Yoruba medicine Resource
Tradition has it that many Orishas (deities/divinities) play a significant role in the life of the Yorùbás nevertheless in this form of medicine. And with this “Osanyin/Osain” or ‘the whispering genie’ is deemed one of the more important.
Osain is associated with the domination over all wild herbs, and is considered by most practitioners as the greatest herbalist that ever lived. There are so many herbs and plants that can be used in healing, that only someone with a “trained eyed” can take full advantage of their functions. For instance, a stipulation of concession has it that although plants and herbs have purely their “medicinal value”, they also carry “mystical value”.
The “Osainista” is said to be an expert in local herbology; possessing the “know how” on herbs and plants; correctly gathering the necessary herbs and plants for the right cause. Some plants are to be gathered at certain times of the day or night. Certain plants are meant to be exposed to the necessary incantation(s) and implementation of offerings in order to reap adequate results. As said before there are a multitude of Orisha’s each with their physical qualities and herbal attributes, each sometimes interwoven into one another.[10]