Cotton bud

In Santería and the Yoruba religion, cotton wool (ou in Yoruba, or the Gossypium sp. plant) is a fundamental sacred element, primarily associated with purity, peace, and protection, being one of the essential elements of Obatalá, the orisha of creation and tranquility.

• Representation of Obatalá: Clean white cotton symbolizes the wisdom, peace, and mental clarity of Obatalá.
• Head Prayers (Kobo Orí): It is the main element for praying for the head, seeking to cool it, bring tranquility, eliminate stress, and clear the mind of negative thoughts.
• Spiritual Cleansings (Despojos): It is used to remove negative energies, witchcraft, or osogbos (evil influences) from the body or the home.
• Harmonization: The "cotton stick" or its fibers are used in workings to bring calm, unite couples, and harmonize the home.
• Protection and healing: It is placed on altars or used in bundles to protect against negative influences. Medicinally, it is used to treat ears and mature tumors with its seeds.