Herbs in Sanse Puerto Rican Vudu Tradition

Herbs in Sanse Vudu 'Voodoo' Tradition

by Sancista Brujo Luis

SPANISH TO ENGLISH NAMES OF HERBS

My aunt Tia Sonia, is a devote Penticostal pastor in my hometown of Comerio Puerto Rico, she has been in the religion for as long as I can remember.   The house that she currently lives in was the house my mother and all her siblings where born in, it was built  in the 1920s as a gift to my grandmother from my grandfather and great grandfather who built it.  Originally the house was a one bedroom small bohio "hut"  made of  plywood and a zinc roof  and as the family grew so did la Casita.   Although the original house was destroyed in 1989 by Hurricane Hugo, the current house still resides on the foundation that my grandfather built.   Behind La Casita as we call it, resides a lush tropical forest full of wild "Spanish Limes / Quenepas", Soursop, "guanábana", Guavas, mangoes, coconuts and oranges, while to the side of la Casita on a hilltop Tia Sonia had a vegetable garden of yuca, malanga and gandules.   My dearest memories of la Casita was playing with my cousins in the deep forests, we would play cowboys and Indians or Cops and robbers.  Tia Sonia would warn not to go to deep in the forests as Las Brujas lived deep within them and would snatch any child who got lost after sunset.  if we were to get lost and the sun would begin to set we would stand and make sure the sun was to our right hand side walk down until we would come to a stream that flowed down and would follow it all the way to the backyard of la Casita. 

When my Tia was not harvesting vegetables or cutting down bananas and plantains for that evenings supper, she would go into the forest and collect wild herbs and barc, for either cooking, making teas and for healing purposes.  These where those days when my cousins would be entertained watching Mighty Mouse or Tom & Jerry, which I remember hating because it was dubbed in Spanish, and seamed to me so unnatural to my english speaking counterparts in the states.  Tia Sonia was and still is an expect Yerbera, as she could spot an herb or barc and know what it was used for and always advised against the many poison ones.  I always felt that If it had not for her being a pastor at the local Pentecostal church, Tia Sonia would have been a well renowned Curandera. 

All my Tia ever needed was behind the house or on either side of the house.  If she had to go to the market in the pueblo, it would be for the occasional soft drink, cheese whiz, tang, rice and steak. 

Herbs in Espiritismo and Brujeria

Traditionally herbs are not a part of Espiritismo practices they are mostly used in Curanderismo and Brujeria and were adopted into the Sanse tradition practices as Sanse is a blending of Spiritism, herbalism, Vudu practices and Curanderismo and all Puerto Rican Sancistas where raised or had a Hierbera or Curandero in the family.  A Sancista should have a common knowledge of some fresh herbs, as they are used to make Spiritual washes, herbal baths, placed within Resguardo Charm bags, and used in lavadas and many travajos.

I do not use store bought dried herbs in a plastic jar unless I am cooking them or want a quick tea, or need a quick Adobo or Sazon for my meals, these herbs contain little if no Ache to them, but I would rather use fresh herbs when possible.  One fresh herb leaf has more magical properties than any dried herb bought at a super market.  If you are to dry your own herbs understand that although they contain energy they loose their magical properties within a year.  Resins and Roots have an almost indefinate shelf life.   If you grow your own herbs and live in an area where the winters are cold, gather them before the first frost.  You can try and grow them indoors or use them for your travajos.  If you are going to use them, use them fresh or hang them upside down with stems facing upwards.  You can tie them in a bunch and dry them up slowly, and place them in containers to use in your spiritual or magical works.
Rule of Thumb, never boil herbs, simmer them or just add hot water, one can boil roots and barc, but never herbs.  If working with large amounts of herbs, boil water, and place herbs in a large mortar, adding water little by little as you use the pestle to mash out the magical healing properties, strain well and add to baths, oils or perfumes.  (Every Brujo, Curandero and Sancista should own a Mortar and Pestle)  A Sancista should have a common knowledge of atleast a dozen herbs, I personally know around 18 or so, which I grow in my garden.  A few herbs all Sancistas should get usto are Rue, Rosemarry, and Basil.  I Know of a Sancista woman who lives in the 12th floor of an apartment building who grows her herbs indoors using a neon light in the winter, while I know many who buy the packaged herbs in Botanicas.   Although some herbs on this list are edible and can be ingested many are not, and I strongly warn on the intake of herbs without common knowledge.  The list that follows is only the names of each herb in Spanish and I will not be giving their magical uses or properties.  

   

THE LOASES

LOS MISTERIOS

Within Sanse, Santeria, Vudu, and 21 Divisiones there are various Misterios that govern over herbs  and are as follows.

Gran Bois or Selva Jungla is the patron of the forest, he is also known as Ogou Osanjeh.  He is a master herbalist and knows the mysteries and healing properties to every plant on earth, and a lover and protecter of the animals that live within his domain.  He is not very trusting of humans, as humans have done nothing but exploit and take.  He is synchronized with Saint Francis of Asise.


Gran Bwa or Gran Bosque is the younger brother of Gran Bois, he is synchronized with Saint Jude and like his brother is a master herbalist and healer.  Gran Bois bestows apon human’s the knowledge of herbs.

Ogou Oke also called Asacca is the younger of the three, he is the Misterio Loa of agriculture and farmers, in Puerto Rico he is known as El Santo Jibarito or  Santo Jibaro and is synchronized with Saint Isidoro.

Herbs Hierbas Yerbas

1. Acacia - Aromo Acacia
2. Adam & Eve - Raiz de Adan y Eva
3. Adder’s Tounge - Lengua de Vibora
4. Agrimony - Agrimonia
5. All Spice - Malageta
6. Aloe vera - Sabilla
7. Anise Stars - Estrellas de Anis
8. Ash Tree - Fresno
9. Aspen - Arbol de Sebo
10. Artillery Plant - Frescura
11. Babelor’s Buttom - Siempreviva
12. Balm of Gilead - Balsamo
13. Balmony - Amansa Guapo
14. Bambo - Cana Brava
15. Basil - Albahaca
16. Bastard Lime - Siguaraya
17. Bay Leaves - Oja de Laurel
18. Belladonna - Amaryllis
19. Benzoin - Estoracua
20. Black Nightshade - Yerba Mora
21. Black Pepper - Pimienta
22. Bitter Bush - Rompe Zaraguey
23. Bitter Broom - Palo de Toro
24. Bitter Herb - Hierba Bruja
25. Bladderwrack - Veriguoso
26. Blood Root - Veneno Sanguinaria
27. Blue Colored Lead Wart - Mala Cara
28. Borage - Borraja
29. Buckthorn - Cascara Sagrada
30. Buckwheat - Yerba (Hierba) Acre
31. Bull Horn Acacia - Yerba de Cuerno
32. Butterfly Sage - Yerba de Sangre
33. Castor bean plant - Higuadera
34. Catnip - Gatavera
35. Calamus Root - Calamo
36. Camphor - Alcamphor
37. Cat’s Claw - Una de Gato
38. Cayenne - Pimenton
39. Chamomile - Manzanilla
40. Cedar - Cedro
41. Chamomile - Mansanilla
42. Cloves - Clavos
43. Cobbler’s Peg - Romerillo
44. Congo Root - Anamu
45. Coriander - Cilantro
46. Cow’s Itch - Pica Pica
47. Crab Grass - Pata de Gallina
48. Crab Eyes - La Peonia
49. Cumin - Cumino
50. Dandelion Root - Diente de Leon
51. Day Blooming Jasmine - Galan del Dia
52. Devil’s Horsewhip - Rabo de Gato
53. Devils Shoe Strings - Cordon del Diablo
54. Dog Bane - Huevo de Gallo
55. Dogwood - Palo Emborachadora
56. Dragon’s Blood - Sangre de Dragon
57. Elcampame - Campana / Alta Baca
58. Elderberry - Sauco
59. Eucalyptus - Eucalipto
60. False Daisy - Espanta Muerto
61. False Ragweed - Escoba Amarga
62. Foliage Flower - Panetela
63. Foul Mouth Herb - Raspa Lengua
64. Four Oclock Plant - Maravilla Roja
65. Garlic - Ajo
66. Ginger - Jenjibre
67. Goatweed - Caldo Santo
68. Glory Bower - Mil Flores
69. Golden Dewdrop - No Me Olvides
70. Golden Rod - Vara de Oro
71. Grains of Paradise - Granos de Paraiso
72. Guava - Guayaba
73. Gum Arabic - Goma Arabe
74. Guinea Henweed - Anamu
75. Henna Leaves - Resada
76. Heliotrope - Cotorrera de Playa
77. Hibiscus, Rose of China - Mar Pacifico / Hibisco
78. Hogweed - Atipola
79. Horse Tail - Cola de Caballo
80. High John - Juan Conquistador
81. Honey Suckle - Madre Selva
82. Hyssop - Hisopo
83. Hyperbaena - Palo Chicharon
84. Indian Heliotrope - Alacrancillo
85. Indigo - Anil
86. Job’s Tears - Cana Santa
87. Juniper Berry - Enebrina
88. Kelp - Alga Marina
89. Lavender - Alhucema Lavendula
90. Lemon Balm - Toronjil
91. Lemon Grass - Limonsillo / Yerba Luisa
92. Licorice - Regaliz
93. Licorice Root - Palo Dulce
94. Life Everlasting - Morivivir
95. Life Plant - Prodijiosa
96. Life Plant Loveleaf - Yerba Bruja
97. Lily - Lirio
98. Linden - Tilo
99. Lion’s Ear - Baston de Fransisco
100. Mallow - Boton de Oro / Malva Te
101. Mandrake - Mandragora
102. Marigold - Flor de Muertos
103. Marjoram - Mejorana
104. Marvel of Peru - Maravilla Roja
105. Mate - Hierba Mate
106. Melissa - Toronji
107. Mexican Poppy - Cardo Santo
108. Mimosas - Sensetiva
109. Mistletoe - Muerdago
110. Morning Glory - Flor de Luna
111. Mother-In-Law’s Tongue - Lengua de Mujer
112. Mugwort - Artamisa
113. Muskwood - Palo Yamao
114. Mustard Seeds - Semillas De Mostaza
115. Myrrh - Mirra
116. Nutmeg - Nuez Moscada
117. Oats - Avena
118. Okra - Quimbombo
119. Olives - Aceituna
120. Orris Roots - Lirio
121. Osha Root - Raiz de Ocha
122. Palm nuts - Corojo
123. Parsley - Perejil
124. Paradise Tree - Paraiso
125. Passion Flower - Pasionaria
126. Patchouli - Patchuly
127. Peppermint - Menta
128. Poison Ivy - Hierba Venenosa
129. Pomegranate - Granada
130. Popbush - Yerba Mora
131. Poppy - Amapola
132. Purslane - Verdulaga
133. Ragweed - Alta Misa
134. Rosemarry - Romero
135. Royal Fern - Helecho del Rio
136. Royal Poinciana - Flamboyan
137. Rue - Ruda
138. Sage - Salvia
139. Saint John’s Wort - Yerba de San Juan
140. Sandbox Tree - Salvadera
141. Sandlewood - Sandalo
142. Sandpaper Tree - Vaca Buey
143. Savory - Ajedrea
144. Sawtooth Tongue Herb - Recao
145. Scarlet Bush - Palo Para Mi
146. Sea Grapes - Uvas de Playa
147. Seaweed - Algas Marina
148. Sensitive Plant - Mimosas
149. Serata Plant - Arasa con Todo
150. Sesame Seeds - Ajonjoli
151. Shepard’s Needles - Romerillo
152. Shepard’s Purse - Bolsa de Pastor
153. Silk Cotton Tree - La Ceiba
154. Silk Grass - Rabo de Zorra
155. Silvery Cock’s Comb - Moco de Pavo
156. Slender Amaranth - Bledo
157. Slippery Elm - Tapa Boca
158. Slippery Elm - Malva Te
159. Snake Plant - Lengua de Vaca
160. Snow Berry - Lagrimas de Maria
161. Soap Bush - Escoba Dulce
162. Soldierwood - Palo Amargo
163. Solomon’s Seal - Sello de Solomon / Convalaria
164. Spanish Limes - Qunepas / Mamoncillos
165. Soursop - Guanabana
166. Speramint - Menta
167. Spinach - Espinaca
168. Strawberries - Frambuesas
169. Stinging Nettle - Ortiga Bravas
170. Stink Weed - Guanima
171. Stongback Leaf Plant - Raspa Lengua
172. Sulfer - Sulfre
173. Sweet Broom - Escoba Amarga
174. Sweet Marjoram - Mejorana
175. Sweetwood Tree - Palo Boniato
176. Tabebuia Tree - Vencedor
177. Tarragon - Estragon
178. Thoroughwort - Abre Camino
179. Thorn Apple - Campana
180. Thyme - Tomillo
181. Tropical Lily - Azucenas
182. Turkey Berry - Pendejera
183. Valerian Root - Valeriana
184. Vanilla - Vainilla
185. Velvet Bean - Ojos de Buey
186. Vervain - Verbana
187. Vetivert - Vetivert
188. Violet Flowers - Pensamientos
189. Wandering Jew - Cucaracha
190. Water Lettuce - Flor de Agua
191. Wait A Bit Plant - Quita Maldicion
192. Weed - Hierba Mala
193. White Cinnabar Tree - Palo Malombo
194. Wild Coffee Tree - Palo Hueso
195. Wild Sage - Yerba de Sangre
196. Willow Tree - Sauco
197. White Cinnabar Tree - Palo Malambo
198. Wormswood - Epazote

PUERTO RICAN SANSES, SANCE, SANSE TRADITIOM RELIGION, UMBANDA, SANTERIA, ESPIRITISMO, BRUJERIA, CURANDERISMO, CURANDERO, CURANDERA, HERBALISM, WITCHCRAFT, SPANISH TO ENGLISH NAMES OF HERBS.

SANCISTA BRUJO LUIS

P.S.

OYE MANO!!!  TONY SANCISTA, Y QUE TU VA ACER CON ESA BOMBA, ACHO MENG!!!!