It is always said that the omiero It is distinctive of Orisha and its preparation is never the same, since it represents the natural energy and strength of each one of them. And it is that the deities are demanding in terms of those natural formulas that the devotees perform in their honor.
So…
What is Omiero?
It is a liquid, made from herbs with healing properties that correspond to the Orishas and is often used in Yoruba religious ceremonies.
Omíero It means medicinal water and spiritual water and it is a revitalizer because it contains phytotherapeutic substances typical of each plant used, in addition to the energy provided by the Orisha who owns each herb.
It is an exponent of Afro-Cuban culture, with its symbols of syncretism and mixing.
How is the Omiero prepared?
To prepare the omiero, the herbs are previously stripped and the Ifá sign is prayed to grant the “Ashé”.
The Babalorisas and Iyalorisas also make this medicinal water with similar patterns, without praying the aforementioned Ifá sign.
El omiero For the initiation of the seat, it is made from plants that, due to their characteristics and properties, have been attributed magical qualities and have been associated with certain Orishas and other ingredients.
It is known as the sacred liquid to bathe the Iyawo or initiated during the ceremony, washing the otanes consecrated to the Orishas and the snails, necklaces and bracelets. The omiero it is also drunk.
And we must know that each Orisha has its characteristic plants, so its omiero It should be done only with those herbs and not with others, as there are herbs that represent taboo (forbidden) for one or the other Orisha.
However, the use of the different herbs and the elements that complement the Omiero, the so-called "suyeres" or songs dedicated mainly to Ozain, are not usually disclosed among those outside the Rule of Ocha, it is a sacred secret of religion.
How is the Omiero used?
As we have explained, from the plants, through certain ritual procedures, the spiritual water is extracted with the force of the Orisha to make the liquid called Omiero with which the otá (stones), objects and religious attributes that in a certain number represent the divinities.
This sacred water is also used on some occasions as a drink and to take baths and purify the devotees and ward off bad energies.
The attributes of the Orishas must be washed with this liquid in order to cleanse the astral they brought and bring them to a level of spiritual purity.
And the human must also wash with this water to cleanse his astral and ward off the bad vibes and energies that are present.
Of the elements that complement the omiero some are known as rainwater, river, sea and holy water, brandy, honey, cascarilla, corojo butter, cocoa butter, among others.
Herbs to prepare Omiero a los Orishas
The powers of nature are attributed to the Orishas of the Yoruba pantheon, and therefore, their representation is also in plants and in their properties.
Thus, each Orisha has its representative herb and flower, the one that makes its characteristic Omiero and those that are used for its offerings. With them the devotee shows his devotion and his faith to the Orisha and thanks him.
We now show several representative plants and flowers of the Orishas.
Herbs for omiero de Elegguá
- Guava
- Menta
- Road opener
- zarazo
- Marjoram
- Buttercup, Gold Button
- siguaraya
- Prodigious
- Scorpion
- Fine Grass
- Bitter Broom
- God of the Day
- Purslane
- Cilantro Grape
- Mighty hand
- Firebush, Scarlet Bush, Coral
Herbs for omiero from Obatalá
- Acacia-white paradise
- White strenna
- Cotton
- White bell
- Water flower
- Marble flower
- White Mauve
- Galán at night
- Ubi vine
- Holy cane
- Freshness
- Ivy
- White rosemary
- White elderberry
- Fine grass.
Herbs for omiero de Shango
- Poplar
- Algarrobo
- Ceiba
- Curujey
- Filigree
- Geranium
- Grenguere
- African ero leaves
- Kola leaves
- Jaguey
- Ginger
- Job
- Red mangrove
- Pacific Ocean
- Wonder stabbed
- Palma de Mallorca
- Peony
- siguaraya
- Tuna
- Yagruma
- Good herb
Herbs for omiero de Oshún
- Open the way
- Gold button
- Water flower
- Dead flower
- Sunflower
- Water lily
- Yellow wonder
- Do not forget me.
- Basil
- Seedling
- Well maidenhair
- cundeamor
- Soap
- Parra
- Rosemary
- Yerba de la Niña and Yerba de la Vieja
Herbs for omiero de Yemayá
- Basil
- Indigo
- Sagebrush
- Ashibata or water lily
- Belladona
- Caisimon
- Coriander
- Ten of the day
- Blue water flower
- Coast incense
- Jagua
- Jiqui
- Umbrella
- Paste chicken
- Verbena
- Purslane
- Yagruma
Herbs for omiero de Oggún
- Purple bell
- Holy thistle
- Dead flower
- Guizazo from Baracoa
- Cow tongue
- Vicar.
- Scorpion
- Poplar
- Cordoban
- Coast incense
- Ponas
- Tuna
- yerba toad
- Fine yerba
Herbs for omiero de Orula
- Purple strenna
- Wonderful
- Yellow rosemary
- cundeamor
- Foot of chicken
- Smelly yerba
Herbs for Oshosi omiero
- White strenna
- Basket vine
- Holy thistle
- Firebush, Scarlet Bush, Coral
- Yellow cab
- Sleeping
- Enchantment
- Guamá
- Female fern
- Coast incense
- Prodigious
Herbs for omiero Oyá
- purple basil
- Carolina
- Cordoban
- Cockroach
- Flamboyan
- Bankrupt ax
- Yagruma yerba de garro
Herbs for omiero de los Jimaguas Ibeyis
- Anon
- Canister
- Custard apple
- Soursop
- Guava
- Mamey from Santo Domingo
- Baby
- Mango
- Orange
- Pineapple
- platanillo
- rompezaragüey
- Zapote Office
- Sarsaparilla
All the plants of the Orishas are sacred, powerful, that purify and give their Ashe to those who use them. It is important to know them and have the necessary knowledge to make use of them, on this depends our development in offerings, works and rituals.
Baths with Ruda and Romero in the name of the protective spirits
Work with Ginger and its spiritual meaning
