Table 3 Reported blood purifying, cleansing, detoxifying or strengthening plant species in East Africa with spiritual/ritual uses
Plant | Spiritual/ritual uses | References |
|---|---|---|
Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook. F. ex Benth | Treat conditions caused by witchcraft, spirits and “magic,’’ i.e. chase away bad spirits | |
Cleome gynandra L | For rituals | Musinguzi et al. 2006 |
Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Delile | Used in rituals against evil spirits and against witchcraft (as protection) | |
Cuscuta L. species | Used by bad people to make others roam up and down without settling. To grow taller if you are below 23 years; the plant leaves is mixed with mucuna seed powder and taken with milk at night | Quick Herbal Remedies Uganda 2018 |
Entada abyssinica A. Rich | Used in rainmaking rituals and to cleanse twins and religious ceremonies. Used with some incantations in cases where lightning stroke a person or near a home, to cleanse the family from evils that caused the incidence | |
Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex D.C | Used in rituals and for protection from evil spirits. It is planted on graves and in religious ceremonies for Manni (a god) | |
Euclea divinorum Hiern | Given to candidates during initiation by the Sebei of Uganda or used in important “koresek” (Sebei) ceremonies (rituals of purification). The root and bark are made into a soup which is taken as a tonic among Sebei of Uganda, Maasai and Batemi of Tanzania | |
Kigelia africana Lam | Used in rituals, especially against evil spirits. Fruits if applied on a girls’ nipples make the breasts grow long, make her ugly and she cannot be married | |
Lantana trifolia L | Roots and stems used for cleansing and blessing animals. Used in many rituals, including those involving livestock | |
Lannea schweinfurthii Engl | Roots boiled and then the bewitched washes in the water, which is poured out at the nearest road junction | Hines and Eckman 1993 |
Olea capensis* | A sacred tree used during the ceremony of initiating the olorip-olasar (a highly respected young leader among the Maasai of Kenya). The night after his selection, he leans against one of the trees regarded as “peaceful” or “harmless” without flinching | Maundu et al. 2001 |
Osyris lanceolata | Treating conditions caused by witchcraft, spirits and magic | Schlage et al. 2000 |
Urtica massaica Mildbr | Plants are cut and placed in a sting line of two rows where boys for circumcision run through it several times until their bodies are numb, making them ready for the ritual | Amuka et al. 2014 |
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal | Intestinal parasites introduced by witchcraft | Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk 1962 |