Herbs in umbanda: hot, warm and cold herbs, from the Orixás and more!

There are many uses for herbs in Umbanda. Of course they are a fundamental part of liturgies and offerings, but the application is much wider. In addition to helping with the processes of cleaning up bad energy, herbs also help attract blessings and, of course, expand mediumship.

They should preferably be harvested between the waxing and full moon, when the sap and energy of the plant are more concentrated in the leaves. In general, the ideal time to harvest is in the morning, very early, but this depends on each Orisha or objective. That’s because, depending on the herb, it can even have a negative effect or for a different Saint, at certain times of the day.

That’s why anyone can prepare and use herbs in Umbanda, but it’s important to know what you’re doing. After all, they are full of energy and it may be that your choice is not the most suitable or some detail is left out. Therefore, it is important to have the guidance of a Mãe or Pai de Santo or someone experienced before using it.

If you don’t have anyone you can trust to guide you or prefer to make your choices on your own, then it’s worth studying. Also, use your intuition during the selection and preparation process, as well as common sense. Here’s everything you need to know to get started!

There are three main ways of using herbs in Umbanda: the famous baths, smoke and rituals. Each ritual has its process and must be done according to your intuition or the guidance received. It can be from the preparation of a patuá or amulet, or even a specific request.

Baths and smokes, in general, are done with a certain standard, except when there is some guidance different from your guide. Understand what to do before, during and after each one of them. See also how to prepare correctly and what are the main benefits of each one.

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Herbal baths in Umbanda are a tool to achieve a specific goal. They can be used to clean the body’s magnetic field, attract more luck, protect against attacks, increase mediumship and many other purposes.

They should preferably be done with the guidance of a specialist and are usually applied from the neck down. That way, they don’t hit the Ori – top of the head or crown chakra, as it would be too strong for such a sensitive and open field.

It can be done in many ways, each with its indications and caveats. All of them will work, but there are those who prefer not to maintain physical contact with the preparation, while others believe that the energy of those who prepared it only helps the result. Check each one out and decide which one is best for you:

No contact: from adding water to the pot to washing the leaves, maceration (if using) and boiling (if using), nothing can come into contact with the skin of the person who prepares it. Thus, it guarantees that only the energy of the herbs will be used and not of those who prepared it;

With contact: unlike the previous one, there is constant contact with the person during preparation. Of course, she must be harmonized and in tune with the Sacred to do this correctly. In this case, washing, placing the leaves in a pan or pestle, crushing them… everything is done in contact with the skin and loaded with intention, that is, focusing on the purpose of the bath;

Boiled: Some herbs should not be boiled at all, but can be heated. The bath made with heating has the fire element, which can make a difference in the result. Thus, the choice between the use or not of bath heating is strategic to achieve the expected result. Many baths are done this way, with the heating of water and herbs;

Cold: there is also the option of macerating the herbs with an appropriate pestle or even with your hands, depending on the guide’s choice. The plants are macerated with a little water and added little by little, if necessary.river, until you have the correct amount for the herbal bath.

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The smokes are indicated for the house or even objects and people. As always, it’s important to know what you’re doing and seek guidance first. It is usually made with charcoal and chosen herbs. Natural incense or the proper resin can also be used. See some ways and uses of herbal smoking in Umbanda:

For cleaning the house: to clean up denser energies in your home or sacred space, light the charcoal and when it is on fire, place it in the thurible, cauldron or clay bowl. Start by smoking from the innermost room to the outermost, always focusing on cleanliness. Finish burning at the front door and bury the ashes or throw them into the sea or river.

For the protection of the house: after cleaning, you can magnetize the house, imbue it with a higher energy of protection. To do this, just do the same process, but from the outside to the inside, ending at the place where the cleaning started. Likewise, bury ashes or dispose of in moving water

Herbs for smoking: there are herbs best suited for cleaning, others for protection and many others for other purposes. In addition to analyzing these points, it is also important to see the herb’s relationship with your Orisha or guide, as some have a closer vibration and can give you better results. Also, the quantity used must always follow an odd number, preferably number 3.

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The benefits of herbs in Umbanda are immense, from the treatment of physical, energetic or spiritual ailments. They also help reinforce protection in your magnetic field and expel evil energies and entities. In addition, the water or fuel for burning used can enhance the results.

For example, sea water is perfect for cleaning, energy renewal and protection baths. On the other hand, rainwater – especially storms – and river water are great for changes and self-knowledge. You can also use water energized by the moon, using the phase that best suits your purpose.

The fuel for burning for smoking can be the herb itself, keeping only the indicated energy. Other options are charcoal (the kind used for barbecues), which brings Yang energy, or smoked chips, which can even be orange, apple, pecan and others.

Each herb has its properties and knowing them helps in the choice process, with the adequacy of the bath or smoking. Learn more about the main herbs of each Orixá, what are the famous hot, warm and cold herbs and be more prepared to use the herbs properly.

There are three types of herbs in Umbanda: the hot ones, which are more aggressive; warm herbs, with more balancing energy; and cold herbs, which have specific uses. If you use the wrong herb, with improper application, it can disturb the result or even worse, mess up your energy field.

In other words, don’t use any herbs just because you’ve read that they have such benefits. Understand more deeply what they are and how to use each one of them correctly. In addition, it is important to know the affinity of the chosen herbs with their Orixás or guides. Learn more about each one.

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Hot herbs are powerful but dangerous if you don’t know how to work. They help eliminate astral larvae, miasms and other types of dense or negative energy from the aura and the environment. On the other hand, they can profoundly unbalance the energy balance, creating flaws in the magnetic field, if used indiscriminately.

In other words, they are very aggressive against invading energies and their own energy. So, it is essential to know how, for how long and in what way to use these herbs in Umbanda or in the tradition that you follow.

Examples of hot herbs: bicho herb, guinea, purple peregum, rue, mastic, black jurema, purple pine, bamboo, demand break, São Jorge sword, tobacco, garlic peel, onion and many others.

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Warm herbs are also very powerful, but more gentle on your energy field. They help balance and reconstitute the aura, energizing and assisting in energy fluidity. They can also be used for cleaning, but they are perfect to be used as a complement to hot herbs, reducing their impact.

They can be used daily and do not need as much guidance on their use in general. But it is clear that, when it comes to herbs in Umbanda, it is essential to analyze whether there is any incompatibility with their Orixás and whether it really serves the determined purpose.

Examples of warm herbs: sage, basil, cane from the swamp, Santa Maria herb, basil, verbena, rosemary, marjoram, mint, caboclo vine, umbaúba, angico and many others.

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Cold herbs can be used normally without restrictions, however they do not apply to cleansing or protection only. Each of them has specific uses and a unique vibration pattern, which helps with spells, requests and the like. For example, they are used by mediums, to open paths and even to attract luck.

These herbs in Umbanda are divided into attractive, energetic and calming. Attractors are used when you want to attract something good into your life. Energetics help boost projects or bring more vitality. Soothing plants help to slow down, calm down and leave a milder situation.

Examples of cold herbs: macela flower, cotton, star anise, jasmine, laurel, nutmeg, wormwood, angelica, sandalwood, Santa Luzia herb, milfoil, imburana and many others.

Another way to classify herbs in Umbanda is through their corresponding Orisha. For this, the Jêje-Nagô traditions classify plants according to appearance, color, where they are found, texture and many other attributes. In general, the darker leaves belong to the male Orixás and the lighter ones to the female ones.

Similarly, succulents are typically more feminine and those with thorns and hives are masculine. But that’s a generalization, as the 4 elements, size, shape and even the smell are also considered to define which Holy each herb belongs to.

Another important point in the treatment of herbs in Umbanda is the use of the active verb or Ofó. Ofó is a Yoruba phrase that helps activate the power of the plant, but it can also be verbs in Portuguese, which have a similar effect.

There are a total of 256 combinations (Ofós) that refer to the name of the herb, its expected action and other attributes. It must be used when preparing tea, bathing, smoking or magic, in order to activate its properties.

Both the active verb and the Ofó work to strengthen the intention of using the plant. Ofó, at first, may seem to make no sense when translated – but it acts in a veiled way like a prayer, strengthening the…

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