About time for a review on the correct plant ID for Cecil’s classic John the Conkeroo answer, and I’d suppose he knows it, as it is specifically mentioned on the Wiki page for the topic.
Gotta say, botanically speaking, that Ipomoea jalapa makes more sense than Hypericum sp. for use of the root as a talisman, regardless of actual medicinal use. Hypericum, St. John’s Wort, would be the more notable herb with a well-known historic use in 1973, so I can understand Cecil’s response at the time.
But, John the Conqueroo is used as a dried root for totin’ around in your Mojo bag, and the root Ipomoea jalapa/purga is more toward a hefty talisman thanhypericum’s fibrous root structure.
The Jalapa root is supposed to have added weight in that it has a testicular quality to it, and, man, if yer gonna have a root of power, as a bluesman, ya want it to echo the best symbolism ya know. Medicinally, the immediate effects of Jalapa is to make ya puke, so, it’s a give and take .
Another observance in cultivation of both plants: Hypericums make lots and lots of teeny seeds, kinda hard to transport, and Ipomoeas have large seeds , which are easy to passalong and create a crop of a desired item.
lol@ that wiki page for John the Conquer… It even mentions that Cecil is wrong and this Catherine Yronwode is supposed to be right… so what’s it gonna be Unca Cece??? An acknowledgment off this woman’s superior research skills or a rebuttal that demonstrates that she is full of shit???
