A Few Herbs Used in Root Work
September 27, 2007 by
Root doctor is a folklore term for a healer that uses plants, especially the roots of herbs, for their magical, healing and spiritual powers. Root working is an ancient southern tradition originating from West Africa and the Caribbean and brought to North
America by slaves. Root working combines elements of herbal folklore, spirituality, magic and healing.
Root working is associated with the folk magic belief system called Hoodoo. According to author Stephanie Rose Bird in her book Four Seasons of Mojo Hoodoo "...is not a religion but a collection of folk practices involving magic and healing." Roots are most commonly used as one of the ingredients found in a mojo bag. Mojo bags are a small pouch, often made out of red flannel, which contain a variety of herbs, gemstones and personal objects that the user wears close their body as a type of magic amulet.
A few examples of some of the more popular plants used by root workers include:
Adam & Eve Root (Aplectrum hyemale) - used in love magic, happiness and fidelity spells. Due to over harvesting this plant is now endangered or threatened in many states. You may substitute Orchis spp. in its place. This plant is most often sold in pairs of male and female shaped roots.
Angelica Root (Angelica archangelica) - AKA root of the Holy Ghost or Archangel root. Used in protection spells, to cure ills and in strength and hex breaking spells.
Devils' Shoestrings (Viburnum spp.) - this roots magical uses include invisibility, good luck charm, new job, protection and spells to ward off evil.
High John the Conqueror (Ipomoea jalapa) - this plant is a member of the morning glory family. High John's magical uses include confidence, health, love, luck, money, protection, strength and success spells.
Lo John the Conqueror (Trillium grandiflorum) - the magical associations attributed to this herb include aphrodisiac, double money, spell breaking, psychic ability, love magic, love, luck, win at court, protection and health. This plant is sometimes called beth root (Trillium erectum) which, due to its slow reproduction rate, is threatened with over harvesting in the wild.
Root working is associated with the folk magic belief system called Hoodoo. According to author Stephanie Rose Bird in her book Four Seasons of Mojo Hoodoo "...is not a religion but a collection of folk practices involving magic and healing." Roots are most commonly used as one of the ingredients found in a mojo bag. Mojo bags are a small pouch, often made out of red flannel, which contain a variety of herbs, gemstones and personal objects that the user wears close their body as a type of magic amulet.
A few examples of some of the more popular plants used by root workers include:
Adam & Eve Root (Aplectrum hyemale) - used in love magic, happiness and fidelity spells. Due to over harvesting this plant is now endangered or threatened in many states. You may substitute Orchis spp. in its place. This plant is most often sold in pairs of male and female shaped roots.
Angelica Root (Angelica archangelica) - AKA root of the Holy Ghost or Archangel root. Used in protection spells, to cure ills and in strength and hex breaking spells.
Devils' Shoestrings (Viburnum spp.) - this roots magical uses include invisibility, good luck charm, new job, protection and spells to ward off evil.
High John the Conqueror (Ipomoea jalapa) - this plant is a member of the morning glory family. High John's magical uses include confidence, health, love, luck, money, protection, strength and success spells.
Lo John the Conqueror (Trillium grandiflorum) - the magical associations attributed to this herb include aphrodisiac, double money, spell breaking, psychic ability, love magic, love, luck, win at court, protection and health. This plant is sometimes called beth root (Trillium erectum) which, due to its slow reproduction rate, is threatened with over harvesting in the wild.
To explain what folk magic is. To give a little history behind the practice and explain what it is about.
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Posted on 09/27/2007 at 7:09:00 AM