Orisha and Palo Herbs

New World Herbs used in the religious

practices of the Lukumi, including herbs used
in Palo, and for spiritual baths

This list includes Ewe Osain as listed in the film “Osain: 121 Herbs of Santería”, and in
the book "El Monte" by the ethnographer Lydia Cabrera. The film title is misleading -
many of the herbs listed are not used in Lukumi (Santeria) but are used in other types
of ceremonies; in Palo, for misas espirituales etc.

I have referenced the herbs from the film that are mentioned in El Monte - with the page
numbers, and have searched various plant databases on the net - providing pictures of
those herbs I could find. I have also included other herbs - not mentioned in either.
Click on the linked plant names to see pictures.

This is a work in progress. I have not finished finding photos - nor wading through
Cabrera, but decided to put up what I have for now. I'd like to thank my godson Jesse
Hathaway-Diaz for the work he put in doing transcribing, and for alerting me to the
video.

Please feel free to contact me if you have corrections or additional data you'd like me
to upload.

I am also in the process of collecting seeds - and attempting to grow as many of the
herbs we use in ceremonies and religious practice as I can - and am working with Oba's
to identify other herbs and plants (North American) that are also eligible for use in our
practices.

Click on my name to contact me:

Denise

Thanks for visiting

(L) = Lukumi term

(C) = Congolese term

(Cab) indicates that the name and or information found in Cabrera differs from the
information from the film.

Latin Nomenclature Cuban Spanish Lucumi / Congo English Owner or Use

Eupatorum villosum Abre Camino Bitter Bush, Shrubby

Thoroughwort

Canela alba Palo Malambo (C) Nkunia Mpeka White Cinnabar Tree, Palo - p.504
Wild Cinnamon Tree
(Nkunia Mpeka) El Monte

Nyctaginaceae  Atipola red spiderling, Obatala &

Boerhavia Diffusa
Hogweed Elegua

El Monte

p. 332

Oxandra lanceolata Yaya (L)Yáyá, Echi West Indian Shango

Lancewood
(C) Koromeni, El Monte
Mbékese
p. 555 Palo

Phyllanthus augustifolia Panetela Foliage Flower

Hibiscus rosa sinensis Mar Pacifico Hibiscus, Rose of

China

Punica granatum Granada (L)Oroko, Mayaku, Pomegranate Oya, Chango

Yayekú-Kansoré
 El Monte

p. 432

Stachytarpheta Verbena Jamaican Vervain,

jamaicensis Blue Snakeweed
note - not to be confused with
Verbena - in English
Blue Porterweed

Verbena officinalis  Vervain
(Cab) (L) Ewe orukan,  Yemaya
Orrioyo
El Monte p. 
552

Pilea microphylla Frescura (L) Ewe rú matán. Artillery Plant Ochun, Yemay
Tutu
El Monte

p. 427

Pistia stratiodes Flor de Agua Water Lettuce, Shell

Flower
(Cabrera has this as
a different plant -
see Eichornia, Yemaya
Kunth Water Hyacinth
Eichornia azurea, Kunth p. 425

Caesalpinia major Quita Maldicion Wait A Bit Plant El Monte

Nickar bean plant p.535

Melia azadirachta Paraiso (L) Ibayo, Yiya Paradise Tree, Neem Shango
Tree
El Monte

p. 510
Mirabilis jalapa Maravilla Roja (L) Ewe Ewa, Four-O’Clock Plant, Obatala, Oya
Inkuallo Marvel of Peru Yewa

(C) Boddulé El Monte

p. 486

Abutilon theophrasti Boton de Oro Hairy Indian Mallow,

Velvet Leaf

Parthenium Escoba Amarga (L) Eggweniyé False Ragweed Babaluaye

hysterophorus
(C) Báombo El Monte

p. 419

Bryophyllum pinnatum Prodigiosa Life Plant, Cathedral

Bells, Air Plant
Kalanchoe Pinnata

Isocarpha cubana Manzanilla (L) Nikirio Cuban Isocarpha

Chrysanthellum (C) Dúnbuande

americanum(Cab)
African Wild Daisy

Callicarpa americana Filigrama American Shango(?)

Beautyberry,
Beautyberry

Heliotropium Alacrancillo Indian Heliotrope Obatala

campechianum

(L) Aguéyi Also Ochun

Heliotropium indicum and Oké
(Cab)
(C ) Blwoto El Monte

p.298

Trichilia havanensis Siguaraya or (L) Atori Cuban Trichilia Shango,

Ciguaraya Eleggua
(C) Insso or Tinso,
Nsimba dian finda El Monte

p.544

Piper hispidum Platanillo de Cuba (L)Olúbbo Jamaican Pepper Shango

(Bayuyo) El Monte

p. 526

Eupatorium odoratum Rompe Saraguey (L) Tabaté Siam Weed, Bitter El Monte
Bush Triffid Weed,
(C) Ntema dián finda p. 538

Cecropia peltata Yagruma (L) Iggi Oggugú Trumpet Tree, Obatala

Embauba, Trompettier,
(C) Matiti Snake Wood, Bois
Cannon

El Monte

p. 554

Clerodendrum fragrans Mil Flores Cologne Bush, Oya, Yewa

 Glory Bower El Monte

Honolulu Rose p. 490

Psidium guajaba Guayaba (L) Kénku Tropical Guava, Eleggua

Guava
(C) Guánkibilúnga El Monte

Nfuruta p.439

Solanum nigrum Yerba Mora (L) Atoré, Efodá Black nightshade Ogun, Yemaya

Petty Morel, p. 562

Poisonberry, Garden
Nightshade is poison

Petiveria alliacea Anamu (L) Yéna, Anamu, Congo Root , Guinea Forbidden in
Ochisán Henweed houses of ocha

El Monte

p. 323

is an abortive

Cucurbita pepo Calabaza (L) Elegueddé Squash or pumpkin Ochun

(C ) Male, Malenque,
Makóngue,

Maluka, Macuke,
Yúmúrú

Corchorus siliquosus Malva te (L) Dédé Slippery Elm, Oshun

(C ) Dubue Slippery Burr El Monte

 p. 483

Momordica charantia Cundiamor Bitter Melon, Balsam Babaluaye

Pear

Antigonon leptopus Coralillo Rosado (L) Cháuko Coral Vine, Queen’s Oya
Wreath
El Monte

p.410

Bidens pilosa Romerillo Spanish Needle,

Cobbler’s Peg

Hairy Beggarticks,
Farmer’s Friend

Blechum brownei Mazorquilla Green Shrimp Plant

Cupania americana Guará (L) Guará. Agagwan Candlewood, Wild Oya

Ackee
(C) Nyuko (some attribute
to Dada)
( Cab) Cupania
cubensis El Monte

p.437

Argemone mexicana Cardo Santo (L) Iká, Agogó, Mexican Ogun

Igbéelégún Pricklepoppy,
Goatweed (some attribute
( C) Cando eré to Obatala)
 El Monte

p. 369

Hura crepitans Salvadera (L) Ewe gú, Sandbox Tree El Monte

Arónica

p.541

Achyranthes aspera Rabo de Gato Devil’s Horsewhip, Elegua,

Prickly Chaff Flower Ibeji’s

El Monte

p.535

Salvia officinalis Salvia de Castilla (L)Kiriwi Sage Obatala

(Cab) (C) Vititi Léka

Salvia odoratus Salvia Sweetscent, Salt- Babalú Ayé

marsh Fleabane,

cattle tongue

Duranta repens No Me Olvides Golden Dewdrop,

Sapphire Showers

Sky Flower
Sanseveria zeylanica Lengua de Mujer Mother-In-Law’s
Tongue, Bowstring
Hemp

Sanseveria goldiana Lengua de Vaca Snake Plant

Origanum majorana Mejorana Marjoram, Sweet El Monte

Marjoram
p. 488

Annona muricata Guanabana (L) Iggi omó fúnfún Brazilian Paw Paw, Obatala
Soursop Tree
Gwánillo, El Monte
Nichularafún
p.435

(C) Ombándinga

Cordia alba Uva Gomosa Rainforest Laurel,

White Manjack

Alpinia speciosa Colonia Shell Ginger

Lepidium virginicum Mastuerzo (L) Eribo Virginia Pepperweed Elegua

El Monte ,

p. 487

Sonchus oleraceus Cerraja Sow Thistle

Nephrolepis exaltata Imo Hembra Wild Boston Fern

Gynodon dactylon Yerba Fina Bermuda Grass

Mentha Sativa Yerba Buena Eferín ewe Ka, Amasi Yemaya

El Monte

p.557

Piper auritum Caisimon de Anis Anise Piper, Eared

Pepper

Amaranthus spinosus Bledo Carbonero Spiny Amaranth,

Spiny Pigweed

Amaranthus viridis Bledo Blanco (L) Lobé, Tété Slender Amaranth Obatalá

El Monte p.34

W. Ramos

Ewé teté

Flamboyant, Royal Shango and

Poinciana Oya
Delonix regia Framboyan, (L)Iggi Támbina,
Flamboyan Ináweko El monte

p. 426

Bursera simaruba Almacigo (L) Iggi Addama. Gumbo Limbo Tree, Eleggua,
Moyé, Tourist Tree Shango

Iluke
(Cab) Elaphrium
Simaruba ( C) Imbi iye El Monte
 p321

Vinca rosea alba Vicaria Blanca or White Periwinkle Obatala

Purisima Blanca y
Morada
El Monte

p. 552

Platycerium bifurcatum Cuerno de Arsi Staghorn Fern

Coix lacryma jobi Caña Santa Job’s Tears

(Cab) Costus spicatus Caña Santa Indianhead Ginger Ogun

El Monte

p.367

Justicia pectoralis Tilo Freshcut Herb

Aloe vera Sabila, Sabilla Aloe vera Yemaya

El Monte

p. 540
Pedilanthus Itamorreal Devil’s Backbone
tithymaloides

Zibgiber officinale Jengibre Ginger, Common

Giner

Codiaeum variegatum Lluvia de Oro Croton

Dracaena draco Drago Dragon Tree

Codiaeum variegatum Croto Croton

Colocasia esculentum Malanga Elephant’s Ear

Breynia nivosa Nevada Snobush, Sweetpea

Bush

Oxalis corniculata Vinagrillo Creeping Wood

Sorrel, Yellow Wood
Sorrel

Commelina communis Canutillo Asiatic Dayflower

Nephrolepis cordifolia Imo Macho Sword Fern

Crescentia cujete Guira Calabash Tree, Gourd

Tree

Costus barbatus Cana Mexicana Spiral Ginger, Red

Tower Ginger

Tradescantia zebrina Cucaracha Wandering Jew

Hamelia patens Parami Scarletbush, Firebush

Lantana involucrate Yerba de la Sangre Wild Sage

Acacia farnesiana Aroma Amarilla Sweet Acacia,

Sponge Tree

Ipomoea indica Aguinaldo Morado Blue Dawn Flower,

Morning Glory

Colubrina reclinata Palo Amargo Soldierwood

Picrasma excelsa Varia Bitter Ash tree,

Jamaica Quassi Tree

Chrysobalanus icaco Moruro Coco Plum

Casearia sylvestris Palo Hueso Wild Coffee Tree,

Guacatonga Tree

Mastichodendron Jocuma Mastic Tree, Wild

foetidissimum Mastic Tree

Amyris balsamifera Cuaba Blanca Balsam Amyris,

Amyris Torchwood

Trophis reacemosa Palo Ramon White Ramon Tree

Tillandsia flexuosa Curujey Banded Airplant,

Twisted Airplant

Erythroxylon areolatum Jiba Coca Shrub

Arthrostylidium Tibisi Cuban Bamboo
cubensis

Nectandra minima Palo Boniato Cuban Laurel,

Sweetwood Tree

Eugenia ligustrina Guairaje Birchberry Tree,

Privet Stopper Tree

Hyperbaena cubensis Palo Chicharron Cuban Hyperbaena

Chiococca alba Bejuco Berraco West Indian

Milkberry Tree,
Snowberry Tree

Comocladia dentata Guao de Costa Maiden Plum Tree

Gossypium herbaceum Algodon Arabian Cotton

Treee, Pale Yellow
Cotton Tree

Ficus aurea Jaguey Hembra Strangler Fig Tree

Clusia rosea Copey Autograph Tree,

Balsam Apple Tree

Priva lappulacea Pega Pollo Stick Tights, Fasten

Pon Coat

Hibiscus elatus Majagua Cuban Mahoe, Blue

Mahoe

Euphorbia lacteal Cardon Candelabra Cactus,

 False Cactus

Guarea trichilioides Palo Yamao American

Muskwood,
Ballwood

Bourreria virgata Raspa Lengua Stongback Leaf Plant

Chrysophyllum Caimitillo Satin Leaf Tree

oliviforme

Zanthoxylum fagara Limoncillo Lime Pricklyash Tree

Ficus crassinervia Jaguey macho Wild Fig Tree, Ficus

trigonata

Tabebuia rosea Roble Negro Pink Tacoma , Pink

Trumpet Tree

Samanea saman Algarrobo Rain Tree,

Monkeypod Tree

Coccoloba uvifera Uva Caleta Sea Grape Tree

Nerium oleander Adelfa Oleander Tree

Bucida bucera Jucaro Negro Black Olive Tree

Pinus caribaea Pino Macho Caribbean Pine

Cajanus cajan Gandul Pigeon Pea Shrub

Rhizophora mangle Mangle Rojo Red Mangrove Tree

Terminalia catappa Almendra Indian Almond Tree,

Flase Kamani Tree

Merremia umbellata Aguinaldo Amarillo Yellow Morning

Glory, Sweet William

Moringa frances Paraiso Frances Horseradish Tree,

Ben-Oil Tree

Cassia occidentalis Yerba Hedionda Coffee Senna Tree

Byrsonima lucida Doncella Locust Berry

Platygyne hexandra Ortiguilla Cuban Stinging

Nettle

Musa sapientum Platano Banana Tree

Tababuia vitex Vencedor Macho Cuban Tabebuia

Turnea ulmifolia Marilope Yellow Alder

Persea americana Aguacate Avocado, Alligator

Pear

Jatropha curcas Pinon Botija Barbados Nut Tree,

Physic Nut Tree

Eclipta prostrata Espanta Muerto False Daisy, Tattoo

Plant