Shango He is the Orisha of justice, lightning, thunder and fire, deity owner of intense red, who dances and cleans the destiny of all believers with his ax. He is also the owner of drums, dance and music, he is benevolent and his strength makes destiny firm, likewise is the power of his plants.
His character is explosive, he has a great physique and is extremely strong, he likes intense and strong foods, spicy or well seasoned with some herbs or ewes that also represent his multiple qualities and powers.
The plants associated with Shango collect their eternal energy and strength, which is why they are used in numerous spells to ward off bad vibrations and obtain the strength to continue. Plants are also used for offerings to the Orisha and to make their own Omiero (spiritual water).
Shango herbs
Here are 10 of the representative plants of Shango:
1. Rompezaraguey:
- Scientific Name: Eupatorium odoratum, L.
- From the Lucumi language: Tabaté and from the Congo: Ntema dián fínda
The Rompezaragüey represents the Yoruba deity Chango. It is a very spiritual plant that contains numerous powers.
It is ideal for personal protection and wearing some twigs as an amulet gives us strength. It also protects the house and is widely used in waste.
It is an herb that, together with the Yaya stick and the guara, is used in the Rule of Palo Monte to initiate new followers.
To defend the witchcraft houses, a cross made with Rompesaragüey is usually placed behind the entrance door and underneath one made with cocoa butter.
2. rue
- Scientific Name: Ruta graveolens, L.
- Lucumi: Atopá kun
Among the Shangó plants, rue is one of the most representative as it has its exceptional powers inside. The plant in medicine protects capillaries, increases blood circulation, reduces stress and anxiety, and calms earache.
It is a plant that can be used as a protective amulet and in spiritual baths to communicate with the Orisha. It is also used for cleaning and cleaning, as it eliminates negative energies and attracts health and prosperity.
Where rue grows, witchcraft does not enter and as a precaution you should always have one at the entrance of homes.
3. Carob
- Scientific Name: Pithecolobiun saman. Jacq. Beth.
- Lucumi: Afomá, Guinandé, Kieredán
- Congo: Flécheo, Nkunin Cuyá
Apart from Shango it belongs to Oggún and Bóku (Orisha who lives in the ceiba tree).
The carob is strongly medicinal, its resin is used to combat asthma, gonorrhea, laryngitis and indigestion and is an excellent expectorant and a natural laxative. The sores are treated with its powdered resin and its leaves reduce hernias.
In the Yoruba religion it is used to make the seat Omiero, its leaves are used to cover Shango and it is an ingredient in spiritual baths.
Its roots are also used for garments and shelters and to feed the ngangas.
4. Baría or Varía
- Scientific Name: Cordia gerascanthus. Lin.
- Its owners are Shangó, Oyá and Elegguá
Among its powerful medicinal uses, the cooking of its leaves purifies the blood. In baths and for friction it is toning, its infused bud is good for insomnia, also its flowers and roots linked with honey, caraguala vine and marpacífico tend to cure colds.
This plant, accompanied by paramí, amansaguapo, forget-me-not, holy water, orange blossom water, rainwater, white precipitate, poplar, marjoram and tuatúa, performs a very powerful work to overcome and dominate.
5. Sugar cane
- Scientific Name: Saccharum officinarom, Lin.
- Lucumi: Iggueré, Iréke, Oreké, Ereké and Congo: Mediadiá, Musenga
- Its absolute owner is Shango.
Sugar cane is a plant that is both spiritual and medicinal. It is also edible and an extremely good sweetener. The guarapo (omibose) obtained from sugar cane is a powerful diuretic.
Sugar sweetens everyone, both friend and foe. In the Yoruba religion, sugar cane is incorporated into the most varied offerings to the Orishas, who adore its sweet taste.
It is an offering that Shango welcomes, it is offered cut into pieces on a plate and with its leaves.
In the Abakuá religion it is very important, if two pieces of cane cross in front of the íreme (little devil) it does not dare to advance, that is, it remains motionless.
6. Cedar
- Scientific Name: Cedrela mexicana. MJ Roem.
- Lucumi: Opepe, Roko. and from the Congo: Nkunia Menga Tuiala
- Its owner is Shango.
For the Lucumí, the most sacred tree that exists is the cedar, where Shango rested under its shade when he was a fugitive. Its wood is recommended for making religious relics, instruments and attributes to the Orishas.
Its mysteries are numerous and in religion its wood cannot be burned, it is forbidden.
The amulets made with this tree cure all ills, so that nothing bad penetrates your home, it is enough to place a cedar cross tied with red ribbon behind the door of your house.
Its leaves are used as medicine for infusion and its resin in syrup for severe colds and to cure hemoptysis (expectoration of blood from the lungs), in powder form the sores are cured and the juice of its seeds calms the burning of bites.
The oldest say that in times of epidemic a piece of cedar is put into the drinking water and it is a healer.
7. Chorus
- Scientific Name: Acrocomia crispa, CF Baker
- Lucumi: Epó, Lufi and from the Congo: Gesi, Maba, Anyeta, Karende
- Corojo oil or butter: Masíngese, Masi maba, Masi maba anyeta.
From this fruit a butter is obtained that is especially spiritual and is consumed by all the orishas, except Obatalá.
To Elegguá, Ogún, Oshosi, Shangó, Babalú Ayé and Oyá, corojo butter is always spread on them and it is used as an ingredient for addimús (offerings) and for their cleanliness and well-being.
With it, the components of altars are also cleaned and the otás (stones) and snails are rubbed.
When Shango gets upset with his children and they acclaim their father's forgiveness, they must smear their stones and snails with corojo butter and honey for 6 days, putting something different as an offering each day, and on the last day they are offered to him. 2 roosters. Then their offerings are divided into 3 parts and taken to the palm, ceiba and loma.
Corojo butter is also used to ask the Orishas for help, and allows opening paths, finding work, money and love.
It also has important medicinal uses, as it relieves bruises, is a natural healing agent and strengthens the hair follicle.
8. Yarey
- Scientific Name: Corpernicia.Sp.
- Lucumi: Opé and from the Congo: Goroguáyo, Mabba, Diba
- Its absolute owner is Shango
With Yarey, an afoché (powder) is prepared to flee from justice, it is said that he makes the color of the skin change like a chameleon to sneak away. This powerful powder is prepared with the bark of the plant, together with the blood of an animal that eats the green leaves of this herb.
9. Piscuala
- Scientific Name: Quiscualis indica.Lin
- Lucumi: Momon
- Its owners are Shangó and the warrior Oyá
Its seeds are used by healers to remove parasites, and its leaves, flowers and roots in infusion are used to spread on the legs after having walked.
10. Mamey
- Scientific Name: Achras zapota. Lin.
- Bongolo (mamey from Santo Domingo)
- Lucumi: Emí and from the Congo: Nyúmba, Machafio, Nini Yanga
Plant that belongs to Shango, its seed is widely recognized for being used in jobs to curse, and make other people sick. As a medicinal use, its cooked seed is recommended to cure colitis.
Shango plants are power, fire and energy. They all offer us many benefits, not only medicinal, but they provide us with wonderful spiritual properties that help us grow and continue on the path with the strength of the Orisha.
Effective work: Lamp to Shango to win battles and open paths
An Adimú for Shango Opening paths and overcoming obstacles!
An Offering to Shango: Make a special request and give thanks
Ritual with Shango ≫ 3 cleansing baths to strengthen our path
Baños in the name of Chango: So that the warrior frees you from difficulties
