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 Santera, 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:
Denise
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

Eupatorumvillosum

Abre Camino

Canela alba

Palo Malambo

Lucumi / Congo

English
Bitter Bush, Shrubby
Thoroughwort

(C) Nkunia Mpeka

White Cinnabar Tree,

Wild Cinnamon Tree

(Nkunia Mpeka)
Nyctaginaceae
BoerhaviaDiffusa

Owner or Use

Palo - p.504
El Monte

Atipola

red spiderling,

Obatala &

Hogweed

Elegua
El Monte
p. 332

Oxandra lanceolata

Yaya

(L)Yy, Echi

West Indian
Lancewood

(C) Koromeni,
Mbkese

Shango
El Monte
p. 555 Palo

Phyllanthus augustifolia

Panetela

Foliage Flower

Hibiscus rosa sinensis

Mar Pacifico

Hibiscus, Rose of
China

Punica granatum

Granada

(L)Oroko, Mayaku,
Yayek-Kansor

Pomegranate

Oya, Chango

El Monte
p. 432
Stachytarpheta
jamaicensis

Verbena

Jamaican Vervain,
Blue Snakeweed

note - not to be confused with

Verbena - in English

Vervain

Verbenaofficinalis
(Cab)

Pilea microphylla

Blue Porterweed

(L)Eweorukan,
Orrioyo

Frescura

(L) Ewe r matn.

Tutu

Yemaya
El Monte p.
552
Artillery Plant

Ochun, Yemay
El Monte
p. 427

Pistia stratiodes

Flor de Agua
(Cabrera has this as
a different plant see Eichornia,
Kunth

Water Lettuce, Shell

Flower
Yemaya
Water Hyacinth

Eichornia azurea, Kunth

Caesalpinia major

Melia azadirachta

p. 425

Quita Maldicion

Paraiso

(L) Ibayo, Yiya

Wait A Bit Plant

El Monte

Nickar bean plant

p.535

Paradise Tree, Neem

Tree

Shango
El Monte
p. 510

Mirabilis jalapa

Maravilla Roja

(L) Ewe Ewa,

Inkuallo

Four-OClock Plant,
Marvel of Peru

(C) Boddul

Obatala, Oya
Yewa
El Monte
p. 486

Abutilon theophrasti

Boton de Oro

Parthenium
hysterophorus

Escoba Amarga

Hairy Indian Mallow,

Velvet Leaf
(L) Eggweniy

False Ragweed

(C) Bombo

Babaluaye
El Monte
p. 419

Bryophyllum pinnatum

Prodigiosa

Life Plant, Cathedral

Bells, Air Plant

Kalanchoe Pinnata
Isocarpha cubana

Manzanilla

Chrysanthellum
americanum(Cab)

(L) Nikirio

Cuban Isocarpha

(C) Dnbuande
African Wild Daisy

Callicarpa americana

Filigrama

American
Beautyberry,
Beautyberry

Shango(?)

Heliotropium
campechianum

Alacrancillo

Indian Heliotrope

Obatala

(L) Aguyi

Also Ochun

Heliotropium indicum
(Cab)

and Ok
(C ) Blwoto

El Monte
p.298

Trichilia havanensis

Siguaraya or
Ciguaraya

(L) Atori

Cuban Trichilia

(C) Insso or Tinso,

Nsimba dian finda

Shango,
Eleggua
El Monte
p.544

Piper hispidum

Platanillo de Cuba

(L)Olbbo

Jamaican Pepper

(Bayuyo)

Shango
El Monte
p. 526

Eupatorium odoratum

Rompe Saraguey

(L) Tabat

Siam Weed, Bitter

Bush Triffid Weed,

(C) Ntema din finda

Cecropia peltata

Yagruma

El Monte
p. 538

(L) Iggi Oggug

Trumpet Tree,

(C) Matiti

Embauba, Trompettier,
Snake Wood, Bois
Cannon

Obatala

El Monte
p. 554
Clerodendrum fragrans

Mil Flores

Cologne Bush,

Oya, Yewa

Psidium guajaba

Guayaba

(L) Knku

Glory Bower

El Monte

Honolulu Rose

p. 490

Tropical Guava,
Guava

Eleggua

(C) Gunkibilnga

El Monte

Nfuruta
Solanum nigrum

Petiveria alliacea

Yerba Mora

Anamu

(L) Ator, Efod

(L) Yna, Anamu,

Ochisn

p.439
Black nightshade

Ogun, Yemaya

Petty Morel,
Poisonberry, Garden
Nightshade

p. 562

Congo Root , Guinea

Henweed

Forbidden in
houses of ocha

is poison

El Monte
p. 323
is an abortive
Cucurbita pepo

Calabaza

(L) Eleguedd

Squash or pumpkin

Ochun

(L) Dd

Slippery Elm,

Oshun

(C ) Dubue

Slippery Burr

El Monte

(C ) Male, Malenque,
Makngue,
Maluka, Macuke,
Ymr
Corchorus siliquosus

Malva te

p. 483
Momordica charantia

Cundiamor

Antigonon leptopus

Coralillo Rosado

(L) Chuko

Bitter Melon, Balsam

Pear

Babaluaye

Coral Vine, Queens

Wreath

Oya
El Monte
p.410

Bidens pilosa

Romerillo

Spanish Needle,
Cobblers Peg
Hairy Beggarticks,
Farmers Friend

Blechum brownei

Mazorquilla

Cupania americana

Guar

Green Shrimp Plant

(L) Guar. Agagwan

Candlewood, Wild
Ackee

(C) Nyuko

Oya

(some attribute
to Dada)

( Cab) Cupania
cubensis

El Monte
p.437

Argemone mexicana

Cardo Santo

(L) Ik, Agog,

Igbelgn
( C) Cando er

Mexican
Pricklepoppy,
Goatweed

Ogun

(some attribute
to Obatala)

El Monte
p. 369
Hura crepitans

Salvadera

(L) Ewe g,

Sandbox Tree

El Monte

Arnica
p.541
Achyranthes aspera

Rabo de Gato

Devils Horsewhip,
Prickly Chaff Flower

Elegua,
Ibejis
El Monte

p.535
Salvia officinalis

Salvia odoratus

Salvia de Castilla

(L)Kiriwi

(Cab)

(C) Vititi Lka

Salvia

Sage

Obatala

Sweetscent, Saltmarsh Fleabane,

Babal Ay

cattle tongue
Duranta repens

No Me Olvides

Golden Dewdrop,
Sapphire Showers
Sky Flower

Sanseveria zeylanica

Lengua de Mujer

Mother-In-Laws
Tongue, Bowstring
Hemp

Sanseveria goldiana

Lengua de Vaca

Snake Plant

Origanum majorana

Mejorana

Marjoram, Sweet
Marjoram

El Monte
p. 488

Annona muricata

Guanabana

(L) Iggi om fnfn

Brazilian Paw Paw,

Soursop Tree

Gwnillo,
Nichularafn

Obatala
El Monte
p.435

(C) Ombndinga
Cordia alba

Uva Gomosa

Rainforest Laurel,
White Manjack

Alpinia speciosa

Colonia

Shell Ginger

Lepidium virginicum

Mastuerzo

(L) Eribo

Virginia Pepperweed

Elegua
El Monte ,
p. 487

Sonchus oleraceus

Cerraja

Sow Thistle

Nephrolepis exaltata

Imo Hembra

Wild Boston Fern

Gynodon dactylon

Yerba Fina

Bermuda Grass

Mentha Sativa

Yerba Buena

Efern ewe Ka, Amasi

Yemaya
El Monte
p.557

Piper auritum

Caisimon de Anis

Anise Piper, Eared

Pepper

Amaranthus spinosus

Bledo Carbonero

Spiny Amaranth,
Spiny Pigweed

Amaranthus viridis

Bledo Blanco

(L) Lob, Tt

Slender Amaranth

Obatal

El Monte p.34
W. Ramos
Ew tet

Flamboyant, Royal
Poinciana
Delonix regia

Framboyan,
Flamboyan

(L)Iggi Tmbina,
Inweko

Shango and
Oya
El monte
p. 426

Bursera simaruba

Almacigo

(L) Iggi Addama.

Moy,

Gumbo Limbo Tree,

Tourist Tree

Eleggua,
Shango

Iluke
(Cab) Elaphrium
Simaruba

( C) Imbi iye

El Monte

p321
Vinca rosea alba

Vicaria Blanca or

White Periwinkle

Obatala

Purisima Blanca y
Morada
El Monte
p. 552
Platycerium bifurcatum

Cuerno de Arsi

Staghorn Fern

Coix lacryma jobi

Caa Santa

Jobs Tears

(Cab) Costus spicatus

Caa Santa

Indianhead Ginger

Ogun

El Monte
p.367
Justicia pectoralis

Tilo

Freshcut Herb

Aloe vera

Sabila, Sabilla

Aloe vera

Yemaya
El Monte
p. 540

Pedilanthus
tithymaloides

Itamorreal

Devils 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

Elephants Ear

Breynia nivosa

Nevada

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

Cana Mexicana

Spiral Ginger, Red

Tower 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 Tacoma , Pink

Trumpet Tree

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

Caribbean Pine

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 Amarillo

Yellow Morning
Glory, Sweet William

Moringa frances

Paraiso Frances

Horseradish Tree,
Ben-Oil Tree

Cassia occidentalis

Yerba Hedionda

Coffee Senna Tree

Byrsonima lucida

Doncella

Locust Berry

Platygyne hexandra

Ortiguilla

Cuban Stinging
Nettle

Musa sapientum

Platano

Banana Tree

Tababuia vitex

Vencedor Macho

Cuban Tabebuia

Turnea ulmifolia

Marilope

Yellow Alder

Persea americana

Aguacate

Avocado, Alligator
Pear

Jatropha curcas

Pinon Botija

Barbados Nut Tree,

Physic Nut Tree

Eclipta prostrata

Espanta Muerto

False Daisy, Tattoo

Plant