10 representative plants of Oshún

Plants, according to Yoruba belief, have energy and spirit similar to those of the Orishas, so each of them represents a deity and if we learn the mystery of each herb, we will possess great wisdom and we will obtain Ashe.

The ewes (herbs) of OshunLike her, they represent the power of love and sensuality, rivers and fertility and have numerous spiritual and medicinal uses. With their representative herbs, the devotees of Oshún make cleanings, charges, amulets, protections and baths.

Oshún plants are very effective used in rituals, offerings, ceremonies, to purify, clean, remove and cross spaces.

Oshún Herbs:

Next, we propose 10 of the representative herbs of this orisha, although there are many more.

1. Cinnamon from the bush

Scientific name: Cinnamomun cassia
From the Lucumí language: Iggi Epó kan, Dédé and from the Congo: Mokokaguando and Mamá China.

Cinnamon is the representative plant of Oshún, ideal for its incredible spiritual and medicinal uses. It is a spice with a very exquisite taste and smell, and is widely used in cooking.

Cinnamon also has medicinal properties and is used in patients with type 2 diabetes, it has the power to whet the appetite, reduces aerophagia and acidity and helps in the treatment of flu, colds and respiratory problems.

It is an element that is used in the Afro-Cuban religion in works and rituals to clean houses, and to attract good luck, in addition to being an element that sweetens and attracts. Oshún con la cinnamon usually prepares all its afochés (powders) and amorous sweeteners.

The paleros and santeros use it in syrups to cure intestinal colds and contain diarrhea.

2. Tufted

Calendula officinalis

Its absolute owner is Oshún, a plant that is used for offal (sarayéyé), purifications, and prayers are made with it for scared people.

Its infusion is used to soothe ear and toothache, and its seeds expel intestinal worms. It is also used in effective topical treatments and to regulate menstruation.

3. Sunflower

Helianthus annunas
Lucumi: Kékuoro, Orúnifé, Yenkemí and Congo: Yóngoso, Tangó

The sunflower is a plant with many healing properties. It is an expectorant that helps to relieve secretions from the lungs such as bronchitis. And it is also used in preparations against fever, cough, colds, stomach ailments and nosebleeds.

For health it is very beneficial, it fights diseases such as cystitis, kidney stones and promotes digestion. Sunflower also transmits a very good influence where it is present, it is used in decoctions for vaginal washes and softens tumors.

Its flower is a spiritual symbol of the goddess of rivers, it symbolizes good luck, health and happiness. The permanent search for the light of the plant is related to the attraction of good energies.

Among the plants of this Orisha, the sunflower in the Regla de Ocha is one of the best offerings destined for Oshún.

4. Pumpkin

Scientific name: Cucurbita mochata
Lucumi: Elegueddé and from the Congo: Male Maléngue, Makóngue, Málaga, Macute and Yúmúrú.

The pumpkin is the great sorceress, it does the same good that it can do evil, its absolute owner is Oshún, with whom she made her first lamp and danced with the light of the pumpkin. Inside it Oshún keeps his money and all his spells in the river.

If in Itá you get the sign of Obbara Melli, the pumpkins must be respected, they cannot be eaten or given away.

Within its spells, this fruit is used to:

beg the bellies of women,
for a person to grow in life and gain success,
let the one who has left return,
make a person pay,
disrupt homes,
brighten your life, and many more.

Long before the clay pot, the first pot in the Congo where the nganga was kept was in a gourd.

Also in the medicinal field is used:

as topical treatments to relieve burns,
powdered seeds mixed with boiled milk are good for expelling worms,
its juice is applied to inflammation of the skin,
the boiled flower to relieve the catarrh,
the fried tripe with red mamey seed makes the hair grow and gives it shine,
Its fruits are very healthy foods and help the digestive process.

5. Hawksbill

Krugiodiendron ferreum
Lucumi: Ayapaeka

There are many kinds of hawksbill and they all belong to Oshún, he always asks for it to fight and is only used to rage it. The tortoiseshell is never put in the omiero (spiritual herbal water) as a seat.

6. River flax

potomagton lucens
Lucumi: Imo, Oshun, Ewe Odo

Its absolute owner is Oshún and it is one of the ewes (grass) of the seat omiero.

A very effective and beautiful prayer to obtain her favor is to go to the river, call her with her bell and there:

Put his otá (stone) in honey, he is offered 2 yellow hens.
Second day: the honey stone is removed and wrapped in river linen.
Third day: they must be fanned with 5 different fans (abébé felé felé)
Fourth day: you are offered 5 fine sweets.
Fifth day: the stone is put in river water and wrapped in yellow cloth with a little piece of gold, put in a basket and goes to the river, but to the center of it, not on the shore, with 15 handles on your wrist by the hand.

7. Castile melon

Cucuta melo
Lucumi: Eggure, Léseitaku and from the Congo: Machafio Suri Yanga

The absolute owner is Oshún and she likes it very much, when the Castile melon is offered to the orisha after five days it is taken to the river.

8. Freshness

Lucumi: Ewe ru matan, Tutu

Its owners are Oshún and Yemayá. This powerful herb that grows in humid lands, attracts luck, purifies homes, refreshes spirits and clears luck if floors are washed with it.

In infusion it is usually drunk as common water because it is good for the kidneys.

9 Parsley

Petroselinum
Lucumi: Isako, Iyádédé and from the Congo: Ntuoro, Vititi kamatuya

The absolute owner of this herb is Oshún, which has many religious, medicinal and kitchen properties, where it is widely used for its exquisite aroma and rich flavor.

As a medicine it is a good diuretic, it is used to treat high blood pressure and osteoporosis.

10. Yellow Macaw

poinciana powder
Lucumi: Orumaya, Purple

This plant belongs to Oshún. It has wide medicinal and spiritual uses. With the decoction of its flowers, baths are usually given for purification and to ward off bad energies. Its roots, stems and leaves are used to relieve inflammation and friction for rheumatic pain.