THE PLANTS OF SANTERÍA AND THE REGLA DE PALO MONTE€¦ · 2 ABROJO ACEBUCHE Tibulus terretri Owner: Oggún Odu de Ifá: iwori bofun and oshe oyekun Does not go to Osain It is used
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José Carlos Díaz Olufandey
THE PLANTS OF SANTERÍA
AND THE REGLA DE PALO MONTEUSES AND PROPERTIES
From ancient times to the present, plants and herbs, as well as their fruits and flowers, have played an outstanding role in the development of humankind. They have served as nourishment and for the preparation of essences, perfumes, incenses, baths and an extensive range of natural remedies that produce physical and spiritual welfare.
When reviewing the different religions one finds an indisputable common point where the practitioners employ plants to worship their symbols and invoke their virtues. They also use them as offerings to attract the favors of a saint, deity or spiritual entity.
In the practice of the Regla de Ocha and the Regla de Palo Monte, the plants represent the energy and the spirit where all forces originate. The owner of the vegetation is Osain, who was born from the entrails of the earth. To be like Osain requires continuous study and skill in cutting, praying to, and manipulating the plants. Since the majority of the foundations that rule these religious practices are transmitted orally, it is common that the information sometimes gets lost or is omitted. The Yoruba religion is made up by a group of deities associated to a power, specific attributes, certain forces of nature and parts of the body. In the practice of Yoruba medicine, each orisha requires herbs and specific foods to strengthen or restore the energy, and thus show their balance. The startinwg point is the relation between the affected organ and the orisha that rules it, and herbs and treatments are indicated based on the plants that belong to them. This work summarizes my experience regarding the mystic properties of herbs and plants, the research of Osain followers, plant sellers, and peasants.
“We are sons of the forest because life began there, the Saints are born in the Forest and our religion is also born in the Forest.
Everything is in the Forest.”Lydia Cabrera
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HOW TO USE THIS BOOK?
TEXT
Tree Water plant
Parasite plant
Herbaceous plant
Creeping plant
Bush
Vine or climbing plant
Palm tree
Plant
For the practitioners of Santería and Regla de Palo Monte, the use of herbs and plants is intimately related with the resemblance between their qualities and attributes and the respective owner. They will find a reference of the orisha owner and of Odu of Ifá.
The photographic register and careful classification will guide the Santeros, Paleros and people interested in the subject. It contains more than 300 plants in alphabetical order.
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ABRECAMINO DE JARDÍN
Eupatorium villosumOwners: Elegguá, Ochún and AsojuanoOdu de Ifá: otura bara and otura otruponGoes to Osain
It is used in cleansings to open the road to people when they are spiritually backward, and to destroy all obstacles and impediments. Mixed with water, it is used to polish bathrooms and to clean houses and people. When Elegguá is not active he covers himself with this plant, Yerba Fina, and Maravilla. You blow liquor with Guinea pepper and cigar smoke on him, and the orisha will rapidly energize and fulfill the request.
ABRECAMINO DE MONTE
Eupatorium perfoliatumOwner: ElegguáOdu de Ifá: otura bara and otruponGoes to Osain
It is used to eliminate the spirits leaning on the person or disturbing the houses. Abrecamino de Monte is used for strong cleansings together with Paraíso or Alelí, Altamisa or Artemisa and Rompe Saragüey or Cruceta. They are tied together with a red ribbon, and liquor and cigar smoke are blown on them. With a tiny branch of this plant and Cruceta in the shoes you destroy all obstacles that may stand on somebody’s way. Mixed with water it is used for baths of luck and prosperity.The infusion is used for the treatment of fevers and grippe; if the dose is increased it is used as purgative. It is also applied as a poultice to alleviate muscular spasms and rheumatic pains.
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ABROJO
ACEBUCHE
Tibulus terretriOwner: OggúnOdu de Ifá: iwori bofun and oshe oyekunDoes not go to Osain
It is used to embellish Oggun’s throne. When this orisha descends to the head of a son, he asks for some branches of this plant and places them under the armpits to dance and show his presence on Earth. The water of the boiled plant is used in baths for spiritual purification and for soreness of the body.The infusion of this plant is popularly known internally as a moderate analgesic, diuretic and spasmodic, and externally as an astringent. In some zones of Cuba it is said to have hypotensor properties, ie., blood pressure reducer.
Olea cerasiformisOwners: Oggún and ChangóOdu de Ifá: odi meyi, irosoka, Oggúnda ojuani, osakana and otrupon sheDoes not go to Osain
This plant is only used in the works of the Regla de Palo Monte, and it is very good to subdue or calm down both the enemy and any other person. With a stick from this tree, Vencedor, Amansa Guapo and two leaves of Pendejera Hembra for men and Pendejera Macho for the women, an inner sole of our left foot is made of parchment, and the name of the person one wishes to dominate is written on it with pencil and our name on top of it. Then everything is tied up with red thread and the wish is fulfilled. This work must be performed in the nganga and then placed on top of it; liquor and cigar smoke are blown on it, and left there for as long as the dead person indicates.
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ACHICORIA
Leptilon pusillumOwner: ObataláOdu de Ifá: baba eyiogbeGoes to Osain
It is used in baths for good luck and love; sunflowers are added to increase effectiveness. This plant is excellent for persons who wish to activate stagnant energies and later harmonize them. It has much energy; like the sunflower, it follows the energetic and rhythmic movements of the sun. That is why it is so healthy for our internal sun: the heart.It favors the absorption of calcium, iron and magnesium in the body. It stimulates appetite and favors digestion. It may be eaten raw or boiled.
AGUACATE (AVOCADO)
Persea gratissimaOwners: Elegguá, Oggún, Changó and OyáOdu de Ifá: ofunojuaniGoes to Osain
When the avocado is purple it belongs to Oyá. In the Cuban province of Matanzas there is an almost forgotten tradition: the person – daughter or son of Oyá – is initiated under a purple avocado tree.The water of the boiled tree bark is rich in vitamins and minerals. It regenerates energies and improves blood circulation. The infusion of the shoots is used to expel gas, for cough, and for vaginal douching. It is used to induce the menstruation because of its abortive properties. The fruit pulp is used for skin treatments. It prevents hair loss.
THE MUSIC OF THE AVOCADO
This famous plant is well known for its delicious fruit and not so much for the valuable musical contribution it makes to Afro-Cuban culture. In a recent visit to my friend Carlos’ home, he told me that he had felled the avocado tree in his garden because, in addition to hindering his home renovation project, some people had indicated that the plant was sick because its trunk was hollow.
This anecdote reminded me of people’s ignorance; it is precisely because of its hollow trunk that avocado wood is used to make the famous yuca drums. These drums, as well as the batá drums, are usually a collection of three music instruments used in the toques of different Afro-Cuban cultures.
The question then arises: If the drums come from the avocado and not from the yuca, why do they bear this name? According to anthropologist Don Fernando Ortiz, the word “yuca” is of Bantu origin and means hitting or tapping. It should also be added, as Carlos said at the time, that if a tree bears fruit it cannot be sick, and if you do not want to injure yourself, do not climb an avocado tree, because its fragile trunk will guarantee you will.
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CONTENTS
Acknowledgments How to use this book?
Abrecamino de jardínAbrecamino de monte
AbrojoAcebuche
AchicoriaAguacate
The music of the Avocado
AgueditaAguinaldo blanco
Aguinaldo moradoAlacrancillo
Alambrillo or alambrillaÁlamo
Albahaca blanca Albahaca morada de monte
AlgarroboAlgodón blanco
Algodón morado Almácigo
Almendra or almendrón Altamisa or artemisa
Amansa guapo Amor seco
Anamú or mapurite Anís estrellado
Anón or riñón Añil or indigo
Apasote or pasote Arabo
Aroma amarillaAroma blanca
ArrigánAteje or tere tere
Atipola hembra and machoAyúa
Bagá or palo boboBaría or varía
Bayoneta or pereggún Bayúa
Bejuco berracoBejuco canasta
Bejuco de Changó Bejuco jimagua or cochinero
Bejuco lechero or lechoso Bejuco leñatero
Bejuco parra Bejuco uvi
Belladona Bijagua or bijaguara
Bledo blanco or piraBledo morado or pira
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Botón blanco Botón de oro hembra and macho
Cabo de hachaCacao
Cadillo de perroCaimitillo
CaimitoCaisimón de anís
Calabaza or auyamaCambia voz
CampanaCampanita
The spirituality of Cedar
CanistelCanutillo blanco
Canutillo moradoCaña brava or bambú
Caña de azúcarCaña santa, malojillo or limonaria
CaobaCaobilla
CapulíCardo santo
CardónCedro
CeibaCerraja
Chaya or Don ChayoChayota
ChichicateChirimoya
CiruelaCiruelón
Clavellina de OchúnCobalonga or cobadonga
CocoColonia
Contra guao de costaContra guao or dominador
CopalCopey
Coralillo blancoCoralillo rosado
Corazón de palomaCordobán or zapatón
Corojo or corosoCorona del señor or de cristo
CrotoCuabilla
CuajaníCucaracha blanca
Cucaracha moradaCucaracha rallada
Culantrillo de pozoCundeamor
CurujeyDama de Gran Canaria
Dama de nocheDiente de leon
DoradillaDoradilla (a different sort)
Dormidera, sensitiva or vergonzosaEmbeleso
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EsclaviosaEscoba amarga
Espanta justiciaEspanta muerto
Espárrago or ilusión Espuela de caballero
Ceiba or Iroko?
Estrella dorada, lengua de serrucho...Estropajo
EucaliptoEwe fili
FarolitoFlor de agua
FosforitoFramboyán
FrescuraFruta del pan
Galán de díaGalán de noche
GarañónGarro blanco
GirasolGranada
Granadillo or quiebrahachoGrano de oro
Guacamaya amarillaGuacamaya francesa
GuairajeGuairo santo
GuamáGuanábana
Guanina or bruscaGuao
Guara blancaGuara macho and hembra
GuásimaGuayaba
GuayacánGuená
Güira or taparaGuisaso de caballo
Helecho de río or rizadoHelecho macho
Helecho prietoHicaco
HigueretaHuevo de gallo
Imo de OchúnIncienso
Ítamo realJaboncillo
JagüeycilloJagüey blanco and prieto
Jía blancaJibá
JoboJocuma
Jocuma amarillaJúcaro blanco
Laurel or fiscoLavanda
Lengua de vaca amarillaLengua de vaca de monte
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Malanga, messenger of the gods
Lengua de vaca enana or de elegguáLengua de vaca verde or de jardín
LevizaLimoncillo
LlanténMaíz
MajaguaMalambo
MalangaMalva blanca
Malva cochineraMalva té
Mamey coloradoMamey santo domingo
Mamoncillo or mamónMangle rojo
MangoManto
ManzanillaMarabú
Marañón or mereyMaravilla
MarilopeMarpacífico or cayena
Mastuerzo or sabe lecciónMazorquilla
MejoranaMenta
Mil floresMoruro
Mura muraMuralla or azahar
NacaguitaNevada or copo de nieve
NomeolvidesÑame
OcujeOjo de buey
Orégano cimarrón (eki oyo)Orégano orejón or francés
Orozu silvestreOrozuz
OrtiquillaPalma cana or guano cana
Palma realPalo caja
Palo cocuyoPalo justicia
PanetelaPapito de la reina or zapatico de la reina
ParagüitaParaíso blanco (acacia)
Paraíso morado or alelíParami
ParanáPasiflora
Pine, its whistle and view of the sea
Pata de gallinaPega pollo or pega pega
PegojoPendejera hembra and macho
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Péndola or baracoaPeonía or guereyeye
Pepino cimarrón or meloncilloPica pica
Pico de auraPierde rumbo
Piñón botijaPiñón de pito
Piñón florido or bien vestidoPiscuala
Platanillo carabalíPlatanillo congo
Platanillo de CubaPlatanillo peludo
PlátanoPomarrosa
PonasíProdigiosa or siempreviva blanca
QuimbombóQuita maldición
Quita maldición de ObataláRabo de gato
Raíz de chinaRasca barriga
Raspa lenguaReseda
Roble blancoRoble prieto
Romerillo amarilloRomerillo blanco
RomeroRompe camisa
Rompe saragüey or crucetaRosalillo de Don Juan
RudaSábila
Sacu sacu or malanguillaSalta perico or fulminante
Salva hombreSalvadera or jabillo
SalviaSalvia marina
SargazoSarnilla
SasafrásSauco amarillo
Sauco blancoSeso vegetal
Siempreviva roja or yerba brujaSigua
SiguarayaSiguaraya hembra
Siguaraya, receiver of Shangó’s lightning...
SoplilloStevia
Tabaco cimarrónTamarindo
Tapa caminoTapón
TecaTengue
TibisiTocinillo
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ToronjilTrébol
Tua tua or tuba tubaTulipán africano
TunaUlaga or julaga
Uva caleta or de playaUva gomosa
ValerianaValeriana (a different sort)
Vence batalla or vence guerraVencedor
Verbena cimarronaVerdolaga
Vicaria blancaYaba
Yagruma or yagrumoYaicuage
Yaitío aiteYamao
YanaYao
YarúaYaya cimarrona
Yedra or hiedraYerbabuena
Yerbabuena cimarronaYerba de la niña
Yerba de la sangreYerba de la vieja
Yerba finaYerba luisa
Yerba moraYo puedo más que tú
ZapoteZarza
ZarzaparrillaZarza uña de gato
Vocabulario
Bibliografía
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