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Oxossi Herbs: Know their ritualistic meanings and uses!

Oxossi is an orisha known for being the protector and guardian of flora and fauna. His powers come from sacred leaves and herbs and his knowledge is directly linked to nature. Oxossi is also known as a hunter and his main tools are the bow and arrow.

In rituals, leaves and herbs are widely used, either in baths or in smoking. They are also responsible for removing negative energies, purifying body and spirit and bringing protection.

Oxossi leaves and herbs are mainly used for unloading, healing and balance. In this article, you will learn everything about this orisha, its sacred herbs and leaves and how to use them to your advantage. Keep reading!

In Umbanda, for example, the use of herbs and leaves from the Orixás is a practice that dates back to the beginning of time. Therefore, it is important to know who the saint is and what to do in a time of need. Below are all the details on how to use Oxossi herbs and leaves to your advantage. Check out!


Revered from north to south of Brazil, Oxóssi is the Lord of the Forests. In Umbanda, the Orisha is the son of Oxalá and Iemanjá. Legend has it that Oxossi was Ogun’s brother and Ossain’s apprentice. In another Itã, Oxóssi would have been Iemanjá’s first husband. But there are also those who say that this Orixá even dressed up as a woman to date Oxum, hidden from Oxalá.

Anyway, in all variations of African matrix religions, Oxossi is revered and recognized for his magical powers. By the way, it is worth remembering that Oxóssi, in Yoruba, is derived from Osowusi, which means “the popular night guardian”, “hunter or popular guardian”.


Everyone knows that religious syncretism is the mixture of two or more beliefs, which end up becoming a doctrine. An example of this was the colonization of Brazil, when Catholicism was “mixed” with some indigenous beliefs.

The same happened during the period of slavery. In Umbanda, a typically Brazilian religion, Oxossi is São Sebastião, protector of humanity against wars, hunger and disease. His day is January 20th.

However, also due to syncretism, in Pernambuco, Oxossi is the Archangel Michael. In Bahia, it’s São Jorge. Especially in Salvador, on the day of Corpus Christi, the Mass of Oxóssi is held annually, with the participation of the ialorixás of the White House of Engenho Velho.


Afro-Brazilian religions are based on the use of the four elements: water, earth, fire and air. However, the potentiation of these elements in Umbanda rituals, for example, is done through the leaves and herbs of each Orixá.

The explanation is that, in Umbanda, the juice of the stems, flowers, fruits and leaves is considered the sacred green “blood”. Green blood, for umbanda practitioners, is the element of connection with the astral, conducting the vibration of the orixá, in the consecration of heads, objects, guides and settlements.


Whether for protective, unloading and attraction baths or to smoke the environments before and during rituals, the herbs most used in Umbanda are lavender, rosemary, guinea and rue. This menu is also composed of benzoin, star anise, rose and caboclo vine.

In fact, over 100 different herbal and leaf qualities are part of rituals in Afro-Brazilian religions. But choosing the right herbs and leaves will depend on the objective of the work or the entity that is in the world.

For example, in an old black session, rue, basil, guinea and São Jorge sword are very common, which unload, clean the environment and bring protection.


According to the fundamentals of Umbanda, herbs can be classified as cold (for specific use and bring energy to a certain magnetic field); lukewarm (which act in the balance of energies, regenerating our astral field and our aura) and hot (which have a high energy cleaning and unloading power).

Cold herbs are also divided into energy, calming and attractive and have no contraindication. Warm or balancing herbs, as well as cold ones, can be used without contraindications and soften the impacts of hot herbs, which are the most aggressive and need to be used with care.


Oxossi prefers that his offerings be delivered in the woods or in the woods. But he never put his gifts to this Orisha in a vacant lot. You can offer Oxossi your adimu (food) and candles in green or white.

Oxossi drinks are sweet wine and beer. To make the adimu you will need a medium bowl, 7 ears of corn, palm oil, coconut oil, powdered smoked fish and cane molasses.

Roast the seven ears of corn already cleaned in a brazier and drizzle them while still hot, one by one with palm oil, coconut oil, cane molasses and smoked fish powder. Arrange the ears with the thinnest ends upwards in the bowl already lined with corn husks. Drizzle everything with sweet (white) wine. While preparing the adimu, recite the following:

Lord of the woods and wild life, at this moment, Father, I am your arrow.
I am the strength of your bow, I am all that is, agility, wisdom.

Make me, sovereign hunter, a successful person, and may there be plenty in my house.
Give me wisdom to act, peace to build my ideals, strength to always follow.

Oxossi, king of the woods, of the moon, of the blue sky, may I be as light as a bird that flies, free as a horse that runs, strong as an oak tree in the woods, straight as an arrow.

And may I win and be happy always!!!
Okê Arô, Oxossi!!!”

As the protector of the woods and forests, Oxossi has a very close relationship with the Orisha Ossain, who holds the secret of the sacred leaves and herbs. Even because Ossain was Oxossi’s mentor when it comes to the use of plants.

And each leaf, each herb, each mixture has a specific purpose. Next, everything about the main leaves and herbs of Oxossi and their uses. Keep reading!


Acacia is the popular name for a group of flowering shrubs, characteristic of northeastern Brazil. In Umbanda, the acacia used is Acacia-Jurema, a plant with psychoactive properties.

Also known as black jurema, the herb serves, in the Oxossi ritual, for baths to protect against nightmares and sleep protection. Classified as white jurema, it can be used in teas, incense and sacred smoke.


Oxossi, regent of farming and agriculture, has rosemary as one of his greatest sources of power. That’s because this herb has properties not only for cleaning and protection, but also attracts good luck, prosperity and inner peace.

In the Oxossi line, rosemary is used to compose the mixture of herbs that serve as smokers and cleaners in environments, especially before any ritual. By the way, in Umbanda, a ritual does not begin without a good smoke.


Basil is long known to healers for its expectorant and anti-inflammatory powers. This herb has also been widely used in Umbanda rituals, mainly in unloading baths and in the abôs of the children of Oxossi.

Alfavaca is indicated for opening paths and attracting good energy. If used dry in smoking, it helps eliminate spiritual larvae and wards off evil spirits. In the line of Oxóssi, basil occupies a prominent place, since the use of this herb in baths, for example, brings the children of the Orisha closer to the powers of nature.


Known as the “sponge” of the Universe, rue is widely used to remove and remove negative energies. Considered a hot herb, its powerful spiritual properties are able to chase away bad thoughts.

In rituals dedicated to Oxossi, rue is generally used fresh and in branches, which serve as instruments in blessings and passes. But remember: if the ritual is dedicated to Oxossi, the rue must be female.


Corn hair or corn beard can be used in baths for protection and prosperity in Oxossi rituals. This is because the corn hair contains, among others, properties of attracting wealth and abundance.

This herb is also used in jobs for the abundance offered to the Orisha. In the case of offerings, corn hair must be used in natura.


Originally from the northeastern backlands, caiçara is included among the leaves and herbs of Oxóssi. Despite being a common plant in the region, handling the herb in Umbanda needs to be careful.

This is because the caiçara bath is widely used to improve sexual performance, ward off envy and protect against negative fluids. The herb can also be offered as an ingredient, in the adimu of the Orisha.


In the Kingdom of Oxóssi we will also find the capeba or pariparoba. This herb brings together aura purification powers, energy field cleaning and mind clarity. In Oxossi rituals, capeba is the herb used in the initiation of mediums.

It can also be included in offerings to the Orisha. In this case, the herb serves as a lining for the bowl, where the adimu will be placed. The juice of macerated capeba is used, in Umbanda, to prepare the images for the obligation.


Lemongrass is indicated as a spiritual tranquilizer in the Oxossi line. Due to the relaxing mystical properties, the herb is used in baths, incense, smokers and even in teas.

The fresh branches of lemongrass, one of Oxossi’s favorites, can also be used to “cross” environments. In this way, the herb acts in the balance of energies, while expelling negativity. It is worth remembering that the fresh branches of lemongrass must be harvested before dusk.


Carapiá or counter-herb is originally from the region of Mata Atlântida, Caatinga and Cerrado. Despite being threatened with extinction, the root continues to be widely used by people from the forests, caboclos, indigenous people, sertanejos and quilombolas.

In Umbanda, carapiá is used in baths, smoke and in the preparation of rituals in the vibration of Oxóssi. Among lovers of shamanism, the root is used as a mind purifier.

In baths, it acts as a relaxant and in cleaning the aura. As it is a warm herb, it must be balanced with a cold herb, depending on the need of the situation. However, it should not be used by pregnant women as it has abortive properties.


For those who need to find a purpose in life, they need firmness…

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