killerplants.com | Herbal Folklore | Herbal Folklore Archives Most Recent | Free Newsletter Signup

What houseplant was used in voodoo?

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Voodoo djembe drum, Wood mask, 'Ghost'—>Click here.

The dumbcanes (Dieffenbachia Schott spp.) are native to tropical America. The genus has been well known for hundreds of years as being toxic. The plants contain an undefined proteolytic (protein breaking) enzyme and microscopic needle-like oxalate crystals (raphides) within the leaves and stem.

National Geographic's Store has great gift ideas.

Taboo DVD Collection
As seen on the National Geographic Channel. Complex and controversial, this mesmerizing National Geographic Channel hit series offers an insider's view of closed worlds traditionally off-limits to outsiders. Witness stunning stories from the first two seasons about rituals and traditions so shocking that you can't help but be attracted to them. Taboo crosses the barriers of modern society and explores the diversity of the human race where the secret, sacred, and eccentric are part of the everyday experience of humanity.

Season One episodes:
Tattoo, Witchcraft, Healers, Drugs, Food, Bloodsports, Voodoo, Marriage, Death, Sexuality, Tests of Faith, Rites of Passage, Evil Spirits
Season Two episodes:
Delicacies, Child Rearing, After Death, Justice, Creature Cures, Body Perfect, Outcasts, Sacred Pain, Extreme Entertainers, Blood Bonds, Gross Work, Marks of Identity, Initiation. Click here.

Care should be taken around dumbcanes, but seldom is there actual ingestion. The pain is immediate; the tongue and lining of the mouth swell and the vocal cords become paralyzed. Propagating the plants from cuttings can cause a rather nasty rash if the sap contacts the skin.

The herbal uses of dumbcanes are dark; the plants were used to manipulate both people and animals. Small amounts of the toxins are self-limiting; the victim recovers within a period of hours or days.

Voodoo practitioners depend upon belief and fear. Extracts of dumbcane slipped into food or drink enforced both. A person's voice could be stolen as a warning, a little more extract and the victim asphyxiated as the throat swelled closed.

In his article 'Voodoo Can Kill You', Homer Montgomery (University of Texas-Dallas Archaeology) mentions that besides magic, Jamaican dumbcane (Dieffenbachia seguine) became the preferred method of plantation owners to punish slaves who spoke out.

In Central America, other 'magical' uses were found for Dieffenbachia. The stems of dumbcane were used as prods to control cattle. It did not take too many pokes with the irritating ramrod to force a recalcitrant cow back to its own pasture. And it is said the loteria, (Dieffenbachia longispatha) predicts lucky lottery numbers. One only need count the spots on the new leaves.

VescHort has photographs of dumbcane. To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://www.wschowa.com/abrimaal/araceum/dieffenbachia/dieffenbachia.htm

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Wood djembe drum, 'Bosom na Nworaba and Nyansapow'

NOVICA®

Ernestina Oppong infuses the acumen of Ghanaian culture into this hand-crafted djembe drum. The moon and star form a duet known as Bosom na Nworaba, complemented by the nyansapow symbol, meaning "only a wise man can undo a wise knot." Traditionally a drum used in the voodoo rituals of Benin, this piece will certainly find a place in your musical repertoire. —>Click here for price and more info...

Oppong combines a passion for carving with music, resulting in traditional instruments with contemporary flair. Tweneboa, a kind of hardwood, provides the body for the drum; its golden tone highlighting the engaging designs. Oppong applies shoe and mansion polish to enhance the wood's smooth, radiant appearance. Iron rod rings are attached to the mouth of the drum and wrapped with cotton to prevent rusting. Through these rings nylon ropes are double-woven, securely fastening the goatskin to the wood.

To play, sit on the edge of a chair with ankles crossed, the top of the drum fitting neatly between the knees as the base of the drum rests behind the heels. This way the drum is angled away from the player. Sitting up straight with hands resting on the drum's playing surface, the wrists should become flat and this is the position to create the standard djembe sounds. Djembes produce three basic sounds: bass, tone, and slap.

BASS: With the hand flat and fingers together, place the hand at the dimension of two fists above the center of the playing surface. Allow the hand to strike and bounce back to the original position above the center.

TONE: This is the high-pitched sound produced by striking the top surface nearest the edge with firmly placed fingers.

SLAP: Strike the playing surface's edge first with the heel of the hand, and then allow the fingers to naturally bounce down towards the drum's center.

—>Click here for price and more info... [All Musical Insruments...]

Wood mask, 'Ghost'

NOVICA®

A spectral image inspires this mask by Ernestina Oppong Asante, each detail contributing to the haunting whole. Framed by intriguing locks of hair, its dark, wide eyes and lips interrupt etched bands of brown and white.

Carved by hand from local sese wood, the designs and patterns are enhanced by decorated metal plates. Painted in engaging colors, a coat of potassium is applied to achieve the elegant, rustic appearance. Ideal for mystifying any home décor. You save 31% Click here for more info.