Orisha and Palo Herbs
New World Herbs used in the religious practices of the Lukumi, including herbs used in Palo, and for spiritual baths
This list includes Ewe Osain as listed in the film “Osain: 121 Herbs of Santería”, and in the book "El Monte" by the ethnographer Lydia Cabrera. The film title is misleading - many of the herbs listed are not used in Lukumi (Santeria) but are used in other types of ceremonies; in Palo, for misas espirituales etc.
I have referenced the herbs from the film that are mentioned in El Monte - with the page numbers, and have searched various plant databases on the net - providing pictures of those herbs I could find. I have also included other herbs - not mentioned in either. Click on the linked plant names to see pictures.
This is a work in progress. I have not finished finding photos - nor wading through Cabrera, but decided to put up what I have for now. I'd like to thank my godson Jesse Hathaway-Diaz for the work he put in doing transcribing, and for alerting me to the video.
Please feel free to contact me if you have corrections or additional data you'd like me to upload.
I am also in the process of collecting seeds - and attempting to grow as many of the herbs we use in ceremonies and religious practice as I can - and am working with Oba's to identify other herbs and plants (North American) that are also eligible for use in our practices.
Click on my name to contact me:
Thanks for visiting
(L) = Lukumi term
(C) = Congolese term
(Cab) indicates that the name and or information found in Cabrera differs from the information from the film.
|
Latin
Nomenclature |
Cuban Spanish |
Lucumi / |
English |
Owner or Use |
Eupatorum villosum |
Abre Camino |
|
Bitter Bush, Shrubby Thoroughwort |
|
|
Palo Malambo (Nkunia Mpeka) |
(C) Nkunia Mpeka |
White Cinnabar Tree, Wild Cinnamon Tree
|
Palo - p.504 |
|
| Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia Diffusa | Atipola | red
spiderling,
Hogweed |
Obatala
&
Elegua El Monte p. 332 |
|
|
Oxandra
lanceolata |
Yaya |
(L)Yáyá, Echi (C) Koromeni, Mbékese |
West Indian Lancewood |
Shango p. 555 Palo |
|
Phyllanthus
augustifolia |
Panetela |
|
Foliage Flower |
|
|
Hibiscus |
|
Hibiscus, Rose of |
|
|
|
Punica granatum |
(L)Oroko, Mayaku, Yayekú-Kansoré |
Pomegranate |
Oya, Chango p. 432 |
|
|
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
Verbena officinalis (Cab) |
note - not to be confused with Verbena - in English |
(L) Ewe orukan, Orrioyo |
Jamaican Vervain, Blue Snakeweed Blue Porterweed Vervain |
Yemaya El Monte p. 552
|
|
Pilea
microphylla |
(L) Ewe rú matán. Tutu |
Artillery Plant |
Ochun, Yemaya p. 427 |
|
|
Pistia
stratiodes Eichornia
azurea, Kunth |
(Cabrera has this as a different plant - see Eichornia, Kunth |
Yemaya |
Water Lettuce, Shell Flower Water Hyacinth |
p. 425 |
|
Caesalpinia
major |
|
Wait A Bit Plant Nickar bean plant |
p.535 |
|
|
Melia
azadirachta |
(L) Ibayo, Yiya |
|
Shango p. 510 |
|
|
Mirabilis |
(L) Ewe Ewa, Inkuallo (C) Boddulé |
Four-O’Clock Plant, Marvel of |
Obatala, Oya Yewa p. 486 |
|
|
Abutilon
theophrasti |
Boton de Oro |
|
Hairy Indian Mallow, Velvet Leaf |
|
|
Parthenium
hysterophorus |
(L) Eggweniyé (C) Báombo |
False Ragweed |
Babaluaye p. 419 |
|
|
Bryophyllum
pinnatum Kalanchoe
Pinnata |
|
Life Plant, Cathedral Bells, Air Plant |
|
|
|
Isocarpha
cubana Chrysanthellum
americanum(Cab) |
|
(L) Nikirio (C) Dúnbuande |
Cuban Isocarpha African Wild Daisy |
|
|
Callicarpa |
|
American Beautyberry, Beautyberry |
|
|
|
Heliotropium
campechianum Heliotropium
indicum (Cab) |
(L) Aguéyi (C ) Blwoto |
Indian Heliotrope |
Obatala Also Ochun and Oké p.298 |
|
|
Trichilia
havanensis |
Siguaraya or Ciguaraya |
(L) Atori (C) Insso or Tinso, Nsimba dian finda |
Cuban Trichilia |
Shango, Eleggua p.544 |
|
Piper hispidum |
Platanillo de Cuba (Bayuyo) |
(L)Olúbbo |
Jamaican Pepper |
Shango p. 526 |
|
Eupatorium
odoratum |
(L) Tabaté (C) Ntema dián finda |
|
p. 538 |
|
|
Cecropia
peltata |
Yagruma |
(L) Iggi Oggugú (C) Matiti |
Trumpet Tree, Embauba, Trompettier, Snake Wood, Bois Cannon |
Obatala p. 554 |
|
Clerodendrum
fragrans |
|
Glory Bower |
Oya, Yewa p. 490 |
|
|
Psidium guajaba |
Guayaba |
(L) Kénku (C) Guánkibilúnga Nfuruta |
Tropical Guava, Guava |
Eleggua p.439 |
|
Solanum nigrum |
(L) Atoré, Efodá |
Black nightshade Petty Morel, Poisonberry, Garden Nightshade |
Ogun, Yemaya p. 562 is poison |
|
|
Petiveria
alliacea |
(L) Yéna, Anamu, Ochisán |
|
Forbidden in houses of ocha p. 323 is an abortive |
|
|
Cucurbita pepo |
(L) Elegueddé (C ) Male, Malenque, Makóngue, Maluka, Macuke, Yúmúrú |
Squash or pumpkin |
Ochun |
|
|
Corchorus
siliquosus |
(L) Dédé (C ) Dubue |
Slippery Elm, Slippery Burr
|
Oshun p. 483 |
|
|
Momordica
charantia |
|
Bitter Melon, Balsam Pear |
Babaluaye |
|
|
Antigonon
leptopus |
(L) Cháuko |
Coral Vine, Queen’s Wreath |
Oya p.410 |
|
|
Bidens pilosa |
Romerillo |
|
Spanish Needle, Cobbler’s Peg Hairy Beggarticks, Farmer’s Friend |
|
|
Blechum brownei |
Mazorquilla |
|
Green Shrimp Plant |
|
|
Cupania ( Cab) Cupania
cubensis |
Guará |
(L) Guará. Agagwan (C) Nyuko |
Candlewood, Wild Ackee |
Oya (some attribute to Dada) p.437 |
|
Argemone
mexicana |
(L) Iká,
Agogó, Igbéelégún ( C) Cando eré |
Mexican Pricklepoppy, Goatweed |
Ogun (some attribute to Obatala) p. 369 |
|
|
Hura crepitans |
Salvadera |
(L) Ewe gú, Arónica |
Sandbox Tree |
p.541 |
|
Achyranthes
aspera |
Rabo de Gato |
|
Devil’s Horsewhip, Prickly Chaff Flower |
Elegua, p.535 |
|
Salvia
officinalis |
Salvia de Castilla (Cab) |
(L)Kiriwi (C) Vititi Léka |
Sage |
Obatala |
|
Salvia odoratus
|
Salvia |
|
Sweetscent, Salt-marsh
Fleabane, cattle tongue |
Babalú Ayé |
|
Duranta repens |
|
Golden Dewdrop, Sapphire Showers Sky Flower |
|
|
|
Sanseveria
zeylanica |
Lengua de Mujer |
|
Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, Bowstring Hemp |
|
|
Sanseveria
goldiana |
Lengua de Vaca |
|
Snake Plant |
|
|
Origanum
majorana |
Mejorana |
|
Marjoram, Sweet Marjoram |
p. 488 |
|
Annona muricata |
Guanabana |
(L) Iggi omó fúnfún Gwánillo, Nichularafún (C) Ombándinga |
Brazilian Paw Paw, Soursop Tree |
Obatala p.435 |
|
Cordia alba |
Uva Gomosa |
|
Rainforest Laurel, White Manjack |
|
|
Alpinia
speciosa |
Colonia |
|
Shell Ginger |
|
|
Lepidium
virginicum |
Mastuerzo |
(L) Eribo |
Virginia Pepperweed |
Elegua p. 487 |
|
Sonchus
oleraceus |
Cerraja |
|
Sow Thistle |
|
|
Nephrolepis
exaltata |
Imo Hembra |
|
Wild Boston Fern |
|
|
Gynodon
dactylon |
Yerba Fina |
|
Bermuda Grass |
|
|
Mentha Sativa |
Yerba Buena |
Eferín ewe Ka, Amasi |
|
Yemaya p.557 |
|
Piper auritum |
|
Anise Piper, Eared Pepper |
|
|
|
Amaranthus
spinosus |
Bledo Carbonero |
|
Spiny Amaranth, Spiny Pigweed |
|
|
Amaranthus
viridis |
Bledo Blanco |
(L) Lobé,
Tété Ewé teté |
Slender Amaranth |
Obatalá W. Ramos |
|
Delonix regia |
Framboyan, Flamboyan |
(L)Iggi Támbina, Ináweko |
Flamboyant, Royal Poinciana |
Shango and Oya p. 426 |
|
Bursera
simaruba (Cab) Elaphrium
Simaruba |
(L) Iggi Addama. Moyé, Iluke ( C) Imbi iye |
Gumbo Limbo Tree, Tourist Tree |
Eleggua, Shango p321 |
|
|
Vinca rosea
alba |
Vicaria Blanca or Purisima Blanca y Morada |
|
White Periwinkle |
Obatala p. 552 |
|
Platycerium
bifurcatum |
|
Staghorn Fern |
|
|
|
Coix lacryma
jobi |
Caña Santa |
|
Job’s Tears |
|
|
(Cab) Costus
spicatus |
Caña Santa |
|
Indianhead Ginger |
Ogun p.367 |
|
Justicia
pectoralis |
Tilo |
|
Freshcut Herb |
|
|
Aloe vera |
Sabila, Sabilla |
|
Aloe vera |
Yemaya p. 540 |
|
Pedilanthus
tithymaloides |
Itamorreal |
|
Devil’s Backbone |
|
|
Zibgiber
officinale |
Jengibre |
|
Ginger, Common Giner |
|
|
Codiaeum
variegatum |
Lluvia de Oro |
|
Croton |
|
|
Dracaena draco |
Drago |
|
Dragon Tree |
|
|
Codiaeum
variegatum |
Croto |
|
Croton |
|
|
Colocasia
esculentum |
Malanga |
|
Elephant’s Ear |
|
|
Breynia nivosa |
|
|
Snobush, Sweetpea Bush |
|
|
Oxalis
corniculata |
Vinagrillo |
|
Creeping Wood Sorrel, Yellow Wood Sorrel |
|
|
Commelina
communis |
Canutillo |
|
Asiatic Dayflower |
|
|
Nephrolepis
cordifolia |
Imo Macho |
|
Sword Fern |
|
|
Crescentia
cujete |
Guira |
|
Calabash Tree, Gourd Tree |
|
|
Costus barbatus |
|
|
Spiral Ginger, |
|
|
Tradescantia
zebrina |
Cucaracha |
|
Wandering Jew |
|
|
Hamelia patens |
Parami |
|
Scarletbush, Firebush |
|
|
Lantana
involucrate |
Yerba de la Sangre |
|
Wild Sage |
|
|
Acacia
farnesiana |
Aroma Amarilla |
|
Sweet Acacia, Sponge Tree |
|
|
Ipomoea indica |
Aguinaldo Morado |
|
Blue Dawn Flower, Morning Glory |
|
|
Colubrina
reclinata |
Palo Amargo |
|
Soldierwood |
|
|
Picrasma
excelsa |
Varia |
|
Bitter Ash tree, Jamaica Quassi Tree |
|
|
Chrysobalanus
icaco |
Moruro |
|
Coco Plum |
|
|
Casearia
sylvestris |
Palo Hueso |
|
Wild Coffee Tree, Guacatonga Tree |
|
|
Mastichodendron
foetidissimum |
Jocuma |
|
Mastic Tree, Wild Mastic Tree |
|
|
Amyris
balsamifera |
Cuaba Blanca |
|
Balsam Amyris, Amyris Torchwood |
|
|
Trophis
reacemosa |
Palo Ramon |
|
White Ramon Tree |
|
|
Tillandsia
flexuosa |
Curujey |
|
Banded Airplant, Twisted Airplant |
|
|
Erythroxylon
areolatum |
Jiba |
|
Coca Shrub |
|
|
Arthrostylidium
cubensis |
Tibisi |
|
Cuban Bamboo |
|
|
Nectandra
minima |
Palo Boniato |
|
Cuban Laurel, Sweetwood Tree |
|
|
Eugenia
ligustrina |
Guairaje |
|
Birchberry Tree, Privet Stopper Tree |
|
|
Hyperbaena
cubensis |
Palo Chicharron |
|
Cuban Hyperbaena |
|
|
Chiococca alba |
Bejuco Berraco |
|
West Indian Milkberry Tree, Snowberry Tree |
|
|
Comocladia
dentata |
Guao de Costa |
|
Maiden Plum Tree |
|
|
Gossypium
herbaceum |
Algodon |
|
Arabian Cotton Treee, Pale Yellow Cotton Tree |
|
|
Ficus aurea |
Jaguey Hembra |
|
Strangler Fig Tree |
|
|
Clusia rosea |
Copey |
|
Autograph Tree, Balsam Apple Tree |
|
|
Priva
lappulacea |
Pega Pollo |
|
Stick Tights, Fasten Pon Coat |
|
|
Hibiscus elatus |
Majagua |
|
Cuban Mahoe, Blue Mahoe |
|
|
Euphorbia
lacteal |
Cardon |
|
Candelabra Cactus, False Cactus |
|
|
Guarea
trichilioides |
Palo Yamao |
|
American Muskwood, Ballwood |
|
|
Bourreria
virgata |
Raspa Lengua |
|
Stongback Leaf Plant |
|
|
Chrysophyllum
oliviforme |
Caimitillo |
|
Satin Leaf Tree |
|
|
Zanthoxylum
fagara |
Limoncillo |
|
Lime Pricklyash Tree |
|
|
Ficus
crassinervia |
Jaguey macho |
|
Wild Fig Tree, Ficus trigonata |
|
|
Tabebuia rosea |
Roble Negro |
|
Pink |
|
|
Samanea saman |
Algarrobo |
|
Rain Tree, Monkeypod Tree |
|
|
Coccoloba
uvifera |
Uva Caleta |
|
Sea Grape Tree |
|
|
Nerium oleander |
Adelfa |
|
Oleander Tree |
|
|
Bucida bucera |
Jucaro Negro |
|
Black Olive Tree |
|
|
Pinus caribaea |
Pino Macho |
|
|
|
|
Cajanus cajan |
Gandul |
|
Pigeon Pea Shrub |
|
|
Rhizophora
mangle |
Mangle Rojo |
|
Red Mangrove Tree |
|
|
Terminalia
catappa |
Almendra |
|
Indian Almond Tree, Flase Kamani Tree |
|
|
Merremia
umbellata |
Aguinaldo |
|
Yellow Morning Glory, Sweet William |
|
|
Moringa frances |
Paraiso |
|
Horseradish Tree, Ben-Oil Tree |
|
|
Cassia
occidentalis |
Yerba Hedionda |
|
Coffee Senna Tree |
|
|
Byrsonima
lucida |
Doncella |
|
Locust |
|
|
Platygyne
hexandra |
Ortiguilla |
|
Cuban Stinging Nettle |
|
|
Musa sapientum |
Platano |
|
Banana Tree |
|
|
Tababuia vitex |
Vencedor Macho |
|
Cuban Tabebuia |
|
|
Turnea
ulmifolia |
Marilope |
|
Yellow Alder |
|
|
Persea |
Aguacate |
|
Avocado, Alligator Pear |
|
|
Jatropha curcas |
Pinon Botija |
|
|
|
|
Eclipta
prostrata |
Espanta Muerto |
|
False Daisy, Tattoo Plant |
|