Module Three: The Roots of Healing
Black Herbalism and Rootwork as Ancestral Medicine
Rootworker: Is An Ancestral Title Earned
A Rootworker is an honored title passed down through ceremony, rites of passage, and initiation. It is not a title one assumes on their own but is earned and bestowed through sacred processes. Rootworkers are often gardeners of healing, cultivating plants for both physical and spiritual medicine. Working alongside Rootdoctors, they may be Hoodooists or operate independently, focusing on the care and thriving of plants and roots.
Their work integrates mind, body, and spirit knowledge with environmental cues like seasons, moon phases, omens, Ancestral dress, and divination. During Chattel enslavement, many Rootworkers specialized in landscaping, creating green spaces on plantations.
Black Herbalism And Rootwork: A Holistic Approach to Healing
Hoodoo, Herbalism, and Rootwork emphasize addressing the root cause of issues—physical, mental, spiritual, or ancestral. Black Herbalism stands in contrast to other Herbal approaches that only treat symptoms or rely on quick fixes.
Hoodoo herbalism focuses on healing the whole person by considering lifestyle, environmental influences, and Ancestral health patterns. Black Herbalism and Rootwork require workers to be patient, have deep introspection, and be able to personalize remedies. Whether they pertain to the mind, body, spirit, or Ancestral issues. Unfortunately, many people approach these concepts with a colonial mindset. They might say, “I heard this root or herb is good for blood pressure, so I’ll take that,” or “I heard this herb is effective for love work, so I’ll create a love spell.” While these approaches may provide temporary relief or immediate comfort, they often overlook the underlying issues. As a result, some conditions may persist or worsen, especially in today's world, which prioritizes quick fixes that do not promote deep healing.
Many individuals experience unresolved symptoms in their mind, body, spirit, or a combination of these, sometimes for months or even years. Hoodoo Herbalism and Rootwork require time as practitioners strive to pinpoint and target the central causes of these issues. This work goes beyond simple remedies—like blowing cinnamon out the front door at the beginning of the month—to address long-standing financial problems that may have persisted for years or even generations. For instance, individuals might need to use peppermint leaves or a cool peppermint wash thrown over their door at the start of each month to help them make calm, cool, level-headed financial decisions as cinnamon, known as a heating and activation, may be too hot for the person to handle and can heat their finances up too much and burn their money away hence’Money burning a hole in your pocket” saying.
The Importance of Hands-On Experience
Black Herbalism and Rootwork are learned through lived, hands-on experience. While books and videos provide theoretical knowledge, true understanding comes from engaging directly with plants. Touching, smelling, and observing plants in their natural environment deepens the connection between the practitioner and the plant's essence.
Practitioners prioritize in-person interactions but can still support healing through remote consultations. This connection to plants and people informs the holistic and personalized care Black Herbalism offers.
If someone wants to work with me, I require Hands-On Learning. Whether it is a mentee or a godchild, I must complete one to two weeks (7 to 14 days) of hands-on learning in a calendar year. You decide how many days you need through divination with your Ancestor. I tell them they may come to me, or I am also open to traveling to them if they have everything I need.
Session Length: In-person sessions last a minimum of 3 and 6 hours per day, allowing for comprehensive learning without overload. You have to be in it hands-on to experience the Ancestors and Plantcestors, and if they can’t work 1:1 as well as monthly checkin’, I dont work with them. I wish them and move on because inconsistency is not a way to honor the Ancestors or our traditions. If you are a Practitioner, you have to have rules and guidelines, and if you dont take your practice seriously, who will? In-person work allows you to see how people work with spirit and how serious they are about their practice.