Nine Keys Botanica

Verbena, also called vervain or hierba sagrada, has long carried the name “holy.” Born from the Mediterranean sun and carried across continents, this plant has followed women and healers through the ages. In folk medicine, it has been a trusted ally for women—bringing on a late moon, easing recovery after birth, and strengthening milk for the child. But its power does not stop there. Taken as tea or tincture, verbena eases fever, soothes the belly, and calms the restless spirit. It is a plant that cools, restores, and reminds the body of its rhythm.

In spirit work, verbena holds an even deeper story. The ancients named it the “tears of Isis,” sacred to the mother goddess of magic and healing. Greeks and Romans gathered it only with ritual, laying it on altars for purification and protection. In medieval Europe, witches and wise women reached for verbena when crafting charms, warding sickness, or calling in fertility. In the Americas and Caribbean, verbena is often offered in spiritual baths and works of cleansing. In some houses, it is associated with Yemaya, carrying her cooling and healing waters, and in 21 Divisions, some call on its strength in the works of Marta la Dominadora.

Verbena carries the power of purification and protection. Whether steeped as tea, bathed in, or placed on the altar, it opens a pathway for healing and divine blessing.

This is why healing is not just personal — it’s ancestral warfare.

The history of the curandera (female healer) is deeply rooted in Indigenous and African traditions, blending spiritual, herbal, and holistic healing practices.

The word curandera comes from the Spanish verb curar (to heal), and curanderismo refers to a traditional healing system practiced across Mexico, Carribean, Central America, South America, and the southwestern United States.

Before colonization, many Indigenous cultures had their own healing systems based on the use of herbs, energy work, and spiritual rituals.

When the Spanish colonized the Americas, they brought Catholicism, which was later blended with Indigenous beliefs. Many curanderas invoke saints, prayers, and spiritual protection in their healing work.

The African influence came through the transatlantic slave trade, especially in regions like the Caribbean and parts of Mexico. Many curanderas integrate elements of espiritismo, ancestor veneration, and energy healing, reflecting African diasporic traditions

Curanderas are known for their ability to heal physical, emotional, and spiritual ailments. Their practice includes:

• Yerberas (Herbal medicidine) – Using plants and natural remedies for healing.

• Limpiezas (Energy cleansing) – Removing negative energy using eggs, herbs, or smoke.

• Spiritual guidance – Connecting with spirits, ancestors, or saints for guidance

• Midwifery & women's health – Assisting with childbirth and reproductive health

From a psychospiritual perspective, a woman's sexuality is a powerful, creative force that connects her to her inner wisdom, intuition, and purpose. Known as the “dark feminine,” this archetype embraces strength, mystery, and transformation.

When a woman taps into this energy, she reclaims her sense of self beyond societal roles, using her sexuality as a bridge between the physical and spiritual.

Rooted in the sacral chakra, this force inspires creativity, pleasure, and autonomy, making her sexuality an expression of self-discovery and inner empowerment rather than external validation.