What is Akose? How is Ifá Spiritual Medicine Prepared and Used?

Akose is a consecrated preparation in the Ifá tradition, created through the guidance of the Odu Ifá. It addresses specific needs such as healing, protection, prosperity, relationship concerns, and more. Unlike herbal remedies, Akose is not used casually or without guidance. Instead, it is prepared with sacred intent and carries the force of spiritual authority.

It may be taken in the form of powders, soaps, oils, ointments, creams, etc. But its power lies in the divinatory instructions that guide its preparation and use. In this way, Akose acts as both medicine and a ritual tool, connecting an individual with the wisdom of Ifá.

Akose is prescribed based on Ifá divination feedback to address very specific concerns in a person’s life. It may be prepared to bring healing during times of illness, to shield against harmful spiritual forces, or to strengthen the body and mind before major life events. Many people receive Akose to help them perform better in school or work, to resolve family conflicts, or to bring them peace of mind. In each case, the remedy is directed toward a clear purpose, as revealed through the Odu Ifá.

Beyond physical healing, Akose can also be used for matters of livelihood and daily survival. It may support fertility for couples seeking children. It can also provide protection for individuals facing danger or hostility. It can even attract customers or business ideas for entrepreneurs. Farmers even use akose to safeguard their crops, while travelers might use it for safe passage. Akose is not limited to one area of life but extends to every aspect of our existence, including health, relationships, finances, and community well-being.

Akose is not casual medicine thought. It is a consecrated preparation that carries spiritual power. When approached with respect, Akose becomes a trusted channel for transformation, protection, and alignment.

Akose is a remedy prepared for personal consumption. It may be applied to the body, carried on the person, or placed in a specific location. Its role is to deliver a focused solution that responds to individual needs and challenges.

Ebo is a sacrifice or offering. It is performed to appease and honor spiritual forces. Ebo often involves animals, food, plants, herbs, or other sacred items presented to Orishas. Its impact is communal and ritual, rather than personal and applied.

Ifá divination is the foundation of destiny alignment. It is core to every practice within the tradition. It identifies the root problem and prescribes remedies to resolve it. Without divination, Akose and ebo would lack proper direction. Combined, these devices form a balanced system, as divination diagnoses, ebo balances, and Akose cleanses and heals.

Akose can be prepared in different forms, depending on the guidance received during divination. It may be made as powders to be taken orally or applied to the body. It can also be produced as soaps, oils, ointments, or creams for cleansing and protection.

In some cases, Akose may be carried as a small packet, charm, or talisman. At other times, it is used in baths, rubbed on the skin, or placed in specific locations, such as the home or workplace. Each form is chosen based on the type of remedy needed. It may also be suited to personal needs, depending on its type and function.

Akose is always prepared under the direction of Ifá divination. The Odu Ifá reveals the need for Akose, the specific type, and preparation instructions. A trained Babaláwo interprets these instructions and determines the necessary ingredients, incantations, and rituals to be performed. Without the guidance of Ifá divination, the preparation would lack power and proper alignment.

The process involves careful selection of herbs, roots, minerals, and sometimes animal parts or other natural substances. These items are chosen for their spiritual and physical properties. They are ground, blended, or processed into the form most suitable for the remedy, whether powder, oil, cream, or another medium. Every step is performed with sacred invocations to activate the spiritual force of the Akose.

Once prepared, Akose must be consecrated and given with clear instructions on its use, care, and maintenance. The user may be instructed to apply it at specific times of day, use it for a designated number of days, or take it with alcohol, water, palm oil, or other constituents. These details are not optional. They ensure the remedy works as intended.

The ingredients of Akose vary depending on the guidance of Ifá divination. They often include herbs, roots, leaves, and barks with known healing qualities. Powders, oils, and minerals may also be used. In some cases, animal parts or other natural substances are required, always in accordance with traditional instruction.

Akose ingredients are chosen through the direction of Ifá divination. The Odu revealed during the reading identifies not only the need for Akose but also the specific plants, herbs, animal parts, or other materials required. 

Yes. The Ifá tradition treats every element of Akose with respect because each plant, root, or animal carries life force. When ingredients are gathered, they must be taken with permission, accompanied by prayer, and made with offerings of thanksgiving. This ensures the exchange is balanced and that the preparation does not create an imbalance.

Herbs and roots are often harvested at specific times of day or during certain seasons, as revealed through Ifá divination. The person gathering them may recite invocations to honor the spirit of the plant and to acknowledge its sacrifice. In cases where animal parts are required, the process is handled with strict ritual care and is never done casually or without justification.

The ethics of Akose are guided by reverence for nature and alignment with divine law. Taking resources without respect or outside of proper ritual weakens the power of the preparation. By following tradition, Akose remains a sacred remedy that honors both the environment and the spiritual order.

Akose is not a commercial product in the ordinary sense. It is a consecrated preparation, prescribed and prepared through Ifá divination for specific concerns. Because of this, Akose cannot be mass-produced or sold casually in markets. Its power comes from being made for a particular person, at a particular time, with clear instruction.

In most cases, Akose is prepared by a Babaláwo or Ìyánífá. These are trained, initiated practitioners who carry the authority of their lineage. Some experienced healers within the tradition may also prepare Akose, but only when properly trained and recognized by elders. Without this training, the preparation lacks the authority and effectiveness of authentic Ifá work.

For these reasons, authentic Akose is not something to be bought off a shelf. It is received through consultation with a trusted priest or priestess, who prepares it in alignment with divine instruction. This protects both the integrity of the remedy and the well-being of the person who will use it.

Akose should be prepared only by practitioners who are trained and initiated within the Ifá system. In most cases, this means a Babaláwo or Ìyánífá who has been taught how to interpret Odu Ifá and follow the ritual steps needed for preparation. These priests and priestesses carry the authority of initiation, lineage, experience, and expertise.

There are also higher-level priests, such as an Araba or Olowu, who hold leadership roles within the tradition. While they may prepare Akose, their main responsibility is often to guide and train others rather than serve individuals directly. Their authority ensures that the knowledge of Akose remains preserved and transmitted properly.

Outside of these roles, very few people are qualified to prepare Akose. Herbalists or healers may know plants, but without the direction of the Odu, their remedies are not considered Akose. This distinction protects the sacred nature of the preparation and ensures it is always tied to divine instruction rather than personal invention.

Intention is very important when using Akose. Even though the preparation maintains power from its ingredients and consecration process, the way a person approaches it matters. If it is used with doubt, neglect, or disrespect, the effect may be weakened. If it is used with discipline, respect, and trust in one’s Ori, the result is strengthened.

Akose is not a magical shortcut. It works in partnership with the character and intentionality of the person using it. Mental clarity, respect for the instructions given, and alignment with destiny all play a role. By combining the sacred force of Akose with a focused mind, the user allows the remedy to perform its true work.