leafy, hanging, often to 20 feet or more, Urinary track problems.
hoary-gray; leaves scattered, very
narrowly linear, to 2 inches long; flowers Religious/Magical
small, pale green or blue, solitary in axils Orisha Worship
of leaves. Belongs to Oshosi.
Correlating Odu: Okana Otura, Iwori
USES Okana, Irete Untelu, Irete Ogunda, Irete
Otura.
Medicinal Used to make ritual omiero.
Gum or tongue wounds, hemorrhoids.
102
Rites of Palo
Works with the Nkisi. GUANABANA / SOURSOP
∗ In amulets to overcome legal issues. (Annona muricata)
GUAMA DE COSTA / LANCEPOD Other names:

(Lonchocarpus latifolious) Brazil - Graviola
Haiti - Kowosol
Other names: Lukumi – Iggi Omo Fun fun, gwanillo,
Cuba - Guamá de costa, Guamá macho, nichularafun
Frijolillo amarillo. U.S. - Prickly custard apple, durian
Evergreen tree found in low, wet areas A small tree, reaching 20 feet high; the
such as riverbanks, streams, ponds, and leaves are leathery, very dark and shiny
swamps. Reaches up to 45 feet with green. They have a pungent odor when
extended branches. The bark is brown crushed. The fruit is oblong or somewhat
with white specks. The leaves are green, curved with a length of 13 inch and a
pinnate, compound. In bloom during the weight of up to 6 pound.
summer, pink/violet flowers.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Medicinal Arthritis pain, Catarrh, chills, colds,
Acne, rashes. diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia,
fever, flu, gallbladder attacks,
Religious/Magical hypertension, insomnia, internal and
Orisha Worship external parasites and worms, kidneys,
Belongs to Yemaya, Oshun, and Ogun. liver ailments, nervousness, neuralgia,
palpitations, rheumatism, ringworm, sores
GUAMA HEDIONDO HEMBRA and internal ulcers.
(Lonchocarpus Blainii)
Religious/Magical
Cuba - Guamá hediondo, Guamacito Belongs to Obatala, Ibeji.
Description
Shrub common in low areas and rocky GUANABANA CIMARRONA: Bagá
soils.
GUANABANILLA
USES (Ouratea cubensis)

Orisha Worship Cuba - Orilla de arroyo.
Belongs to Yemaya.
Description
GUAMAO/ GUAMARO Common shrub with leaves similar to the
(Lonchocarpus oligosperma) sour sop plant.
Description
Indigenous tree propagated by seeds in
mountainous and coastal areas. It is in
flower during April. The roots are lateral.
USES
Medicinal
Backaches, kidney stones.
103
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES USES
Cardiac conditions, lack of appetite. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango.
Religious/Magical Correlating Odu: Obara Oshe.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala. GUANO PRIETO/ GUANO PALM
(Copernicia wrightii)
GUANINA / CASSIA
(Cassia tora) Other names:
Cuba - Guanito.
Other names: Lukumi – Mariwo Dun
Costa Rica - Dormilon
Cuba - Hierba guanina Description
Guatemala – Ejotil Small plant, common in savannas and
Mexico – Biche memiso sandy soils, forming numerous colonies.
Puerto Rico – Dormidera, Hediondilla The trunk is slender, covered by the base
of the fallen leaves.
Description
USES
Small annual that grows in dry soils. The
leaves close at night; the flower has five Religious/Magical
petals, yellow. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango.
USES
Medicinal GUAO
Eruptions, eye pain, congestion, itchiness, (Comocladia dentata)
redness, or sensitivity to light when
Other names:
caused by wind-heat conditions, fever,
Cuba - Guao de costa, Guao de sabana,
gout, inflammations, joint pains, ringworm,
Guao hediondo, Guao Real
sciatica, skin diseases, skin itch, ulcers.
Haiti – Bouziyèt
Orisha Worship Shrub found in savannas, coastal and arid
Correlating Odu: Otura Iroso. soil areas. Its latex is very caustic,
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. producing serious burns to the skin. The
Used to make ritual omiero. leaves are ovate, dark green.
GUANO BLANCO / COPERNICIA USES

(Copernicia glabrescens)
Medicinal
Other names: Warts.
Cuba (Pinar del Río) - Guano blanco
Kongo – Tolliyeke, molonse Religious/Magical
Lukumi – Mariwo Fun It has a destructive nature.
Description GUARA
Palm that has a short, weakly suckering (Cupania cubensis)
and relatively slender trunk, covered in old
leaf bases, and a spreading crown of stiff, Other names:
circular fan leaves, light green above and Cuba - Guará amarilla, Guarana, Guarana
waxy gray below. Common in savannas. Hembra
104
Description GUASIMA / WEST INDIAN ELM

Common tree or shrub found in (Guazuma tomentosa)
calcareous soils with glabrous, cylindrical
stems. The leaves are alternate, Other names:
composite, pale green and the young Colombia – Guasimo colorado
shoots are red. The flowers are whitish Cuba - Guásima común, guásima de
color. The wood is also white. caballo.
Guatemala - Carlote
USES Haiti - Bwa Dòm
Mexico – Aquiche, Cuaulote, Majahua de
Medicinal Toro
Bladder and intestinal catarrh, hysteria, Nicaragua - Cuacimillo
liver ailments, nervousness, swelling. Puerto Rico – Guacima
Venezuela – Guasimo macho
Religious/Magical U.S. – Bastard Cedar
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oya. Description
Rites of Palo A medium indigenous tree growing to 60
One of the Nkisi's most essential ft. in height. The leaves are oblong; small
elements. white to light yellowish flowers. It produces
∗ For cleansings of persons and the an edible fruit that is covered with rough
household. barbs.
GUARACABUYA / DIVIDIVI USES

(Caesalpinia coriaria)
Medicinal
Other names: Asthma, bronchitis, bruises, childbirth,
Colombia - Libidibi, baranó, baranoa dermatitis, diarrhea, dysentery,
Costa Rica - Nacascol elephantiasis, erysipelas, fever, hepatitis,
Cuba - Dibidibi, guatapaná kidney disease, leprosy, liver problems,
Dominican Republic -Dividivi, guastapaná malaria, nephritis, pneumonia, rashes,
El Salvador - Tinaco skin infections, skin sores, and syphilis.
Guatemala - Nacascolote
Haiti - Dividivi Religious/Magical
Jamaica - Libidibi, dividivi Orisha Worship
Mexico - Cascalote Belongs Elegba, Yemaya and Oshun.
Nicaragua - Nacasolo Correlating Odu: Odi Irete
Panama - Agallo Rites of Palo
Puerto Rico - Dividive, guatapaná Works with the Nkisi.
Venezuela - Guatapán, guatapanare For healing rituals.
Description GUASIMILLA
A tree that grows to approximately 30 feet (Prockia crucis)
tall. The trunk and branches are gnarled,
with gray bark. Leaves alternate; leaflets Other names:
numerous, regularly nearly touching to Colombia - Huesito
overlapping; flowers are small, in terminal Cuba - Guasimilla de costa.
clusters, white or yellow, pea-like, Ecuador - Sacha capuli
inconspicuous, very fragrant. Fruit are El Salvador - Cacho de novillo
small curved, dished, or twisted flat pod Puerto Rico - Guasimilla
with rounded ends.
Description
USES Shrub found near coastal areas, slender
branches and widely ovate leaves;
Medicinal scented
Colic, diarrhea, gangrene, heart, pile.
105
Dalia Quiros-Moran
flowers, pale green. The fruit is green, red USES

when matured.
Medicinal
USES Dry skin, hand cramps.
Nervousness. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun, Elegba, and Shango.
GUAYABA / GUAVA
(Psidium guajaba) GUAYACAN / LIGNUM-VITAE
(Gaiacum officinale)
Other names:
Cuba - Guayabo Other names:
Haiti - Goyav, Gouyav, Grivav Cuba - Guayacán negro, palo santo.
Lukumi - Ke-en-ku Haiti - Gayak, Jasmin d'Afrique, Bois
Mexico – Guayabo, Guayaba perulera, Santi- Gayac
Guayaba de Venado
Nicaragua – Guayaba de gusano Description
Low tree that may reach a height of 25
Description feet. It has smooth light gray bark, which is
Small tree that grows up to 35 feet in splotched with green patches. The flowers
height; spreading branches. The leathery are one-half inch long, blue or white in
leaves are opposite oblong-elliptic and color; they bloom in March and April.
have pronounced veins. When crushed
they are aromatic. The flowers are white USES
and somewhat fragrant. The fruit has a
distinctive fresh aroma with a sweet musk Medicinal
odor. Blood toxins, rheumatism, and syphilis.
Orisha Worship
Medicinal Correlating Odu: Otrupon Ika.
Diarrhea, dysentery, menstrual irregularity, To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
stomach upset. Rites of Palo
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship GUAYACANCILLO: Camarón
Belongs to Elegba, Ibeji.
GUAYARU / FLORIDA ARROWROOT
Rites of Palo
(Zamia Angustifolia)
Other names:
Cuba - Yuquilla de ratón.
U.S. - Coontie
GUAYABILLO / BRAZILIAN RAIN TREE
(Pithecellobium tortum) Description
Plant with subterranean and tuberous
Other names: stem; serrated leaves. Seed cones dark
Cuba - Humo gray or dark brown to black.
Description
Tree with leaves, fruit and bark similar to
the guava tree. It has thorns and delicate
mimosa-like compound leaves and hard
wood, golden yellow.
106
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical Belongs to Ogun, Elegba.
Orisha Worship Correlating Odu: Iwori Ogunda.
Belongs to Oshosi To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
Other GÜIN: Caña Brava

Disinfectant.
GÜIRA / CALABASH TREE
GUIQUI: Arbol de la Vida (Crescentia cujete)
GUIZACILLO: Aretillo
Other names:
GUIZAZO DE BARACOA / COMMON Colombia - Mate, Totumo
COCKLEBUR Costa Rica - Calabacero, guacal
(Xanthium chinense) Cuba- Güira cimarrona
Ecuador - Mate
Other names: El Salvador - Jícaro, cutuco, jícaro de
Cuba - Guizazo de mabujabo. cuchara, jícaro de guacal, güira
U.S. – Burr weed, clutbur cimarrona, huacal
Guatemala -Morro, morro guacalero
Description Haiti - Kalbas
Coarse weed found near barnyards and Mexico - Jícaro, jícara, güiro, cujete
other rich soils, stem erect, stout, Nicaragua - Jícaro
brandling, and rough, from one to two feet Panama - Calabazo, palo de calabaza,
high. Blooms in late summer/fall; greenish calabaza.
yellow grapelike clusters.
Description
USES Dense, round-headed evergreen tree that
grows to 40 feet high. The flowers are
Medicinal yellow and green with red or purple veins,
Colic, hysteria, measles, nervousness, cup-shaped, and appear to emerge
painful menstruation, restlessness. directly from the branches. These are
followed by large, round fruit, with a
Religious Magical smooth, hard shell, which hang directly
Orisha Worship beneath the branches.
Belongs to Ogun, Elegba.
USES
GUIZAZO DE CABALLO / COCKELBUR
(Xanthium chinense) Medicinal
Cold, chest ailments, tumor, ulcers.
Other names:
Cuba - Guizazo de mabujabo, lampurda. Religious/Magical
Puerto Rico – Bardana Orisha Worship
U.S. – Burdock, Burweed Belongs to Elegba.
Correlating Odu: Obara Irete, Otrupon
Description Ogunda, Ojuani Obara.
Coarse weed found near barnyards and To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
other rich soils, stem erect, stout, For rituals and ceremonies.
brandling, and rough, from one to two feet Used as receptacles and to make
high. Blooms in late summer/fall; greenish maracas.
yellow grapelike clusters.
USES
Medicinal
Herpes, intestinal worms, jaundice, kidney
ailments, ulcers.
107
Dalia Quiros-Moran
GÜIRA CIMARRONA
(Casasia calophylla)
Other names:
Cuba (Oriente) - Cocuyo.
Description
Shrubs to medium-sized trees; leaves
opposite, ovate, fruit a berry resembling
small calabashes.
USES
Medicinal
Bladder, liver and kidney ailments,
gangrene.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Osayin, Elegba.
Correlating Odu: Odi Iroso.
108
H HELECHO / COMMON FERN

(Polipocium vulgare)
HABA: Aba Description

HABILLA: Salvadera. All indigenous and cultivated plants that
HATILLO: Caobilla de Sabana. have thick, tough leaves up to about 8
inches long (often much smaller) and grow
HEDIONDA / SICKLEPOD in a variety of habitats: on trees in
(Cassia occidentalis) woodland, on sand dunes, earth banks,
rock outcrops.
Other names:
Colombia - Hierba de la potra, hierba de USES
gallinazo, altera, furrusca, comida de
murcielago, Religious/Magical
chilinchile, busca. Orisha Worship
Costa Rica - Pico de pajaro Correlating Odu: Osa Odi.
Cuba - Hedionda, Hierba hedionda, Used to make ritual omiero.
martinica, brusca
El Salvador – Frijolillo HELECHO ARBOL: Camarón.
Haiti - Pois-puant, Zépiant, Herbe puante,
Balambala HELECHO DE RIO / ROYAL FERN
Lukumi – Arajara, Ewe Tomode (Osmunda regalis)
Mexico - Hediondillo, mezquitillo
Nicaragua -Frijolillo, pico de pájaro Other names:
Panama - Frijolillo Cuba - Helecho acuático.
Venezuela – Brusca Kongo – Vititilango, nfita masa
Lukumi – Imoshun, Imo, iti ibu
Description U.S. - Flowering fern
Branched annual herb or under-shrub;
leaves alternate, flowers yellow; fruit Description
flattened. Bloom July through August. Fruit A large and dramatic fern that grows from
September through October. Frequently a stout rhizome, which creeps along the
occurs in plains rarely in uplands and in ground, then ascends like a stump to give
hilly areas. rise to a crown like tussock of light green
leaves. The rootstock, with its mass of
USES wiry black fibers, can be as much as 12"
above the soil line.
Medicinal
Abscesses, anemia, asthma, bronchitis, USES
colic, constipation in babies, dropsy,
earache, fever, general weakness, Medicinal
gonorrhea, inflammation, intestinal worms, Swelling, tumor, wound.
liver complaints, pain, parasitic skin
Religious/Magical:
diseases, rheumatism, ring worm, skin
Orisha Worship
fungi, tuberculosis, urinary track disorders,
Belongs to Oshun and Osanyin.
uterine pain, yellow fever.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship HELENIO / ELECAMPANE
Belongs to Shango and Elegba. (Inula helenium)
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Iwori, Osa Irete
and Okana Otura. Other names:
Used to make ritual omiero. Cuba - Inula
109
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Description USES
A coarse growing perennial herb,
cultivated for the roots. The erect stem Religious/Magical
grows from 4 to 5 feet high, is very stout Orisha Worship
and deeply furrowed, and near the top, Belongs to Obatala and Babalu Aye.
branched. The whole plant is downy. For rituals and ceremonies.
Leaves are up to a foot long, elliptic-
oblong and hairy. The plant is in bloom Other
from June to August. The flowers are To make burlap, fabric used for Babalu
bright yellow, in very large, terminal Aye rituals.
heads, on long stalks, resembling a
double sunflower. HENO/VELVET GRASS
(Holcus Lanatus)
USES
Other names:
Medicinal Cuba- Heno Blanco
Asthma, cough, lung ailments, skin. U.S. – Yorkshire Fog
Description
HELIOTROPO / HELIOTROPE
Grass that grows wild, 18 to 24 inches
(Heliotropium peruvianum)
high. and has soft, downy green leaves In
the summer, spikes of tiny purplish-white
Other names:
flowers are produced.
U.S. – Cherry pie
USES
Description
A perennial plant that has a strong Medicinal
fragrance like vanilla. It has vibrant purple, To remove thorns from the skin.
violet, or white flowers that bloom during
the summer, and some strains have flower Religious/Magical
clusters as large as 1 foot in diameter. The Orisha Worship
plant grows 1-2 feet tall. To attract love.
USES HEPATICA / ROUND LOBE HEPATICA

(Hepatica nobilis)
Medicinal
Calluses, Fever, malaria, nausea, warts, Other names:
wound. U.S. - Round-leaved Hepatica. Noble
Liverwort. Liver leaf. Liver weed. Trefoil.
HENEQUEN Herb Trinity.
(Agave fourcroydes) Kidneywort.

Lukumi - Kunweko Perennial plant that grows at the shade of
deciduous tree forests. The leaves are
Description broad kidney or heart shaped, about 2
Cacti like plant with stout stems that grow inches long and broad, with three broad,
up to four feet tall and are topped with a angular lobes, leathery, smooth and dark
rosette of leaves that are four to six feet green above, almost evergreen, placed on
long and almost four inches wide. The long, slender foot-stalks growing direct
plant has leaves with large spines and a from the root. In the wild state the flowers
needle-like point at the tip of each leaf. are generally blue, more rarely rose or
white, but in cultivation many other tints
are to be found.
110
USES ∗ For purification baths to attract good

fortune and prosperity.
Medicinal
Chest ailments, cough, indigestion, liver HIERBA DE LA NIÑA: Yerba de la Niña
disorders, liver related pains and aches. HIERBA DE LA VIEJA: Yerba de la Vieja
HIERBA DE LIMON: Yerba de Limon
HIEDRA: Yedra HIERBA DE SAN MARTIN: Yerba de
San Martin
HIERBA BRUJA / PARA GRASS HIERBA DIEZ DEL DIA: Yerba diez del
(Panicum purpurascens) día
Other names: HIERBA FINA / BERMUDA GRASS

Cuba -Paral, Parana, Hierba del paral. (Cynodon dactylon)
U.S. - California grass, buffalo grass,
Mauritius grass, signal grass Other names:
U.S. - Wiregrass, couch grass, and devil
Description grass
Perennial grass, rather coarse, with well
developed root; densely hairy nodes, hairy Description
sheaths; spikelets elliptic, sometimes A long-lived perennial that propagates by
purplish rachis more or less flat, runners, underground rootstocks and
herbaceous, ribbon-like. seed. Runners may reach many feet in
length. The flowering branches reach only
USES 6 to 12 inches high. The leaves are up to
4 inches long, flat, and somewhat hairy at
Religious/Magical the base.
Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Obara Okana, Irete USES
Iroso.
Used to pack amulets. Medicinal
Calculus, cancer, convulsions, cough,
HIERBA BUENA / WILD MINT cramps, cystitis, diarrhea, dropsy,
(Mentha sativa) dysentery, epilepsy, headache,
hemorrhage, hypertension, hysteria,
Other names: insanity, kidneys, measles, rubella,
Lukumi – Ewe Efirin snakebite, sores, stones, tumors,
urogenital disorders, warts, and wounds.
Description
A rather coarse perennial 1 to 1 1/2 feet Religious/Magical
high; leaves conspicuously stalked, oval- Orisha Worship
rounded or wedge-shaped at the base, Belongs to Elegba.
more or less hairy on both sides; flowers One of the five essential plants to make
in whorls. ritual omiero.
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Otura.
USES Rites of Palo
Medicinal
Colds, diarrhea, headache, insomnia, skin HIERBA GARRO: Yerba de Garro
ulcers, stomach upset, vomiting. HIERBA JURABANA: Yerba Jurabana
HIERBA LECHERA: Yerba Lechosa
Religious/Magical HIERBA LUISA: Yerba Luisa
Orisha Worship HIERBA MARAVEDI: Yerba Maravedi
Belongs to Yemaya HIERBA MORA: Yerba Mora
Correlating Odu: Osa Iroso. HIERBA MULATA: Yerba Mulata
Rites of Palo
111
Dalia Quiros-Moran
HIGUERA / COMMON FIG

(Ficus carica) HIGUERON / GRAMALERIA
(Ficus dolearia)
Other names:
Lukumi – Poto, popo, opopo Other names:
Brazil - Figueira branca
Description
A bush or small tree, rarely more than 18 Description
to 20 feet high, with broad, rough, Tree native from Brazil often used for
deciduous, deeply-lobed leaves in the wood and its medicinal properties.
cultivated varieties, though in wild forms
the leaves are often almost entire. USES
USES Medicinal
Intestinal parasites.
Medicinal
Catarrhal affections of the nose and
HINO / MALE FERN
throat, chest ailments, dental abscesses,
(Dryopteris tetragona)
furuncle, gumboils, tumor.
Description
Religious/Magical:
Perennial fern of slender, spreading,
Orisha Worship
blackish rhizomes with brown, fibrous
Belongs to Osanyin.
scales; stalks usually single, but often in
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Ejionle, Irete
masses, erect.
Ojuani, and Ojuani Irete.
USES
HIGUERETA / CASTOR BEAN
(Ricinus communis) Medicinal
Intestinal worms, rheumatism
Other names:
Cuba- Palmachristi Religious/Magical
Haiti - Maskriti, Maskreti Orisha Worship
Mexico – Higuerilla, Higuera Infernal Belongs to Oshun, Inle.
Description
HINOJO / FENNEL
Erect shrub or small tree; grows up to 20
(Foeniculum vulgare)
feet high. The stem, stalks and leaves are
reddish to purple. Palmate leaves with
Other names:
uneven serrated edge are also red or
Brazil - Erva doce
colored and often have a blue-gray bloom.
Lukumi - Koriko
It is grown as an ornamental in gardens,
sometimes as a houseplant. It also grows
Description
as a common weed. The seeds are in a
An evergreen perennial reaching up to 6
seedpod that explodes when is ripen.
feet high. It has a thick, perennial root-
stock, stout stems, 4 to 5 feet or more in
USES
height, erect and cylindrical, bright green
and so smooth as to seem polished, It is in
Medicinal
leaf all year, in flower from August to
Abscesses, bruises, contusions, dropsy,
October, and the seeds ripen from
headache, rheumatism, ringworms,
September to October. Scented, bright,
sunburn, warts.
golden flowers. Found most often in dry
calcareous soils near the coast.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala and Odudua
Correlating Odu: Iwori Ogunda.
∗ For amulets to attract good fortune
112
Orisha Worship
Medicinal Belongs to Oshun and Ibeji.
Abdominal distension, conjunctivitis,
cystitis, indigestion, kidney stones, sore HOJA PLATEADA
eyes, sore throats, stomach pains, urinary (Psychotria horizontalis)
disorders.
Other names:
Religious/Magical Cuba (Camagüey)- Dagame cimarron.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala Description
Rites of Palo Native shrub. The leaves are thick,
For funeral rites and ceremonies. glabrous, semi- leathery, deep green;
To banish witchcraft, evil spirits and flowers white; fruit dark orange, red when
negativity. mature.
Other USES
Insect repellent
Dog fleas Medicinal
Bruises, contusions, wounds.
HISOPO / HYSSOP
(Hyssopus officinalis) HUEVO DE GALLO / MILKY TREE
(Tabernaemontana citrifolia)
Description
A perennial evergreen, 1 to 1.5 feet high, Other names:
with a woody stem-base, from which, Colombia - Guacharaco, cojón de cabrito,
herbaceous shoots bearing flowers grow turma de perro
each year. Tops rise from the perennial Cuba - Huevo de gallo, lechoso, pegojo
root-crown each season. The leaves are Dominican Republic – Palo de leche
entire, up to 3 inches lineal, long and Mexico - Cojón de gato, lecherillo, palo de
slender. The whole plant has a pungent, San Diego
bitter taste. Nicaragua - Cachito
Puerto Rico – Huevo de Gallo
USES U.S. – Milkwood
Bronchitis, coughs in children, flatulence, Very brittle shrub; leaves long, wavy at the
herpes, respiratory infections, lung edges, pointed, glossy bluish green, pale
ailments, sore throats, stomachaches, underneath. The fruit has multiple seeds.
upper respiratory tract infections, wounds. Found in arid and rocky areas.
For purification baths and cleansing of
persons and objects. Medicinal
Fever, hemorrhage, herpes, impotence,
HOJA MENUDA wart.
(Pithecellobium berterianum)
Religious/Magical
Evergreen tree growing in coastal areas Belongs to Elegba and Osanyin.
up to 40 ft. Its wood is fibrous, flexible and Correlating Odu: Okana Ogunda.
very resistant; color dark purple.
USES
Medicinal
Infantile colic.
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HUESO / PURIO
(Ampelocera pubescens)
Other names:
Haiti - Bois-Blanc, Bwa Blan grandes
feuilles
Description
Tree reaching up to 30 ft, with strong
vegetative aromas. The leaves are ovate;
white flowers; fruit is green.
USES
Rites of Palo
HUESO DE COSTA: Camarón.
HUMO / SILK TREE

(Pithecellobium obovale)
Other names:
Cuba- Abey blanco, encinillo, Moruro
Blanco
Haiti - Guannegoule
Kongo - Chona
Lukumi – Eyereyo
U.S. Monkey's Earring
Description
Perennial tree reaching up to 30 ft. high;
grows among pine woods and sandy soils.
The flowers are produced in short
racemes white; bluish, elliptical seed.
USES
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala and Odudua
∗ For love binding spells
HUMO DE SABANA: Palo cenizo.
114
I portions, is covered with a whitish, silky

pubescence, giving to it a beautiful silver-
gray color. The odor is strongly aromatic,
ICACO / COCO PLUM being intensified when the herb is bruised;
(Chrusobalanus icaco) and to the taste the plant is intensely
bitter, with a persistently bitter aftertaste.
Other names:
Bahamas - Pork-fat apple, white plum USES
Brazil - Ajurú, icaco, guajurú
Cuba - Hicaco, icaco, icaco de costa, Medicinal
icaco dulce This plant should not be prescribed for
El Salvador - Icaco rosado, icaco negro pregnant women.
Haiti – Zicaque, Pom Zikak, Prune Digestive complaints, fevers, intestinal
Zicaque, Prune Coton, Gros Zicaque, worms, liver ailments, uterus, menstrual
Zicaque blanc complaints, spasm, wounds.
Kongo – Mungaoka
Lukumi - Kinseke Religious/Magical
Puerto Rico - Hicaco, icaco, jicaco Orisha Worship
U.S. - Icaco coco-plum, Belongs to Babalu Aye, Obatala.
∗ Burned with incense to banish
Description negativity.
Indigenous spreading shrub or small tree
up to 10 ft. tall with leathery, dark-green, Other
roundish to obovate leaves. The small Insect repellent.
white flowers are produced in racemes. To remove cooking odors from the
The mature fruits are 1 to 2 inches in household.
length and ovoid or globular. The thin skin In potpourris.
of the fruit varies from pinkish white, to Hair tonic or conditioner
red, to purplish black. The white, cottony
pulp adheres to the single large ridged
INCIENSO AFRICANO: Palo café.
seed and is somewhat insipid in taste.
USES INCIENCIO DE GUINEA/INCENSE TREE

(Icica guaianensis)
Medicinal
Colds, dysentery, ulcers. USES
Belongs to Ibeji. Belongs to Oshosi.
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Ogbe Correlating Odu: Iwori Oshe
Palo Rites ∗ For amulets to evade the police.
INCIENSO DE PLAYA / SEA LAVENDER
INCIENSO / SOUTHERNWOOD (Tournefortia gnaphalodes)
(Artemisa abrotamum)
Other names:
Other names: Cuba - Inciencio de costa.
Cuba -Abrótamo macho. Lukumi - Egbado
Lukumi – Turare, minselo
U.S. - Old man Description
Shrub up to 6 ft. tall; aromatic leaves,
Description oblanceolate, with silky hairs, succulent;
A deciduous shrub, sending up in the flowers white, tinged pink in throat; fruit
spring, from a stout rootstock, several conical-ovoid, hollowed at base, corky.
bushy, herbaceous stems, somewhat
woody at the base and from 1 to 4 feet in
height. The whole plant, except the woody
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Found in coastal dunes, coastal rock USES

barrens.
Medicinal
USES Skin ulcers, venereal diseases, and
wounds.
Medicinal
Rheumatism, venereal diseases. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical Belongs to Elegba, and Oshun.
Orisha Worship Used to make ritual omiero.
Belongs to Yemaya Correlating Odu: Eyioko Okana, Irete
For cleansing of persons and the Ogunda and Obara Eyioko.
household.
Burned with incense to banish negativity
and witchcraft.
IPECACUANA / IPECAC
(Cephaelis ipecacuana)
Description
A small, shrubby plant about a foot high,
growing in clumps or patches, in moist,
shady woods. The plant has a slender
stem, which grows partly underground, the
lower portion being knotted. Fibrous
rootlets are given off from the knots, and
some of them develop an abnormally thick
bark, in which much starch is deposited.
USES
Medicinal
Asthma, bronchitis, dysentery,
hemorrhages, pulmonary ailments, skin
conditions, whooping cough.
ITAMORREAL / JACOB'S LADDER

(Pedilanthus tithymaloides)
Other names:
Colombia - Dictamo real
Cuba - Itamo real, gallito colorado,
dictamo real, zapatero.
Guatemala - Pie de niño
Mexico - Candelilla
Nicaragua - Dictambo
U.S. - slipper plant, bird-cactus, redbird
cactus, jew-bush
Venezuela - Ponopinito
Description
Succulent shrub with milky juice; stems
green, often zigzag; leaves alternate,
simple, pointed, green or white-edged;
flowers red and clustered at the ends of
branches; fruit a capsule.
116
J USES
Medicinal
JABILLA: Salvadera. Cuts, gonorrhea, jaundice, impotence,
itch, rheumatism, tumors.
JABONCILLO / CHEWSTICK
(Gouania polygama) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Yemaya.
Cuba - Bejuco de Cuba Correlating Odu: Iwori Ika
Kongo - Langui Burned in incense to banish witchcraft
Lukumi – Ewe bana, Obueno, kekeriongo
JAGÜEY/WILD FIG
Description (Ficus trigonata)
Climbing vine. Leaves elliptical, olive-
green above, yellow green below. Flowers Other names:
with 5 white petals. Fruit green, 3-winged, Cuba – Yo puedo mas que tu
3-seeded. Dominican Republic - Higo cimarrón
Guatemala - Chimón, Higo
USES Haiti - Figuier
Kongo – Nkunia bracanone, nkunia
Religious/Magical sanda, otakondo
Orisha Worship Lukumi – Fiapaba, afoma, uendo
Belongs to Oshun and Ogun. Puerto Rico - Jagüey blanco
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Osa, and Ojuani Virgin Islands - Wild fig
Meji.
Used to make ritual omiero. Description
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba Large tree common in all kinds of soils;
grows preferably in woods, hills and wet
Other areas, such as riverbanks and streams.
To polish objects made of ivory. The leaves are alternate, entire, glossy.
To whiten teeth. The fruit is a small fig; tender wood.
JAGUA / GENIPAP USES

(Genipa americana)
Medicinal
Other names: Chest ailments, inflammations.
Brazil - Genipapeiro
El Salvador - Tiñe dientes, Irayol Religious/Magical
Guatemala – Irayol Orisha Worship
Kongo – Goontongo, diambula Belongs to Ogun and Shango
Mexico - Maluco, jagua blanco, jagua azul Correlating Odu: Odi Ejionle, Eyioko
Nicaragua - Tapaculo, Yigualti, gigaulti Ojuani, Iroso Osa, Irete Otura, Ika
Peru – Palo Colorado Otrupon, Osa Okana, Osa Ogunda.
U.S. - Juniper, marmeladebox Used to make ritual omiero.
Venezuela - Caruto Rites of Palo
Description ∗ To attract good fortune
Tree to 40 ft. high. The leaves are ∗ To banish evil spirits and negativity.
lanceolate. Scented flowers; the fruit is a ∗ In amulets to overcome legal issues.
globose to ovoid berry, gray turning
reddish brown at maturity; the pulp is juicy,
bittersweet, and astringent. The seeds are
numerous.
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JAGÜEY MACHO
(Ficus crassinervia) JAYAJABICO / NAKEDWOOD
(Colubrina reclinata)
Other names:
Cuba -Jagüey Other names:
Cuba – Jayajabia, Palo amargo,
Description Carbonero, Carbonero de Costa
Tree reaching heights of 60 ft. The leaves Puerto Rico – Mabi
are ovate. Lukumi – Igi kikan
U.S. – Soldier wood, Mabee, Smooth
JAIMIQUI / WILD DILLY snake back.
(Manilkara jaimiqui)
Description
Other names: Native tree found in high coastal areas,
Cuba - Acana reaching up to 30 ft. tall. The bark is
Dominican Republic - Jaiquí, nisperillo, brownish orange, exfoliating in thin layers.
nisperillo de hoja fina, jamiquí The wood is hard, heavy, brown color
Puerto Rico - Jaimiquí towards the core. The leaves alternate,
U.S. - Wild sapodilla elliptic to ovate lanceolate. The flowers in
clusters, petals hooded; fruit globose,
Description orange-red; seeds blackish, shiny.
Evergreen tree or shrub has wood that is
heavy, hard, strong, and close- grained. USES
Found in coastal hammocks. Flowers are
light yellow and form drooping clusters. Medicinal
The brown, rough-skinned fruit is globe Fever, liver ailments.
shaped. The leaves are leathery, dull, and
dark green. They cluster at the ends of the Religious/Magical
branches. To expel witchcraft that has been
ingested.
USES
JAZMIN DE LA TIERRA / SPANISH
Medicinal JASMINE
Fever, flu. (Jasminum grandiflorum)

Orisha Worship Cuba - Jazmín de cinco hojas, Jazmín
Belongs to Odudua. criollo, Jazmín de la Caridad
∗ Used for both benefic and negative Lukumi - Alenyenyen
spells. U.S. – Poet's jasmine
JAYABACANA Description
(Pera oppositifolia) An evergreen shrub that produces dark
green, five to seven-foliate leaves and
Other names: fragrant, pedi-celled white flowers about
Cuba - Jayabacana, hayabacana, three-fourths of an inch in diameter, which
yabacana, yayabacana. are borne in open clusters.
Description USES
Small, native tree found in hillsides. Grows
up to 24 ft. high. The leaves are large, Medicinal
opposite. Nervousness.
USES
Medicinal
Skin eruptions.
118
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
JAZMIN DEL CABO/GARDENIA Belongs to Oshosi.
(Gardenia Jasminoides) Correlating Odu: Obara Oshe
∗ To expel negativity.
Other names:
Cuba – Gardenia JIA BRAVA
U.S. – Cape Jasmine (Casearea aculeta)

Shrub that can grow 6'-8' with equal Cuba - Jía Brava, jía peluda, jía prieta.
spread. The leaves are dark to bright Dominican Republic - Palo de avispas,
green, opposite, glossy and leathery. carambomba margabomba
Blooms in mid-spring to early summer. Ecuador - Clavillo
Flowers are white, turning to creamy Guatemala - Guacuco
yellow as they age, and have a waxy feel. Haiti - Piquant arada
They have a powerful, sweet fragrance. Honduras - Escambrón, agua de arrea.
Mexico - Punteral, cedrón.
USES Perú - Espina de demonio, supiecacha
Puerto Rico - Cambrón, rabo ratón
Medicinal Venezuela - Espuela de gallo
Fever, dysentery, ophthalmia.
Description
Religious/Magical Small indigenous tree covered with fine
Orisha worship spines; leaves elliptical; flowers emerge
Belongs to Obatala from under the leaves.
Correlating Odu: Irete Ofun, Osa Meji.
USES
JIA AMARILLA
(Casearia ramiflora) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Babalu Aye
Cuba - Jía, ∗ Causes negative effects.
Dominican Republic – Palo blanco
JIA JIA: Agracejo.
Description
Indigenous small tree; leaves elliptical or JIBA
ovate; in flower from February through (Erythroxilon havanensi)
March. It has no spines. Grows in rocky
soils near the coast. Other names:
Cuba - Arabo, arabo jibá, arabo prieto,
USES arabo real.
Orisha Worship Indigenous tree found in calcareous soils.
Belongs to Oshun. The leaves are alternate, slender, ovate,
Correlating Odu: Osa Ika.
JIA BLANCA
(Casearia alba)
Description
Common shrub. The wood is pale yellow,
hard, compact and fine grain.
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pale green underneath; the flowers are JIQUI

small and white. Produces a red fruit well (Pera bumelifolia)
liked by pigeons and parrots.
Other names:
USES Cuba – Jequi, Jiqui de Ley
Bile, bruises, contusions, fevers, tumor. Indigenous tree found in all types of soil.
Reaches heights up to 40 ft. It is in flower
Religious/Magical in March and fruits in July. The wood is
Orisha Worship very hard, dark yellow.
Belongs to Inle, Orishaoko.
∗ To ward off evil spirits. USES
JICAMA / CALOPOGONIUM Medicinal

(Calopogonium coeruleum) Colds, debility, internal ulcers.
A sturdy, somewhat woody, climbing, Orisha Worship
perennial legume. Stems twining. Leaves Belongs to Ogun.
alternate, trifoliate. Many-flowered, Correlating Odu: Okana Obara, Osa
axillary, spike-like raceme, color blue. Okana.
Pods linear-oblong, pubescent, impressed To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
between the seeds. Four to eight seeds, To make attributes and paraphernalia.
compressed, shining. ∗ To banish witchcraft.
USES JOBO / HUG PLUM

(Spondias mombin)
Medicinal
Cysts, skin conditions inside the nose or Other names:
around nostrils. Arada - Akuko
Brazil - Cajazeira
Religious/Magical Colombia - Jobo, ciruela calentana
Orisha Worship Costa Rica - Jocote tronador, sismoyo
Belongs to Obatala Cuba - Jobo hembra, Jobito, Obo
Kongo – Grengerengue kunansieto
JICOTEA / FRINGETREE Lukumi – Akikan, abba, okinkan, kinkao
(Chionanthus axilliflora) Mexico - Ciruela de Méjico, ciruela del
país
Other names: Puerto Rico - Jobo, jobo francés
Cuba - Guaney U.S. - Java plum, tropical plum, spanish
plum
Description
Indigenous tree. The wood is solid, Description
compact, fine grain; color pale yellow with A tree that can reach a height of 75 feet.
streaks. The trunk has deep incisions in the bark
that often produces a brown resinous
USES substance. The leaves and the flowers are
at the end of the branches. Before the tree
Religious/Magical starts to flower it strips itself from most of
Rites of Palo the leaves. The fruit, a 1.5 inch long oval
Works with the Nkisi. yellow plum, has a leathery skin and a thin
layer of fruit pulp with an exotic taste.
120
USES Rites of Palo

Medicinal
Diarrhea, eye inflammation, flatulence, JUAN CALIENTE: Bejuco Vergajo.
swollen feet, venereal diseases JUCARO: Arará.
Religious/Magical
JUCARO BRAVO / BLACK OLIVE
Orisha Worship
(Bucida buceras)
Belongs to Shango, Odudua, Elegba.
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Ogunda, Eyioko
Other names:
Meji, Odi Ogunda, Irete Ogunda, Otura
Cuba - Júcaro de uña.
Osa, and Iroso Meji.
Kongo - Totoine
Lukumi - Odde
For Babalu Aye rituals and ceremonies.
Description
Rites of Palo
Densely crowned evergreen tree growing
to 45 ft. tall. Found in low coastal areas,
swamps, and riverbanks. Grey bark.
JOCUMA / FALSE MASTIC Leaves green, simple, and leathery. In
(Sideroxiylon foetidissimum) flower during the spring. Flowers greenish
yellow, and hang in slender spikes. The
Other names: fruits are small, black and one-seeded.
Cuba - Jocuma, jocuma amarilla, caguaní, Seed is pubescent.
lechero.
Puerto Rico – Tortugo amarillo USES
U.S. - Mastic, Wild olive
Religious/Magical
Tree that reaches heights of 30 to 60 feet, Belongs to Shango and Oya.
with a trunk 15 to 20 inches in diameter, Correlating Odu: Irete Ogunda.
round-topped with stout spreading
branches. The bark is thin and reddish
JUCARO DE PLAYA: Arará.
brown in color; leaves oblong or pear
JUCARO ESPINOSO: Arará.
shaped, rounded at the end and narrowed
at the base, about one and one-half
inches long by three-quarters inch wide, JUNCIA / YELLOW NUTSEDGE
thick, firm, light green and smooth above, (Cyperus esculentus)
paler below; flowers borne in clusters at
the ends of the twigs, and greenish yellow Other names:
or purplish in color; fruit fleshy, narrow and Cuba - Chufa.
elongated, prominently 10-ribbed, about
three-quarters inch long, and bright red; Description
yellow or brownish yellow wood, soft and Weed that grows to 1 ft. tall with triangular
weak but heavy, coarse-grained, 3-sided unbranched smooth stems; grass-
surrounded by a wide band of darker like leaves; yellowish-brown flowers with
colored sapwood. long leaf-like bracts under umbrella-like
flower clusters; smooth, round, whitish
USES almond-flavored tubers produced at ends
of many rhizomes.
Medicinal
Bruises, cuts, hernia, leprosy, wounds. USES
Orisha Worship Cold, fever, nervousness, stomach upset.
Belongs to Shango, Ogun
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ika, Iwori Yeku,
Otrupon Ika.
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
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USES
JUNCO: Camelote.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
JUNCO MARINO / JERUSALEM THORN
Belongs to Elegba, Shango, and Ogun.
(Parkinsonia aculeata)
Rites of Palo
Taboo for the Nganga.
Other names:
Colombia - Calentano, Yabo
Cuba - Espinillo, palo de rayo.
Dominican Republic - Cambrón
Mexico - Retama, junco, palo verde
Nicaragua - Acacia de agüijote, espino
real de España
Puerto Rico - Flor de rayo, palo de rayo
Venezuela - Espinillo de España
Description
Tree noted for its striking yellow flowers
and unusual foliage. The green bark and
branches are armed with thorns, up to an
inch in length. The leaves are compound,
small and strap-like, resembling floppy,
narrow feathers. The flowers are
clustered, yellow, and pea-like, appearing
in spring and summer. The fruit is hard,
brown pods 3-4 inches in length.
USES
Medicinal
Epilepsy, cancerous ulcers.
Magical/Religious
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Yemaya.
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ejionle.
JURUBAMA
(Hebestigma cubense)
Other names:
Cuba -Jurabaina, frijolillo, cucharillo,
guamá candelón, guamá piñón.
Description
Indigenous perennial tree found in
seasonally deciduous forests. Grows up to
35 ft. high. The leaves are dark green
above, light green underneath. The
abundant flowers are produced in
racemes.
122
L LECHERA / POISON SPURGE

(Euphorbia cotinifolia)
LAUREL / FICUS Other names:

(Ficus nitida) Colombia - Barrabas lindero, naedero,
lorencillo.
Other names: Cuba - Hierba lechera, lechera, hierba
Cuba - Laurel, Laurel de la India. mala
Kongo - Ocereke Guatemala - Hierba mala
Lukumi – Igginile itiri Mexico - Mala mujer, tropillo, piñoncillo,
mata gallina.
Description Nicaragua - Sapo
Tree up to 30 ft. high, has smooth gray Perú - Yuquilla
bark, aerial roots, upright growing Puerto Rico - Carrasco
branches, and very dense foliage. U.S. – Caribbean copper plant
Venezuela - Lechera
USES
Description
Medicinal Shrub that grows up to 10 feet tall. The
Typhoid fever. flexible purplish stems hold coppery-
purple thin-fleshy broad leaves. Loose
Religious/Magical flower clusters have small white bracts in
Orisha Worship the spring, white. The plant produces a
Belongs to Shango poisonous milky sap.
Correlating Odu: Okana Irete, Otura
Ojuani. USES
For rituals and ceremonies. Laxative.
∗ Cleansings of persons and the Religious/Magical
household to banish negativity. Orisha worship
Belongs to Elegba
LAVANDA / LAVENDER
(Lavendula officinalis) LECHUGA / LETTUCE
(Lactuca sativa)
Other names:
Cuba - Espliego. Other names:
Lukumi – Ilenke, Ogo yeye
Description Puerto Rico - Achicoria
A perennial shrub of the mint family; may
reach 5 feet in height. The leaves are Description
oblong-linear to lanceolate, up to 1.5 Cultivated cool-season annual with milky
inches long, somewhat hairy. Flower sap and glabrous (hairless) leaves that
spikes may reach up to 3 feet. grow in a basal rosette at first, then either
in a loose or a tightly rolled head, and
USES eventually along an upright stem that
supports the flowers.
Medicinal
Colic and headaches.
Religious/Magical
Burned as incense to banish negativity
and attract good fortune.
Other
Insect repellent
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USES LEGAÑA DE AURA / LEADWORT

(Plumbago scandens)
Medicinal
Aches. Other names:
Cuba - Malacara
Religious/Magical Haiti - Zèb-a-Djab, Dentelaire
Orisha Worship Sarmenteuse, Zèb-brûlante
Belongs to Yemaya, Oshun Lukumi – Ewe iwago, ikolekoke
Correlating Odu: Odi Meji
∗ For purification baths and cleansing Description
of persons and the household. A half-hardy herbaceous climbing, half-
∗ To attract good fortune shrubby plant, with large trusses of pale-
blue flowers, which are in bloom
LECHUGA CIMARRONA: Lechuguilla continuously through the summer.
USES
LECHUGA DE MAR / SEA LETTUCE
(Ulva lactuca) Medicinal
Infantile diarrhea, itch, rheumatism,
Other names: toothache.
Cuba - Alga sensitiva.
Lukumi -Oyoro Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Description Belongs to Oshun.
Marine algae that resembles the segment
∗ For cleansings of persons and the
of a tender lettuce.
household.
∗ To banish negativity.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Yemaya LENGUA DE MUJERES / CREEPING
CHARLEY
(Pilea nummularifolia)
LECHUGUILLA / WATER LETTUCE
(Pistia stratiotes)
Other names:
Brazil - Dinheiro em penca
Other names:
Cuba - Cuba libre.
Brazil – Hierba de Santa Luzia
Cuba - Lechuga cimarrona.
Description
Puerto Rico – Lechuguilla de Rio
A creeping plant with small round pale
green leaves.
Description
Aquatic plant that resembles a floating
USES
open head of lettuce. Found in rivers,
lakes and ponds. It has very thick leaves.
Medicinal
The leaves are light dull green, are hairy,
Rheumatism
and are ridged. There are no leaf stalks.
The roots are light-colored and feathery.
Religious/Magical
Its flowers are inconspicuous.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba.
USES
Medicinal
Asthma, cough, dysentery, hemorrhoids.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun, Yemaya.
Used to make ritual omiero
124
LENGUA DE VACA / MOTHER IN USES

LAW'S TONGUE
(Sanseveria guineensis) Medicinal
Fevers, infections, malaria, rheumatic
Other names: conditions, scurvy, sore throats.
Cuba - Piel de majá y sanseviera.
Haiti - Fèy zorèy bourik Religious/Magical
Puerto Rico - Capaillo For spells
Description Other
Cultivated plant. Grows Up to 4 ft. The Insect repellent, potpourri, polishing
leaves are opposite, slender, smooth. bronze and other metals, stain removal.
White flowers on an unbranched spike.
LINARIA / YELLOW TOADFLAX
USES (Linaria vulgaris)

Bronchitis. U.S. – Butter and eggs.
Religious/ Magical Description

Orisha Worship Creeping rooted perennial to 1 ft. tall; the
Belongs to Obatala, Ogun. stalk less leaves are narrow and pointed
Planted outside the house for protection. at both ends; bright yellow "snapdragon-
like" flowers with an orange spot on the
LIMO DE MAR / SEA WEED lower lip.
Description USES
Term loosely applied to the many plants
found growing in the oceans. Seaweeds, Medicinal
however, are not weeds, but marine algae. Hepatitis, jaundice, liver ailments, piles,
Algae are among the plants that live in scrofula.
water. As their name implies, seaweeds
are marine and live in salty water. They LINO DE RIO / SHINING PONDWEED
are the green, brown, and red. (Potamogeton lucens)
USES Description
Green floating vegetable found in rivers.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship USES
Infuriates Yemaya.
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Meji. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
LIMON / LEMON Belongs to Oshun.
(Citrus limonum) Correlating Odu: Oyekun Iwori, Irete
Ojuani.
Other names: To appease Oshun or get her attention.
Brazil - Limão Rites of Palo
Haiti - Sitwon For rituals and ceremonies.
Kongo – Koronko
Lukumi – Oroco, Olombo
Description
An evergreen aromatic shrub growing to
12 ft.. It is in leaf all year, in flower all year.
Scented flowers. Fruits have abundant
pulp and are acrid tasting.
125
Dalia Quiros-Moran
LIRIO / WHITE FRANGIPANI ailments, fever, gastro-intestinal

(Plumeria alba) disturbances, gonorrhea, hypertension,
infection, inflammation, intestinal
Other names: parasites, insect bites, kidney ailments,
Brazil – Jasmin Manga orthopedic ailments, piles, pulmonary
Colombia - Amancayo, azuceno ailments, reptile bites, skin ailments, sore,
Cuba - Lirio blanco, lirio silvestre, alelí stings, throat ailments, tumor, ulcers,
blanco, atabaiba urinary ailments, warts, women's ailments,
Dominican Republic - Alelí, flor de cerro, wounds.
ataiba
Kongo – Tunkanso Religious/Magical
Lukumi – Peregun fun fun Orisha Worship
Mexico - Sabanicte, Amapola de Venus Belongs to Odua.
Nicaragua - Flor de pan Correlating Odu: Okana Meji.
Puerto Rico - Tabaiba, tapaiba Used to make ritual omiero.
Venezuela - Amapola For amulets and relics.
Description LLANTEN CIMARRON / DWARF

Trees growing up to 25 ft. high. The SWORDS
flowers are white. Produce a milky sap. (Echinodorus grisebachu)
USES Other names:

Cuba - Llantén de agua.
Medicinal Lukumi – Sheshere
Abscess, dropsy, fever, gum disease, U.S. – Water Plantain
herpes, itch, scabies, skin, typhoid cough,
venereal diseases, warts. Description
Religious/Magical Aquatic perennial; the leaves are erect,

Orisha Worship resembling the great plantain plant.
Belongs to Obatala.
Correlating Odu: Obara Meji and Okana USES
Osa.
Medicinal
LLANTEN / GREAT PLANTAIN Gum diseases, inflammation, kidney and
(Plantago major) liver ailments.

Haiti - Planten Orisha Worship
U.S. - Plantain Belongs to Oshun.
Description LLEREN/ ARROW ROOT

Perennial plant with a fibrous taproot. The (Galathea Allouia)
oval, ribbed, short-stemmed leaves form
basal rosettes which tend to hug the Other names:
ground, may grow up to about 6" long and Cuba – Leiren, Llerenes, Yeren
4" wide. The flower stalks bear densely
packed greenish white flowers each of Description
which will become a small capsule-like Perennial with an erect stem from which a
seedpod containing 10 to 20 seeds. body of serrated, obovate leaves emerge;
ending in a long spike with small white
USES flowers. The roots are tuberous,
subterraneous, similar to a yam.
Medicinal
Bladder stones, blisters, boils, bruises,
bug bite, burns, cancer, catarrh, children's
ailments, cold, cough, debility, diabetes,
diarrhea, dysentery, ear ailments, eye
126
USES
Medicinal
Toothaches.
Religious/ Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun.
Correlating Odu: Irete Osa.
LOBELIA / GREAT BLUE LOBELIA

(Lobelia syphyllitica)
Other names:
U.S. – Asthma weed, Indian Tobacco,
Wild Tobacco
Description
Erect, annual or perennial herbs; leaves
alternate, simple; flowers white, scarlet, or
blue, 5-parted, tubular and irregular-
shaped with 2 lips; fruit a capsule.
USES
Medicinal
Chest ailments, venereal diseases.
127
Dalia Quiros-Moran
M Description
Sub canopy tree. Bark smooth and dark
MABA: Ebano carbonero. colored, with horizontal striations. Trunk
MABI: Bibijagua, Bijáragua. cylindrical and mostly straight. Fruits pale
green with one lobe. The wood is hard,
MABOA / WHITE POISON WOOD aromatic, pinkish white.
(Cameraria latifolia)
USES
Other names:
Cuba - Maboa, Maboa de loma, maboa Medicinal
común Erysipelas, Toothaches.
Kongo - Malembe
Lukumi – Leshu Ibaye MANACABO: Caimitillo
U.S. - Bastard manchineel
MADRESELVA / JAPANESE
Description
HONEYSUCKLE
Small tree with elliptical leaves, the
(Lonicera japonica)
flowers are white, wood strong and
compact, ash color. Found in calcareous
Other names:
hills close to the ocean. Produces a highly
Cuba - Madreselva
poisonous milky sap.
U.S. - Hall's Honeysuckle
USES
Description
High-climbing or trailing woody vine with
Medicinal
attractive flowers. The flowers of this plant
Tooth cavities, leprosy, and warts.
are perfect, fragrant, and occur on short
stalks. The flowers are white becoming
Religious/Magical
cream colored or pinkish-purple.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala and Ogun.
USES
MACAGUA / FALSE BREADNUT Religious/Magical

(Psendolmedia spuria) Orisha Worship
Belongs to Odua.
Other names: Rites of Palo
Dominican Republic - Palo de leche, For rituals and ceremonies.
macao. For purification baths.
Guatemala - Manax
Haiti - Bois mérise
MAGÜEY / CUBAN HEMP
Puerto Rico - Negra lora.
(Furcraea cubensis)
Description
Other names:
Indigenous tree found in hammocks and
Lukumi - Ikeri
hills. The flowers are entire. It reaches up
to 30 ft. high. The wood is white, and the
Description
core is dark.
Indigenous plant found in rocky soils. The
leaves are lanceolate, rigid, slightly
USES
concave and smooth, green. The flowers
in racemes along the branches.
Medicinal
Debility.
MACURIJE / COBYWOOD
(Matayba oppositifolia)
Other names:
Puerto Rico - Doncella
128
USES USES
Orisha Worship Asthma, bronchitis, colds, contusions,
Belongs to Yemaya dislocated joints, internal tumors, muscle
It has negative properties. cramps, rheumatic pains.
MAGÜEY SILVESTRE: See Bayoneta Religious/Magical

Orisha worship
Belongs to Ogun, Yemaya.
MAIZ / MAIZE
Correlating Odu: Iwori Iroso, Odi Iroso,
(Zea mays)
Otrupon Ika, Otura Iroso, Otura Obara,
Okana Ika, and Okana Ofun.
Other names:
Arada – Dli
Brazil - Milho MALACARA / LEADWORT
Haiti - Mayi (Plumbago scandens)
Lukumi - Agbado
Other names:
Description Colombia – Bella Emilia, Yerba del Diablo
An annual herb with brood, linear Cuba - Jazminillo, legaña de aura.
lanceolate leaves, unisexual flowers. The El Salvador - Guacochile
spike on the top of plant consists of male Lukumi – Mubino
flowers; the spadix in the leaf axis consists Mexico – Canutillo, Jazmín Azul, Muela de
of female flowers. Alacran
Peru – Sarna Vejiguilla
USES
Description
Medicinal Evergreen shrub, up to 4 feet tall with long
Ammonia in the urine, asthma, bloating, climbing branches. The leaves are ovate,
cystitis, heart ailments, hypertension white flowers.
incontinence, leprosy, urinary infections
and calculi. USES
Orisha Worship Chest, colic, cold, erysipelas, gangrene,
For rituals and ceremonies. itch, leprosy, Rheumatism, stomachache,
Correlating Odu: Okana Ojuani, Okana toothache, tumor, wart.
Osa, Obara Otrupon, Otrupon Odi, Iwori
Ojuani. Religious/Magical
As offerings for the Orishas. Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Iroso Odi.
For spells to cause chaos and turmoil.
MAJAGUA / MAHOE
(Pariti tiliaceum)
MALAMBO, MELAMBO: Palo malambo
Other names:
Cuba - Majagua hembra. MALANGA / ARROWLEAF
Kongo – Musenguene, Gusinga, Musinga (Xanthosoma sagittifolium)
U.S. – Sea hibiscus, Cottonwood, Beach
hibiscus Other names:
Arada – Logo asasu
Description Brazil – Taioba, mangara
Coastal tree with a spreading crown found Haiti - Pediveau Sagitte
on sand dunes and ridges above the
beach, associated with mangroves, or
sometimes around freshwater streams. It
has heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow
flowers.
129
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Kongo – Nkumbia, Mbi nkanda, gankua Description

Lukumi – Ewe Ikoko Term used for the corn plant that for not
Puerto Rico - Yautia been cultivated properly does not produce
U.S. – Elephant Ear good corn, and it is cut before maturity to
feed the cattle.
Description
Herbaceous perennial cultivated for its USES
edible tubers; their yellow or pinkish flesh
is dense and starchy. The green leaves Religious/Magical
are large, arrow shaped with long petioles; Orisha Worship
stem very short. Belongs to Elegba.
Correlating Odu: Obara Ejionle, Oshe
USES Iwori, and Okana Ojuani.
Medicinal ∗ For spells to attract prosperity
Burns, mental debility, nose polyps, sores,
tumors. MALVA BLANCA / SLEEPY MORNING
(Waltheria americana)
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Yemaya Arada - Afidemi
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ejionle, Irete Kongo – Dubue
Okana. Lukumi – Lanla, Dede fun, ewe oshe potu.
For rituals and ceremonies. Mexico - Malva, malva del monte
Offerings for the orishas. Panama - Friega plato, Hierba de soldado
Puerto Rico - Basora prieta, malvavisco
MALANGUILLA / ARROWHEAD U.S. - Waltheria
(Sagittaria lancifolia) Venezuela - Bretónica

Cuba - Malanguilla de costa, flecha de Common weed with tormentose hairy
agua, flechera. leaves, serrate, bright green. The flowers
U.S. - Wapatoo are fragrant, growing in clusters, yellow.
Description USES
Aquatic plant that has three different
leaves: aerial (arrow shaped), floating Medicinal
(round), and submerged (ribbon like). Torpid tumors, toxins, whites.
Found in ponds and swamps.
Religious/Magical
USES Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala.
Medicinal Correlating Odu: Iroso Ejionle, Ojuani
Abscess, boil, inflammation, insect bite, Irete, Oshe Eyioko, and Otrupon Ogunda.
itch, scrofula, skin, sore, sore throat. Used to make ritual omiero.
Orisha Worship ∗ Ritual baths to banish witchcraft.
Belongs to Yemaya.
MALVA DE COCHINOS / JELLY LEAF
MALOJA (Sida rhombifolia)

Cuba - Maíz, yerba del pará y de guinea. Argentina - Tebincha
Lukumi – Ewe eshin
130
Costa Rica - Escobilla Correlating Odu: Eyioko Oshe, Odi

Dominican Republic – Malva Ogunda, Okana Oshe, Iroso Ojuani,
Perú - Limpion Otrupon Ogunda and Ojuani Osa.
Mexico - Huinari, huinar, huinare Used to make ritual omiero.
Nicaragua - Escoba amarilla For purification baths to banish negativity.
U.S. – Paddy's Lucern, Queensland hemp
MALVAVISCO / MARSHMALLOW
Description (Althaea officinalis)
Evergreen shrub. The stem is erect and
branching. It grows up to 6 ft high by 6 ft Other names:
wide. The leaves are narrow, oval to Cuba - Majagüilla
rhomboid, alternate, serrate and white U.S. - White mallow
underneath; the flowers are yellow.
Description
USES Herbaceous plant growing to 6 ft. tall; pale
lilac-pink five-petalled flowers on stems
Medicinal with heart-shaped leaves.
Diarrhea, dyspepsia, pain, rheumatism,
skin, stomach ailments, tuberculosis, USES
tumor.
Medicinal
Religious/Magical Bruises, chest ailments, cough, cuts,
Orisha Worship dysentery, sore throat, sprains, wounds.
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Oshe and Osa
Meji.
MALVIRA / TEXASPLUME
(Bauhinia megalandra)
MALVA TE / SLIPPERY BURR Other names:

(Corchorus siliquosus) Cuba - Flor de azufre, gorro de Napoleón.
Kongo – Konlobanto
Other names: Lukumi – Kiyo
El Salvador - Té de perla Venezuela – Urape Blanco
Haiti - Balé-glisé, Balé-lalou, ti-lalou, balé- US – Petite Flamboyant Bauhinia
savane, petit-balai
Kongo – Dubue Description
Lukumi - Dede Ornamental shrub. The leaves are
Mexico - Malva té globular, hairy underneath; the flowers are
Panama - Té large, yellow and dark read at the base.
Puerto Rico - Escoba blanca
U.S. - Jute USES
Coastal sub shrub, common in calcareous Excessive oils in scalp, scalp irritation.
soils. The leaves are ovate, serrate;
flowers bright yellow. The fruit is green, Religious/Magical
black when mature. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun.
USES
MAMEY COLORADO
Medicinal
(Calocarpum Sapota)
Chest ailments, inflammation,
nervousness, venereal diseases.
Other names:
Brazil - Sapota
Religious/Magical
Colombia - Mamey colorado
Orisha Worship
Costa Rica - Zapotillo
Belongs to Shango.
131
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Cuba - Mamey Religious/Magical

Ecuador - Mamey colorado Orisha Worship
Haiti - Grand sapotiller Belongs to Orunla, Ibeji.
Kongo – Nyumba, Machafio, Nini Yanga Used to make ritual omiero.
Lukumi - Emi
Mexico - Mamey colorado, lava-zapote, MAMONCILLO / SPANISH LIME
zapote, zapote mamey (Melicocca bijuga)
Panama - Mamey de tierra
Puerto Rico - Mamey rojo, zapote Other names:
U.S. - Mamee sapote, marmalade-fruit, Cuba - Anoncillo.
sapote Haiti - Kenèp
Venezuela - Mamey Colorado Lukumi – Omoyla, Omu
Large erect tree; neatly veined leaves, A medium-sized to large tree often planted
obovate and usually pointed at the tip, 12 along roadsides. The small, greenish-
inches in length by 4 inches in width, white, fragrant flowers are borne in
closely crowded at the ends of the panicles from the branch tips at the
branches, light green on the upper surface beginning of the rainy season. The ovoid
and lighter green or brownish beneath. fruit measures a little over 1 inch in length.
Inside the tight, thin skin, which is easily
USES cracked by the teeth, lies a thin layer of
sweet-tart yellow pulp surrounding a large
Medicinal ovoid seed.
Colitis, chronic ulcers, rheumatism, warts.
USES
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Shango, Oshun, and Oya. Gangrene, digestive complaints, ulcers,
Correlating Odu: Otura Odi lung and liver ailments, skin diseases,
Used to make ritual omiero. herpes.
∗ For ritual baths to attract prosperity
and overcome difficulties. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
MAMEY DE SANTO DOMINGO / MAMEY Belongs to Ibeji.
(Mammea americana) Correlating Odu: Iwori Yeku, Otura Odi,
Otura Iroso.
Other names: Used to make ritual omiero.
Cuba - Mamey amarillo
Haiti - Abriko-Peyi, Abrikot, Zabriko MANAJU / CUBAN MANGOSTEEN
(Rheedia aristata)
Description
Evergreen tree reaching up to 70 feet tall. Other names:
Elliptic leaves, bright green. The fruit Kongo – Mopusua
grows up to the size of a person's head, Lukumi - Neri
yellow flesh, sweet, very pleasant to the
taste. Wood is reddish brown. Description
Native tree reaching up to 35 ft. The trunk
USES bears one inch diameter, reddish wood;
leaves sharp-tipped; lateral roots; yellow,
Medicinal sub acid fruits. It is in flower during the
Cough, dyspepsia, eczema, fever, spring.
psoriasis, rashes, sore, stomach ailments,
wound.
132
USES Venezuela - Mangle colorado
Bruises, contusions, tetanus, wound. A tree found in brackish or salt water
along the shores, inland rivers and creeks.
Religious/Magical It is a low, bushy, round-topped tree up to
Orisha Worship 30 feet in height, with many aerial roots;
Belongs to Ibeji. sometimes a tree up to 80 feet in height
Correlating Odu: Irete Osa. with a straight trunk clear for 40 feet or
Used to make ritual omiero. more, and a narrow top, or head. The
Rites of Palo branchlets are pithy, reddish brown,
For rituals and amulets. becoming later a light reddish gray and
∗ To ward off illness roughened. The leaves are oval or
elliptical, rounded at the outer end and
MANCA MONTERO: Aroma Uña de narrowing toward the base, dark green
Gato and very shiny on the upper surface, thick.
The flowers are pale yellow, with four
petals, about an inch in diameter, usually
MANDARINA/MANDARINE
two or three in a cluster, springing from
(Citrus marmorona)
the leaf axils. The fruit is a leathery brown
berry, about one inch long, hanging,
Description
slightly roughened, and containing a seed
Tree smaller or equal in size than the
which generally germinates before the fruit
sweet orange, according to the variety.
falls. The wood is very hard and heavy,
May reach a height of 25 ft. The tree is
strong, dark-reddish brown streaked with
thorny with slender twigs. The leaves have
lighter brown, surrounded by lighter
minute, rounded teeth and narrow
sapwood.
petioles. The flowers are single, or
together in the leaf axils. The fruit is
USES
oblate, bright orange, turning red/orange
when mature. The seed are green inside,
Medicinal
small and pointed at one edge.
Rheuma, impotence, blood toxins, angina
and tuberculosis, leprosy.
USES
Religious/Magical
Medicinal
Orisha worship
Colds, digestive problems, excess fluid,
Belongs to Yemaya, Inle, and Oshun.
fever, insomnia, irritability, sores, stress.
Correlating Odu: Otura Osa, Oshe Otura.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun.
Correlated to Odu: Eyioko Odi MANGLE PRIETO / BLACK MANGROVE
(Avicennia nitida)
MANGLE / RED MANGROVE
Other names:
(Rhizophora mangle)
Colombia - Manglesito
Costa Rica - Columnate
Other names:
Cuba - Cativo mangle.
Arada - Wewe
Mexico – Puyete
Costa Rica - Mangle gateador
Panama – Mangle Salado
Cuba - Mangle común, mangle colorado,
U.S. – Olive Mangrove, Salt Pond
mangle rojo, mangle de uña.
Dominican Republic - Mangle rojo
Description
Guatemala - Mangle rojo
Tree that may grow to 60 feet with a trunk
Kongo – Musi Kwilo
diameter of 2 feet, but it is usually smaller.
Lukumi – Ewe Atiodo, Kasioro
Panama -Mangle salado
Puerto Rico - Mangle zapatero
133
Dalia Quiros-Moran
The leaves are opposite on the stems,

thick and leathery, dark green or yellow- MANGO MACHO
green above, and downy beneath. Salt
glands on the underneath side secrete Description – See "Mango"
salt. The leaves are elliptical, from 1-5
inches in length. The flowers are white, USES
fragrant, found in clusters at the growing
tips. The fruits are flat, and approximately Religious/Magical
one inch long. The color is green and the Orisha Worship
pod is covered with down. The bark is Belongs to Obatala.
thick, dark brown or blackish, with rough Correlating Odu: Ika Iroso, Ofun Yeku.
irregular flattened scales. Twigs are Used to make ritual omiero.
grayish in color and smooth, with
enlargements at the joints.
MANI / PEANUT
(Arachis hypogaea)
USES
Other names:
Religious/Magical
Arada – Azo
Orisha Worship
Brazil – Amendou Verdadeiro
Belongs to Ogun.
Haiti – Pistache
Correlating Odu: Obara Eyioko.
Kongo – Mindo, Guba
Lukumi – Epa, Epamilbo, Efa, Ewa, Busia
MANGO Mexico - Cacahuate
(Mangifera indica)
Description
Other names: Annual growing to 1 foot. Yellow flowers.
Brazil - Mangueira
Haiti - Mang USES
Kongo – Ema Benga
Lukumi – Oro, Eleso, Orun Beke Medicinal
Hemorrhoids. Chest ailments.
Description
A tall tree growing up to 100 feet with a Religious/Magical
dense, heavy crown. The evergreen Orisha Worship
drooping leaves resemble those of the Belongs to Babalu Aye. Used for rituals
peach tree. Coppery to purplish-red at first and ceremonies of this Orisha.
but becoming green at maturity, they are Correlating Odu: Okana Osa, Irete
lance-shaped and often slightly curved. Otrupon, Otrupon Obara, Otrupon Yeku,
The flowers of mango, small ivory and Ofun Yeku.
very numerous, and fruit clusters hang
outside the foliage canopy.
MANI CIMARRON / WILD PEANUT
(Cassia diphylla)
USES
Other names:
Medicinal
Puerto Rico – Hediondilla, Zarzabacoa
Contusions, constipation, fever, gum
disease, hemorrhage, high blood
Description
pressure, lacerations, poor blood
Common herb; grows in sandy savannas.
circulation.
The leaves and flowers resemble those of
the peanut plant.
Religious/ Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun and Ibeji.
Correlating Odu: Odi Okana and Ojuani
Iwori.
Used for offerings to all the Orishas.
∗ For amulets to attract good fortune.
134
USES MANTO DE LA VIRGEN / COLEUS

(Coleus blumei)
Medicinal
Dysentery and other intestinal ailments. Other names:
Lukumi - Oshare
MANO PILON U.S. – Painted Nettle
(Mouriri Valenzuela)
Description
Ornamental plants. They are best known
Other names:
for their bright colors, and variety of foliage
Cuba - Lebrero, torcido, yaya macho.
forms. The leaves are large, dentate and
Lukumi – Morele, Owodon
the flowers are produced in terminal
racemes.
Description
Indigenous tree; yellowish brown wood USES
with dark streaks, hard, heavy and
compact, fibrous, fine grain. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
USES Belongs to Obatala.
Religious/Magical
MANZANILLA
Orisha Worship
(Chysanthellum americanum)
Belongs to Ogun.
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Otrupon Other names:
To make attributes and paraphernalia. Cuba - Manzanilla, manzanilla de la tierra,
manzanilla del país.
MANTO / COLUMBINE Kongo- Dunbuande
(Aquilegia Vulgaris) Lukumi - Nikirio
Perennial growing up to 3 ft. high. It is in Annual scented herb of the daisy family -
flower from April to July, and the seeds composite - till 20 inches tall. Erect
ripen from July to August. Found in moist glabrous stems. Divided leaves, toothed-
shady positions, especially on calcareous lobed. Yellow florets.
soils or fenland peat.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Medicinal: Allergies, arthritis, bile, circulatory
Because of its toxic properties, this plant diseases, conjunctivitis, colic, dermatitis,
should not be taken internally without difficult digestions, disease of the liver,
expert advice fats of the blood, gas, gastritis, gout,
Affections of the nervous system, skin grains, hepatic ailments, insomnia,
diseases. intestinal spasms, menstruation pains,
nervousness, skin burns, tired eyes,
Religious/Magical ulcers, uric acid, vaginal infections,
Orisha Worship wounds
Belongs to Oya.
Correlating Odu: Osa Ika. Religious /Magical:
Used to make ritual omiero. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun.
Other Correlating Odu: Otrupon Osa.
External body parasites ∗ To attract prosperity and love.
∗ Sprinkled around the household to
banish negativity.
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MANZANILLO / MANCHINCEL Description

(Hippomane mancinella) A tree that grows up to 45 feet in height
and has a thick and tortuous trunk and
Other names: branches so winding that they frequently
Costa Rica – Manzanillo de Playa reach the ground. Frequently found
Cuba - Arbol del diablo, manzanillo de growing wild on the drier sandy soils.
costa, pinipiche y sargazo.
USES
Description
A tree reaching up to 15 meters high with Medicinal
alternate, shiny green leaves and spikes Warts, diarrhea, dysentery, diarrhea,
of small greenish flowers. Its fruits are whites, skin infections, syphilis, mouth
green or greenish-yellow when ripe. ulcers, throat problems, wounds, asthma,
diabetes, muscular debility, urinary
USES disorders, eczema, psoriasis, scrofula,
venereal diseases, impotency, bronchitis,
Medicinal cough, toxins, influenza.
Cardiac ailments, syphilis.
Religious/Magical
It has negative properties Belongs to Oshun, Inle, and Shango.
MARABU / BOTTLE BRUSH TREE For Babalu Aye rituals and ceremonies.
(Dichostachys glomerata) Rites of Palo
Other names:
Cuba - Aroma francesa, espina del diablo, MARAVILLA / FOUR O'CLOCK
aroma, aroma blanca. (Mirabilis jalapa)

A spiny savannah shrub, forming thickets Cuba - Jalapa
on scrub land and common in sandy Haiti - Zèb Katrè
areas. The flowers are very distinctive, Kongo - Boddule
blooming from March to July. They have Lukumi – Ewe Ewa, inkuayo
blunt thorny spikes. The timber is hard and Mexico - Trompetilla
tough.
Description
USES Herb. Flowers and fruits almost throughout
the year. Abundantly found in plains not
Medicinal seen in forests.
Acne, eczema.
USES
MARAÑON /CASHEW
(Anacardium occidentale) Medicinal
Conjunctivitis, fungal infections, intestinal
Other names: ailments.
Arada - Gegalise
Brazil - Cajueiro Religious/Magical
Colombia - Merey Orisha Worship
Dominican Republic - Cacahuil, cajuil Belongs to Obatala, Yewa, Oya, Orunla.
Guatemala - Jocote marañon Correlating Odu: Okana Otrupon, Otrupon
Haiti - Pom Kajou, Noix-Cajou, Pomme Obara, Eyioko Ogunda, Ojuani Obara.
d'Acajou Used to make ritual omiero.
Peru - Casho
U.S. – Cashew -nut.
Venezuela - Caujil
136
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba Religious/Magical

∗ Ritual baths to attract good fortune. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun, Yemaya.
MARAVILLA AMARILLA Correlating Odu: Obara Ogunda.
See."Maravilla" Used to make ritual omiero.
USES MARIPOSA / BUTTERFLY GINGER

(Hedychium coronarium)
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Ogun. Kongo – Kanda, Vititi Nkangriso
Used to make ritual omiero. Lukumi – Balaba, Aroao
Used to make Ogun fiery.
To make the spirits fiery. Perennial growing to 1.5m by 1m. Frost
tender. The flowers are white and have a
MARAVILLA BLANCA See "Maravilla" delicious perfume which is most
pronounced towards evening. Grows in
USES moist places along streams and on forest
edges.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship USES
Belongs to Obatala
Used to make ritual omiero. Medicinal
Fever, indigestion, rheumatism.
MARAVILLA PUNZO See. "Maravilla"
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
USES
Belongs to Yemaya.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship MARPACIFICO / HIBISCUS
Belongs to Shango (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Other names:
Brazil - Resplandor, papoula.
MARILOPE / YELLOW ADLER
Colombia -Resucitó
(Turnera ulmifolia)
Cuba - Borrachona, amapola, cupido,
guasintón, flor de chivo, mar serena, leche
Other names:
de Venus, malva
Colombia - Malva
de china, sangre de adonis.
Cuba - Maria Lopez, Marilope
Dominican Republic - Sangre de Cristo,
Mexico - Clavel de Oro, clavéndula
cayena.
Nicaragua - Maria Lopez, San Juan,
El Salvador - Clavel japonés.
Margarita de los campos, Oreja de coyote
Haiti - Shoublak
U.S. – Ram goat, dash along
Hawaii -Red hibiscus.
Honduras -Campana
Description
Jamaica - Shoe-black
A perennial, dense, compact shrub that
Mexico - Tulipán
reaches 2½ feet in height. The leaves are
Panama - Papo
deep green, elm-like and conspicuous;
Puerto Rico - Amapola, pavón, candelá,
yellow flowers.
candelada, carta abierta, marimoña,
hibisco.
USES
U.S. - Chinese hibiscus, Chinese-rose.
Virgin Islands - Chinese-rose
Medicinal
Chest ailments, indigestion, menstrual
problems.
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Mexico - Lentepilla
Description Puerto Rico – Perejil de Tierra
Ornamental shrub growing to 15 feet. U.S. – Pepper weed, peppergrass
There are numerous varieties of single
and double flowers of diverse colors; red, Description
yellow, cream, salmon, etc. Ovoid leaves, An annual weed that develops as a basal
thick and unevenly dentated. rosette initially, eventually producing white
flowering stems that have a bottle-brush
USES appearance.
Medicinal USES
Cough, Fever, Hoarseness.
Medicinal
Religious/Magical Catarrh, Cold, colic, diabetes, dysentery,
Orisha Worship kidney and liver ailments, rheumatism,
Belongs to Odudua, Inle. ringworm, scabies, scurvy, sores, stomach
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Meji, and Odi ailments, intestinal parasites, urinary track
Meji, Ofun Odi. stones, and worms.
Used to make Nkisi lango. Belongs to Elegba, Babalu Aye.
∗ For purification baths and cleansing Correlating Odu: Otrupon Osa.
of persons, objects and the Used to make ritual omiero.
household. ∗ For ritual baths to banish negativity.
MARRUBIO BLANCO / HOREHOUND MATANEGRO

(Marrubium vulgare) (Rourea glabra)

U.S. - Common horehound, white Cuba - Matanegro, bejuco Baracoa,
horehound, horehound. bergajo, Juan caliente, mantequilla.
El Salvador – Canjura
Description Lukumi - Konri
Spreading perennial herb. The plant Mexico - Palo de chilillo
reaches a height of almost 3 feet tall and Puerto Rico - Juan Caliente
is characterized by white, pubescent
leaves, woolly stems, and continually Description
blooming white flowers. Found in dry Climbing vine. The leaves are glossy;
sandy soils and sunny spots. yellow fruit. Commonly found in
calcareous soils and near low-level
USES shores. The stems of this plant were used
as whips by the European colonizers
Medicinal during the slave trade period in the
Asthma, coughs, colds, bronchitis, Americas.
digestive complaints, intestinal worms,
sore throats, and skin irritations. USES
∗ In incense for protection. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Yemaya.
MASTUERZO / DWARF HORSEWEED To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
(Lepidium virginicum)
Other names:
Cuba - Sabelección.
Haiti - Kreson danwa
Lukumi – Eribo
138
MAZORQUILLA / BROWNE'S U.S. - Balm, Balm mint, Harden balm,

BLECHUM Gentle balm, Lemon balm, Melissa, Sweet
(Blechum brownei) balm
Erect annual plant, less than 2 ft. tall, Erect perennial herb. The plants grow in
branched; leaves ovate, rounded at base; clumps to a height of about 2 feet, and the
spikes dense, greenish or whitish; corolla bright green crinkled leaves possess a
white or pale violet. fragrant lemon like odor.
USES USES
Medicinal Medicinal
Fever. Catarrh, digestive complaints, cramps,
fever, flatulence, headaches, hysteria,
Religious/Magical influenza, light head, nervousness,
Orisha Worship palpitations, toothaches, vomiting.
Belongs to Elegba, Yemaya and Shango.
Used to make ritual omiero. MELON DE AGUA/WATERMELON
(Citrullus citrulls)
MEJORANA / MARJORAM
(Origanum majorana) Other names:
Brazil - Melancia
Description Cuba - Sandía.
Perennial herb. The plants are 1 to 2 feet Haiti - Melon dlo
in height, with oblong to ovate, somewhat Kongo – Machafio suri mamba
hairy leaves. Leaves and tender stems are Lukumi - Egusi Agbe
fragrant and spicy. Scented whitish Puerto Rico – Patilla, Sandia
flowers.
Description
USES Annual climber growing to 3 ft. It is in
flower from July to September, and the
Medicinal seeds ripen from August to October.
Anxiety, arthritis, bronchial complaints,
colds, digestive upsets, ear ailments, USES
genital herpes, insomnia, muscular pain,
painful menstruation, sprains, stiff joints, Medicinal
tension headaches. Abrasions, body parasites, burns,
tapeworms, tired eyes.
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Elegba, Obatala, Yemaya. Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Okana Meji, Otrupon Belongs to Yemaya.
Otura, and Osa Odi. Correlating Odu: Oyekun Otrupo, Ofun
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. Iwori.
∗ When this plant grows abundantly ∗ For ritual baths to ward off from
denotes prosperity and riches; if it accidents, calamity, hostility and
dies or does not take when first negativity in general.
planted it foretells the opposite. ∗ The seeds in amulets to attract good
∗ For protection of the household. fortune.
MELISA / LEMON BALM

(Melissa officinalis)
Other names:
Cuba – Toronjil
Mexico – Abejera, Cedronela
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MELON DE CASTILLA / HONEYDEW MIERDA DE GALLINA / WOODLAND

MELON COFFEE
(Cucumis melo) (Bunchosia nitida)

Cuba - Melón de Valencia, Moscatel Brazil - Cereja
Kongo – Machafio Suri Yanga Cuba (La Habana) - Abran de costa.
Lukumi – Egure, Lesseitaku Lukumi – Adie igbemi
Annual climber with wide and lobate Indigenous shrub with an unpleasant, fetid
leaves. The fruit is large, smooth; seed odor. The wood is dark, hard and
yellowish. The skin is yellowish green or compact; fine grain. The leaves are
yellow with corky reticulations, thick, sweet glossy; yellow flowers.
fleshy inner pericarp.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Medicinal Blood toxins.
Antidote for Guao, inflammation,
rheumatic pains, urinary ailments. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical Belongs to Ibeji.
Belongs to Oshun. For healing rituals.
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Ojuani, Otura ∗ For cleansings.
Obara, and Obara Otura. ∗ Used to ward off evil eye and healing
rituals.
MELONCILLO / CREEPING CUCUMBER
(Melothria Guadalupensis) MILENRAMA / YARROW
(Achillea millefolium)
Other names:
Panama - Sandillita Other names:
U.S. – Guadeloupe cucumber Cuba - Milenrama
Haiti – Millefeuille
Description Mexico –Hierba de las Cortaduras
Perennial plant with thin and smooth Puerto Rico - Perka
stems. The leaves are alternate, toothed. U.S. - Milfoil
The flowers are yellow. Blooms first
appear in late spring and continue into Description
early fall. May bloom throughout the year. Herbaceous pungent perennial plant
The fruit is a tiny watermelon, green to reaching up to 24 inches high. Finely
black with white seeds. feathered, bright gray-green leaves and
flat heads of small white, pink or red
USES flowers midsummer to autumn. Grows in
grassy places, including lawns.
Medicinal
Gonorrhea, swelling. USES
Orisha Worship Cold, cystitis, diabetes, fever, flu, gout,
Belongs to Elegba. gum ailments, hypertension, indigestion,
Correlating Odu: Iroso Ogunda, Iroso liver ailments, menstrual bleeding, poor
Otura, Otura Obara and Obara Meji. wound
MENTA: Yerba Buena
140
healing, poor appetite, poor peripheral USES

circulation, rheumatism, toothache, urinary
incontinence, vaginal discharge. Medicinal
Pregnant women should avoid this Ague, headache, rheumatism.
herb
Religious/Magical
∗ For binding spells. Belongs to Oya, Yewa.
∗ To ward off negativity. Correlating Odu: Oyekun Iwori, Otrupon
∗ In ritual baths for protection. Ofun.
∗ For purification baths to ward off evil
MIJE / RED STOPPER spirits and negativity.
(Eugenia rhombea)
MILLO
Other names: (Hulcus sorghum)
Cuba - Mije blanco
U.S. – Spiceberry Eugenia Other names:
Lukumi – Okuare
Description
Small tree or shrub is found in hillsides, Description
and riverbeds. The bark is gray and Common plant, similar to maize, but taller
smooth. The ovate leaves taper to a and instead of cobs, it produces a spike
narrow tip and are dark green above and full of grain.
paler green below. The thin young leaves
are red. Small white flowers and round USES
fruits, which may be orange, red, or black
depending upon the degree of ripeness. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
USES
Belongs to Odua, Babalu Aye.
Religious/Magical ∗ To ward off epidemics, place it by the
Orisha Worship front door of the household.
Belongs to Oshun, Eshu.
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Otura. MIRAGUANO / THATCH PALM
To pack amulets. (Thrinax Wendlandiana)
Rites of Palo
For rituals and ceremonies. Other names:
Cuba - Guano blanco, guano campeche,
MIL FLORES / COLOGNE BUSH guano de costa, miraguano de lana,
(Clerodendron fragans) yaraguana.
Dominican Republic – Guanillo
Other names: Haiti - latanier-la-mer
Cuba – Avispero, Cogelotodo, Hortensia, Lukumi - Mariwo
Yerba Hedionda Mexico – Chit
El Salvador – Viuda Alegre U.S. - Silk-top thatch, sea thatch
Guatemala – Jazmín de Amelia
Mexico – Bocamelia Description
Puerto Rico – Flor de muerto, Jazmín Palm tree with fan shaped glossy green,
Cimarron, Jazmín Hediondo fan shaped leaves, clustered at the top of
U.S. - Honolulu rose, stick bush, glory the trunk; attains a height of 10 to 12 feet.
bower The trunk is hard and dense and heavier
than water. The flowers are very small,
Description and in compound clusters. The fruit is a
An evergreen bush three to four feet tall white
that produces coarse, dark green, ovate
leaves, and fragrant, white camellia-like
flowers. The foliage, when crushed, is
quite malodorous.
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"stone fruit," rounded, and contains a thin- Puerto Rico - Mirto, café de la India
shelled dark brown seed or nut. The wood Virgin Islands - St. Patrick Bush
is brown in color, the outer portion hard
but the inner portion softer. Description
Ornamental tree or shrub up to 12 feet tall.
USES Leaves are obovate, oblicous at the base;
white scented flowers.
Medicinal
Bronchitis, dyspepsia, impotence, tension. USES

Orisha Worship Belongs to Oshun.
Belongs to Shango, Aganju.
MOCO DE PAVO: Acediana
MIRRA / MYRRH MOLINILLO: Bastón de San Francisco
(Commiphora Myrrha)
MORA / FUSTIC TREE
Other names: (Chlorophora tinctoria)
Arada - Aryi
Other names:
Description Argentina - Tata-yivá-saiyú
Large shrub or small tree. A pale yellow oil Brazil - Tajuva, jurema de espinho,
drips from the cuts in its dull gray bark and auroreira
hardens to form teardrop-shaped nuggets Colombia - Dinde
of myrrh, which are powdered for use as a Costa Rica - Brasil
healing herb. Cuba - Mora, Fustete, Mora del pais, Mora
de loma, Mora blanca, Mora de piedra.
USES Dominican Republic - Mora macho, palo
amarillo, fustete
Medicinal Ecuador - Moral fino, moral
Abrasions, acne, boils, canker sores, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua,
catarrh, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, pyorrhea, Honduras - Mora
respiratory complaints, sinusitis, skin Haiti - Bois jaune, Bwa Jon
conditions, skin inflammation, wounds. Virgin Islands - Fustic
Jamaica - Red fustic, snook
Religious/Magical Mexico - Palo moral, Palo amarillo, Moral,
Orisha Worship Moradila, moral amarillo, moral del clavo,
For Babalu Aye rituals and ceremonies. mora lisa.
Correlating Odu: Otura Ogunda. Panama – Moro, Mora, Amarillo
∗ To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. Peru - Insira, insira caspi, limulana,
∗ Used as an incense to purify and amarillo
protect. Puerto Rico - Palo de mora, mora,
escambron de Madera
MIRTO / ORANGE JESSAMINE U.S. – Yellow wood
(Muraya exotica) Venezuela - Moral, mora lisa, morita

Antilles illes - Boxwood Small, deciduous tree reaching up to 45 ft
Colombia - Azahar high. Found in calcareous soils. The trunk
Cuba - Mirto, Muralla, muraya, murallera, is erect and cylindrical. The trunk and
boj de Persia, jazmín francés, jazmín de branches usually present small spines.
Persia The leaves are lanceolate, serrate.
Dominican Republic - Azahar de jardín Produces milky, yellowish latex.
El Salvador - Limonaria, jazmín de Arabia
Guatemala - Limonaria, limoncillo
Haiti -Bun
Jamaica - China box, mock orange
Lukumi - Urari
142
USES bolts with a 3 ft stalk supporting bright

yellow flowers that develop into sickle-
Medicinal shaped green seedpods.
Colds, gout, rheumatism, sore throat,
venereal diseases. USES
Orisha Worship Arthritis, catarrh and related affections,
Belongs to Oshosi, Yemaya. foot ache, lumbago, rheumatism, skin
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba. eruptions and ulcers
MORURO / WILD TAMBRAN MULATO: Aceitunillo

(Pithecellobium arboreum)
MURALLA / CHINESE BOX
Other names: (Murraya paniculata)
Costa Rica - Loro, lorito, conchido
Cuba- Moruro, Tengue, Moruro prieto Other names:
Dominican Republic - Abey Cuba – Murallera, Boj de Persia, Jazmín
Guatemala, Honduras - Cola de marano, de Persia
cola de mico, quebracho. Puerto Rico – Jazmín de la India, Mirto
Honduras – Barba de Jolote U.S. – Orange jessamine, Orange
Kongo – Kasoasa kinpase blossom of India, satinwood
Lukumi – Orudan, efunkoko
Mexico – Coralillo, Caña mazo Description
Puerto Rico - Cojoba, Cojóbana Attractive slender, upright, shrub or tree
U.S. – Wild tamarind with a dense head type and compound
evergreen leaves that are made up of
Description pear-shaped leaflets, fragrant, white,
A large canopy leguminous tree, reaching orange-like blossoms, bright, decorative,
to 120 feet in height and 6 feet in red fruits.
diameter. It has rough bark and white
dense flowers. USES
USES Medicinal
Aches, diarrhea, dysentery, hysteria,
Medicinal rheumatism, and wound.
Cuts, gum disease, wounds.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship Correlating Odu: Ojuani Iwori.
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Ofun, Ojuani Rites of Palo
Iroso, Irete Iroso, Oshe Otura. For rituals and ceremonies.
Rites of Palo Used to make Nkisi lango.
Works with the Nkisi. ∗ Planted outside de house for
For rituals and amulets protection.
MOSTAZA CIMARRONA / MUSTARD household to banish evil spirits and
GREENS negativity.
(Brassica juncea) ∗ In amulets to attract good fortune
Other names:
U.S. - leaf mustard, Indian mustard, brown
mustard
Description
Annual, grown for it's variable, glabrous,
thin basal leaves which are eaten raw or
cooked like spinach. Produces mustard
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
N USES
Medicinal
NARANJA / ORANGE Abdominal distension, chest ailments,
(Citrus sinensis) constipation, dyspepsia, hiccups,
Nervousness, parasites, spasms, skin
Other names: ulcers, sluggish digestion, stomach
Cuba - Naranja de china problems, uterine, rectum and stomach
Haiti - Zoran'y ailments
Kongo – Bolo mamba, Mbelia kala, Mbeio
malala Religious/Magical
Lukumi – Orolocun, Orombo, Olombo, Orisha Worship
Osan, Esa Belongs to Ogun.
U.S. – Sweet orange, navel orange To make Shekete
For spells
Description
A compact evergreen tree up to 30 ft. tall
NELUMBIO BLANCO / DOTLEAF
with a rounded, symmetrical crown. The
WATERLILY
leaves are shiny and leathery, oblong to
(Nymphaea ampla)
elliptic, and have narrow wings on their
leaf stems. The blossoms are white, very
Other names:
fragrant, and arranged in clusters of 1-6.
Cuba - Flor de agua
They bloom in spring and give rise to
Dominican Republic - Yerba de Hicotea
oranges the following autumn or winter.
Description
USES
Aquatic plant. Leaves floating; large
Acne, bilious affections, catarrh, colds,
flowers at surface, white.
coughs, fever, flu, malaria, psoriasis, skin
conditions
USES
Religious/Magical
Medicinal
Orisha Worship
Intestinal infections.
Belongs to Oshun, Ibeji
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Odi
To attract good fortune NITRO
Burned in incense to banish negativity (Boldoa purpurascens)
Description
NARANJA AGRIA / BITTER ORANGE
Common weed with erect stem and thin
(Citrus aurantium)
branches. The leaves are alternate, pale
green; flowers greenish, small.
Other names:
Cuba - Naranja agria
USES
Haiti - Zorany sí, Zoranj anmè, Orange
Gosco (Gwo Po)
Medicinal
Lukumi - Korosan
Urinary track ailments, impotence.
U.S. - Sour Orange, Seville Orange
Religious/Magical
Description
Orisha Worship
An evergreen tree growing to 20 ft. It is in
Correlating Odu: Iroso Ojuani and Ojuani
leaf all year, in flower from April to June.
Oshe.
Scented flowers. The wood is hard, white.
144
NO ME OLVIDES / GOLDEN DEW DROP ÑAME / WHITE YAM

(Duranta repens) (Dioscorea alata)

Brazil - Grao de gallo Cuba - Ñame
Colombia - Espino negro, adonis morado Haiti - Yanm, Zyanm
Cuba - No me olvides, violetina, fruta de Kongo – Imbiku Loato
iguana, celosa Lukumi - Ewe Isu
El Salvador - Heliotropo, chulada
Haiti - Bois jambette Description
Jamaica - Angels-whisper, poison macca Herbaceous vine with heart-shaped ovate
Mexico - Espina blanca, capocoche leaves 3-6 inches long; wing-like on
Nicaragua - Heliotropo morado, opposite sides of a square stem that has 4
pensamiento flat sides and twines to the right. The
Panama - Varita de San Jose, lora leaves have veins that begin at the leaf
Puerto Rico - Cuenta de oro, azota base. The flowers are small, with a yellow
caballo, lila, lluvia or yellow-green calyx and no petals. The
U.S. - Sky flower, Pigeon-berry edible fruit, tuber, of the yam grows on an
Venezuela - Fruta de paloma, melero underground stem and is thick.
Description USES
Evergreen shrub, up to 15 feet tall and 10
feet wide. The leaves are 1" to 4" long with Medicinal
a whorled appearance. The flowers are a Coughs, constipation, dysentery, vomiting
pale purple with a yellow eye, scented; blood.
orange berries.
Religious/Magical
USES Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba all the Orishas
Religious/Magical Correlating Odu: Odi Ojuani, Ojuani Iroso,
Orisha Worship Ojuani Ofun, Otura Osa, Otura Oshe, and
Belongs to Oshun, Ogun. Obara Ogunda, Oshe Meji, Okana Obara.
Correlating Odu: Ika Ogbe. For rituals and ceremonies
∗ For love spells. Food offerings for the Orishas.
NOGAL / WEST INDIAN WALNUT ÑAME VOLADOR / AIR POTATO

(Juglans insularis) (Dioscorea pilosiuscula)

Cuba - Nogal del país, Palo de Nuez Cuba - Alambrillo, papas al aire.
Dominican Republic – Nogal Kongo – Imbikua salalala
Puerto Rico - Palo de nuez, nuez Lukumi - Ishu
Indigenous tree that grows in elevated Herbaceous, perennial vine; stems
areas. The leaves are large, serrated; annual, twining counterclockwise Leaves
small flowers, greenish. simple, alternate, blades broadly ovate,
cordate, -nerved, glabrous, entire; aerial
USES tubers usually in axils, generally sub
spherical, smooth-surfaced. Flowers
Medicinal small, fragrant. Fruit a capsule, edible,
Buccal inflammations, eczema, intestinal bland/ bitter tasting.
parasites, skin diseases, skin ulcers,
throat irritation, whites.
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango.
∗ To expel evil spirits
∗ To expel unwanted company.
146
O Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
OCUJE / BEAUTY LEAF Belongs to Obatala
(Colophyllum antilanum) For rituals and ceremonies.
Other names:
Cuba - Ocú.
OJO DE BUEY / SEA BEANS
Kongo - Simano
(Mucuna urens)
Lukumi – Yenye
U.S. – Santa Maria
Other names:
Cuba - Cayajabo, jairey, ojo de caballo,
Description
ojo de borrico.
Erect tree growing up to 40 ft. tall. Young
Lukumi – Jumiyi, Irubaniye
stems green, minutely hair, becoming gray
Mexico – Ojo de Borrico
with age. Leaves opposite, simple,
Panama - Ojo de venado
petioled, elliptic, long; blades very shiny,
Puerto Rico - Matos del monte, matos, ojo
tips rounded to minutely notched. Flowers
de buey
small, in few flowered racemes, white,
fragrant, with many yellow stamens. Fruit
Description
a 1 seeded, hard shelled drupe, brown,
A large woody vine, glabrous. Reaches up
globose. Found in mangrove forests and
to 10 ft. long. Leaflets mostly elliptic,
other coastal areas.
blackening when dried, lustrous, purplish
below, green above. Legume sessile,
USES
oblong; seeds 1-4, compressed or
subglobose, orbicular, almost surrounded
Medicinal
by the linear hilum, brownish fuscous.
Hernia, rheumatism.
USES
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Medicinal
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Ofun
Intestinal parasites.
Rites of Palo
Religious/Magical
For healing rituals.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango
∗ The seeds are used for amulets.
OFON / BLACK PLUM
(Vitex Doniana)
OJO DE PROFETA
Other names:
Other names:
Cuba - Ofón
Kongo – Mikambo
Lukumi - Recheyee
Description
A deciduous tree, up to 20 ft high, with a
USES
dense rounded crown. Its bark is light grey
with numerous vertical fissures. Leaves
Medicinal
are long stalked with 5-7 leaflets. Flowers
Head colds, headaches.
are numerous, white, tinged purple,
usually borne in short, stout axillary cymes
on a long stalk. The fruits are ellipsoid to
oblong, green turning black on ripening.
USES
Medicinal
Anemia, dysentery, gonorrhea, jaundice,
and leprosy.
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
Religious/Magical OREJA DE PALO / TIMWORT

Orisha Worship (Phoradendron quadrangulare)
Belongs to Orunmila
∗ For purification baths. Other names:
Cuba - Guindavela, palo caballero
OJO DE RATON / ROUGE PLANT Description
(Rivina humilis) Parasitary sub shrub. Foliage khaki to
yellow-green, the leaves are fleshy and
Other names: brittle. Flowers pale yellow. Immature fruit
Argentina, Urugüay - Sangre de toro. yellow green, mature fruit orange, round,
Colombia -Pinpin, pinta pinta with green seed.
Cuba - Coralitos.
Dominican Republic –Caimancillo USES
Kongo - Modobo
Mexico - Coral, coralito, coralillo Religious/Magical
Nicaragua -Hierba mora, saca-tinta, Rites of Palo
coralillo, coralillo carmin. Works with the Nkisi.
Description
A bushy perennial standing one to five OROZUS DE LA TIERRA / AZTEC
feet tall. The leaves have wavy margins. SWEET HERB
The pink to white flowers grow on a spike. (Lippia dulcis)
The top of the spike has reddish-pink buds
and the base has bright red to orange Other names:
fruit. Cuba - Orozus de la tierra, Oro Azul.
El Salvador – Salvia Santa, Corronchocho
USES Kongo - Inmeyemo
Lukumi – Orosun kikio simawa
Religious/Magical Mexico – Hierba buena, Hierba dulce
Orisha Worship Nicaragua – Orosul
Belongs to Elegba Panama – Salvia Santa
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Ofun Peru – Menta Dulce
Rites of Palo U.S. - Sweet leaf
Description
Low creeping herb about 18 inches high;
OREGANO/ WILD MAJORAN the branches and leaves in pairs, the
(Origanum vulgare) flower stalks in the axils of the leaves,
white. The leaves are ovate, narrowed into
Description the petiole, acute, finely toothed above,
A hardy perennial herb growing up to 2 ft. veiny and glandular-hairy. They have a
in height. It bears attractive white to peculiar, sweet and very delightful,
purplish flowers and showy bracts in aromatic odor and taste.
summer. Leaves are green to gray-green
and may be hairy or smooth. USES
USES Medicinal
Arthritis, asthma, chest ailments, coughs,
Medicinal infections, inflammation, liver ailments,
Bronchitis, cough, hemorrhages, intestinal stomach upset
parasites.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Oshun
Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Odi Ogunda, Irete Iwori,
To condiment food offerings for the
Ika Odi, and Ofun Iroso.
Orishas
∗ For amulets to attract good fortune
148
ORTIGA: Candelilla
ORTIGUILLA/COWITCH
(Fleurya cuneata)
Other names:
Kongo – Iyen
Lukumi – Ewe Ne, Ina
Description
Indigenous climber, with serrated leaves,
axillary flowers.
USES
Medicinal
Blood toxins, impotence, rheumatism, skin
ulcers, wounds.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Babalu aye
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
P Description
A palm from 50 feet to 80 feet in height;
PACHULI / PATCHOULI straight clear trunk up to two feet in
(Pogostemon patchouli) diameter, covered with shallow ridges and
fissures. It grows in sandy soil or
Description hammocks. The fronds are from five to
A fragrant herb, with soft, opposite, egg- eight feet long, dark green, shiny, deeply
shaped leaves and square stems; grows divided into narrow portions, and borne on
from 2 to 3 feet in height, giving out the unarmed petioles. The trunk is covered
peculiar, characteristic odor of patchouli with a thick rind and marked in rings
when rubbed. Its whitish flowers, tinged where the old sets of fronds have fallen
with purple, grow in both axillary and off. The fruit consists of many rounded
terminal spikes. berries, about one-third inch in diameter,
each containing a brownish colored seed.
USES The wood is light, soft, pale brown,
containing numerous hard fibers or
Medicinal threads.
Loss of appetite and sleep, nervous
attacks. USES
∗ Burned to attract good fortune. Hysteria.
∗ It has aphrodisiac properties.
Religious/Magical
PADERO: Arriero Orisha Worship
Egun rituals and ceremonies.
PALMA REAL / ROYAL PALM
(Roystonea Regia) PALO AMARILLO / PLUME POPPY
(Bocconia frutescens)
Other names:
Puerto Rico - Palma de yagua cubana Other names:
Argentina, Urugüay - Sancho amargo
Description Colombia - Curarador, trompeto, sanor,
Palm tree reaching up to 50 ft. high with a mata-chande, sarcillejo
very solid trunk, grass green crown shaft, Costa Rica -Guacamayo, tabaquillo
and a handsome crown of large feathery Dominican Republic -Yagrumo macho.
leaves. Guatemala - Sangre de toro
Mexico- Gordolobo, cuatlataya, calderón
USES Puerto Rico - Palo de pan cimarrón, pan
cimarrón
Medicinal
Eye ailments, gonorrhea, kidney ailments, Description
and leprosy. Evergreen shrub to small tree that forms
dense stands in dry habitats. It has very
Religious/Magical: large, sinuate, dentate leaves, and small,
Orisha Worship panicled, apetalous flowers. The seeds
Belongs to Shango, Orunla are wind-dispersed.
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Meji, Iwori Iroso,
Odi Meji, Otura Iroso, Otura Osa, Irete
Otura.
PALMA CANA / SABAL PALM

(Sabal florida)
Other names:
Cuba - Guano cana.
150
Orisha Worship
Medicinal Belongs to Osanyin
Dropsy, jaundice, intestinal worms and Rites of Palo
parasites, psoriasis. To banish negativity and protection.
PALO AMARGO PALO BOBO

(Picramnia reticulata) (Annona glabra)

Cuba - Palo amargo, marigoncillo, palo Brazil - Araticum do brejo.
amarillo, quina de la tierra. Colombia - Mayos
Kongo - Momboco Costa Rica - Guanábana silvestre
Lukumi – Igi Kikan Cuba - Baga, Palo bobo, guanábana
cimarrona, cimarrona.
Description Dominican Republic – Guanábano de
Indigenous tree reaching up to 30 ft. high. corcho, mammon de perro, anon de río,
The leaves are lanceolate, bright green. baga, guanábana
Found in semi-calcareous forests. cimarrona
Ecuador - Anona del campo
USES Guatemala, Honduras - Anoncillo
Haiti - Carossol marrón, mammier
Medicinal Kongo – Chona
Alcoholism, arthritis, gout, stomach Lukumi – Inabiri, Iyumo
ailments. Mexico -Corcho, arbol de corcho, palo de
corcho.
Religious/Magical Panama - Anón de puerco
Orisha Worship Puerto Rico - Cayur, corazón cimarrón,
Belongs to Shango, Ogun guanábano cimarrón, anón.
∗ To expel ingested witchcraft U.S.- Alligator apple, custard apple
∗ For spells to cause despair. Venezuela - Anón liso, chirimoya
cimarrona, guanábano cimarrón,
PALO BLANCO / PARADISE TREE guanábano bobo.
(Simarouba glauca)
Description
Other names: Indigenous tree reaching heights up to 35
Costa Rica - Simaruba ft. Grows near fresh water ponds and
Cuba - Gavilán, roblecillo streams and in swampy hammocks; with a
El Salvador - Jucumico, aceituno much swelled, or buttressed, base and
Haiti - Fren'n short, clear trunk. The branches are stout
Kongo – Musi mindola and irregular-shaped. The leaves are
Lukumi – Iggi Fun leathery, bright green above, elliptical or
Mexico – So. - Xpaxakil oval. The flowers open from a three-
Nicaragua - Aceituno, aceituno negrito angled bud on a stout flower stem, with six
Panama - Aceituno petals in two series of three each, of a
pale or yellowish white, the three outer
Description ones marked with a bright red spot near
A medium sized to large tree that grows the base.
up to 25 feet in height. Bright green
leaves and a small red fruits. The wood is
soft with a bitter taste and a peculiar
scent.
USES
Medicinal
Diabetes, dysentery, stomach upset.
151
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES spines that cause a burning sensation and

itch when touched.
Medicinal
Neutralizes medicinal decoctions when USES
they are made too strong.
Abdominal complaints, burns, coughing Medicinal
associated with TB, infantile diarrhea, Hair loss, menstrual irregularity.
jaundice, pulmonary ailments,
rheumatism, intestinal parasites and Religious/Magical
worms. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Osanyin and Obatala
Religious/Magical ∗ Used for protection against evil and
Orisha Worship negativity.
Correlating Odu: Ika Ojuani
Rites of Palo PALO CABALLERO / MAHOGANY
Palo Mayombe. MISTLETOE
For spells and rituals. (Phoradendron rubrum)
∗ Weakens; causes lapses.
Other names:
PALO BOMBA Cuba - Cepa de caballero, guinda vela
(Xilopia glabra) Kongo – Butekie
Puerto Rico - Caballera
Other names:
Cuba - Guabico, palo crio. Description
Kongo - Mubon Tropical rock land hammock. Parasitic on
Lukumi – Olunipa mahogany.
Description USES
Tree with twisted branches, smooth gray
bark; leaves glossy, ovate, alternate, pale Religious/Magical
green on top, lighter green at the bottom; Orisha Worship
single flowers, six petals, the longer ones Belongs to Shango
are brown, and the rest triangular in Rites of Palo
shape. For rituals and amulets
Used for protection against evil and
USES negativity.
Religious/Magical PALO CACHIMBA

Orisha Worship (Aralia capitata)
Belongs to Shango, Ogun
Negative properties. It has fatal effects if Other names:
ingested, causing internal hemorrhage. Cuba – Aralia
Lukumi – Asho ikoko
PALO BONITO: Arbol bonito
Description
PALO BRONCO / MALPIGHIA Tree up to 60 ft. high. Trunk produces a
(Malpighia biflora) milky sap; the bark is light brown with
shallow, round depressions; leaves
Other names: glabrous, green, scented flowers;
Cuba - Palo bronco de monte cream/white, terminal; berries are green,
Kongo - Moruambo purple when mature.
Puerto Rico - Olaga
Description
Coastal shrub found in arid, rocky soils.
The trunk and leaves are covered by
152
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical Belongs to Shango
Belongs to Shango For rituals and amulets
Rites of Palo
For rituals and amulets PALO CALIENTE: Copaiba
For protection against negativity and evil
spirits.
PALO CAMBIA VOZ / WEST INDIAN
SANDALWOOD
PALO CAFE
(amyris balsamifera)
(Amaioua corymbosa)
Other names:
Other names:
Cuba – Cambia Voz, palo cambia camino,
Cuba - Palo café, pitajoní cimarrón,
cafetillo, cafetillo cimarrón cuaba, palo cuaba
Kongo - Irinkao Kongo - Kisiambolo
Lukumi - Iggi Fere, Apo U.S. - Balsam Torchwood, West Indian
Rosewood
Description
Scrub common in sandy soils; cylindrical Description
branches; leaves elliptical, silky A small tree growing to a height of 20 or
underneath; scented flowers, white. 30 feet, Found in coastal areas and sandy
soils. The leaves are opposite, smooth,
USES glaucous on under surface, oval or
lanceolate in shape. Its numerous small
Religious/Magical flowers are without odor and of varying
Rites of Palo hues. The tree is parasitic, and will attach
For rituals and amulets itself to other plants by tuberous
Burned to banish illness and negativity in processes on its roots.
the household.
USES
PALO CAJA
(Allophyllus cominia) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
Costa Rica - Esuquitillo Rites of Palo
Cuba - Palo caja, palo de caja For rituals and amulets
Dominican Republic - Tres palabras, palo ∗ To cause change of mind.
de caja
Haiti - Cafe jaune, petit cafe, trois paroles PALO CENIZO
Kongo – Nguengue (Pithecollobium obovale)
Lukumi – Iggi Bire, Oin, Merembe
Puerto Rico - Quiebrahacha, palo blanco Other names:
Venezuela - Fruta paloma, marfil Cuba - Humo de sabana, Abey blanco,
encinillo.
Description Kongo – Nchungo, chungora mifototo
Dense foliage tree found in mountain Lukumi - Igbelefin
sides, reaching up to 30 ft. high. The
leaves are elliptical, fuzzy underneath.
The flowers are white, aromatic. The fruit
is red or orange, sometimes hairy.
USES
Medicinal
Debility, dropsy, high blood pressure,
intestinal ailments, toothaches,
tuberculosis.
153
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Description USES
Tree reaching up to 30 ft. found near
riverbanks and streams. The flowers in Medicinal
racemes. Seeds are elliptical, bluish color. Colic, dyspepsia, fever, rheumatism,
spasm.
USES
Religious/Magical
Rites of Palo Belongs to Shango, Yemaya, Ogun
Used for balance and stability in amulets Rites of Palo
and rituals. For rituals and amulets
∗ For ritual cleansings of persons and
PALO CLAVO / CLOVE the household.
(Eugenia caryophyllata)
PALO COCUYO
Other names: (Paralabatia dictyneura)
Cuba - Arbol del clavo
Other names:
Description Cuba - Vigueta peluda, árbol de las
An evergreen tree, 15 to 30 feet tall. sierras, San Juan.
Scented leaves, opposite, ovate; flowers Dominican Republic - Cuero de puerco,
are red and white, bell-shaped, in terminal tomasina, caracol.
clusters. The dried flower makes the Kongo – Nkunia Ntoka.
"cloves". The fruit is a one- or two-seeded Lukumi – Ofuntana.
berry.
Description
USES Mountain tree, reddish hard wood, Grows
up to 24 Ft. high. The leaves are rigid,
Medicinal lanceolate, fuzzy underneath; axillary
Diabetes, indigestion, infection, intestinal flowers; fruit elliptical, hairy.
parasites, pain, sore throat, toothache.
USES
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Ogun Orisha Worship
Rites of Palo Belongs to Osayin
For rituals and amulets Correlating Odu: Iwori Odi
To expel ingested witchcraft To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
Rites of Palo
PALO COCHINO / OKEN Works with the Nkisi.
(Tetragastris balsamifera) For rituals and amulets
Other names: PALO DE CAMPECHE / LOGWOOD

Cuba - Palo cochino, palo de cochino, (Haematoxylum campechianum)
azucarero, incienso.
Dominican Republic - Amacey Other names:
Haiti - Bwa-Koshon Cuba – Palo Negro
Kongo - Fumasi
Lukumi – Epoto, ewinmamaro Description
U.S. – Masa A tree that grows up to 50 feet high and
has a short, crooked trunk; leaves feather-
Description formed, oval leaflets. The small yellow
Common tree growing up to 30 ft.; the flowers grow in a cluster from the leaf axil.
trunk is erect, long that release a white The wood is heavy and extremely hard.
aromatic sap; the wood is pink or grayish
pink, the core is pink with white strikes.
154
USES Description
A shrub or small tree reaching 15' to 30'
Medicinal feet with a 4" to 8" diameter trunk that
Abortive, anemia, antiseptic, diarrhea, often leans. Most of the trunk is covered
dysentery, gangrene, leucorrhea, sore, by the narrow, irregular crown. The
sprains, trauma, toothache, tuberculosis. reddish-brown to light brown bark is scaly
and very thin. The evergreen leaves are
Religious/Magical simple, opposite, and oblong or oval in
Orisha Worship shape. The reddish-brown to purplish-
Correlating Odu: Oyekun Ika black fruit is a small drupe with four seeds.
Found in pinelands and hammocks of
PALO DEL BRASIL: Campeche coastal areas.
USES
PALO DIABLO / JAMAICA CAPER
TREE
Medicinal
(Capparis cynophallophora)
Ear ailments.
Other names:
Religious/Magical
Cuba - Palo diablo, mostacilla.
Orisha Worship
Kongo - Mecuembri, wabi
Belongs to Obatala, Shango, Ogun
Lukumi – Bieshu, burubu
Description PALO HACHA

Evergreen shrub. This flowering plant
reaches up to 10 feet. It is in flower during Other names:
the spring. The leaves are green and the Kongo – Musi Bele loasia
underside rust colored; simple, medium Lukumi – Igi Nika
texture; showy flowers, pink- white.
USES
USES
Religious/Magical:
Orisha Worship Belongs to Oya.
Belongs to Eshu. Rites of Palo
Not used for rituals or ceremonies. Works with the Nkisi.
Rites of Palo For rituals and amulets.
To overcome the enemy. Not favorable for
all Nkisis. PALO HEDIONDO / SENNA TREE
This plant should be planted away from (Cassia emarginata)
the household for it attracts negative/evil
spirits. Other names:
Cuba - Palo hediondo, frijolillo
PALO GUAMO: Guamá de Costa Haiti - Bwa-Kabrit', Casse Marron, Casse-
PALO GUARA: Guara à-batons, Casse Savane, Casse-Hallier,
Sou Maké
Kongo – Sekense, baye, bitondo
PALO GUITARRA / FIDDLEWOOD
Lukumi – Igi jara-jara
(Citharexylum caudatum)
U.S. - Yellow Candle wood
Other names:
Description
Cuba - Cateicillo, collarete, guairo santo,
Indigenous shrub; has a peculiar,
guayo blanco, penda y roble amarillo.
unpleasant odor.
Kongo – Osonko
Lukumi - Alare
U.S. – Juniper berry
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES Description
Indigenous large tree found in riverbanks.
Religious/Magical The leaves are green, ovate, somewhat
Rites of Palo glossy on above, and yellowish below; the
For rituals and amulets flowers have four petals. The seeds in a
To assist the earth bound moribund to capsule, yellowish/ green; the trunk is dark
pass peacefully brown, smooth, light brown inside.
PALO JERINGA / HORSERADISH TREE USES

(Moringa oleifera)
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names:
Belongs to Osanyin y Shango
Cuba - Paraíso francés
Correlating Odu: Ika Okana.
El Salvador - Marango, Marenque,
To pack amulets
Paraíso extranjero, teberino. Rites of Palo
Mexico - Paraíso de España, Perlas de For rituals and amulets
Oriente
Nicaragua, Costa Rica - Marango
Puerto Rico - Angela PALO MALAMBO / WILD CINNAMON
U.S. – Drumstick tree (Canella alba)
Other names:
Description
Cuba - Cúrbana, canela del país.
Small tree, tortuous, used as ornamental.
Haiti - Canelle
It has a single stem, light bark; wide-open,
Kongo – Nkumia Mpeka
umbrella shaped crown; wood soft.
U.S. – Wild cinnamon
USES Description
A straight tree, from 20 to 50 feet high,
Medicinal: with erect branches at the summit only.
Asthma, catarrh, cold, dropsy, dysentery, The bark is yellowish-white; the inner bark
erysipelas, fever, hair loss, hysteria, thick, smooth, and pale, with a biting,
neuralgia, spasm, toothache, ulcer, yellow aromatic taste. The leaves are scattered,
fever, tumor, vertigo. shining, and yellowish-green. The flowers
are small, and borne in clusters, and of a
Religious/Magical purple color. Berry the size of a pea,
Orisha Worship fleshy, smooth, blue, or black, hot and
Belongs to Yemaya biting while green. The bark is of a pale
Correlating Odu: Otura Ika, Otura yellowish-white color, occurring in hard,
Otrupon. twisted pieces, with an acrid, peppery
Rites of Palo taste, an aromatic, clove-like, or
For rituals and amulets. cinnamon-like odor.
It has aphrodisiac properties. Restores the
passion in loving partners. USES
Medicinal
PALO JICOTEA Cold, diarrhea, difficult menstruation,
fever, sluggish digestion, tetanus, wound
Other names: pain.
Cuba - Jicotea, chicharrón, berijúa, juba
blanca. Religious/Magical
Dominican Republic - Chicharrón Orisha Worship
Lukumi – Igi Aya Ura Correlating Odu: Iwori Odi, Iroso Ika,
Puerto Rico - Chicharrón Otrupon Iroso.
To pack amulets
Rites of Palo
156
Religious/Magical
PALO MANGA SAYAS Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun
USES Rites of Palo
Religious/Magical ∗ For purification baths
Orisha Worship ∗ Burned in incense to banish
Belongs to Yemaya negativity and attract good vibrations
Rites of Palo
Palo mayombe. PALO NEGRO: Palo de campeche
For love amulets and spells
PALO PAPO
PALO MANAJU: Cabima (Fagelia bitaminosa)
PALO MORO Other names:

(Psychotria brownei) Cuba - Papito de la reina.

Haiti - Café-Marron Grand-Bois, Petit-Café Cultivated plant.
Marron
USES
Description
Indigenous shrubs found in mountainous Medicinal
areas. Debility.
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical Belongs to Oshun
Orisha Worship ∗ For purification baths to banish
Belongs to Elegba. negativity.
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Iroso ∗ For amulets
Rites of Palo
For rituals and amulets PALO RAMON / RAMOON
∗ For binding spells. To attract love (Trophis racemosa)
PALO MORURO: Moruro Other names:

Cuba - Ramon de bestia y Ramón de
PALO MULATO / INKWOOD caballos, balsamo.
(Exothea paniculata) Dominican Republic - Ramón, Ramon de
vaca, Ramon de bestia.
Other names: El Salvador -Ojushte, chulujuste, pilijuste
Cuba - Palo mulato, mulato, yaicuaje. Guatemala -Ramon colorado
Kongo - Potunkoro Haiti -Ramon, bois neuf rameau
Lukumi - Kukunduku Jamaica - Ramoon
U.S. – Butterbough Kongo – Cuaribao, nkento, nkitan kitan
Mexico - Ramon, ramoncillo, ushi
Description Panama - Ojoche macho, breadnut
Shrub common in hammocks; the leaves Puerto Rico -Ramoncillo, Ramon.
are dark green, long and come in sets of Venezuela - Marfil.
four leaflets. Wood is hard, compact,
reddish color.
USES
Medicinal
Debility.
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
Native tree found in wet forests. The Common shrub of calcareous soils. The
leaves are elliptical, slightly serrate, round leaves a elliptical. Ripe fruits, deep
at the base. Produces small edible orange burgundy, the seeds covered by a yellow-
fruits, with a large seed inside. orange aril. Wood light yellow.
USES USES
Medicinal Medicinal
Slow milk flow in nursing women. Burns, flu, leprosy, skin lesions, wound.
Correlating Odu: Obara Okana Belongs to Shango, Oya and Ogun.
For amulets and relics, Rites of Palo
Rites of Palo To overcome obstacles
Essential to the Nkisi. For rituals and amulets
To dominate spirits.
PALO SANTO/ BLACK SWEETWOOD
PALO RAYO / JERUSALEM THORN (Ocotea foeniculacea)
(Parkinsonia aculeata)
Other names:
Other names: Cuba - Palo Santo
Cuba - Junco marino, palo de rayo. Puerto Rico - Palo Santo, laurel
Dominican Republic - Canelilla
Description
Tree noted for its striking yellow flowers Description
and unusual foliage. The green bark and Evergreen tree reaching up to 30 ft. high.
branches are armed with thorns, up to an Aromatic bark, smooth, gray with dark
inch in length. The leaves are compound, green spots; flexible, slender branches;
small and strap-like, resembling floppy, leaves ovate, alternate; flowers in
narrow feathers. The flowers are racemes, blue.
clustered, yellow, and pea-like, appearing
in spring and summer. The fruit is hard, USES
brown pods 3-4 inches in length.
Religious/Magical
USES Rites of Palo
Medicinal
Epilepsy, fever, stomachache. PALO TENGUE
(Poeppigia procera)
Religious/Magical
For rituals and amulets Brazil - Lava-cabelo
Cuba - Palo tengue, quebracho blanco,
PALO ROMPEHUESO abey hembra.
(Casearia sylvestris) Kongo – Nkita, Nkuni Cheche Cabinda
Lukumi - Adebesu
Other names: Mexico – Corazon Bonito
Cuba - Sarna de perro, aguedita blanca, Panama - Harino
aguedita macho, tasajo.
Kongo – Beberico, kulombe
Lukumi – Ishiegu, borocoma
Mexico - Guayabillo
Nicaragua - Comida de culebra
Puerto Rico - Cafeillo cimarron, laurel
espada, sarna de perro
158
Description USES
Tree common in calcareous and
mountainous areas. Reaches up to 30 ft. Religious/Magical
high. The foliage is fine; yellow flowers. Orisha Worship
The wood is good, hard, reddish core. Correlating Odu: Iwori Ofun.
Belongs to Eshu
USES ∗ To twist someone's luck.
Medicinal PALO VERRACO

Ulcers and wounds. (Hypericum stypheliodes)
Rites of Palo Kongo – Fumasi, Dokirongo
Works with the Nkisi. Lukumi – Teni teni, Lede
For amulets
∗ To attract stability and protection Description
Shrub growing along streams in sandy
PALO TOCINO savannas. The trunk is woody, erect,
(Acacia paniculata) cylindrical, gray. Rigid leaves; large yellow
flowers.
Other names:
Brazil - Aspera-aí USES
Cuba - Palo tocino, rabo de iguana.
Kongo – Yiguayeo Medicinal
Lukumi - Ore Syphilis, venereal diseases.
Cuban indigenous tree with emerald Orisha Worship
green, feathery, spiny, arched branches. Belongs to Yemaya
USES PANETELA / SWORDBUSH

(Xylophylla angustifolia)
Medicinal
Gonorrhea, menstrual problems. Other names:
U.S. – Foliage flower
Religious/Magical
Works with the Nkisi. Common tree with hard, compact wood,
For rituals and amulets. fine grain, brownish color with streaks. At
nighttime, the flowers expel a soft,
PALO TORCIDO pleasant odor.
(Mouriri valenzuelana)
USES
Other names:
Cuba - Lebrero, mano de pilón, torcido, Religious/Magical
yaya macho. Orisha Worship
Kongo – Alubende dianfinda, Otutua Belongs to Oshun.
Lukumi - Otite, Mitonlo Correlating Odu: Eyioko Iroso, Ika Odi.
Description PAPAYON: Arriero

Indigenous tree found near riverbanks and PAPITO DE LA REINA: Bejuco de
streams. The wood is hard, compact, Conchita
heavy and fibrous; fine grain, yellowish
brown with darker streaks.
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
PARA MI / FIRE BUSH Description

(Hamelia patens) Tree originally from India. It flowers and
bears fruit and has toothed leaflets. The
Other names: tree produces purplish fragrant flowers,
Brazil – Valmoura after wards followed by yellow fruits
Cuba - Para mi, ponasí, raíz de indio (berries) that are very poisonous.
Haiti – Koray
Kongo - Kaguangaco USES
U.S. - Scarlet bush, hummingbird bush
Medicinal
Description Diphnea, hysteria, leprosy, parasitic
Semi-woody evergreen shrub that can get roundworms.
up to 15 ft. tall. The leaves are elliptic to
oval, gray-pubescent underneath with Religious/Magical
reddish veins and petioles. Showy Orisha Worship
terminal clusters of bright reddish-orange Belongs to Shango, Obatala, Oshun,
or scarlet tubular flowers, the clusters of Elegba
fruit also are showy. Each fruit is a juicy Correlating Odu: Eyioko Okana, Iwori Ika,
berry with many small seeds, ripening Odi Ika, Odi Ogunda, Ogunda Oshe,
from green to yellow to red and finally to Otura Okana.
black. It is not used for ritual omiero.
Rites of Palo
USES For rituals and ceremonies
∗ Planted outside the house for luck
Medicinal and protection.
Fungal infections, pain, skin problems of ∗ For purification baths to attract good
many kinds, insect bites, menstrual fortune and prosperity.
disorders, dysentery, rheumatism, ∗ For cleansings of the household, to
headache, uterine and ovarian afflictions. banish negativity and attract good
fortune.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship PARAISO FRANCES: Palo Jeringa
Belongs to Inle
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Oshe
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba PARANA / PARA GRASS
Rites of Palo (Panicum purpurancens)
∗ To influence, dominate, possess. Other names:
Cuba – Hierba del Paral
∗ For love spells.
Description
PARAISO/ CHINABERRY TREE Coarse perennial grass, with well
(Melia azederach) developed root; branches robust, slender;
nodes covered with long white hairs,
Other names: spreading; inflorescence a panicle made
Arada - Zizifu up of 8–20 false spikes or racemes,
Dominican Republic – Lila simple or compound at base, erect or
Haiti - Lilas-Pays somewhat spreading, alternate, distant,
Lukumi - Ibayo robust.
Panama - Jacinto
Puerto Rico - Margosa, lilaila, pasilla USES
U.S. - Persian lilac, pride of India, bead
tree, lilac tree Medicinal
Venezuela - Aleli Intestinal parasites.
Virgin Islands - Neem
160
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshosi Medicinal
Liver complaints.
PAREIRA BRAVA / VELVET LEAF
(Cissampelos pareira) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Elegba.
Cuba - Bejuco de terciopelo, bejuco de Correlating Odu: Oshe Ika, Ika Oshe, Irete
sabana, bejuco de pitilla, tomatillo de Untelu, Oshe Ika, Ojuani Iwori, Ofun Yeku.
sabana. To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
U.S. – Ice Vine Rites of Palo
Description
A shrub with a round, ligneous root, stems PATABAN / WHITE MANGROVE
either smooth, or with close-pressed (Laguncularia racemosa)
down, and climbing over trees. Leaves
large, nearly orbicular, peltate, aristate at Other names:
the point, when full grown smooth above, Cuba – Mangle Bobo
underneath covered with silky Haiti – Manglier Blanc
pubescence, but not truly downy. Flowers
dioecious, hispid, in racemes. Berries Description
scarlet, round, compressed, shriveled, A tree found in the muddy tidal shores of
thinned to the edge, all over hispid with bays and lagoons. It reaches heights up to
long hairs. 60 feet and diameters up to 20 inches.
The top is usually narrow and rounded;
USES leaves opposite, smooth, thick and
leathery, oblong and rounded at the ends,
Medicinal dark green on their upper surfaces;
Dropsy, jaundice, leucorrhoea, flowers fragrant and occur in an opposite
rheumatism, and urinary track ailments. arrangement along a central stem, or five
nearly round greenish-white petals; fruit a
10-ribbed hard pod, flattened with two thin
PARRA DE AGUA: Bejuco Jimagua ridges; single dark red, thin-walled seed.
PARRITA CIMARRONA: Bejuco Ubi The wood is dark yellow-brown, heavy,
Macho hard and strong.
USES
PATA DE GALLINA / YARD GRASS
(Eleusine indica)
Medicinal
Dysentery.
Other names:
Cuba - Grama de caballo
Kongo – Kimbansa, bebeke PEGA PEGA/STRONG BACK
Lukumi – Ewe Eran, Dede, Araogu (Desmodium obtusum)
U.S. – Indian Goose grass, Goose grass
Other names:
Description Cuba - Amor seco.
Annual growing to 6 inches tall as a Kongo – Inin inago
compressed plant in turf. It appears as a Lukumi - Kirimeko
silvery mat forming a pale green clump
with a low rosette and flattened stems. Description
Flower stalks are short, stout, and Indigenous multi branched weedy
compressed. It is in flower from July to perennial herb 1.5 ft tall. Produces
August, and the seeds ripen from August numerous light purple flowers and small
to October. Grows in roadsides and waste green fruits/bean in 2" long pods. Found in
places. open forests, pastures, yards and
roadsides.
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Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical Belongs to Oshosi
Belongs to Ibeji. For rituals and amulets
∗ For binding spells. To reunite broken
marriages and friendships. PENDEJERA / TURKEY BERRY
(Solanum Torvum)
PECHUGA DE PALOMA / JOHN
CHARLES Other names:
(Hyptis verticillata) Colombia - Friega platos
Costa Rica - Berenjena, berenjena
Other names: cimarrona.
Cuba - Coge mundo Cuba - Prendedera.
Honduras – Quita dolor Dominican Republic - Berenjena
Mexico – Hierba Martina cimarrona, berenjena de gallina, tabacón.
U.S. – Wild mint Guatemala - Tomatillo.
Haiti - Zamorette, Rapon
Description Kongo – Milisia
Shrub that grows to a height of Lukumi – Isiami, ewe oduyafun, inyelo
approximately 6 feet. The leaves are oval Mexico - Espina.
and the flowers are white. Puerto Rico - Berenjena cimarrona.
U.S. – Gully bean, devil's fig.
USES
Description
Medicinal Evergreen, widely branched prickly shrub
Aches (head, back, stomach, chest or small tree to 16 ft. tall. The stems have
ailments, colds, dyspepsia, itch, stout, flattened prickles. Leaves alternate,
rheumatism, skin infections, spasm, simple, petioled; blades oval to elliptic, tips
stings, tension, toothache. pointed. Flowers many, in large branched
Religious/Magical clusters with glandular hairs on axes. Fruit
Rites of Palo an erect subglobose berry, yellow when
Works with the Nkisi. ripe.
USES
PEGOJO / MILKWOOD
(Tabernaemontana citriflora) Medicinal
Impotence, kidney ailments, urinary track
Other names: ailments, toxins in the blood.
Cuba - Pegojo, pitimini, huevo de gallo,
lechoso. Religious/Magical
Dominican Republic - Palo de leche Orisha Worship
Haiti - Bois lait Belongs to Eshu, Elegba.
Mexico - Lecherillo Correlating Odu: Eyioko Meji, Irete Obara,
Nicaragua - Cachito Irete Ika.
Puerto Rico - Palo lechoso Used to make omiero for Babalu Aye
rituals
Description To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
Very frail shrub; leaves long, wavy at the Rites of Palo
edges, pointed, glossy bluish green, pale For rituals and amulets.
underneath. The fruit has multiple seeds.
Found in arid and rocky areas.
USES
Medicinal
Fever, warts.
162
Religious/Magical
PENSAMIENTO/WILD PANSY Orisha Worship
(Viola Tricolor) Belongs to Shango, Odudua, Ogun
Correlating Odu: Obara Ogunda, Odi
Other names: Obara, Okana Ogunda, and Okana Ofun,
Argentina – Hierba de la Santisima Irete Iroso.
Trinidad Essential plant for initiation rituals
Brazil – Viola del Pensiero Can be used as a substitute for any of
Haiti – Pensee Sauvage the five essential plants to make ritual
U.S. – Heart's ease, Johnny-jump-up omiero.
Description ∗ For protection.
Showy annual with small pansy-like ∗ The root to expel ingested witchcraft.
flowers, each of them showing three
colors: deep purple, yellow,
and white. The plant grows to ten inches PEPINO / CUCUMBER
high, mainly in sand dunes. The Stem is (Cucumis sativus)
upright, ramified, and glabrous. The
leaves are undivided, oblong-ovate, Description
notched, glabrous, short petiolate, Annual twining vine that grows to several
alternate, at the base. The seed is feet long. The flowers are yellow.
obovate, yellowish-brown.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Medicinal Acne, fever, headache, intestinal flu,
Eczema, bronchitis, chest and lung sunburn.
inflammations, cystitis, diarrhea, painful
and frequent urination, skin problems, PEPINO CIMARRON / CREEPING
whooping cough, CUCUMBER
(Melothria guadalupensis)
Religious/Magical
Correlating Odu: Irete Meji.
Other names:
∗ To attract love.
Brazil – Cereja Purga
Panama - Sandillita
PEONIA / BEED VINE U.S. - Guadalupe cucumber
(Abrus precatorious)
Description
Other names:
Perennial vine with thin and smooth stem.
Brazil - Jequirity
The leaves are alternate, toothed and
Colombia - Brujitos, chochitos de Indio,
shallowly or deeply five lobed; flowers are
pionías, peronilla.
yellow. Blooms first appear in late spring
Cuba - Jequirity, peonía de Santo Tomás,
peronía, pepusa. and continue into early fall; the fruit is like
Haiti - Gren'n l'Eglise, Lyan'n Réglisse, a tiny watermelon, green to black with
Lyan'n L'Église, Réglisse, Graine-Réglisse white seeds.
Lukumi - Ewereyeye
Mexico - Peonía, Xocoac USES
Puerto Rico - Peronía, peronillas.
U.S. - Wild licorice, crab's-eyes. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Description Belongs to Oya
Woody climbing vine with alternate,
abruptly pinnate leaves.
USES
Medicinal
The seeds are poisonous
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USES
PERALEJO DEL MONTE / GOLDEN
SPOON Medicinal
(Brysonima crassifolia) Anemia, body stones, body toxins, cystitis,
dropsy, earache, eye infections, freckles,
Other names: hair loss, lactation, insect bites, jaundice,
U.S. - Nance menstrual flow, rheumatism, stings,
toothache.
Description
Low shrub or a small tree. The variable- Religious/Magical
shaped leaves usually are formed in Orisha Worship
whorls of three. The yellow, acid fruits are Belongs to Oshun, Oya and Elegba
about one-half inch in diameter. ∗ For purification baths and cleansings
of persons and the household.
USES ∗ To attract good fortune and
prosperity.
Religious/Magical ∗ The root to expel ingested witchcraft.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun Other
∗ To cause loss of virility. Insect repellent
Dandruff
PERALECHO MACHO: Vacabuey Mosquito repellent
PERDICERO: Uña de Gato
PICA PICA / COWAGE
PEREGRINA (Mucuna pruriens)
(Jatropha diversifolia)
Other names:
Other names: Kongo – Ote
Kongo – Ntingoro Lukumi – Sisi, Iseliye, Rira, Aguanara,
Lukumi - Ero Aina
Nicaragua - Gusano de pica pica
Description U.S. – Cow itch
Plants common in calcareous hills. The
flowers are red. Description
Leguminous climbing plant, with long,
USES slender branches, alternate, lanceolate
leaves on hairy petioles, 6 to 12 inches
Religious/Magical long, with large, white flowers, growing in
Orisha Worship clusters of two or three, with a bluish-
Belongs to Oshun purple, butterfly-shaped corolla. The pods
For cleansings. or legumes, hairy, thick, and leathery,
For purification rituals. averaging 4 inches long. They are of a rich
dark brown color, thickly covered with stiff
hairs.
PEREJIL / PARSLEY
(Carum petroselinum) USES
Other names: Medicinal
Kongo – Ntuoro, Vititi kamatuya Itch.
Lukumi - Isako, iyadede
Religious/Magical
Cultivated biennial growing to 6 inches. Belongs to Babalu Aye, Elegba
Correlating Odu: Iwori Obara
For amulets and relics.
164
Rites of Palo USES

For spells and amulets
∗ To cause turmoil and arguments. Medicinal
∗ Works as an aphrodisiac. Catarrh, impotence, inflammation,
menstrual pains, stomach upset.
P. DE GATO / DUMBCANE
(Dieffenbachia seguine) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Ogun
Cuba - Cañamuda For spells
Description PIMIENTA DE GUINEA / GUINEA

Herbaceous perennial reaching up to 3.5 PEPPER
feet tall. In bloom during the summer. The (Xylopia aethiopica)
leaves are green, variegated, simple and
coarse. The flowers are green. Other names:
Lukumi - Atare
USES
Description
Religious/Magical Guinea pepper is produced by the West
Orisha Worship African pepper tree, a slim, tall tree of
Belongs to Elegba, Ogun about 70 feet high with straight stem and a
∗ In spells to cause impotence. slightly stripped or smooth bark.
PIERDE RASTRO USES

Boil, bronchitis, dysentery, intestinal
Other names: worms and parasites, lumbago, neuralgia,
Cuba - Tapacamino, rompecamino. rheumatism, toothaches.
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical For Egun and Orisha rituals and
To expel undesired persons ceremonies.
To avoid being caught by a pursuer. To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
For spells
PIMIENTA / PEPPER
(Pimenta) PIMIENTA MALAGUETA
(Guatteria neglecta)
Other names:
Kongo – Esakukaku Other names:
Lukumi - Ata Cuba – Purio Prieto
USES Description
Indigenous tree found near streams.
Religious/Magical Grows up to 50 ft. high. The leaves are
Orisha Worship lanceolate.
Belongs to Ogun
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ogunda
Rites of Palo
For spells and rituals
To pack amulets
PIMIENTA CHINA / CHINESE PEPPER
Other names:
Kongo – Tuola
Lukumi - Osei
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USES USES
Digestive problems, joint aches and pains, Orisha Worship
muscular pains, poor blood circulation, Belongs to Eshu
toothaches. For mischievous spells.
Religious/Magical PINO / CARIBBEAN PINE

Orisha Worship (Pinus caribaea)
Belongs to Ogun
To condiment food offerings for Ogun. Other names:
Cuba - Pino macho
PIMIENTA NEGRA / BLACK PEPPER Kongo - Bundumoye
(Piper nigrun) Lukumi - Okilan, Orukoñikan
Guatemala -Pino colorado, ocote
Description Puerto Rico - Pino, pino caribea
The black pepper is produced by a woody,
broad-leaved cultivated evergreen vine. Description
The stout vine, which is allowed to climb Pine tree that grows to a height of 100 ft
poles or small trees in cultivation, bears and with trunk diameters of 30 to 40 in.
many slender, densely packed flower Boles are clear up to 70 ft and with
spikes. The fruits that develop upon these moderate taper.
spikes are generally harvested while still
USES
green; the signal is the reddening of the
lowest fruits on a spike. The green fruits Medicinal
are dried until the flesh around the single Gum diseases.
hard seed is wrinkled and grayish black,
then ground into black pepper. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
USES Belongs to Shango
Correlating Odu: Iroso Ojuani.
Medicinal ∗ Planted outside the house to attract
Boils, fever, flatulence, nausea, sore good fortune and protection.
throat, skin diseases.
PIÑA / PINAPPLE
Religious/Magical
(Ananas comosus)
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun
Other names:
∗ For spells to cause turmoil. Haiti - Ananas, Zan'nan'na
Kongo – Mereten Mingue
PINIPINICHE / POISONWOOD Lukumi – Egboibo, Oppoyibo
(Metopium toxiferum)
Description
Perennial, herbaceous succulent, up to 3
Description ft. tall; leaves long, sword-like, arranged in
A tree that has dark green, glossy, wedge- a tight spiral around a short stem, edges
shaped leaflets hanging from the stem very sharply dentate to nearly entire, often
blotched with irregular spots of the black variegated, or red or brown streaked;
resin. The small creamy-white blossom flowers purplish-blue, fruit a composite of
clusters develop into oval, dull orange 100–200 seedless fruits fused into a tight,
fruit. All parts of this tree are poisonous. compact unit, developing along axis of
The poison is a resin, visible on the gray stem, oval to cylindrical, yellowish to
or reddish bark. orange, often greenish.
166
Orisha Worship
Medicinal Belongs to Elegba, Orunla.
Abscesses, bladder ailments, contusions, Rites of Palo
corns, scarlet fever, scurvy, sores, For rituals and amulets
sprains, tumors, ulcerations, warts.
PIÑA DE SALON
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Ibeji Cuba - Piña de Salon, piña de adorno.
Offering for the Orishas Kongo – Maba nlonbe
∗ Planted outside the house to attract Lukumi – Iye, Koroyima, Ogba eweko
prosperity.
USES
PIÑA BLANCA / WHITE PINAPPLE
(Ananas sativus) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Oshun
Cuba - Piña blanca. ∗ For amulets to attract prosperity
Haiti - Ananas Pain de Sucre, Nana ∗ For love binding spells.
USES
Medicinal PIÑI PIÑI / CHEESE SHRUB

Hoarseness, digestive ailments. (Morinda royoc)

Orisha Worship Cuba – Raíz de Indio
Belongs to Obatala U.S. – Cheese plant, Cheese weed,
For purification rituals Yellow root, Redgal, Strongback, stiffcock.
PIÑA DE RATON / WILD PINAPPLE Description

(Bromelia pinguin) A low, shrubby, rubiaceous plant growing
along seacoasts. It has small, white,
Other names: odorous flowers.
Haiti - An-nan'na Pengwen, Bayonnet
Pengouin USES
Kongo – Ekeni, Muingue
Lukumi – Omo igi boibo, maimai Religious/Magical
U.S. – Pinguin of Jamaica Orisha Worship
Belongs to Eshu
Description ∗ Extremely negative properties.
Clumping rosette, 4 feet tall up to 10 feet
wide that may contain as many as 40 PIÑON AMOROSO
leaves. Stiff, linear, long-attenuate leaves, (Gliricidia Sepium)
serrated and armed with sharp, recurved
prickles. The leaves gradually change Other names:
from a shiny green to a reddish color as Costa Rica - Bala, Sangre de drago
they age. White or pinkish flowers Cuba - Piñón amoroso, acacia, amor y
produced on a dense panicle that arises celos, arbol del amor, bien vestida,
from the heart of the plant. Ovoid, pointed desnudo florecido, júpiter,
fruits are 1 to 2 inches in length and turn piñón florido, piñon francés, piñón
yellow at maturity. milagroso
Guatemala – Cansim
USES Nicaragua - Madriado
Panama, Colombia - Mata ratón
Medicinal
Digestive complaints, intestinal parasites.
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Description USES
Smooth deciduous tree. Leaves alternate,
pinnately compound, bluntly pointed at the Medicinal
tip, rounded at the base, entire. Flowers Bleeding gums, burns, convulsions,
on numerous lateral racemes, pinkish. cough, dermatitis, diarrhea, dropsy,
Pods yellow-green when immature, dysentery, eczema, erysipelas, fever,
turning blackish. Elliptic, flat, shiny, gonorrhea, gout, hemorrhoids, hernia,
blackish seed. incontinence, inflammation, jaundice,
neuralgia, paralysis, parturition, pleurisy,
USES pneumonia, rash, rheumatism, ringworm,
scabies, sciatica, skin ailments, sores,
Medicinal stomachache, syphilis, tetanus, thrush,
Boils, bruises, burns, colds, cough, toothache, tumors, ulcers, uterosis,
debility, eruptions, erysipelas, fever, whitlows, yaws, and yellow fever.
fractures, gangrene, head-ache, itch,
prickly heat, rheumatism, skin, sore, Religious/Magical
tumors, ulcers, urticaria, and wounds. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala, Shango, Elegba.
Religious/Magical Correlating Odu: Iroso Meji, Obara Ejionle,
Orisha Worship Obara Otura and Iroso Meji.
Correlating Odu: Ofun Meji. ∗ Planted outside the house for
protection
PIÑON DE BOTIJA / PHYSIC NUT ∗ In amulets for protection and to ward
(Jatropha curcas) off from death.
∗ For purification baths to banish
Other names: witchcraft.
Brazil - Piao, Piao branco, pinhao bravo
Costa Rica - Tapate, coquillo PIÑON CRIOLLO: Piñon de Botija
Colombia - Piñon de purga, tuatua, PIÑON FLORIDO: Piñón amoroso
frailecillo, frailejon
Cuba - Piñón de botija, piñon de cercas PIÑON DE PITO / CORAL BEAN
El Salvador - Tempate (Erythrina berteroana)
Guatemala - Tempacte
Haiti - Médicinier, médicinier béni, Other names:
Medsinyen batà, Médecinier Rouge, Bois- Cuba - Piñón de cerca, búcare
Ortolan, Graine Ortolan, Zèb Zotolan, Petit Kongo – Fosongako
Medecinier Lukumi – Efeke, Yirin
Honduras - Cotoncillo Puerto Rico – Piñon espinoso
Kongo – Puluka, Masorosi
Lukumi – Ado, Alumofo, Akunu Description
Mexico - Piñón de Indias, Sangreado, Armed tree to 30 ft. tall, the leaves
piñoncillo alternate, trifoliate, entire shortly acute or
Nicaragua - Tempate acuminate at the apex. Flowers pinkish to
Panama - Coquillo red, appearing with the leaves, in terminal
Puerto Rico - Tártago, piñon, piñon racemes. Pod dark brown, curved; the
purgante several seeds oblongoid, bright orange
U.S. Barbados nut, purge nut, curcas- red.
bean
USES
Description
A shrub that grows up to 6 ft. Spreading Medicinal
branches, smooth gray bark, white flowers Dysentery, female ailments, hemorrhages,
and large (pale) green leaves. Capsules, nervousness.
which commonly have an oblong black
seed.
168
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship PISCUALA / RANGOON CREEPER
Belongs to Elegba (Quisqualis indica)
∗ Under the pillow to insure a good
night sleep. Other names:
Lukumi - Momon
PIÑON DE PUÑAL: Bayoneta
Description
PIÑON LECHOSO Ligneous vine; leaf elliptic to oblong or
ovate to lanceolate, rather abruptly
Other names: acuminate apically, obtuse to rounded
Kongo – Masorosi, Puluka basally; flowers in panicles brightly colored
Lukumi – Ewera, Ado white, red, very fragrant; fruit ovate-elliptic
in profile, 5-winged, uncommonly
USES produced.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Eshu, Ogun Medicinal
∗ To counteract an ingested love spell. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, parasitic
skin troubles, tired feet, intestinal parasites
and worms.
PIÑON VOMICO / PHYSIC NUT
(Jathropa multifida) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Shango
Barbados - French physic-nut Correlating Odu: Obara Otura.
Colombia - Tártago emético, coral
Costa Rica - Chicasquil
Cuba - Piñón vómico, ceibilla, piñón PITAHAYA/RED PITAHAYA
extrangero, castaño purgante. (Hylocereus tricostatus)
Dominican Republic - Piñón de España,
piñón extrangero, yuca cimarrona. Other names:
Haiti -Médicinier espagnol, papaye Brazil - cardeiro trepador, cardo ananas
sauvage, médicinier d'Inde. Cuba - Flor del cáliz.
Jamaica - Spanish physic-nut, French Haiti - Cierge-liane, cierge rampant
physic-nut Kongo – Belongo
Mexico - Cabalongo Lukumi – Esogi
Puerto Rico - Don Tomás, mana, tártago Mexico – Junco, Junco Tapatio
U.S. - Coral plant Puerto Rico – Flor de Caliz
Venezuela - Emético vegetal U.S. – Strawberry pear, belle of the night,
concerella plant, common night blooming
Description cereus
A small tree or shrub, commonly 3-7 feet
tall, but may reach 20 feet. Leaves dark Description
green; alternate, simple, large; flowers
small, scarlet centers with small yellow Vine. The flowers are red, very large, open
petals, resemble a piece of coral. Borne in and fragrant at night. Fruit oblong, 8-12
small, loose clusters in their axils of the cm, red; pulp white, juicy, and very sweet.
leaves; fruit yellow in color, usually 3- The pulp contains many small seeds.
angled capsule; slightly over an inch long,
poisonous.
USES
Medicinal
Colic, fever, leprosy, scabies, sores,
venereal diseases, wounds.
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USES PLATANO / BANANA / PLAINTAIN

(Musa paradisiaca)
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Shango, Babalu Aye Cuba – Bananito, Platano macho
Correlating Odu: Odi Ogunda. Haiti - Banananye, Bannan'n Miske,
Kongo - Makondo
PITAJONI BRAVO: Agalla de Costa Lukumi - Ogede Agbagba
PITILLA: Canutillo
PITO DE BEJUCO: Canutillo Description
Tree-like herb. The leaves are large,
overlapped forming a false trunk. The
PLATANILLO DE CUBA / WILD PEPPER
stem reaches a height of up to 30 ft.; the
(Piper aduncum)
flowers spring from the center of the
plant's crown.
Other names:
Arada – Tevigami
USES
Haiti - Bwa-Major
Lukumi - Olubo
Medicinal
Mexico - Platanillo, Cordoncillo,
Bile, burns, excessive menstrual flow,
Cordoncillo blanco.
diarrhea, dysentery, gangrene, gout,
Peru - Matico
hemorrhage, intestinal parasites, sore,
Puerto Rico - Higuillo, Higuillo oloroso
syphilis, tuberculosis, wart.
U.S. – Spiked pepper, Matico Pepper
Religious/Magical
Description
Orisha Worship
Small tree to 12 feet tall. Short silt roots;
Belongs to Shango, Aganju.
soft, brittle wood; foliage and twigs
Correlating Odu: Odi Otrupon and Odi
aromatic; branches erect; drooping twigs
Osa, Osa Ogbe, Otura Irete.
and swollen, purplish nodes; leaves
For Egun rituals and ceremonies.
alternate, elliptic, petiolate, softly hairy
Food preparation and offerings for the
beneath; flowers white to pale yellow,
Orishas and Egun
turning green with maturity; fruit a one-
Rites of Palo
seeded berry, blackish when ripe; seeds
The purple variety is taboo.
brown to black
For rituals
USES
POLEO / LICORICE VERBENA
Medicinal (Lippia alba)
Blood toxins, dropsy, eczema, gonorrhea,
leukorrhea, liver ailments, rheumatism, Other names:
skin disorders, sore, stomach ailments, Brazil – Carmelitana, Cidreira
whites Cuba - Poleo, quita dolor.
U.S. – Bushy Lippia
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Shango, Odudua, Oshun Tender perennial shrub reaching up to 4
Correlating Odu: Odi Obara. ft. in height. The plant has a wonderful
Used to make ritual omiero. licorice scent and attractive white flowers.
Rites of Palo USES
For rituals and spells.
∗ For purification baths. Medicinal
Arthritis aches and pain, digestive
problems.
170
Orisha Worship Fast growing semi - woody evergreen
Belongs to Babalu Aye shrub growing up to a height of 12 feet.
Used to make omiero for Babalu Aye Produces bright reddish-orange flowers
rituals and a deep-red berry earning its name of
Rites of Palo Scarlet Bush.
USES
POMARROSA / ROSE APPLE
(Eugenia jambos) Medicinal
Cholera, cuts, diarrhea with blood, fever,
Other names: insect stings and bites, menstrual
Cuba - Pomarrosa, manzana rosa. disorders, uterine and ovarian afflictions,
Kongo – Colomaia skin fungus, skin problems, syphilis.
Lukumi – Yilebo, Eshicasho
U.S. - Plum rose, malabar plum Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Description Belongs to Shango and Babalu Aye.
A fruit tree originally from South Asia. Correlating Odu: Oshe Ofun, Ofun Otura.
Growing up to 40 feet, with opposite Used to make ritual omiero.
leathery leaves; creamy white flowers. The ∗ For purification baths to banish
fruit is large, white to cream and sweet negativity, witchcraft and evil spirits.
scented.
PRINGA HERMOSA
USES
Other names:
Medicinal Kongo – Nakato
Diabetes, epilepsy, gonorrhea, white. Lukumi - Okorere
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun, Ogun. Religious/Magical
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Ofun, and Okana Orisha Worship
Ogunda. Belongs to Oshun.
Rites of Palo For protection amulets
Deactivates Nkisis and witchcraft.
∗ The root to expel ingested witchcraft. PRINGAMOZA: Candelilla
PONASI / FIRE BUSH PRODIGIOSA / LIFE EVERLASTING

(Hamelia patens) (Bryophyllum pinnatum)

Colombia - Bencenuco, leoncito, cresta de Arará - Afami
gallo Colombia - Colombina
Costa Rica - Zorrillo Cuba - Siempreviva, Víbora, Inmortal, hoja
Cuba - Bonasi, palo de coral bruja.
Guatemala - Chichipin Haiti - Lougarou, Fèy Lougarou, Sanglou,
Honduras - Achiotillo Colorado Sanglaou, Zèb maltèt
Kongo – Nfita Sunda Mocna Lukumi - Ewe dun dun
Mexico - Chacloco Mexico – Amor tras la puerta
Nicaragua - Canilla de venado Puerto Rico – Bruja
Panama - Uvero
Puerto Rico - Balsamo colorado, pata de Description
pajaro Succulent plant with basal rosette; leaves
U.S. - Polly red head, Texas firecracker are fleshy and alternate, coarsely toothed
Venezuela - Coralito
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but rounded, edges of leaves are purple.

Flowers occur in corymbs/raceme and are
bell-like and pendulous. Flower has four
fused sepals with pointed tips; four fused
petals are red and pointed at tip and green
at base. Eight stamens with green
filaments and purple anthers; four pistils
stuck very close together are much shorter
than stamen. Stem is purple with green
flecks, slightly woody, grows about 3 ft.
tall.
USES
Medicinal
Skin conditions, skin inflammation.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
One of the five essential plants to make
ritual omiero.
Belongs to Obatala and Elegba.
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Okana, Okana
Ofun.
of persons, objects and the
household.
∗ To attract good fortune.
172
Q USES
QUIEBRA-HACHA / COPAIBA Medicinal

(Copaifera hymenaefolis) Asthma, constipation, liver ailments.
Religious/Magical
Cuba - Caguairán. Belongs to Shango
Kongo – Mbele Mukua Nketete Correlating Odu: Odi Meji, Irete Otrupon,
Lukumi – Edu, Iggi Ele, Arudiki Used to make ritual omiero.
Description Food offerings for Shango and Aganju.
Indigenous tree, may reach a height of ∗ For purification and cleansings of the
100 ft and a trunk diameter of 4 ft. Found household and persons.
in mountainous, calcareous soils. ∗ To ward off negative energies and
Heartwood reddish brown banish witchcraft
USES
QUINA DEL PAIS O DE LA TIERRA:
Medicinal Aguedita
Flatulence, constipation, venereal
diseases. QUITA MALDICION / GRAY NICKERS
(Caesalpinia crista)
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Oya, Ogun. Cuba – Mate gris, Guacalote
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ika. Panama - Calentura
Rites of Palo U.S. – Fevernut, Wait-a-bit, Bonduc nut,
Works with the Nkisi. Nickernut, Seanut
QUIMBOMBO / OKRA Description

(Hibiscus esculentus) A woody climber with pinnately compound
leaves and yellow flowers in terminal
Other names: racemes. The stems and leaves, bearing
Brazil - Quimgombo recurved spines. The pods are 2-4
Cuba - Quimbombó seeded, short, inflated and covered with
Haiti - Kalalou, Calalou-Gombo prickles. The seeds are nearly round,
Kongo – Gondei, Bañe glossy gray
Lukumi - Ila
U.S. – Gumbo USES
An herbaceous annual, with a stem Acne, asthma, colic, congestion,
somewhat woody at the base, attaining a convulsions, depurative, diarrhea, dropsy,
height of from 3 to 6 feet, and being 3 or 4 fever, gonorrhea, leprosy, malaria,
inches thick, bearing alternate, serrate neuroses, palsy, snakebite.
leaves. The flowers are solitary, large, and
showy; of a pale yellow, tinged at the base Religious/Magical
a dark crimson. The herbaceous portions Orisha Worship
of the plant are clothed with sharp bristles, Belongs to Elegba, Obatala and Ibeji
and often bear purplish spots. The fruit is Used to make ritual omiero.
a pentagonal, narrow, cylindrical capsule, Correlating Odu: Ofun Osa, Ofun Meji,
from 2 to 12 inches long, tapering at the Okana Oshe, Otura Okana, Otura Obara,
base, and about I inch in diameter. It is Otura Ofun, Irete Iwori, Odi Ogunda.
often curved, and is covered with hairs,
especially along the ridges. The pods
contain several roundish or kidney-shaped
smooth seeds in each of the several cells.
173
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Rites of Palo
To make Nkisi lango
∗ For cleansings and purification baths
to banish negativity and attract good
fortune.
174
R RAIZ DE CHINA / GREENBRIER

(Smilax vulgaris)
RABO DE GATO / MARSH Other names:

BRISTLEGRASS Cuba – Bejuco Chino, Zarzaparrilla de la
(Chaetochloa imberbis) tierra.
Mexico – Chiquihuite
Other names: Puerto Rico – Bejuco Membrillo
Cuba - Almorejo, rabito peludo
Description.
Description A woody, climbing vine with conspicuous
Warm season grass. Begins growing in tendrils and stout, thorny stems. The
May. Heads will emerge in June and begin leaves are ovate, elliptical, or shaped like
flowering in July through September. a fiddle or arrowhead with distinct lobes at
Abundant in disturbed sites, especially in the leaf base. They are simple, alternately
wetter cultivated soils and waste places. arranged, glossy green and smooth
above, paler below; flowers small,
USES greenish-white clusters or umbels that
bloom in the spring. Clusters of shiny,
Medicinal black berries in late summer or fall.
Erysipelas.
USES
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Elegba, Ibeji. Arthritis, body toxins, gout, rheumatism,
Correlating Odu: Otura Niko. skin eruptions, uric acid.
∗ Causes negative effects on pregnant
women and the unborn child.
RAIZ DE INDIO: Piñi Piñi
RABO DE ZORRA/SOUR GRASS

RASCABARRIGA
(Trichachne insulares)
(Espadaea amoena)
Other names:
Other names:
Haiti - Herbe A Ble
Cuba - Rascabarriga, arrayán
U.S. – Cotton grass, Feather-top grass,
Lukumi - Omá, eká ore
Silky grass
Description
Description
Shrub reaching heights up to 6 ft; found in
Large perennial grass with more or less
arid, calcareous soils and high coastal
erect culms, branching up to 4 ft. high.
areas. The leaves are stiff.
Found in calcareous soils.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Medicinal
Antidote for Guao.
Contusions, urinary track ailments, wound.
Religious/Magical
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba
Belongs to Elegba
For Orisha and Egun rituals.
Correlating Odu: Oshe Ogbe
RABITO PELUDO: Almorejo
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
RASPA LENGUA / BRAGGART RESEDA / COMMON MIGNONETTE

(Cosearia hirsuta) (Reseda odorata)

Cuba - Raspalengua, jía amarilla Cultivated, ornamental herbaceous plant.
Kongo - Nkanga, nkúfindula Fragrant small yellowish flowers.
Lukumi - Ewe Elenu
USES
Description
Shrub with elliptical, serrated leaves. The Religious/Magical
wood is pale yellow, compact. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Yemaya, Inle.
USES Correlating Odu: Otrupon Ojuani.
∗ For love spells.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship RETAMA / JACKASS BITTERS
Belongs to Elegba (Neurolaena lobata)
Correlating Odu: Oshe Obara.
For rituals and amulets Colombia – Salvia gavilana
∗ To succeed in legal matters Costa Rica - Gavilana
∗ To stop gossip Cuba - Romerillo, salvia cimarrona,
victoriana.
Lukumi – Chachara, Ewe Ale
REMOLACHA / SPANISH BEET
(Beta vulgaris) Description
Tall herb growing up to 5 ft. high. The
Other names: leaves are papery and rough; flowers
Haiti - Betrav yellow. The whole plant very aromatic.
Description USES
Biennial growing to 1 ft. Leaves close to
the ground, glabrous, ovate to cordate, Medicinal
dark green or reddish; flowers small, Fever, fungus, gonorrhea, intestinal
numerous in a tall open panicle; fruit an parasites, itch, malaria, menstrual
aggregate of 2 or more fruits forming an problems, ringworm, stomach ailments.
irregular dry body; root strong and hard,
usually a deep red color. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
USES Belongs to Babalu Aye
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Meji.
Medicinal
Blisters. Bronchitis. Bruises. Burns. REVIENTA CABALLO / INDIAN
Cough. Dandruff. Eye inflammation. Hair TOBACCO
loss. Head colds. Headache. Jaundice. (Isotoma longiflora)
Liver ailments. Menstrual problems.
Sluggish digestion. Urinary track Other names:
obstruction. Insect bites. Sores. Skin Brazil – Jasmin Da Italia, Cega Olho
itches. Toothaches. Ulcers. Whites. Colombia – Ciega ojo
Cuba - Revienta caballo, quibey, tibey
Religious/Magical Dominican Republic - Quibey
Orisha Worship Kongo - fita fwa kómbo
Belongs to Obatala Lukumi: Erán opani chin
U.S. – Star of Bethlehem, fetia,
madamfate
176
Description ROMERILLO / BEGGAR'S TICKS

Herb with rosette of narrow leaves; flowers (Bidens pilosa)
white. The milky sap is very poisonous.
Other names:
USES Brazil – Picao Preto, Ciambu, Carrapicho
agulha
Medicinal Haiti - Zegwi
Epilepsy. Peru - Cadillo
U.S. - Spanish Needles
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Oya Small erect annual herb growing up to two
Rites of Palo feet high. Grows in damp lowland fields
For spells and rituals and wasteland. Considered a weed in
∗ It has negative properties. many places, it has bright green leaves
with serrated prickly edges and produces
ROBLE/WHITE CEDAR small yellow flowers.
(Tabebuia pentaphylla)
Other names: USES
Brazil – Ipe-rosa
Costa Rica – Roble de Sabana Medicinal
Cuba – Roble blanco Angina, diabetes, dropsy, dysentery,
Lukumi - Akógi fevers, fluid retention, food poisoning,
Mexico – Roble blanco, macuil, limaña, headaches, hepatitis, intestinal ailments,
roble prieta. laryngitis, leucorrhoea, jaundice, diabetes,
Panama – Roble de sabana, roble sore throat, tonsillitis, obstructions in the
sabanero liver and other liver disorders, toothache
U.S. - Pink tecoma, pink trumpet tree upset stomach, urinary infections, vaginal
infections, worms, wounds
Description
Tree up to 30 ft. or more in height. The Religious/Magical
Leaves compound, opposite, elliptic to Orisha Worship
oblanceolate or obovate, leathery; Belongs to Oshun, Ogun, Inle.
surfaces glabrous; Inflorescence of one to Correlating Odu: Oyekun Ika, Otura
several flowers borne in short terminal Obara, Otura Okana, Odi Osa.
clusters with 5 rounded lobes at the tip, Used to make ritual omiero.
pink or lavender with a pale yellow throat. ∗ For cleansings of the household to
Fruit a narrow cylindrical capsule, opening banish negativity.
along two seams to release the numerous ∗ To expel ingested witchcraft.
winged seeds.
ROMERO / ROSEMARY
USES (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Boil, fever, respiratory ailments, snakebite, Brazil - Alecrim
swelling. Haiti - Romarin
Lukumi – Ewe re
Religious/Magical
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Ojuani, Ojuani Cultivated plant up to 6 feet tall, 4 feet
Yeku. wide. Blooms in late winter and spring.
177
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES Description
Aromatic perennial that reaches 2 to 4 feet
Medicinal high, and grows in partial sun. prefers
Depression, debility, digestive ailments, damp to moist rich soils.
flatulent dyspepsia, food poisoning,
headache, insomnia, menstruation USES
problems, neuralgia, pain, premature
baldness, rheumatic aches, sciatica, Medicinal
tension, wounds. Catarrh, fevers, flu.
Belongs to Yemaya, Odudua Belongs to Shango, Oshun and Ibeji.
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Irete. Correlating Odu: Ejionle Okana, Odi
∗ For cleansings of persons and the Ogunda, Irete Iwori.
household. Used for Babalu Aye rituals.
Rites of Palo
ROMPECAMISA MACHO / DAMIANA For rituals, ceremonies and amulets
(Turnera diffusa) To prepare Nkisi lango.
∗ To cleanse and purify objects and the
Other names: household.
Arada – Akabon ∗ Banishes negative energies and
Cuba - Damiana witchcraft.
Haiti - Oreg mawon ∗ For cleansings of the household to
drive away evil spirits and negativity.
Description
Densely branched dwarf shrub, the ROSAS / ROSES
branches clothed with tiny gray aromatic
leaves. Small brilliant yellow flowers. Description
Found in hot, humid climates. Cultivated plant with numerous varieties.
USES USES
Asthma, bronchitis, depression, neurosis, Orisha Worship
and various sexual disorders such as Belongs to Oshun
impotence/infertility (male). For baths to attract good fortune and
prosperity.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship ROSA FRANCESA / OLEANDER
Correlating Odu: Ofun Osa (Nerium oleander)
Other names:
ROMPESARAGÜEY / BONESET Colombia - Azuceno de la Habana
(Eupatorium odoratum) Dominican Republic - Martinica, rosa del
Perú, pirulí
Other names: Ecuador - Laurel rosado
Arada - Alumofo El Salvador - Narciso, narciso rosado
Cuba - Albahaca de sabana, travesera y Haiti - Laurier rose, laurier tropical
zanca de grullo, trebolillo, albahaquilla Kongo – Meni-Meni
Haiti - Lang-Shat, Guérit tout, Fleurit Noël, Lukumi – Teteli, Didekere
Guérit trop vite Puerto Rico - Alelí, alhelí, alelí extrangero,
Kongo - Ntema dián finda laurel rosado
Lukumi - Tabate U.S. - Rose Bay
Venezuela - Rosa de berbería
178
Description greenish-yellow flowers are in terminal

Ornamental evergreen shrub, fast growing panicles, blossoming from June to
to 10 feet. The narrow leathery leaves are September.
dark green and glossy clustered at the
twig or branches. The flowers are 2" to 3" USES
across, in a variety of colors, clustered at
end of branches. Medicinal
Chronic bronchitis, coughs, colic and
USES flatulence, delivery, digestive complaints,
headache, hemorrhages, hysterical
Medicinal affections, nervousness, palpitation
Chest ailments, corns, skin ailments, nervous headache, sciatica
warts.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship Belongs to Inle and Shango
Belongs to Yewa Not used to make ritual omiero.
Correlating Odu: Ika Ojuani Correlating Odu: Odi Ejionle
∗ In the household for protection
ROSA DE JERICO / HUNDRED LEAVED against negativity and evil spirits.
ROSE
(Rosa centifolia) RUDA CIMARRONA
(Dalea domingense)
Other names:
U.S. - Cabbage rose-petals Other names:
Cuba - Santa Barbara, yerba de Santa
Description Barbara.
An erect shrub, 3 to 6 feet in height. The
branches closely covered with nearly Description
straight prickles. Shoots erect. Leaves Common shrub from dry limestone hills. It
unequally pinnate. The flowers are large, has green lacy leaves with purple flowers.
usually of a pink color, but varying in hue,
form, size, etc.; flower bud short and USES
ovoid. Petals 5, and usually pale-red. Fruit
ovoid. Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
USES Belongs to Shango
Correlating Odu: Osa Ofun.
Medicinal
Hemorrhages. RUIBARBO / RHUBARB
(Rheum officinale)
Religious/Magical
To attract good fortune, love and Other names:
prosperity in the household. Cuba - Ruibarbo de la tierra, piña ratón,
piñipiñi, raíz de indio.
RUDA / RUE Kongo - Futuako
(Ruta graveolens) Lukumi – Eruko ewe kan

Cuba – Hierba de Santa Barbara A perennial plant which forms large fleshy
Haiti - Wou rhizomes and large leaves with long, thick
Lukumi – Atopa kun stalks.
U.S. – Herb of grace.
Description
A perennial herb, woody at the base, up to
2 feet in height. The leaves are much
divided and have a very strong odor. The
179
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES
Medicinal
Intestinal and liver ailments, menstrual
problems.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Osayin.
180
S SABILA/ ALOE
(Aloe vera)
SABELECCION / PEPPER GRASS Other names

(Lepidium virginicum) Cuba - Sabila, aloe
Haiti - Lalwa, aloès, aloé, laloé, laloi
Other names: U.S. - Barbados aloe, cape aloe, Curacao
Cuba – Mastuerzo aloe, west Indian aloe, Zanzibar aloe
Haiti - Kreson danwa
Lukumi – Ishini-shini Description
U.S. – Pepperweed A perennial succulent native to East and
South Africa. The tissue in the center of
Description the aloe leaf contains a gel, which yields
An annual weed that develops as a basal aloe gel, or aloe vera gel. Yellow flowers.
rosette initially, eventually producing white Black seeds.
flowering stems that have a bottlebrush
appearance. USES
USES Medicinal
Asthma, burns, congestion, cough, cuts,
Medicinal eczema, fever, gonorrhea, headache,
Catarrh, Cold, colic, diabetes, dysentery, hemorrhoids, insect bites, intestinal
kidney and liver ailments, rheumatism, worms, menstruation problems, mouth
ringworm, scabies, scurvy, sores, stomach sores, nausea, piles, pyorrhea, skin
ailments, intestinal parasites, urinary track irritation, sores, stomach ache, sunburn,
stones, and worms. swelling, tuberculosis, worms, wounds,
wrinkles.
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Elegba, Ogun. Orisha Worship
Used to make ritual omiero Belongs to Yemaya
∗ To attract love. ∗ The plant inside the household for
protection against negativity and
SABICU / WILD TAMARIND attract good fortune.
(Lysiloma latisiqua)
SABINA / SOUTHERN REDCEDAR
Other names: (Juniperus lucayana)
Cuba - Jigüe
U.S. – Cuban tamarind Other names
U.S. - Sand cedar, coast juniper, coast red
Description cedar, southern juniper, southern red
A smooth-barked tree with light green, juniper
compound leaves, greenish-yellow,
powder-puff flowers. Reaches a height of Description
up to 50 feet. Low growing, evergreen tree that
produces needle-like foliage. The wood is
USES rose color, aromatic.
Medicinal USES
Fever, blood depurative, diarrhea.
Medicinal
Religious/Magical Menstrual problems, premature hair loss,
Orisha Worship syphilis.
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
Religious/Magical SALVADERA / SAND BOX TREE

Orisha Worship (Hura crepitans)
Belongs to Yemaya
Other names:
SACU-SACU Brazil – Aceitero, Assacu, Cataua
Colombia – Acuapar, Milpesos, Arenillero
Other names: Cuba - Haba, habilla
Cuba – Malanguilla Haiti – Rabi
Panama - Tronador
Description Puerto Rico – Ceibote, Ceibillo, Javillo
U.S. - Possum wood, dynamite tree
USES Venezuela - Javilla
Menstrual disorders, syphilis A tropical tree, reaches heights of 90 to
130 feet, with spiny trunk and branches.
Religious/Magical The bark is covered with conical spines.
Orisha Worship The long-stemmed, oval leaves are
Belongs to Inle, Osayin. papery thin, heart-shaped and up to 2 feet
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Odi long. It has red flowers. Wood is soft, pale
Rites of Palo yellow or brown.
∗ Love and binding spells USES
∗ The root to remove ingested
witchcraft. Medicinal
Constipation, eczema.
SAGU / ARROWROOT Religious/Magical
(Maranta arundinancea) Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun.
Other names: Correlating Odu: Oshe Eyioko, Ojuani
Cuba - Yuquilla Ogbe, Okana Ejionle.
Description For purification and ritual baths and
A herbaceous perennial plant; creeping cleansings of persons and the household
rhizome; fleshy cylindrical tubers with to ward off from death and negativity.
rings of scars, leftover of large thin scales. To attract good fortune.
The stem reaches a height of 6 feet with
creamy white flowers at the end. Ovate
leaves, with long sheaths covering the SALVIA / MARSH FLEBANE
stem. (Pluchea odorata)
USES Other names:

Bahamas - Sour Bush
Medicinal Cuba - Salvia de playa, salvia cimarrona,
Dysentery, erysipelas, hoarseness, salvia del pais
sunburn, wound. El Salvador - Suquinay, Ciguapate,
Nahuapate, suquinayo, suquinay,
Religious/Magical siguapete
Orisha Worship Guatemala - Suqinay
Belongs to Ibeji. Lukumi - Wuro
For purification baths. Mexico - Santa Maria, Hierba Santa Maria,
Calche
U.S. - Wild tobacco
182
Description SALVIA MORADA

Erect shrub; leaves dull gray-green, (Pluchea bifrons)
elliptic-lanceolate or narrowly elliptic-sub
ovate; inflorescence compound, terminal USES
and sub terminal; heads of numerous
flowers, pink or pinkish to white. Medicinal
Dandruff, sore joints.
USES
Religious/Magical
Headache, insect bites and stings, Belongs to Babalu Aye
muscular aches and pains, neuralgia,
rheumatism, stomach ailments. SAN DIEGO / GLOBE AMARANTH
(Gomphrena globosa)
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Babalu Aye and Odua Cuba - Flor de San Diego.
Correlating Odu: Otura Ofun, Otura Haiti - Marguerite, Immortelle, Marguerite
Okana, Irete Iroso, Osa Okana, Otrupon Blanche, Marguerite Bleue
Meji, Ojuani Osa. Lukumi – Mai Toto
Used for Babalu Aye rituals
Description
SALVIA DE CASTILLA / SAGE Tender annual, 6 to 18 inches tall
(Salvia officinalis) depending on variety, 6-12 inches in
width. The plant is erect, leaves
Other names: lanceolate, spear shaped. The flowers are
Cuba - Salvia de castilla papery, rather clover like, white or purple.
Haiti - Vilnerè
Kongo – Vititi Leka USES
Lukumi - Kiriwi
Medicinal
Description Catarrh, dysentery, intestinal ailments,
Evergreen perennial shrub, with strong liver ailments.
taproot and square, woody branching
stems up to 2 ft tall. It is gray and woolly Religious/Magical
when young. It has gray-green colored Orisha Worship
soft leaves, with a pebbly texture, which Correlating Odu: Obara Iwori.
are oblong or lanceolate, and finely ∗ Ritual baths to banish evil spirits.
toothed. Whorls of violet-blue flowers
appear in spikes in summer. SANGRE DE DONCELLA / LOCUST
BERRY
USES (Byrsonima lucida)
Common cold, cough, digestive Bahamas - Locust-berry, guana-berry,
discomforts, dyspepsia, esophageal candleberry.
irritation, fever, gum diseases, headache, Cuba - Carne de Doncella, sangre de
insomnia, intestinal inflammation, doncella, palo señorita, sabica de costa
laryngitis, menstruation problems, nausea, Dominican Republic - Doncella
night sweat, poison oak, respiratory Lukumi – Undia, Akeri
ailments, sore, sore throat, stomach Puerto Rico - Palo de doncella, aceituna,
inflammation, tonsillitis, warts. sangre de doncella, maricao.
U.S. - Long Key byrsonima
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
Tree with dull dark green leaves, light Algae that grows up to 2 ft in length. Long
green on the underside, thin and stiff. fronds with short lateral leaf-like branches
They are one-to-two inches long and may and small air-filled bladders at their axils.
be rounded or pointed at the tip. The Grows in sheltered seas from the surface
clustered white flowers turn yellow to pink down to moderate depths.
or red. The fruit is fleshy with one hard
stone, somewhat like a miniature peach. USES
The fruit is red when it ripens in summer.
Medicinal
USES Scrofula, ulcers and eruptions.
Skin diseases. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Yemaya, Oshun, Elegba.
Religious/Magical ∗ Ritual baths to banish witchcraft.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun. SARNILLA / WILD COFFEE
∗ For amulets to attract love, or bind. (Casearia sylvestris)
SAPOTE / SAPODILLA Other names:

(Sapota achras) Brazil - Erva de Bugre

Kongo – Kobanko Tree. Reaching heights of up 30 ft. The
Lukumi - Nekigbe flowers are cream-yellow; the fruit is
U.S. - Wild dilly green, deep burgundy when mature. The
seeds are covered with a yellow-orange
Description aril.
Common tropical fruit that produces
attractive evergreen trees often reaching a USES
height of 60 feet or more. The elliptic to
obovate leaves are 2 to 5 inches long and Medicinal
1 to 2 inches wide. Small flowers, white or Digestive ailments, flu, leprosy, wound.
pink. The fruit is brown in the outside and
yellow pink inside. The seeds are black, SASAFRAS / HOLY WOOD
lustrous. (Bursera graveolens)
USES Other names:

Colombia - Tajamaco
Medicinal Ecuador – Palo Santo
Debility, hemorrhages, insomnia.
Description
Religious/Magical: Exotic, aromatic tree with compound
Orisha worship leaves. The flowers are white; soft, white
Belongs to Ibeji and Ogun. wood; green fruit.
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Eyioko
∗ For cleansing of persons and the
household. To banish witchcraft and
negativity
SARGASO / SARGASSO WEED

(Sargassum vulgare)
Other names:
Lukumi – Ayarayere
184
USES Description
Flowering shrub or small tree, growing to
Medicinal 20 feet. Leaves green, pinnately
Blood toxins, leprosy, ophthalmic ailments, compound. Yellow blossoms in spring
digestive ailments. and fall. Fruit narrow capsules.
Orisha Worship
It is taboo to plant this tree near the house Medicinal
or bring it inside the house. Do not use Diabetes, liver and kidney ailments,
for Omiero. stomach ailments, syphilis, urine
Correlating Odu: Ejionle Okana. incontinence.
SAUCE / WEEPING WILLOW Religious/Magical

(Salix Humboldtiana) Orisha Worship
Belongs to Olokun, Ogun.
Other names:
Argentina – Sauce criollo. SAUCO BLANCO / ELDERBERRY
Chile - Sauce chileno, Sauce amargo, (Sambucus canadensis)
Sauce colorado, Sauce negro, Sauce
cimarrón y Sauce de Castilla Other names:
Haiti -Fleur sureau.
Description Puerto Rico - Sauco
Tree found in riverbanks, stream banks U.S. - Florida Elder, golf elder, southern
and shorelines. Reaches up to 30-50 ft. elder.
high. The leaves are thin, narrow,
sometimes with whitened or silky Description
undersides. Twigs and branchlets very Soft-stemmed shrub, which grows to a
long and drooping, with brittle bases. height of about 12 feet. This shrub is
particularly noted for its attractive
USES compound foliage and inflorescence -
large branched clusters of tiny white
Medicinal flowers.
Fever, inflammation, menstrual pains.
USES
Religious/Magical
Belongs to Olokun. Chest ailments, constipation, eye
ailments, erysipelas, fever, pain.
SAUCO AMARILLO / YELLOW ELDER
(Tecoma stans) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Obatala
Argentina - Garrocha, garanguay amarillo, Used to make ritual omiero
guaran-guaran ∗ To attract good fortune
Colombia - Fresno, chirlobirlos, palo ∗ Purification baths to banish
hueso negativity.
Costa Rica - Candelillo
El Salvador - Tache, tasto, San Andres, SAUCO NEGRO / ELDERBERRY
marchucha (Sambucus nigra)
Mexico - Retamo, retama, palo de arco
Panama - Copete Description
Puerto Rico - Sauco amarillo, roble Erect woody shrub, reaching up to 12 ft.
amarillo, ruibarba tall. The leaves are compound, bright
Urugüay - Garrocha green. Numerous fragrant white flowers
U.S. -Trumpet flower, yellow bells arranged in branched clusters.
185
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES vegetable. Great care must be exercised

in using this fruit, since both immature and
Medicinal over mature fruits may be toxic.
Colds, cough, dropsy, fever, flu,
hemorrhoids. USES
SENSITIVA / SENSITIVE PLANT Religious/Magical

(Mimosa pudica) Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala
Other names: For Babalu Aye ceremonies and rituals.
Cuba - Dormidera, vergonzosa, morivivi Correlating Odu: Odi Otura.
Haiti - Kapris, Honteuse, Zèb-a-manzèl, For healing rituals to treat dementia.
honteuse-femel, Marie-honte
Lukumi – Eran Kumi, Eran loyo, Omimi, SIBANICU: Arabo de Piedra
Yaranimo SIEMPREVIVA: Prodigiosa
Description SIGUARAYA / BASTARD LIME

Indigenous sub shrub with fern like leaves (Trichilia havanensis)
that close up and droop when touched,
usually re-opening within minutes. It has Other names:
prickly stems and small, fluffy, ball shaped Costa Rica - Uruca
pink flowers in summer. Found in moist Cuba - Siguaraya, rompe camino, abre
waste ground, in lawns, in open camino, tapa camino.
plantations, and weedy thicklets. El Salvador - Barre-horno
Honduras - Limoncillo
USES Kongo – Inso, Ebora, Nsinba dian finda.
Lukumi - Atori
Religious/Magical Mexico - Limoncillo, cucharillo, cauache,
Orisha Worship garrapatilla
Belongs to Yewa
Correlating Odu: Iwori Otrupon Description
For love binding spells. Robust, native tree; the leaves are intense
green above, pale green underneath. The
SESO VEGETAL / AKEE scented flowers are greenish/cream. The
(Blighia sapida) fruit is bright green with orange/red seeds.
Other names: USES

Arada - Yowele
Brazil - Castanheiro do Africa Medicinal
Colombia - Huevo vegetal, bien me sabe, Kidney and bladder stone, rheumatism,
pan y quesito. skin problems, urinary track ailments,
Cuba - Akee de Africa, arbol del seso. venereal diseases.
Lukumi – Igi ayire
Panama - Huevo vegetal Religious/Magical
Puerto Rico - Seso vegetal, akee Orisha Worship
U. S. - Akee-tree, vegetable brains Belongs to Shango, Babalu Aye and
Elegba.
Description Used for Babalu Aye rituals
Medium-sized evergreen tree. The leaves Rites of Palo
are compound, odd-pinnately with 3 to 5 Essential for the Nkisi.
pairs of dark-green, obovate-oblong To prepare Nkisi lango.
leaflets. The fragrant flowers are small,
greenish-white. The mature fruit splits
open along 3 sutures exposing the 3
large, shiny, black seeds attached to a
white or milky-white aril. The firm and oily
aril is the edible portion and is consumed
fresh or is cooked and used as a
186
∗ For ritual baths to expel evil spirits

and negativity.
household
∗ Banishes any negative spell or
witchcraft
∗ Planted outside the house for
protection
SOPLILLO / WILD TAMARIND

(Lysiloma bahamensis)
Other names:
Cuba - Tamarindillo, abey, frijolillo.
Lukumi - Aki
Description
The umbrella-like profile of this large tree
is produced by horizontal branching, which
makes it an excellent shade tree. The
leaves are feathery and flat and consist of
many light green leaflets. The fruits are
flat, think, black-and-tan papery pods,
which contain eight to ten seeds. The
pods are frequently found hanging on the
tree long after they mature.
USES
Medicinal
Vaginal infections, whites.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun
SUELDACONSUELDA: Bejuco Verraco
187
Dalia Quiros-Moran
T U.S. - Tamarind
Description
TABACO / TOBACCO A large beautiful evergreen tree that can
(Nicotiana tabacum) grow up to 70' in height and 21' in girth.
The trunk has cracks, down and across;
Other names: the bark is brown-gray. It has a dense and
Cuba - Tabaco spreading crown foliage and numerous
Haiti - Tabak yellow, with red and purple filaments,
Lukumi - Asaa flowers. The pod contains the seeds,
black, shiny squares surrounded by pulp.
Description The pulp of tamarind is light brownish-red,
Annual plant, single stemmed. The leaves sweetish acidic and edible.
are alternate, oblong shaped. The flowers
are purplish/pink, greenish yellow inside. USES
USES Medicinal
Constipation, diarrhea, liver ailments,
Medicinal scabies, skin disorders.
Eczema, need to vomit, spasm.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship Belongs to Obatala, Oya
Belongs to Osayin, Elegba, Ogun, Oshosi. Correlating Odu: Ofun Meji, Otura Obara,
Correlating Odu: Ogunda Ejionle Irete Kana, Osa Okana.
Rites of Palo Used to make ritual omiero.
For rituals and amulets To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
TABANO / SWAMP-MALLOW TANACETO / BITTER BUTTONS

(Pavonia typhalea) (Tanacetum vulgare)

Puerto Rico – Anamu, Cadillo Brazil - Catinga de mulata
Haiti - Tanaisie, Herbe aux Vers
Description U.S. - Bitter buttons, ginger plant, parsley
Indigenous plant found in wetlands and fern, scented fern, English cost, hindheal
calcareous soils. The leaves are ovate,
serrate; white flowers. Description
A coarse-growing herbaceous perennial 2
USES to 3 feet in height with finely divided
leaves. It has a stout, somewhat reddish,
Medicinal erect stem, usually smooth; 1 1/2 to 3 feet
Bronchitis, inflammation, kidney ailments, high, and branching near the top. The
rheumatism. round, flat-topped, button like, yellow
flower heads are produced in terminal
Religious/Magical clusters from about July to September.
Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Obara, Otura USES
Ika, Irete Oshe.
Medicinal
TAMARINDO / TAMARIND Bruise, cold, dropsy, gall, gout, hysteria,
(Tamarindus indica) intestinal parasites, nervousness,
rheumatism, sore, sprain, stomach
Other names: ailments.
Arada - Awati
Cuba - Tamarindo
Haiti - Tamarin, Tanmarin sí
Lukumi – Igi iyagbon
188
TAPACAMINO / CAPPEL Description

(Palicourea alpina) Leguminous tree found in calcareous,
mountainous areas. The foliage is thin;
Other names: yellow flowers. The wood is hard, reddish
Cuba - Taburete towards the core.
Dominican Republic - Tafetán, cafetán,
cenizoso cimarrón USES
Puerto Rico – Balsamillo, Cachimbo
Medicinal
Description Skin ulcers, wounds.
Medium to large shrub found in the under
story and sub canopy of most tropical Religious/Magical
forests from low to high elevations. The Orisha Worship
plant is glabrous; leaves elliptic, pointed at Belongs to Eshu
the end; stem is green when young To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
changing to gray when mature. The wood Rites of Palo
is moderately hard and brittle; flowers Works with the Nkisi.
tubular, grouped in cymes, ranging from For rituals and amulets.
yellow to orange. The seeds are black or ∗ To attract harmony.
grayish.
TIBISI / OLD MAN'S BEARD
USES (Arthrostylidium capillifolium)
Asthma, circulatory problems, stomach Bamboo, very abundant in forests, mainly
ailments, water retention. in mountainous areas, near streams and
wetlands, ascending to 8 feet and looping
TARRILLO: Arbol del Cuerno downward from tree branches or crotches.
Leaf blades broad, rolled in bud.
TEBENQUE / DONKEYWEED
USES
(Pectis ciliaris)
Religious/Magical
Other names:
Orisha Worship
Cuba - Romero cimarron, yerba
Belongs to Shango
chinchera.
∗ Makes the person noticeable.
Description
Annual plant found in sandy beaches and TIBISI CHICO: Canutillo
calcareous soils. The leaves and flowers
are aromatic. Yellow flowers. TILO / LINDEN
(Justicia pectoralis)
USES
Other names:
Medicinal Brazil - Chambá
Chest ailments, intestinal complaints, Cuba - Tilo casero, criollo, de jardín,
menstrual problems. natural.
Haiti - Sèpantye, Zèb-a-Shapantye,
TENGUE ACEITERO Carmentin.
(Poepigia procera) U.S. - Freshcut

Cuba - Tengue, Palo tengue, Abey Herb with slender, grooved stems; erect,
hembra. climbing or trailing and rooting at the
Kongo – Inkita, Linga, Nkuni nodes. Aromatic; the fresh plant has a
Lukumi – Songa, Labari balsamic odor. Leaves opposite, narrow to
Mexico - Quiebrahacha, bicho. broad lanceolate. The flowers are lilac or
189
Dalia Quiros-Moran
pink, the throat sometimes dotted with TOMATE DE MAR

dark purple, the outer surface downy. (Ipomoea pterodes)
USES Other names:

Brazil - Batata-de-purga
Medicinal Cuba - Almorrana.
Asthma, bronchitis, chest, cold, cough, Kongo – Korogondo diKalunga
fever, flu, nausea, scabies, stomachache, Lukumi – Ikan Olokun
wound.
Description
TITONIA / MEXICAN SUNFLOWER Woody, creeping annual plant.
(Tithonia rotundifolia)
USES
Other names:
Cuba - Margaritona Medicinal
Kongo – Monikuana Fever, hemorrhoids, inflammation, toxins
Lukumi - Sereiye in the blood.
Tall, bushy, ornamental plant. Foliage is Orisha Worship
dark green, large leaf, rough. Grows 36" to To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
42" tall.
TOMATILLO DE LA HABANA: Ají de la
USES China.
Religious/Magical TORONJA / GRAPEFRUIT

Orisha Worship (Citrus grandis)
Belongs to Oshun
∗ Ground to powder, to expel Other names:
unwanted visitors. Haiti - Chadèk
U.S. - Pommelo.
TOMATE / TOMATO
(Leyopersicum esculentum) Description
Tree similar to the orange tree. The leaves
Other names: are large. The fruit is a large orange,
Kongo – Korogondo yellow producing a considerable amount
Lukumi – Ishoma, Ikan of bitter acrid juice.
Description USES
Annual herb, strong-scented; leaves
alternate, simple but deeply pinnately Medicinal
lobed and toothed; flowers 5-parted, Excessive body fat, high blood pressure.
yellow; fruit a red or yellow berry.
Religious/Magical
USES Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala
Medicinal
Burns, constipation, hemorrhoids, TORONGIL / BERGAMONT MINT
toothache. (Mentha citrata)

Orisha Worship Argentina - Bergamota
Belongs to Shango, Ibeji. Lukumi - Ewetuni
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Irete, Irete Puerto Rico - Agua florida
Trupon.
190
Very pleasant, aromatic, lemon-like odor, A vigorous growing weedy vine growing to
somewhat resembling that of the 1 ft. in height. It has a large root system
Bergamot Orange. The whole plant is and produces yellow and white flowers. It
smooth, dotted with yellow glands and is is found in abundance along roadsides
of a dark green color, generally tinged with and in the forests on dry sandy soils.
purple, especially the margins of the
leaves, which are finely toothed. USES
USES Medicinal
Asthma, anemia, convulsions, cystitis,
Medicinal gallbladder pain and stones, gonorrhea,
Anxiety, digestive complaints, intestinal internal inflammation, liver disorders,
discomfort, vomiting. jaundice, hepatitis, slow milk production in
lactating women, urinary tract and renal
Religious/Magical disorders and calculi, worms from the skin.
Rites of Palo
For rituals and ceremonies Religious/Magical
∗ For purification baths and cleansing Orisha Worship
of the household to attract good One of the five essential plants to make
fortune and prosperity. ritual omiero.
Belongs to Shango
TORONJIL DE MENTA / PEPPERMINT Correlating Odu: Odi Meji, Iwori Ojuani,
(Menta piperita) Odi Iroso, Iroso Ika, Ofun Ogbe, and Osa
Okana.
Other names:
U.S. - Brady mint, balm mint, curled mint, TRAVESERA / BITTERBUSH
lamb mint (Eupatorium villosum)

Herb that grows to 2 feet tall and spikes of Cuba - Albahaca de sabana, albahaquilla,
lilac-pink flowers are produced in mid- filigrana, rompezaragüey de sabana,
summer. Stems are usually purple and tribulillo y zanca de grullo.
leaves can also be purple-tinged. Lukumi - Afosi
USES Description
Aromatic perennial that reaches 2 to 4 feet
Medicinal high, and grows in partial sun. prefers
Anxiety, colds, colic, fevers, flatulence, damp to moist rich soils.
headaches associated with digestion,
influenza, inflammations, itching, USES
menstrual problems, nasal catarrh,
nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and Religious/Magical
travel sickness, ulcers of the bowels, sore Orisha Worship
throat, tension, toothache. Belongs to Elegba, Shango.
∗ To force an enemy to fail
TOSTON / TAR VINE
(Boerhaavia erecta) TREBOL / WHITE CLOVER
(Trifoluim repens)
Other names:
Brazil - Erva Tostão Other names:
U.S. – Erect spiderling Kongo – Kanda tatu
Lukumi - Atipola Lukumi – Ewe etameri
U.S. - White shamrock, shamrock
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
Creeping plant that spreads in large mats Indigenous shrub with globose leaves.
across the ground; the leaves are Flower color greenish white. Flowers
compound, with tree broad leaflets and October through November. Frequently
tiny teeth on edges, a pale triangular mark occurs in plains, rarely occurs in uplands
appears on each leaflet; abundant, long and hilly areas.
lasting, sweet smelling flowers, white or
very pale pink, on separate stalks from USES
leaves.
Medicinal
USES Acne, constipation, dropsy, intestinal
inflammation, need to vomit.
Medicinal
Anemia, blood toxins, boils, scrofula, skin Religious/Magical
diseases, sores, ulcers. Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala, Yemaya.
Religious/Magical Correlating Odu: Okana Meji, Okana
Orisha Worship Otura, and Iwori Otrupon.
Belongs to Obatala To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
Correlating Odu: Otura Meji. ∗ To craft religious relics.
∗ For purification baths
TREBOLILLO: Abrecamino
TUBEROSA: Azucena
TREPADERA TUBEROSA AZUL: Agapanto
USES TUNA / SPURGE

(Euphorbia lactea)
Religious/Magical
Orisha worship Other names:
Belongs to Odudua, Obatala and Oshun. Lukumi – Egun, weggun, ikikigun
TRIPA DE JUTIA Description

Succulent, spiny shrub with milky latex,
USES branches mottled green with white lines.
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba Medicinal
Eczema, inflammations.
TUA TUA / BELLY ACHE BUSH
(Jatropha gossiifolia) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Obatala
Brazil - Pinhão roxo To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba.
Colombia - Frailejón, purga de fraile, ∗ Planted outside the house for
frailecillo protection
Cuba - San Juan del cobre, frailecillo
Dominican Republic - Tua túa, frailecillo TUNA DE CRUZ: Cardón.
Haiti - Medsinyen barachèn'n, Médecinier TUYA: Arbol de la Vida.
Barachen, Médecinier Barrière,
Médecinier Blanc, Médecinier Purgatif,
Pignon d'Inde
Puerto Rico - Higuereta cimarrona
Venezuela - Tua túa, frailecillo
192
U Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Yemaya and Ogun.
UÑA DE GATO / IGUANA HACKBERRY Correlating Odu: Ika Irete.
(Momisia iguanaea)
UVA GOMOSA / CLAMMY-CHERRY
Other names:
(Cordia Alba)
Colombia – Dinde
Cuba – Manca montero, uña de gavilan
Other names:
Jamaica – Cat's Claw, black bra, brea-
Colombia – Gomo Blanco, caujaro, uvito
and-cheeses
Costa Rica – Jigüilote
Puerto Rico – Rolon, escambron Colorado
Cuba – Ateje Amarillo. Varia blanca, uvita
Venezuela – Espinuelo, guichere
Dominican Republic – Yagua blanca,
muñeco blanco
Description
El Salvador – Cebito, tigüilote
Native perennial vine. The fruit is green,
Haiti – Chique
yellow when mature.
Honduras – Chachalaco
Jamaica – Dope cherry-duppy cherry
USES
Mexico – Zazamil, sasamil, gualbere,
chirimo
Medicinal
Panama – Uvero, uvillo, goma
Fevers, liver ailments, wounds.
Puerto Rico – Cereza blanca, capa blanca
U.S.– White Manjack, Loblolly-tree
Religious/Magical
Venezuela – Cuajaro, cariaco, tarare
Orisha Worship
amarillo, tarare blanco, flor de angel.
Correlating Odu: Iwori Ofun
It has malefic properties.
Description
Tree with leathery foliage. The leaves are
UVA CALETA / SEA GRAPE simple, alternate; flowers white cream
(Coccoloba uvifera) color.
Other names: USES

Costa Rica- Papaturro, Uvero de Playa
Cuba – Uvero Medicinal
Dominican Republic – Uvillo Chest, stomachaches, stomach ailments.
Haiti - Raisin bò'd-mè, kino
Mexico – Uva de Playa, Uva de la mar, Religious/Magical
Uva Manzano Orisha Worship
Panama – Uvero de Playa Correlating Odu: Ika Irete.
Description
Common beach plant. Usually forms a low
shrub but may be a spreading tree 30 to
35 feet in height. It does well in areas of
high salt and poor soil. The leaves are
stiff, large and round with prominent,
reddish veins; the fruit is grape sized, with
woody, purple skin covering a thin purple
flesh crowning a large seed. They are
borne on stalks and ripen individually,
falling off easily when picked.
USES
Medicinal
Diarrhea, dysentery, fever, venereal
diseases.
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Dalia Quiros-Moran
V USES
Religious/Magical
VACAHUEY / SANDPAPER TREE Orisha Worship
(Curatella americana) Belongs to Oshun
To pack love amulets
Other names:
Colombia - Paralejo, chaparro
VALERIANA / VALERIAN
Costa Rica - Chumico de palo, hoja
(Valeriana paniculata)
chigüe, raspa guacal
Cuba - Careicillo, peralejo macho.
Description
Panama - Chumico palo, curatela,
A tall perennial plant with clusters of pink
chumico.
or white flowers. Grows to 4-5 feet.
Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras -
Leaves strongly divided, pinnate with
Chaparro
lance-shaped leaflets; lower ones toothed.
Tiny, pale pink to whitish, tubular flowers,
Description
grow in three-forked terminal heads in
Woody plant found in sandy savannahs.
tight clusters; when the fruits form, the
The leaves are elliptical, rough,
calyces turn into feathery parachutes.
corrugated; flowers in racemes, white, with
Blooms June to July.
a peculiar odor.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Medicinal
Chronic skin diseases, colic, convulsions,
Bruises, ulcers, wounds.
croup, delirium, depression, diarrhea,
emotional stress, epilepsy, expelling
Religious/Magical
phlegm from throat and chest, fatigue,
Orisha Worship
fevers, gas, gas pains, hypochondria,
Belongs to Shango
hysteria, insomnia, irritability, intestinal
∗ To banish negativity.
parasites and worms, menstrual cramps,
migraine headaches, mild spasmodic
VAINILLA AMARILLA affections, muscle cramps, nervous
(Epidendrum facutum) cough, nervous headaches, neuralgia,
palpitations, panic attacks, pimples,
Description shortness of breath and wheezing,
Indigenous orchid. spasms, sores, stomach cramps, vertigo.
Orisha Worship
Religious/Magical Correlating Odu: Ojuani Odi
Orisha Worship ∗ For purification baths
Belongs to Oshun
To pack amulets
VARITA DE SAN JOSE / HOLYHOCK
(Althea rosea)
VAINILLA ROSADA
(Epidendrum atropurpureum) Other names:
Lukumi - Ofun dara
Description
Orchid common in rather dry, scrubby Description
forests of coastal regions. The plants are Cultivated biennial commonly used as
relatively compact, branching freely to ornamental. Erect stem, variegated
produce clumps of rounded bulbs. Upright, leaves, hear shaped. Spikes of large
often branching spikes with showy blooms showy flowers.
in green, brown, orange, yellow, or pink
that expels a delightful, intoxicating rose
fragrance.
194
USES Description
A weedy annual and sometimes perennial
Medicinal herb growing to the height of 3 ft. It has
Coughs, irritated stomach, bowels, pretty reddish-purple flowers growing
bladder, and urethra. along long bracts and is indigenous to
most parts of tropical America.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship USES
Belongs to Obatala
Correlating Odu: Oshe Osa Medicinal
For ritual cleansings. Constipation, chronic, diabetes, fevers,
diarrhea, dyspepsia, dysentery, fevers,
VENCEDOR / SATIN WOOD intestinal worms and other parasites, liver
(Zanthoxylum arboreum) problems, poor perspiration, poor supply
of mother's milk, rheumatic inflammations,
Other names: urinary complaints.
Arada – Xuntitina
Cuba – Palo vencedor, balsamo Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Description Belongs to Yemaya.
A deciduous shrub growing to 12 ft. Found Correlating Odu: Ojuani Irete, Irete
on upland rocky hillsides and on moist Otrupon, Ika Odi.
low-lying sites, in open woods, on bluffs or ∗ In amulets to attract and for good
in thickets. It is in flower from May to June, fortune
and the seeds ripen from September to
October. The scented flowers are purple. VERDOLAGA / PURSLANE
(Portulaca oleracea)
USES
Other names:
Religious/Magical Cuba - Verdolaga, verdolaga francesa.
Orisha Worship Lukumi – Ewe oshisha
Correlating Odu: Okana Odi, Oshe Odi. U.S. - Cuban spinach, Miner's-lettuce,
For amulets and relics Miner's-salad, Pigweed, Pussley, Winter
Rites of Palo purslane
∗ For purification baths and cleansings Description
of persons and the household. A common, persistent, trailing weed with
∗ To banish negativity and evil spirits. fleshy, succulent stems, widely distributed;
∗ To attract good fortune and leaves are small, spatulate or narrow
prosperity. obovate, thick and green or red in color. It
∗ In amulets to overcome difficult can be found growing wild in almost any
situations and for protection. unshaded area, including flower beds,
∗ For love and binding spells. cornfields, and waste places.
USES
VENCEBATALLA: Bejuco Carabalí
Medicinal
VERBENA / PORTERWEED Boils, dysentery, sores, vaginal
(Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) discharges, venomous bites and stings
and urinary tract infections.
Other names:
Lukumi – Ewe Orukan Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba and Yemaya.
195
Dalia Quiros-Moran
One of the five essential plants to make Religious/Magical

ritual omiero. Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Oshe Iroso, Odi Obara, Belongs to Oshun.
Otrupon Irete, Otura Oshe, Irete Untelu, For purification baths; to attract good
Irete Ogunda, Oshe Iroso. fortune.
Used to appease Yemaya.
To make Oshinshin Other
Rites of Palo Insect and vermin repellent.
∗ For purification and cleansing of VIBORA / MOTHER OF THOUSANDS
persons, objects and the household. (Bryophyllum calycinum)
∗ To attract good fortune.
Other names:
VERGAJO: Bejuco Vergajo Brazil – Coirama, Courama, Folha da
VERGAJO DE TORO: Bejuco vergajo. Costa, Folha da fortuna
Lukumi – Ewe Nioka, Fatu-Fatu
U.S. - Orpine, Kurz, Life plant, live leaf
VERGONZOSA / SENSITIVE PLANT
(Mimosa pudica) Description
Plant that produces foliar embryos in the
Other names: notches of the leaf margin. These
Cuba -Vergonzosa, dormidera, morivivi, embryos remain dormant while the leaf is
sensitiva. attached to the plant. The leaves and
Haiti - Kapris, Honteuse, Zèb-a-manzèl, stems are green and fleshy and are
honteuse-femel, Marie-honte covered with a shiny layer of wax.
USES USES
Orisha Worship Abscesses, burns, diarrhea fever, poorly
Belongs to Babalu Aye. healing wounds ulcers.
Correlating Odu: Ika Oshe.
Religious/Magical:
VETE DE AQUI: Aguinaldo Morado Orisha worship
Belongs to Eshu
∗ For mischievous spells. It has
VETIVER/CUS-CUS GRASS negative properties.
(Anatherum Zizaniodes)
Other names: VICARIA / GREATER (ROSY)

Lukumi – Orufiri, Kurubi PERIWINKLE
Puerto Rico – Pachuli, Pacholi (Vinca rosea)
Other names:
Description
Cuba - Vicaria, dominica.
Cultivated grass; tall and robust,
El Salvador - Chula, mulata
somewhat similar to guinea grass. The
Philippines - Chichirica
roots are scented; produces an oil highly
Mexico - Maravilla de España
esteemed in the perfume industry.
Puerto Rico - Flor de todo el año.
U.S. - Vinca, Old Maid, Red periwinkle
USES West Indies - Vinca, Old maid, red
periwinkle
Medicinal
Acne, Asthma, calluses, flu, malaria, Description
muscular pains, neuralgia, rheumatism, A semi-procumbent shrub with trailing
wounds. ascending stems 1-3 feet long. The leaves
are dark green. It has solitary flowers at
the
196
end of the stem. This ornamental plant is small groups, are very characteristic. The
fast growing and flowers all year long. mature plant has creeping stems
emerging from a slender taproot. The
USES stems root at the nodes and invade larger
areas. When seeds mature, pods open
Medicinal explosively, often spreading seeds 10 feet
Bleeding gums, colitis, diarrhea, digestive or more.
problems, excessive menstrual flow, fever,
mouth ulcers, nosebleed, sore throats, USES
urinary ailments.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship Correlating Odu: Iwori Irete, Osa Eyioko,
Belongs to Obatala Ika Yeku.
Correlating Odu: Irete Odi. To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
VIGUETA VIOLETA/VIOLET
(Chiones cubensis) (Viola odorata)

Cuba - Vigueta, Icaquillo y Vigueta Lukumi - Luko
Naranjo.
Kongo – Forumbo Description
An evergreen perennial woodland plant
Description growing about 6 inches tall and forming a
Indigenous tree that grows up to 50 ft. carpet of growth. The leaves are small,
high. Found in acid soil forests. Wood they have a very mild, almost bland flavor;
cream white color. The leaves are the texture is slightly tough. The edible
elliptical, rounded at the apex; white leaves can be harvested all year round,
flowers; fruit glossy. and the edible flowers are produced in late
winter and early spring.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Paludism. Medicinal
Indigestion, gastric upsets, heart debility,
Religious/Magical burns, pains, cough, catarrh, bronchitis,
Orisha Worship sore throat, toxins in the system, phlegm,
Belongs to Shango need to sweat.
VIGUETA BLANCA: Caobilla de Sabana Religious/Magical

Orisha Worship
Belongs to Yemaya
VINAGRILLO / YELLOW WOOD
SORREL
(Oxalis corniculata) VIUDA: Ambarina
Other names: VOMITEL / GIEGER TREE

Cuba – Mariposa, Trebol, Violeta (Cordia sebestena)
Americana
Puerto Rico – Quita tinta, Vinagrillo Other names:
Venezuela – Pata de Pichon Colombia - San Joaquin
Costa Rica - Siricote
Description Cuba - Anacagüita, vomitel colorado,
A perennial that has alternate, compound cutiperí, platanillo.
leaves, each consisting of three heart- Dominican Republic - Avellano criollo
shaped leaflets resembling clover. Jamaica - Red cordia, scarlet cordia
Attractive yellow flowers, borne singly or in Mexico - Anacahuita, siricote
197
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Puerto Rico - Vomitel colorado

Venezuela - Joaquin, No me olvides
Description
An evergreen flowering tree up to 25 ft.
high. Grows in high, dry coastal areas. In
bloom all year. Leaves green, simple.
Flowers orange. Fruit in white drupes,
aromatic and edible.
USES
Medicinal
Breathing difficulties of all kinds, catarrh,
dysentery, urinary incontinence, edema,
malaria, venereal disease, headache,
bandages, spider bite, stimulating
appetite.
198
Y Correlating Odu: Ika Trupon, Odi Ika,

Obara Ika.
Not used for ritual omiero.
YABA / CABBAGE BARK TREE For rituals and ceremonies.
(Andira jamaicensis) To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
Rites of Palo
Other names: For rituals and amulets
Cuba - Yaba, yabo, yaba colorada, moca. Placed in the household to expel evil eye
Guatemala, Honduras – Guacamayo and negativity.
Kongo – Nkasa Kadiampemba
Lukumi – Ewe Soiku
YAGRUMA MACHO: Arriero
Mexico - Yabo, yaba
Puerto Rico - Moca, moca blanca
YAGUNA / BRASILIAN SATINTAIL
Description (Imperata brasiliensis)
Tree found in arid and calcareous soils.
Grows up to 50 ft. high. The leaves are Other names:
large; purple flowers; wood reddish, Brazil – Capim Sape
strong, and compact. U.S. – Cogon grass.
USES Description
Bright chartreuse green perennial grass
Medicinal that grows 2-4' tall and forms dense
Works as an antidote to "Guao" stands. The erect leaf blades are about a
half-inch wide and have a prominent
Religious/Magical: whitish off-center midrib and a sharp tip.
Orisha Worship The leaves are flat and have saw-like
Belongs to Shango. edges. The round leaf bases are sheathed
∗ Causes negative effects. and attached to short round stems. The
upper part of the leaf blade is hairy near
the base, but the underside is smooth.
YAGRUMA / TRUMPET TREE
The flowers are borne in silky white
(Cecropia peltata)
spikes. Found in swamps, floodplains, dry
scrubs, and sand dunes, as well as the
Other names:
sand hills, roadsides, pastures, utility
Argentina - Ambahu
rights-of-way, and mined lands where it is
Brazil - Imbauba
most commonly observed.
Colombia - Guarumo
Cuba - Yagruma hembra
USES
Kongo - Matiti
Lukumi - Ona Biri
Medicinal
Mexico - Guarumo
Jaundice
Peru - Cetico, Tacuna
Description YAMAGUEY DE COSTA: Agalla de

Tree to 60 ft. high with a lifespan of 20-30 Costa
years. It has large leaves, a small crown,
and large peltate leaves 12 to 20 inches in YAMAO / AMERICAN MUSK
diameter, with silver-white lower surfaces. (Guarea Trichiliodes)
USES Other names:

Cuba – Yamagua
Medicinal Kongo – Nkita, Morinbankuo
Asthma, cold, corns, cough, herpes, warts. Lukumi - Fendebillo
U.S. - Cocillana Bark
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala and Oya.
199
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Description USES
A large tree; flowers in clusters; bark ashy
gray; the inner bark is generally thicker Medicinal
than the outer; fracture, coarse fibrous Anemia, catarrh, conjunctivitis, diabetes,
splinters; odor musk like; taste distinctive, diarrhea, epilepsy, fever, gonorrhea,
astringent and nauseous; leaves pinnate headache, hemorrhage, prickly heat,
and of peculiar growth, as the lower swellings, and syphilis.
leaflets fall young ones grow at the end of
the same leaf-stalk, which elongates, the YAREY/ CANA PALM
lower outer portion becomes woody with (Corpernicia hospita)
an outer bark and a thin pith inside and
grows into a branch. Other names:
Kongo – Goroguayo, mabba, diba
USES Lukumi - Ope
US - Cuban Wax Palm, Guano Palm,
Medicinal Cano Palm
Bronchitis, intestinal bleeding, pulmonary
complaints. Description
Palm tree of moderate dimensions. The
Religious/Magical circular gray waxy leaves spread out like
Orisha Worship fans on long, thin stems. Up to 40 leaves
Belongs to Elegba, Oshun, Yemaya. form a circular outline around the top of
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Ogbe. the trunk. The smooth columnar trunk can
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba grow up to 1' in diameter and up to 26' tall.
Rites of Palo The flowers extend past the leaves on
Essential for the Nkisi. uniquely hairy branches. The fruits
∗ To attract something or somebody. resemble black marbles, up to 1 inch
∗ For love and binding spells. across. Found in open savannas,
∗ In amulets to attract good fortune and woodlands and in coastal regions,
prosperity adjacent to mangrove swamps.
YANA / BOTTONWOOD USES

(Conocarpus erecta)
Religious/Magical
Colombia - Saragoza Belongs to Shango
Costa Rica - Mariquito Correlating Odu: Otura Iroso.
Cuba - Mangle botón ∗ The ground bark to avoid captivity.
Panama - Saragoza, mangle piñuelo,
mangle torcido YAYA / BLACK LANCEWOOD
Puerto Rico - Mangle botoncillo, mangle (Oxandra lanceolata)
colorado
Venezuela - Mangle botoncillo Other names:
U.S. – Silver buttonwood, button Cuba - Yaya prieta, yaya boba macho.
mangrove Haiti - Bois de lance
Jamaica - Black lancewood, lancewood
Description Kongo – Koromeni, Mbekese
Evergreen tree reaching heights of 32 to Lukumi – Yaya, Echi
45 feet. Found in close proximity to the Puerto Rico - Haya blanca
ocean or intercoastal areas. The leaves
are silver blue-gray; alternate, elliptic. In Description
bloom during the spring, with small green Slender forest trees up to 50 ft in height;
flowers. the bark is smooth, wood hard, cream
color. The leaves are smooth, glossy. The
fruit is red.
200
Orisha Worship
Medicinal Belongs to Obatala
Tetanus, ulcers and hard to heal wounds. Correlating Odu: Otura Obara, Otura
Ogunda
Religious/Magical To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba
Orisha Worship Used to make ritual omiero.
Belongs to Shango, Elegba
Correlating Odu: Osa Irete, Iroso Ogunda,
YERBA ANIS/SPANISH TARRAGON
Iroso Otura.
(Tagetes lucida)
Rites of Palo
Description
Essential for the Nganga
∗ For purification baths
Erect bushy shrub; grows from 2-3 feet.
∗ In amulets to overcome legal issues. The leaves are glabrous, serrulate,
contain essential oils similar to the French
YAYA CIMARRONA Tarragon. Produces brilliant deep yellow,
(Mouriri acuta) five pedaled blossoms.
Other names: USES

Cuba - Yaya macho.
Religious/Magical
Indigenous trees found in low areas and Belongs to Yemaya
hillsides. The trunk is smooth, the leaves
obovate-oblong, pointed, glossy; the
flowers are small, yellowish. The wood is YERBA BRUJA / JUNGLE RICE
very hard, compact, and brown. (Panicum numidianum)
USES Other names:

Cuba - Yerba de pará.
Medicinal Lukumi – Ewe Ichocho
Dysentery, gangrene, hemorrhage, skin U.S. - Jungle rice grass, Millet-rice, Corn
ulcers and wounds. panic grass, Deccan grass.
Orisha Worship Annual grass most frequently found on
Belongs to Shango disturbed sites such as fields and gardens.
Rites of Palo The leaves are elongated and very
Essential for the Nganga. narrow, smooth or sometimes sparsely
hairy on the upper surface, smooth on the
YEDRA / MADIERA VINE lower surface; flowers borne in spikelets,
(Boussingaultia leptostachye) the spikelets crowded into 4 rows on one
side of the axis of the spike; each spike up
Other names: to 1 1/2 inches long, with several spikes
Cuba - Yedra del país. forming a narrow panicle.
Lukumi - Itako
Description
Vine found in wet soils. The roots are
tuberose with smooth leaves and stems.
The leaves are ovate; flowers white,
scented, in racemes.
USES
Medicinal
Hemorrhage, rheumatism, warts.
201
Dalia Quiros-Moran
USES Description
Large grass that can grow to cover
Religious/Magical extensive areas along ditches and into
Orisha Worship fields. It also occurs in marginal wetlands.
Belongs to Yemaya and Elegba. Stems erect, to 8 ft. tall; leaf blades long,
∗ For love binding spells. flat, midrib white, to 2 ft. long, to 3/4 in.
wide, folded at the base, margins finely
YERBA CAIMAN / BISTORT rough; inflorescence very large, to 20 in.
(Polygonum bistorta) long, widely spreading, branched, jointed
axis; spikelets in pairs at the nodes of the
Other names: axis, half are on stalks, all are hairy.
Cuba - Yerba del sapo.
Kongo – Nseke gando, bamba USES
Lukumi - Ewedo
U.S. - Knotweed Medicinal:
Kidney stones.
Description
Perennial plant reaching 1 to 2 ft. Grows in Religious/Magical
damp meadows and by water, especially Orisha Worship
on acid soils. It has swollen nodes where Correlating Odu: Okana Ojuani.
the leaves meet the stems. Leaves are
lance-shaped, narrow, and willow-like. The YERBA DE GARRO / SLENDER FALSE
leaf bases form sheaths that surround the BOTTONWEED
stem. Leaves are alternately attached. (Spermacoce tenuior)
The flowers are small and pinkish or white,
and grow in terminal spikes that typically Other names:
are several inches long. It is in flower from Cuba -Yerba de Garro, garro morado,
June to September, and the seeds ripen garro blanco.
from August to October. Dominican Republic – Juana la Blanca
Couper colonne
USES
Description
Medicinal Perennial, erect or ascending herb. Stems
Anal fissure, burns, catarrh, cholera, are glabrous, slightly ribbed. Leaf blade
cystitis, diarrhea, dysentery, excessive elliptic-ovate, acute, glabrous. Flowers
menstruation, internal and external clustered in terminal and axillary groups,
bleeding, mouth ulcers, sore throats, corolla white or lobes tipped with pink.
spongy gums, vaginal discharge, wounds. Capsules obovoid, split lengthwise. Seeds
brown, oblong-ellipsoid. Common weed in
Religious/Magical disturbed areas, orchards, sunny and
Orisha Worship dried localities.
Belongs to Yemaya, Oshun.
∗ An infusion sprinkled around the USES
household to banish negative
energies and evil spirits. Medicinal
Elephantiasis.
YERBA DE DON CARLOS / JOHNSON
GRASS Religious/Magical
(Sorghum halepense) Orisha Worship
Correlating Odu: Obara Iwori.
Other names:
Cuba -,Yerba mala, cañuela. YERBA DE GUANAJAY: Aguinaldo
Haiti - Pitimi Morado
202
YERBA DE GUINEA / GUINEAGRASS

(Panicum maximum) YERBA DE SANTA BARBARA: Ruda
Other names:
YERBA DE SAPO / DAY FLOWER
Cuba - Guinea gigante.
(Commelina elegans, viginica,
Haiti - Zèb-Guinen, Herbe de Guinée
longicaulis)
Kongo – Vititi, Mariare, Maoma, Boolongo
Lukumi – Okoeran-eranguini, edi edi
Other names:
U.S. – Panic grass, Hamilgrass
Cuba - Canutillo, cañamazo dulce, pitilla,
pito de bejuco, tibisi chico.
Description
Kongo – Nfita Ñokampembe
Tufted perennial grass, usually in large
Lukumi – Ewe polo, Okuale
bunches from short stout rhizomes, 3 to 9
ft. tall; culms erect, stout; leaves flat, bright
Description
green, glabrous on margins; spikelets
Plants found in wetlands, streams and
green or tinged with purple, with 2 seeds;
riversides. The leaves are pointed; white
mature upper seed white.
flowers in spikes.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Medicinal
Chicken pops, erysipelas, measles, skin
Herpes, skin problems.
rashes.
Religious/Magical
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Orisha Worship
Belongs to all female Orishas.
YERBA DE LA NIÑA / GAIL OF WIND

YERBA DE LA PLATA / SHINY BUSH
(Phyllantus niruri)
(Peperomia pellucida)
Other names:
Other names:
Cuba - Yerba de la plata, Corazon de
Bahamas – Hurricane Weed
Paloma.
Brazil - Quebra pedra
Haiti - Zèb-Kourès, Salade Soldat
Colombia – Viernes Santo
Lukumi – Ewe sadaka
Haiti - Dèyè-do
Puerto Rico – Yerba Pelu
Lukumi – Ewe nene
U.S. - Pepper elder, man-to-man, rat-ear.
Puerto Rico – Peronilla de Pasto
Description
Description
Common annual weed. The leaves are
A small erect annual herb growing up to
shiny light green and it has very small
12 to 24 inches in height, growing and
flowers. Favors shady and damp soils.
spreading freely much like a weed.
The fruits are very small, round to oblong,
Blooms with many yellow flowers.
first green later black. Shiny bush has a
mustard like odor.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Bronchitis, constipation, diabetes, fever,
Medicinal
gall bladder, hepatitis, hypertension,
Cold, cough, diarrhea, eye inflammation,
kidney stones, poor appetite, typhoid
fever, headache, high blood pressure,
fever, urinary afflictions.
kidney and prostrate problems.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala
203
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun, Ogun. Medicinal
Correlating Odu: Eyioko Ogunda. Diarrhea, intestinal problems, liver and
Used to make ritual omiero. kidney ailments.
∗ For purification baths and cleansings.
Religious/Magical
YERBA DE LA PASCUA Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun, Ogun, Babalu Aye,
USES Inle, and Elegba.
Religious/Magical Used to make ritual omiero
Orisha Worship – Belongs to Oya
YERBA DE LIMON / LEMON GRASS
YERBA DE LA SANGRE / (Cymbopogon citratrus)
BLOODBERRY
(Cordia globosa) Other names:
Brazil - Capim santo
Other names: Cuba - Yerba de limon, caña de limon,
cañuela, hierba santa, yerba de calentura.
Cuba - Mierda de gallina, papita. Haiti - Sitwonnèl, Zèb Citronnelle
El Salvador – Cuajatinta, Zompopo
Lukumi – Ewe eje Description
Puerto Rico – Copillo, Saraguaso prieto
U.S. – Curacao weed An aromatic tropical grass with clumped,
bulbous stems that ultimately become leaf
Description blades Lemon grass is in the same grass
Small shrub found near high coastal family as citronella and palmarosa; it has a
areas. The leaves are alternate, lemon flavor. It has a branched cluster of
lanceolate, serrate; flowers white, small, stalked flowers and grows in clumps up to
cup shaped; fruit small, red. 6' high; when crushed the fragrance
resembles the scent of lemon.
USES
USES
Medicinal
Colds, chest congestion, menstrual Medicinal:
cramps, skin eruptions, leprosy. Catarrh, headaches.
Religious/Magical YERBA DE SAN MARTIN/ ST. MARTIN

Orisha Worship HERB
Belongs to Yemaya and Oshun. (Sauvagesia erecta)
YERBA DE LA VIEJA / CLUSTERED Other names:

YELLOWTOPS Cuba- Ipecacuana de Mejico, violeta
(Flaveria trinervia) silvestre.

Cuba – Contra yerba Herb-shrub. Flower with 5 pink petals,
Kongo - Kiamboba stamens red. Fruit, a dry capsule, seeds
Lukumi – Ewe Agba reticulate.
Description USES
Grass found in dry coastal areas or near
them. Medicinal
Diarrhea, digestive complaints, urinary
204
track ailments. USES
YERBA DEL PARAL: Parana Medicinal

Calculus, cancer, convulsions, cough,
cramps, cystitis, diarrhea, dropsy,
YERBA DIEZ DEL DIA / PINK
dysentery, epilepsy, headache,
PURSLANE
hemorrhage, hypertension, hysteria,
(portulaca pilosa)
insanity, kidneys, measles, rubella,
snakebite, sores, stones, tumors,
Other names:
urogenital disorders, warts, and wounds
Brazil - Amor crescído
Cuba - Diez del día, diez de la mañana,
Religious/Magical
salta perico.
Orisha Worship
One of the five essential plants to make
Description
ritual omiero.
A perennial, succulent herb with a fleshy
Belongs to Elegba and Olokun.
taproot. The stems are prostate and up to
12 inches long. The small leaves are
Ritual baths to banish negativity.
linear to oblong and pale grayish green.
Rites of Palo
There are usually 3 to 6 flowers in small
bunches at the ends of the branches. The
For amulets to attract good fortune
flowers are white or pink.
USES YERBA HEDIONDA / SICKLEPOD

(Cassia occidentalis)
Medicinal
Typhoid fever and other types of fevers. Other names:
Brazil - Fedegoso
Religious/ Magical Colombia -Hierba de la potra, hierba de
Orisha Worship gallinazo, altera, furrusca, comida de
Belongs to Elegba, Ogun, Yemaya. murcielago,
Correlating Odu: Otrupon Di, Otura Ofun. chilinchile, busca.
Used to make ritual omiero. Costa Rica - Pico de pajaro
To pack amulets and Eshu/Elegba Cuba -Hedionda, Hierba hedionda,
∗ To attract good fortune. martinica, brusca
El Salvador - Frijolillo
Lukumi – Arajara, Ewe Tomode
YERBA FINA / BERMUDA GRASS
Mexico - Hediondillo, mezquitillo
(Cynodon dactylon)
Nicaragua -Frijolillo, pico de pájaro
Panama – Frijolillo
Other names:
Puerto Rico – Café negro
U.S. - Wild senna, Locust Plant
Cuba - Greña, Yerba de la Bermuda,
Venezuela – Brusca
Bahama, Yerba del prado.
Lukumi - Ewe boro
Description
U.S. - Wiregrass, couch grass, and devil
Herb or under-shrub. Flower color yellow.
grass
In flower July through August. In fruit
September through October. Frequently
Description
occurs in plains, rarely occurs in uplands
A long-lived perennial that propagates by
and in hilly areas.
runners, underground rootstocks and
seed. Runners may reach many feet in
USES
length. The flowering branches reach only
6 to 12 inches high. The leaves are up to
Medicinal
4 inches long, flat, and somewhat hairy at
Anemia, asthma, bronchitis, colic,
the base. Plants are sometimes grown as
constipation, dropsy, earaches, fevers,
a cover for warm sunny banks and are
sometimes used for lawns.
205
Dalia Quiros-Moran
gonorrhea, intestinal worms and parasite, YERBA LECHOSA / ASTHMA WEED

liver complaints, rheumatism, skin (Euphorbia hirta)
disorders, urinary track disorders, wounds,
yellow fever. Other names:
Brazil - Erva de Santa Luzia
Religious/Magical Cuba - Yerba lechera Teta de vieja.
Orisha Worship Haiti - Malon'nen, Zèb malnomen,
Belongs to Shango and Elegba Malnomen, Pilulye
Description
YERBA INCIENCIO DE GUINEA Annual erect or ascending herbs with
copious crisped hairs. The leaves are
USES opposite, elliptic, oblong acute toothed or
serrated; seeds pale brown, oblong,
Medicinal acutely angled. Found in waste places
Colic. and cultivated fields.
To get someone out from jail.
Medicinal
Asthma, bronchitis, dysentery, intestinal
YERBA JICOTEA
parasites, skin conditions, syphilis, warts
Other names:
Kongo – Moforoyo
Religious/Magical
Lukumi – Okonyanigbo, ewe ayapa
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Obatala and Elegba.
USES
Correlating Odu: Ojuani Oshe, Obara
Iroso.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango YERBA LUISA / LEMON VERBENA
(Aloysia triphylla)
YERBA JURUBANA / BROWNTOP
Other names:
PANICUM
Colombia - Cidron
(Panicum fasciculatum)
Haiti – Diapalma
Mexico - Cedrón
Other names:
Cuba - Yerba jurubana, surbana.
Description
A deciduous shrub growing to 3m by 3m
Description
at a medium rate. It is in leaf from May to
A tall annual, erect or spreading, and
November, in flower in August, and the
branching from the lower stem joints, 1 to
seeds ripen from September to October.
nearly 4 feet high, The leaves are thinly
Found in fields and roadsides. The leaves
hairy or hairless, the flowering part is
are aromatic, strong lemon-scented.
short, with erect to slightly spreading spine
like branches. The spikelets are green
USES
when young, and yellow or bronze when
ripe, hairless, and minutely cross-ridged.
Medicinal
The grain is dull, also minutely cross-
Abdominal discomfort, acne, boils, cysts,
ridged with a blunt tip. Found in sandy
depression, digestive complaints, fever,
washes, river bottoms and waste places.
flatulence, indigestion, nervousness.
USES
Medicinal:
Female infertility
206
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Oshun. Medicinal
Correlating Odu: Okana Meji. Angina, sore throat, colic, stomach
complaints, vaginal infections,
Other Uses hemorrhoids, dandruff, skin eruptions,
Insect repellent. nervousness, acne, eczema, erysipelas,
leprosy, shingles, skin ulcers, wounds.
YERBA MARAVEDI
(Myginda uragoga) Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Other names: Belongs to Ogun, Yemaya, Oshun,
Lukumi - Banaibana Elegba.
Correlating Odu: Oshe Otura.
Description It is not used to make ritual omiero.
Common grass found in low, coastal Taboo for children of Oshun.
areas. Rites of Palo
For amulets and rituals.
USES
YERBA MULATA / ROADSIDE
Medicinal LEAFBRACT
Urinary track complaints. (Malachra urens)

Orisha Worship Cuba – Malva peluda
Belongs to Oshun U.S. - Malachra
∗ Purification baths and cleansings of
objects and the household. Description
∗ To pack amulets. Erect grass. The leaves are round or
ovate; yellow flower. Found near
YERBA MORA / BLACK NIGHTSHADE roadsides.
(Salanum nigrum)
USES
Other names:
Brazil - Guaraquinha Medicinal
El Salvador -Yerba mora Bile, bronchitis, cold, colitis, dysentery,
Lukumi - Atore fever, venereal disease.
Mexico - Mora
Perú -Yerba mora Religious/Magical
Puerto Rico - Yerba mora, matagallinas Orisha Worship
U.S. - Black nightshade, wonderberry, Belongs to Oshun
garden huckleberry
YERBA RABO DE RATON O ALACRAN
Description / KNOTROOT BRISTLEGRASS
Erect, delicate, branched, annual herb. It (Setania geniculata)
has several arching, leafy branches and
tiny, starlike, white flowers. The stem and Other names:
branches are smooth and soft. It has Brazil - Capim rabo de raposa
ovate, dark green leaves with smooth and U.S. – Knotroot foxtail grass, Bristly foxtail,
shiny, almost black berries as small as Foxtail millet
pepper, growing in clusters. Berries can
sometimes be red or yellow. Flowers and Description
fruits almost throughout the year, but Grass usually found growing in low, moist
mainly in February to July. areas. The stems arise from a "knotty"
rhizomatous base and the herbage often
appears purple. There are many bristles
below each seed and the bristly
207
Dalia Quiros-Moran
inflorescence appears yellowish at YUCA AGRIA

maturity. (Manihot esculenta)
USES Other names:

Cuba - Yuca agria.
Religious/Magical Haiti - Man-yok
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Elegba and Oshun Description
A perennial shrub of approximately 6 feet
YUA OR AYUA in height with palmate leaves and green
flowers. It propagates vegetatively by
Other names: cuttings from the stem. Cassava is grown
Kongo – Lunga-kuma for its enlarged starch-filled tuberous
roots.
Description
Indigenous tree; the trunk is USES
greenish/white, core pale red with strikes;
the wood is hard, compact. Medicinal
Digestive complaints, eczema, tumors.
USES
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun
∗ It has negative properties.
YUCA / CASSABA
(Manihot esculenta)
Other names:
Kongo – Nkumbia, mandioka
Lukumi – Kokomadoko, Ibagudan,
bagudan
U.S. - Tapioca
Description
A perennial shrub of approximately 6 feet
in height with palmate leaves and green
flowers. It propagates vegetatively by
cuttings from the stem. Cassava is grown
for its enlarged starch-filled tuberous
roots. There is a bitter, poisonous- and a
sweet, nonpoisonous variety of cassava,
however the skin stays poisonous and the
sweet variety should be peeled.
USES
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun.
Correlating Odu: Odi Osa.
∗ Counteracts evil spells and harming
substances.
208
Z Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun and Oshosi.
ZARZA / DEVIL'S CLAWS
(Pisonia aculeata)
ZARZAPARILLA / CHANEY ROOT
Other names: (Smilax havanensis)
Brazil – Cipo Ponolle, Espora de gallo
Colombia – Buen amigo Other names:
Cuba – Uña de Gato Lukumi – Atewe Edin
El Salvador – Caballero U.S. – Everglades's greenbrier, Catbrier
Guatemala – Huele de noche
Haiti – Croc de chien Description
Kongo – Nkunia Ntuta, Nkunia Kerebende Woody vine, to 12 ft. long, angled stems,
Lukumi - Egun Iggi rigid prickles; leaves are oval, elliptic,
Nicaragua – Espino negro ovate to obovate, leathery, with prickles,
Puerto Rico – Escambron prickles on midrib below; fruit subglobose,
black; 3 seeds, maroon red; found in
Description pinelands and hammocks.
Wooden shrubby vine with opposite
branching and pairs of sharp curved USES
spines in the leaf axils; may grow up to 15'
tall. The flowers are tiny clusters of yellow- Medicinal
green blossoms. The fruit is dry, rounded Impotence, kidneys and testicles pains,
to oblong capsules. They are ribbed, blood ailments.
sticky, and softly hairy.
Religious/Magical
USES Orisha Worship
Belongs to Shango
Medicinal Correlating Odu: Irete Yeku, Osa Obara.
Arthritis.
Religious/Magical
Orisha Worship
Belongs to Ogun
Correlating Odu: Iwori Okana
ZARZA BLANCA / IGUANA

HACKBERRY
(Momisia iguanaea)
Other names:
Cuba – Mancamontero, Uña de gato,
Zarzaparrilla cimarrona
Dominican Republic – Gallito
Mexico – Garabato blanco
Puerto Rico - Azufaito
U.S. – Sugarberry
Description
Spreading shrub with spines; the leaves
are alternate, papery, 3-nerved, with tiny
teeth; yellowish-green flowers; drupes are
edible.
USES
Medicinal
Chest ailments
209
Dalia Quiros-Moran
GLOSSARY
Abakua: All male secret society in Cuba.
Abdominal pains: Feeling of discomfort, distress in the abdomen.
Ague: Malarial or intermittent fever.
Angina: A heavy or squeezing pain in the mid-sternal area of the chest.
Anxiety: Stress, mental and physical tension or strain.
Arada: Name used in Cuba for persons and traditions from the Kalabar region in Africa.
Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling and frequently,
changes in structure.
Asthma: The narrowing of the lung passageways, making respiration difficult.
Babalu Aye: Deity of leprosy and other skin infectious diseases.
Belching: Upper abdominal discomfort due to excessive swallowed air.
Boils: A staphylococcal skin infection, which involves a hair follicle, often referred to as a boil or
a furuncle.
Bladder infection: Inflammation of the bladder usually occurring secondary to ascending
urinary tract infections.
Blisters: A vesicle of the skin, containing watery matter or serum, whether occasioned by a
burn or other injury.
Blood: Considered a circulating tissue composed of a fluid portion (plasma) with suspended
formed elements: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Bronchitis: Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes
Bruise: An injury to the flesh with a blunt or heavy instrument, or by collision with some other
body.
Buccal: Pertaining to or directed toward the cheek.
Burn: A hurt, injury, or effect caused by fire or excessive or intense heat.
Chicken Pox: An acute viral disease with mild constitutional symptoms followed by an eruption
appearing in crops and characterized by macules, papules, vesicles, and crusting.
Cold sores: An area of inflammation of the lips or mucous membrane of the mouth.
Colitis: Inflammation of the colon. The mucous membranes of the colon become inflamed, and
small, pouch-like areas are formed.
Conjunctivitis: The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that lines eyelids and is reflected
onto the eyeball. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of this mucous membrane.
Croup: A childhood disease characterized by a resonant barking cough, suffocative and
difficult breathing, laryngeal spasm, and sometimes by the formation of a membrane.
Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder usually occurring secondary to ascending urinary tract
infections.
Depression: Mental depression is characterized by altered mood. There is loss of interest in all
usually pleasurable outlets such as food, sex, work, friends, hobbies, or entertainment.
Diabetes: A general term for diseases characterized by excessive urination.
Diarrhea: Frequent passage of unformed watery bowel movements. It is a frequent symptom of
gastrointestinal disturbances.
Dropsy: Watery swelling in the tissues of cavities of the body.
Dysentery: A term applied to a number of intestinal disorders, especially of the colon,
characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes
Dyspepsia: Failure of proper digestion and absorption of food in the alimentary tract, and the
consequences thereof.
Egun: Ancestral spirits.
Elegba: Orisha of the crossroads.
Eczema: An irritating skin disease.
Erysipelas: A specific, acute, inflammatory disease caused by a hemolytic streptococcus and
characterized by an eruption in the skin.
Fever: An elevation of body temperature often indicating an infection.
Fistula: Abnormal tube-like passage in the body.
Food poisoning: An imprecise term indicating an illness resulting from the ingestion of foods
containing poisonous substances.
Gall: Bile.
Gonorrhea: A contagious inflammation of the genital mucous membrane transmitted chiefly by
sexual intercourse
210
Gout: A hereditary metabolic disease that is a form of acute arthritis and is marked by
inflammation of the joints. Joints affected may be at any location but gout usually begins in the
knee or foot.
Gum disease: Any abnormality, inflammatory or degenerative, of the tissue around a tooth.
Hemorrhoids: A mass of dilated, tortuous veins in the anorectum involving the venous
plexuses of that area.
High blood pressure: Tension or tonus that is greater than normal. A condition in which the
patient has a higher blood pressure than that judged to be normal.
Hypertension: Tension or tonus that is greater than normal. A condition in which the patient
has a higher blood pressure than that judged to be normal.
Ifa: Cult to Orunmila, deity of divination. Divination system.
Impotence: Weakness, especially inability of the male to achieve or maintain erection.
Indigestion: Failure of proper digestion and absorption of food in the alimentary tract, and the
consequences thereof.
Infection: The condition of multiplication of parasitic organisms or microorganisms within the
body.
Inflammation: The reactions that occur in the affected blood vessels and adjacent tissues in
response to an injury or abnormal stimulation caused by a physical, chemical, or biologic agent.
Inflorescence: Cluster of flowers.
Inle: Deity of medicine.
Insomnia: Habitual sleeplessness, repeated night after night.
Jaundice: A condition characterized by yellowness of skin and whites of eyes
Leprosy: Chronic infectious disease affecting the skin.
Leukorrhea/Leucorrhoea: Whitish vaginal discharge.
Lukumi: Name for the Yoruba of West Africa and their traditions in Cuba.
Malaria: An acute and sometimes chronic infectious disease due to protozoan parasites within
red blood cells. These parasites are discharged through salivary ducts when the mosquito
"bites" a person.
Measles: A highly communicable disease characterized by fever, general malaise, sneezing,
nasal congestion, brassy cough, conjunctivitis spots on the buccal mucosa, and a
maculopapular eruption over the entire body caused the rubella virus.
Menopause: Cessation of menstruation in the human female, occurring usually around the age
of 50.
Migraine: Attacks of headache, usually accompanied by disordered vision and gastrointestinal
disturbances.
Nausea: An unpleasant sensation in the abdomen often culminating in vomiting.
Neurasthenia: Nervous debility and exhaustion. Symptoms include palpitations, anxiety,
dizziness, headaches, clammy hands and feet. neurasthenia is an older term.
Oba: Deity of the cemetery.
Obatala: Deity of whiteness and purity.
Obovate: Oval that is widest in the upper half. Contrast "ovate".
Orisha: Deity in Yoruba language.
Odu: Term used by the Lukumi traditions to describe divinatory receptacles of events present,
past and future.
Oge: Deity of cattle.
Ogun: Deity of iron and war.
Oke: Deity of the mountain.
Olokun: Deity of the deep seas.
Omiero: Sacred mixture of leaves used for Orisha worship rituals and ceremonies.
Orishaoko: Deity of agriculture.
Orula/Orunmila: Deity of divination.
Oshosi: Deity of the chase and hunting.
Otitis: Inflammation of the ear.
Osayin: Deity of the plants.
Oshun: Deity of the river.
Ovate: Oval that is widest in the lower half (as in a hen's egg). Contrast "ovobate"
Oya: Spirit of the winds
Pain: A message from the body that it is having trouble in a particular area.
Palo: The practice of BaKongo religions in Cuba.
211
Dalia Quiros-Moran
Palo Mayombe: tree that possesses spiritual powers.

Palpitation: A sensation of a rapid, irregular or forceful beating of the heart
Phlegm: Mucous from the bronchial tubes.
Piles: A mass of dilated, tortuous veins in the anorectum involving the venous plexuses of that
area.
Pimples: Oil glands infected with bacteria.
Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura
Pneumonia: Inflammation of the lungs caused primarily by bacteria, viruses, and chemical
irritants.
Psoriasis: A scaly skin disease.
Panicle: Pyramidal inflorescence formed by multiple branches. Each branch is a raceme.
Peduncle: Stalk of an inflorescence or of a flower when borne singly.
Pinnate: Leaves arranged on opposite sides of a stem.
Pistil: Female flower part that bears the stigma.
Raceme: Form of inflorescence with several single flowers growing on individual small stems
and along a larger main stem.
Rheumatism: A general term for acute and chronic conditions characterized by inflammation,
soreness and stiffness of muscles, and pain in joints and associated structures.
Rhizome: Underground horizontal stem with scale leaves at the nodes that bears shoots above
and roots
Scabies: A contagious dermatitis of humans and some animals caused by the itch mite.
Sciatica: Low back pain.
Sepals: Outermost floral whorl that serves as a protective enclosure for the petals (corolla),
stamens, and young fruit.
Serrate: Toothed along the margin with sharp, forward pointing teeth.
Shango: Deity of thunder.
Shingles: An infection caused by a herpetovirus, characterized by an eruption of groups of
vesicles on one side of the body following the course of a nerve due to inflammation of ganglia
and dorsal nerve roots resulting from activation of the virus which has been latent
Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinus.
Smallpox: An acute viral disease
Sore: A place in the body where the skin and flesh are ruptured or bruised
Spasm: A sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of a muscle
Sprain: A tearing injury to ligaments.
Stigma: Part of the pistil that receives pollen.
Stone: A stone-like concretion formed in the urinary tract or in the gall bladder.
Toothache: Pain in or around a tooth; due to the condition of the pulp or periodontal
membrane resulting from caries, infection, or trauma.
Tuberculosis: An infectious disease caused by the tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium
tuberculosis
Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division that is uncontrolled
and progressive
Typhoid: An acute infectious disease caused by a bacillus (Salmonella typhi) and acquired by
ingesting food or water contaminated by excreta
Ulcers: An open sore or lesion of the skin or mucous membrane accompanied by sloughing of
the inflamed necrotic tissue.
Urticaria: A transient condition of the skin, usually caused by an allergic reaction.
Varicose veins: Enlarged, twisted superficial veins.
Warts: Benign epidermal proliferations or tumor, some are viral in origin.
Whites: Vaginal discharge.
Worms: Worms are parasites that live in the gastrointestinal tract.
Wound: A hurt or injury caused by violence; specifically, a breach of the skin and flesh of an
animal, or in the substance of any creature or living thing; a cut, stab, rent, or the like.
Yemaya: Deity of the ocean.
Yewa: Deity of the graves.
212
REFERENCES
1. Bisse, Johannes, Arboles de Cuba; Editorial Cientifico-Tecnica – La Habana,

Cuba; 1988.
2. Brill, S., and E. Dean. Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in
Wild (and Not So Wild) Places (Hearst Books, 1994).
3. Buckley, Anthony D., Yoruba Medicine. Athelia Henrietta Press, New York, 1997
4. Cabrera Lydia, El Monte Ediciones Universal, Miami Florida Cuarta Edicion, 1975
5. ___________ La medicina popular de Cuba: Medicos de Antaño - Miami, Fl, Ultra
graphics 1984.
6. Fuentes VR, Granda M. Estudio sobre la medicina tradicional en Cuba vol. I.
Rev Plant Med 1982.
7. ___________ Conozca las plantas medicinales. Editorial Cientifico-Tecnica – La
Habana, Cuba 1997.
8. Fuentes VR, Rodríguez M, Poucheaux M, Cabrera L, Lara S. Estudio en la
medicina tradicional en Cuba. Rev Plant Med 1985.
9. León Hno. Alain Hno. La flora de Cuba. La Habana: Instituto Cubano del Libro;
1964;vol V.
10. Little,Jr. Elbert L. Roy O. Woodbury, Frank H. Wadsworth, Trees of Puerto Rico
and the Virgin Islands, Vol. II - U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington D.C.
September, 1974.
11. Matton Wilbur R., Common Forest Trees of Florida, Florida Forestry Association,
sixth edition 1956.
12. Pujol, J., Herbalist Handbook: African Flora Medicinal Plants, Natur Africa, Natal,
1992
13. Roig JT. Diccionario botánico de nombres vulgares cubanos. La Habana:
Editorial Consejo Universitario; 1988 vol. I, II
14. _____. Plantas medicinales aromáticas o venenosas de Cuba. La Habana:
Editorial Ciencia y Técnica; 1974 vol. I. II
15. Seoane Gallo Jose, El Folclor Medico de Cuba: Enfermedades de la Piel -
Editorial de Ciencias Sociales, La Habana, 1993.
16. Stanley Paul C., Trees and Shrubs of Mexico Vol. I & II -, United States National
Herbarium Smithonian Institution, Washington Government Printing office, 1924
17. Stevenson, George B. Trees of Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys
nd
2 . Edition. 1969.
18. Sturrock David, Tropical fruits for Southern Florida and Cuba and other uses:
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, 1940.
19. Webster's New World Medical Dictionary, New World Dictionaries, 850 Euclid
Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, 1987.
213
About the Author:
Dalia Quiros-Moran was born in Havana Cuba, a descendant of African slaves and a
lineage of Orisha/Ifa worship traditions. After migrating to the United States, she was initiated
as a priestess of Yemaya in 1990. Since then, she has avidly studied the various aspects of
Lukumi Orisha Worship traditions and has authored three books (El Poder Yoruba, Tradiciones,
Unyen: Lukumi Cooking) on the subject. Now with her fourth book, Guide to Afro-Cuban
Herbalism, she focuses on the herbal remedies of traditional African medicine as brought to
Cuba by her ancestors.

Plantas de Cuba

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Guide to Afro-Cuban

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ISBN: 1-4107-4630-5 (e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2003092640

This book is printed on acid free paper.

Printed in the United States of America

1stBooks - rev. 08/28/03

Gathering the Plants

Identifying plants by common names or verbal descriptions is not recommended; common

Basic factors about gathering healing plants:

• Gathering of healing plants should not be done after sun down.

• Plants should never be gathered while it is raining or at noontime.

To avoid plant damage, observe the following criteria:

• Leaves - Cut off side branches only.

Other names: Religious/Magical:

ABROJO TERRESTRE / BIG bluntly pointed at the tip, rounded at the

ACATE: Titonia USES

underneath, slightly aromatic when USES

Other names: Religious/Magical

Description ACORO / SWEET FLAG

Other names: AGRIMONIA /SMALL COASTAL

USES AITE / CARIBBEAN PRINCEWOOD

AGUINALDO MORADO / BUSH USES

hemorrhoids, unbroken chilblains, Religious/Magical

AJI DULCE / GREEN PEPPER Religious/Magical

Medicinal Other names:

Description Rites of Palo

ALAMANDA / GOLDEN TRUMPET Lukumi - Afoma, Ofá, Abaila, iggolé

Other names: ALBAHACA / BASIL

ALBAHACA ANISADA / BASIL USES

Medicinal Other names:

ALBAHACA MENUDA/ BASIL ALBAHAQUILLA / THOROUGHWORT

ALBAHACA MONDONGUERA/ BASIL Medicinal

Other names: Religious/Magical

Medicinal Other names:

ALBAHACA MORADA / HOLY BASIL Description

ALCOTAN / PAREIRA BRAVA USES

Medicinal Other names:

Ogunda, Iroso Ofun, Iroso Otura, Ojuani Religious/Magical

Colombia - Kotamba USES

Description ALTEA / ROSE OF SHARON

Description ANACAGÜITA / PANAMA TREE

Description Other names:

ANIS / ANISEED Medicinal

USES ANTEOJO DE POETA: Bejuco

AÑIL/WEST INDIAN INDIGO USES

Religious/Magical APIO BLANCO /GARDEN CELERY

ARABO ARABO DE PIEDRA

Other names: Other names:

ARBICUAJER / ARBICUA Description

ARBOL DE LA BIBIJAGUA / ANGELS Medicinal

circulatory ailments, cholera, colds, Kongo - Gwangango

ARBOL DEL SEBO / CHINESE TALLOW Religious/Magical

Abdominal pain, contusions, Description

ARRIERO / MOROTOTO Religious/Magical

ARROZ / RICE ARTEMISA, ALTAMISA / ANNUAL

USES Puerto Rico - Astrómeda

ARTEMISILLA / SANTAMARIA Religious/Magical

ASTRONOMIA / CRAPE MYRTLE Description

USES Rites of Palo

Other names: AYUA / WHITE PRICKLY ASH

AZAFRAN / SAFFLOWER USES

Religious/Magical BALSAMO MAZU