botânicas

A botánica is a type of retail shop that specializes in religious, herbal, and spiritual supplies used in Afro-Caribbean and Latin American folk practices, as well as in Catholic devotional life. Originating in Latin American and diaspora communities, botánicas function as general stores for devotion, healing, and ritual preparation, often located in urban neighborhoods with large Latino populations. They are distinguished by a focus on items tied to spiritual beliefs, rather than purely on cosmetics or ordinary herbs.

Typical inventory includes hierbas (herbs) and roots, powders and tinctures, candles in a range of colors, incense, oils and perfumes, statues or images of saints and orishas, rosaries, crosses, and talismanic objects or amulets. Many botánicas also stock books, ritual supplies, and herbal medicines used in folk healing or curanderismo. Practitioners or shop staff often offer explanations about the items’ traditional uses and may provide guidance on selection for specific intentions, though services vary by location.

Botánicas reflect cultural and religious syncretism, connecting Catholic devotion with Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous spiritual traditions. Items are used for personal devotion, protective and healing rituals, and community celebrations. While many people visit botánicas for practical needs or curiosity, the shops also serve as cultural hubs where knowledge about plants, spirituality, and folklore is preserved and transmitted across generations. The shops are most common in urban centers with sizable Latino populations, and they contribute to the everyday practice and accessibility of folk spirituality in their communities.