ÉPO OBO: Yoruba Anti-Witchcraft Herb Coins Money in Brazil

Adeyinka Olaiya, Brazil/

An age-old Yoruba herb known for its efficacy against witchcraft is the new money-spinner in Brazil.

Epo Obo is now in high demand in Brazil and in most of the Latin American countries, where it is used for extra medicinal and spiritual cures.

Fícus Platyphyfla stem bark known as Epo Obo among the Yoruba people in Southwest Nigeria, among several other indigenous and historical herbs derived from the western part of Africa appears to have gained ground in Brazil as it was sold to a Brazilian business tycoon for an average equivalent amount of N2million for a pot of powdered herbs

This stem, in a powdered form, was bought by the Brazilian tycoon in Salvador, Bahia during the national traditional day of Ologbonis in Salvador, Brazil.

The Brazilian businessman, Leandro Edgar da Silva, told NewsmakersNG in an exclusive interview: “I have testimonies regarding these herbs from the Yorubas and I am set to introduce a large scale of this anti-witchcraft herb around the whole of Brazil and the Americas, Yoruba heritage is a blessing to Brazil.”

Epo Obo is also used by traditional medicine practitioners for the treatment of a convulsive disorder.

Scientifically, the use of the bioactive substances of the extracts has great potentials in combating diseases of microbial origin. It also constitutes important sources of raw materials for industrial processing and preparation of various chemical compounds.

Speaking in fluent Yoruba language, Ogbeni Ronaldo de Axé, a Brazilian research fellow in Yoruba philosophy, said, “Ifa has the answer to every question. Epo Obo is another answer from Ifa.”

He spoke while giving the closing prayer after a lecture at the Yoruba Institute, Bahia, Brazil

Iyalorisa Dogba of Ile Aiye cult said, “We sell these herbs yearly to our men and women of honor, especially in this our environment here in Bahia to scare away all malpractices of the witchcraft and we are glad that our Orishas have never disappointed us, all of them give testimonies to this great Yoruba herb.”