Traditional American And Chinese Pharmacy


From the beginning, many Hoodoo shops have been associated with traditional pharmacies and apothecaries. In addition to functioning as spiritual shops, they have provided their customers with a wide range of topical herbal treatments, dietary supplements, pain-relieving analgesics, cosmetics, hair care products, perfumes, and patent medicines.   

Traditional pharmacies were introduced and eventually included in Hoodoo as many of its practitioners also perform some form of 'chiropractic' manipulation and/or massage therapy known as rub-down rites for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal ailments, as well as spiritual afflictions; and merge folkloric therapies with mainstream medicine, incorporating allopathic treatment modalities and prescription of pharmaceuticals into their practice. Usually, this is a specialization, but in the Southern areas, many of the root doctors are familiar with using these modalities. However, most practitioners do not have formal training in mainstream or contemporary medicines. Others are naturally gifted in this healing art, while others achieve their skills through an indigenous hand-me-down education. 

Numerous techniques exist, varying by region and folkloric esoterica. Common in the practice of rub-down in the rural areas is the practitioners' attribution of the healing effect to God, and other spiritual entities, that it is through Their presence, power, and assistance that they can manipulate the spiritual and energy channels in the body's meridians (and chakras), hoping to expel evil spirits or negative energies that may have invaded the patient's etheric space and may have caused the physical ailments. Some traditional rub-down techniques utilize symbolic patterns of the cross, crown, rosary, and angel wings. A few practitioners achieve expertise in this healing modality, incorporating it with elements of 'science' (reflexology, basic anatomy, and physiology), gaining knowledge through self-study, membership in a local group with shared interests, or some workshops. These modalities are performed with medicated topical preparations and even some pharmaceutical drugs.

Nowadays, while most Black families would prefer an immediate consultation with a licensed physician, many African-American and Hoodoo homes still carry so-called homestyle remedies - oils, creams, liniments, and an assortment of other products that all purport to treat discomforts mild to profound. 

Whether these over-the-counter remedies for aches and pains heal is often tertiary to the fact that people believe they do, so conjure practitioners and their patients can think of them as actual medicine. Many of them have been around for years, even decades, so one has to wonder - if they don't work, why are they still around?

Here are some good old-fashioned American and Latino, as well as traditional Chinese and South-East Asian remedies for life's minor aches, pains, and needs:


Oil of Gladness or Oriental Balm and Old Indian Rubbing Oil, hand-blended with traditional herbs and essential oils. 


Liniments are generally described as alcohol-based liquid topical pain relievers or analgesics designed to be rubbed on sore or strained muscles. Most liniments are quite strong-smelling because turpentine, camphor, or capsicum are the often leading ingredients in their formulation. McLean's Volcanic Liniment for Aches and Pains is one of the most old-fashioned remedies still available in the U.S., an authentic 19th-century turpentine-based liniment, good for both man and beast. Five Photo First Aid Antiseptic Liniment is an unusual liniment that contains extracts and tinctures of several herbs long revered in traditional Chinese medicines in a base of 70% alcohol. It is known to relieve minor aches and pains of muscles and joints due to simple backache, arthritis, strains, bruises, and sprains.

Balms, salves, and ointments are also used as analgesics and counter-irritant in Hoodoo alternative medicine. Bag Balm Ointment has long been used as a skin salve for humans to treat cuts, abrasions, and stubborn skin irritations. Some root doctors recommend this strongly-scented, lanolin-rich ointment for use as-is and also suggest it as a base in compounding spiritually protective balms if one wants to make his condition ointment. Black and White Ointment is another skin rub used in cleansing and healing works as it is scented with lemongrass essential oil. Tiger Balm, named after Aw Boon Haw, which translates to 'gentle tiger', is still marketed as a miracle cure for various aches and pains. It is made of natural camphor, mint oil, cajuput oil, menthol, and clove oil. The original Tiger Balm now comes in two varieties: red for muscle aches and white for colds and flu. Practitioners with Latino, predominantly Mexican, and Filipino ancestry used one of the world's most popular over-the-counter home remedies, Vicks Vaporub - a mentholated ointment that helps relieve coughing due to minor throat irritation and also colds. It can temporarily ease insect bites, headaches and joints, and muscle fatigue. Originally called Vicks Coup and Pneumonia Salve, it was invented by a pharmacist in 1890. Its active ingredients are camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol.



Time-honored over-the-counter Chinese traditional medicine, pain relievers, and topical analgesics sold in Chinese herbal pharmacies in Asia and America. 


Conversely, massage and rubbing oils are popularly used to relieve tiredness and body discomfort, as these products often promise instant relaxation. These oils can be applied topically on the temples and wrists, massaged directly on the ailing parts of the body, or inhaling it straight from the bottle. Indian Rubbing Oil for Aches and Pains is a massage oil for aches and muscle pain and can help blood circulation. It can also be used in rub-downs, both medicinal and spiritual. White Flower Analgesic Balm (Oil) alleviates everything from headaches, dizziness, muscle pain, and motion sickness. Its ingredients include menthol, eucalyptus, wintergreen, camphor, lavender, and peppermint. 

Chewing gums and candies flavored with natural herbs take on the spiritual and magical qualities of those herbs and may be administered as a form of subtle medicinal magic.  As mentioned above, pharmaceuticals, often as antibiotics and analgesics - are empirically utilized by some root doctors and added to the management of complicated maladies, prescribed indiscriminately and sometimes dispensed without the usual warnings and precautions regarding adverse reactions and side effects. With laws governing drug usage, prescription-type medicines advised or written by root doctors with hardly a modicum of knowledge of pharmacology have been decreasing.

An example is a story from a man cured by a famous root doctor called Guinea Sam Nightingale. This is an excerpt from a journal in History of the Present, written by Andrew Zimmerman: Sam once treated a man who had been tricked by taking him to a local pharmacy and swallowing an entire box of pills. Nightingale then informed the patient that the pills were laxatives and recommended that he hurry home, "for your bowels sure going to move," and also encouraged him to drink his own urine. "Course I never drank my water," the man later explained, "but he cured me, he sure did."

Some old-time recipes for balms, salves, and ointments:

I do not want to boast, but I rarely succumb to the bugs that go around the time of the year, but whenever I get the flu, I usually make myself this soothing balm my mentor from the West Coast has taught me. Although it's best to harvest or wildcraft your herbs, I usually used dried leaves and flowers for this recipe as they are easier to work with:

- Ginger root - Chrysanthemum flowers - Codonopsis root - Elderberries - Elderflowers - Meadowsweet flowers - Mullein leaves - Slippery Elm bark - Mint essential oil - Eucalyptus essential oil

In my experience, a mixture of all herbs and essential oils produces a full result. 

To use: Heat the 4 oz of Sweet Almond oil and 2 oz of Beeswax together in a double boiler. When they are liquid, add all of the herbs to the mixture. Keep on low heat for one hour, then set in a cool place, tightly covered, for one week. Reheat and strain the plant matter, then pour into containers and add three drops of each essential oil. 

This ointment is health-enhancing, especially for soothing lungs and sinuses, but it also effectively protects against unnatural illness, enemy works, nightmares, crossed conditions, and evil tongues. There are no known contraindications or drug interactions for the above herbs. Properties of these herbs, in combination: support immune function; are gently anti-microbial (anti-viral, antibiotic); anti-inflammatory; analgesic; a decongestant, and soothe; and support the lungs, throat, and sinuses. 



Another basic formula I learned from a root doctor is what she called her own Analgesic Salve. I find it particularly effective for the relief of headaches and minor muscle pain, as well as soothing for cold and flu-related aches. It can also be used for motivation, igniting passion, and inspiration. 

To have on hand, mix:

- Meadowsweet flowers - Passionflower leaves - Chamomile essential oil

To use, heat two cans of Black and White Ointment and two tablespoons of Olive Oil in a double boiler. When all is melted, stir in equal parts of the herbs, as much as the mixture can hold. Make sure not to let the oil get hot enough to 'fry' the herbs.

Keep it warm for an hour, then let it stand tightly covered in a cool place for one week. Warm it, strain the plant matter, add three drops of essential oil, then pour it back into the original tin. 

As cautionary measures for those who would try to make and use this: passionflower may potentiate medications such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and sleeping pills.

A useful ointment from the book, Dr. Chase's Old-Time Home Remedies, can be made too as a counter-irritant and to reverse bad luck into good.


This book includes traditional advice for illness and injuries, nursing and midwifery, meals and desserts, household maintenance, beekeeping, and much more!


To do this, you will need the following:

- 8 oz. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly - 2 tablespoons dried, powdered ginger root - 2 tablespoons dried, powdered clove pods - 2 tablespoons dried, powdered cinnamon bark - 2 tablespoons dried, powdered black pepper - 2 tablespoons dried, powdered red pepper

Melt the Vaseline in a double boiler and stir in the powdered spices. To make it even more robust, when stirring in the other herbs. 

Keep warm on the stove for one hour, then strain the herbs. Pour into small wide-mouth containers.

This ointment is a traditional skin irritant. If you spread it on too thickly and leave it on, it may cause blistering of the skin. 

Lastly, a salve for itchiness and money drawing. It is believed in Hoodoo and even in Filipino custom that an itchy palm is a predictor of financial gain or loss soon. A good practice when your palm is itchy is to avoid scratching it but instead rub it with this salve or any money-related condition oils. 

If using fresh herbs, gently spray clean and let it dry overnight in a dark place.

- 1 handful of chickweed - 1/2 handful of chamomile heads - 1/2 handful of calendula heads - 2 tablespoons of thyme - 2 tablespoons of comfrey root - 2 tablespoons of Althea root

To use: Cover with Jojoba oil, and infuse over low heat for 3 hours. Strain and add 1-2 oz. of lard, unsalted butter, or cocoa butter, and 1-2 oz. Beeswax, heat until melted. Just drop a little on a plate and see if it hardens enough. If not, add more Beeswax, only a little at a time, and re-test. Once the texture is good, pour it into containers.

The standard advice from most doctors: using any medicinal herbs, supplements, etc., during pregnancy should only be done with the advice of a personal health care provider. I wouldn't recommend the use of these balms or ointments during pregnancy.

As you can see from the recipes above, for a base of balms, salves, or ointments, you can use any of the following neutral, solid fatty substances:

- Beeswax - Petroleum Jelly - Lard, tallow, or mutton - Unsalted Butter - Vegetable Fats like Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter



Melting Beeswax and adding virgin coconut oil for our premium balms. 

If you prefer to work with an already-started fatty base that has a good texture and a natural herbal scent, you can do as many workers have and make good use of either or both of these two commercial ointments:

- Black and White Ointment - Bag Balm


Ointments and salve from old-fashioned recipes: Strong Ointment for protection, breaking adverse effects of magic that has affected the skin or muscles and driving off enemies; Golden Flower Ointment for cheering, health-enhancing, and money drawing; and Protective Salve for protection of home and family against diseases.


Liniments that contain rubbing alcohol, either isopropyl alcohol or ethanol-based liquids, are well received by clients, especially during hot weather, due to the evaporation of the alcohol, which cools the skin. Most liniments provide fast and lasting relief from various body pains. Their main ingredients aside from alcohol could include menthol, camphor, ammonia, turpentine, methyl salicylate, and oils such as Olive oil, Sweet Almond oil, or Virgin Coconut oil. Like many other similar products, they work by just rubbing it onto the affected area of the body. They are beneficial in soothing and easing tension, fatigue, and aching muscles. They also have an anti-itching effect that relieves itching, thus preventing infection from insect bites and scratches.

Compound Camphorated Liniment

- 30 oz. Rubbing Alcohol
- 5 oz. Camphor resin, crushed
- 5 oz. Ammonia
- 1/4 oz. Lavender essential oil

Dissolve the Camphor and lavender Oil in the alcohol, then gradually pour in the ammonia, careful not to breathe the fumes. Stir well and bottle tightly.

Another recipe I took from the book Dr. Chase's Old-Time Home Remedies is Dr. A.B. Mason's Liniment:

- 2 oz. Rubbing alcohol
- 2 oz. Sweet Almond oil
- 1 oz. Camphor, crumbled
- ½ oz. Ammonia
- ½ oz. Turpentine - ½ oz. Oregano essential oil
-½  oz. Spikenard essential oil

Dissolve the camphor, sweet almond oil, and essential oils in the alcohol, then gradually pour in the ammonia and turpentine, being careful not to breathe the fumes. Stir well and cork tightly.

Rubbing oils are used primarily to help expel abdominal discomfort due to gas or colic, otherwise known in the Philippines as "kabag." They are also suitable for massaging a client's head or giving rub-down to arms and legs. They could be mixed with condition oils for use on the body. Some rubbing oils are specially formulated for babies and toddlers, as they are mild on children's skin and have a mild scent.

Here's a recipe of camphorated or mentholated oil that I learned from my two teachers, which I combined for more effective use: 

- 4 oz. Olive or Mineral oil
- ½ oz. Camphor, crumbled
- ½ oz. Menthol, crumbled

Heat the oil in a double boiler. Dissolve the camphor and menthol in the heated oil, then remove them from the heat. After it cools, a few drops of essential oil of lavender, mint, wintergreen, chamomile, or eucalyptus may be added if desired for fragrance and to align the oil with a specific set of healing or medicinal properties and magical attributes.

Some additional information for all the recipes I shared: Add a small amount of Vitamin E and grapefruit seed oil - about 1/8 teaspoon per 8 oz. oil - at the end of the process (once everything's cooked and strained before pouring into their respective containers). Grapefruit seed oil is an excellent natural preservative and adds an anti-microbial property to rubbing oil, liniment, or salve, while Vitamin E oil moisturizes and nourishes the skin.

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See, What Our Path Is

Being immensely interested in African diaspora religions and Folk Catholicism, we primarily honor our ancestors, Church saints, angels, folk saints, and Afro-Caribbean spirits such as loas and orishas. If we absolutely have to put a label on ourselves, we prefer the label of “Folk Judeo-Christian” as we live according to the customs and traditions of conjure workers and root doctors from the Deep South and syncretic followers of Christ in various nations of the Caribbean and Latin America.

Our spirituality includes West African-based Caribbean-style tradition as well as Esoteric Christianity and Yoruba religion. Generally, we practice Gullah folk magic popularly known in the Deep South as Hoodoo or Lowcountry Voodoo; the ancient wisdom founded by Orunmila in Ile-Ife called Ifa, and a bit of Lihim na Karunungan (Filipino Esotericism or Philippine Mystery Tradition).

Respect, What Hoodoo Is

Despite visible evidence of Central West African, Islamic/Moorish, Native American, Judeo-Christian, European, and even a few East Indian/Hindu, Chinese, and Latino/Caribbean retentions, influences, and admixtures, this does not mean that Hoodoo is an open and unrestricted system of eclectic magic.

Conjure, and Rootwork is rooted in African-American culture and Folk Protestant Christianity. Any practitioners of Hoodoo who did not grow up within African-American culture should still have a fuller understanding and high regard for its origin.

In the beginning, the early conjure doctors were entirely Black. The students were all Black, the elders were Black, the teaching was Black, and they focused only on Blacks as their audience. But other races were accepted when they had also been brought into the Hoodoo community and learned the tradition. Even so, we should still acknowledge that Hoodoo, Conjure, or Rootwork is not ours but only belongs to the Black community. We are just believers who are grafted into their rich yet humble tradition and, by word and deed, embrace genuine African-American folk spirituality and magic. This is all we can do for all the blessings we received from God and our Black ancestors.

Hoodoo's lack of religious structure and hierarchical authority do not mean that any person or group can appropriate or redefine it. If one cannot respect Hoodoo as it is and for what it is, then please, do not play with it.



Learn, How Conjure Is Worked On

Authentic Conjure is not all about blending and selling oils and casting spells online to make money. Hoodoo has its own spiritual philosophy, theology, and a wide range of African-American folkways, customs, and practices which include, but are not limited to, veneration of the ancestors, Holy Ghost shouting, snake reverence, spirit possession, graveyard conjure, nkisi practices, Black hermeneutics, African-American church traditions, the ring shout, the Kongo cosmogram, ritual water immersions, crossroads magic, making conjure canes, animal sacrifices, Jewish scriptural magic, enemy works, Seekin' ritual, magical incorporation of bodily fluids, etc.

Unfortunately, they are currently missing in marketeered or commercial Hoodoo, as they are being removed, disregarded, or ignored by unknowing merchants who simply want to profit from an African-American spiritual tradition, thus reducing Hoodoo to just a plethora of recipes, spells, and tricks.

Tim and I are completely aware that we are not African-Americans, so we are doing our best to retain and preserve the customs and traditions of the slave ancestors to avoid unnecessary conflict with the larger Black-Belt Hoodoo community and prevent them from labeling us inauthentic outsiders and our practice as mere 'cultural misappropriation.'

Accept, Who We Are

The byproduct of eons of slave history, Black supremacists believe that only people with African or African-American blood are real Hoodoo practitioners and are often inclined to consider themselves as the elite of the Hoodoo community; a place in which they believed that Whites, Latinos, Asians or any other races who do not have Black ancestry do not belong. Black supremacists are prone to be very hostile towards both “outsiders” and those accepting of them, fearing that their promotion and acceptance would dilute or even negate the Black identity of Hoodoo.

Although we do understand why some Blacks hold this stance, since a lot of people nowadays are misappropriating many aspects of Hoodoo and teaching the spiritual path even without proper education and training (for purely monetary purposes), we would, however, want to say that not all non-Black Hoodoo practitioners are the same.

WE respect what Hoodoo is, and we never try to change it, claim it as our own, disregard its history, take unfair advantage of it, speak against the people who preserve it, and mix it with other cultures (like our own) and call it Filipino/Pinoy Hoodoo, Gypsy Hoodoo or Wiccan Hoodoo because there are no such things.