Oyá it is wind, color and storm, it is the Lady of the spark, of the whirlpool, of the rainbow and of the dead. She is the mother of nine egguns and has the power to deal with spirits.
Yanza, as this powerful Orisha is also called, is related to Iku, the divinity of death and therefore lives at the door of the cemeteries. It represents the intensity of gloomy feelings, the world of the dead, the gloomy darkness of the night that everyone is afraid of.
But its winds help sustain life after the waters of Oshun and Yemayá have given energy and purpose. Oyá it is life, it is the air we breathe, it gives the universe the right amount of oxygen to keep us alive.
With its force it provokes storms, dances on strong winds, generates hurricanes and sparks, is impetuous and shows the violent character and fury of the storms themselves.
Together with Eleguá, Orula and Obatalá she dominates the four winds, she is an implacable warrior, with her iruke she cleans and purifies the world.
We present now, 10 plants that the Orisha likes Oyá, used for their offerings and addimús and to make the omiero characteristic, that spiritual herbal water that the Ashé of the orishas possesses.
herbs and plants Oyá
1. Framboyán
Its scientific name is Delonix regia and in the Lucumí language it is known as Iggi Támbina and Ináweko. Its owners are Shangó and Oyá.
A Oyá it is called with the sound of the framb podoyán (acheré), which represents the reincarnation of the ancestors, the lack of memory and the feeling of sorrow in women.
The old say that the year the framboyáOnce many flowers have been made, one must be very cautious and pray, spread cocoa butter on its trunk and make Ebbó (cleaning) of fruits for the children primarily.
2. caimitillo
Its scientific name is Chrysophyllum oliviforme and in the Lucumí language it is called Dideré.
Its absolute owner is Oyá. It is used as a stimulus for Oyá works in favor of another person, its roots and leaves in cooking are used for body baths and also combat obesity.
3. Bejuco Camphor
- Scientific name: Aristolochia trilobata)
- From Lucumi: Ewe Túko and from Congo: Embi
Absolute plant of Oyá. It is used in decoctions and spiritual cleansing. It also strengthens the brain.
4. Pink Coralillo
- Scientific name: Leptopus antigen
- Lucumí: Chauko
This plant belongs to Oyá and Ayaó (Orisha younger sister of Oyá). It is used in decoctions using the entire plant, even its flowers. It is very useful counteracting the effects of alcohol.
5. Cimarrona combustera
- Scientific name: Manethia coccinea
- Lucumi Language: Esue and Congolese: Molanguo
It belongs to Shango and Oyá. The powdered bark of this plant is used as an emetic.
6. Geranium
- Scientific name: Pelargonium odoratissimun
- Lucumí: Pupayo
Herb that belongs to Shangó and Oyá. A fragrant plant with many spiritual uses, ideal for concoctions, where linked with red lemon balm it is used for heart and nerve problems.
7. Caimito
- Scientific name: Chrysophyllum caimito
- From Lucumí: Asán, Allécofole and from Congo: Ennúa, Yeré
Its absolute owner is Oyá. It is considered one of the strongest sticks of the Mayombero because it has two faces, on the one hand, they are green and on the other they are brown, that is why it is used to hide the one who flees.
In Cuba, hypocrites are often compared to the caimito. It is very effective in rituals to ask and achieve what is desired of a person and to get money. Ideal plant to prepare remedies and decoctions of its bark for diarrhea and blood loss.
8. Plum
- Scientific name: Spondias cironella
- Lucumí: Iggi Yeye, Erokoyasi, Rewó, Eso Aguin
Its owners are Oyá, Obba and Bóku (Orisha who lives in the Ceiba). It is the preferred stick to fight with Oyá. In Cuba they say “you are more false than the plum” because it is a stick that breaks easily.
In addition, Oyá handles every man with the plum, rituals are also made with the segments of the plum for Ebbó (cleansing) of sick people.
9. milflores
Scientific name: Clerodendron fragrans
Its owners are Oyá and Yewa. To attract good luck it is used in bathrooms, they also free us from nightmares when we dream that spirits are chasing us. This plant is beneficial for avoiding damage.
10. Yagruma
- Scientific name: Ceropia peltata
- Lucumí: Iggi, Oggugú, Láro and del Congo: Matitit
One of the quintessential plants of the Yoruba religion, used in numerous ceremonies and representative of various Orishas. It has healing and spiritual properties.
Plants in the Yoruba religion are sacred, they contain so many secrets and legends, that we must know how to use them because, as they save, they can do harm.
Herbs, sticks and flowers can even represent taboos (prohibitions) for the orishas, and giving them plants that are not to their liking can annoy them, learning from the wisdom and secrets that the gifts of nature possess is our responsibility.
Offerings and bath for health in the name of Babalú Ayé
Cleaning the house with Yemayá to collect negative energies
Spiritual baths to open paths with Obatalá, Oshún and Olokun
What is the Omiero? Orishas Spiritual Water
Herbs, fruits and flowers of the Orishas
