The Sacred Use of Tobacco and Alcohol in Umbanda – Explained Simply

Drinks and Smoking in Umbanda.

Tobacco is considered a “Herb of Power”—a sacred plant used for millennia by Indigenous peoples in healing rituals, shamanic ceremonies, and magical practices. “Everything sacred brings divine light and virtues into our lives. But when we profane the sacred, we invite pain and addiction.”

In its sacred use, tobacco can heal. But when profaned—industrialized and consumed compulsively—it can become toxic and harmful. Cigarettes, for example, contain nicotine and over 4,25gr other toxic substances, many of which are linked to serious diseases, including cancer.

This is the result of profane misuse. The same applies to alcohol, which in spiritual work is known as a “Power Drink”. When used correctly, it helps attract and channel divine forces and is also used for healing purposes. Elemental Forces Behind Tobacco and Alcohol In elemental terms: Tobacco is a plant of the earth and water elements.

When smoked or burned in rituals, it also brings in air and fire, completing the four elemental forces. In this way, sacred smoking becomes directed fumigation, a tool in practical magic and spiritual cleansing.

Alcohol comes from sugarcane, which grows from the earth. It is a water element, highly volatile in air, and is often referred to as “liquid fire” because of its combustibility. Both substances are traditionally used in Umbanda to: Break down negative energies, Burn astral larvae and miasmas, And in the case of alcohol, disinfect and cleanse, both externally and internally. It’s important to understand that Umbanda entities are not addicted to these elements. They do not consume them for pleasure, and often only handle or symbolically use them for energetic work.

In fact, many spirit guides do not inhale tobacco smoke or drink the alcohol. Some even spit the drink into ritual containers (often called “black box”) to avoid ingestion of industrial toxins. Alternative and Natural Offerings The Astral Plane has taught us alternative recipes to avoid industrial cigarettes in spiritual work.

The plant kingdom offers herbs with powerful energetic properties that, when burned, act as spiritual conductors, cleansers, and balancers. Here are some examples:

For Caboclos: roll herbs like sage, lavender, and marigold in natural paper or straw to replace cigars.

For Pretos-Velhos: create pipe blends with sage, rosemary, coffee leaves, and annatto.

For Esù: use cigars or cigarillos made from sage, dried red clove, and levante (levanta-defunto).

For Pombagiras: use blends of sage, hibiscus, and red rose petals.

These alternatives are natural, chemical-free, and align with the sacred purpose of the offering. Clarifying Misconceptions Some mistakenly believe that Esù must drink large amounts of strong liquor (commonly referred to as “marafo”—cachaça, rum, or "burning water").

Others assume that Sailors or Baianos come through drunk, when in truth, what people perceive as drunkenness is actually the vibration of the sea or the orixá being embodied. Guides handle these drinks consciously and with purpose. Each spiritual line has its preferred “curiador” (sacred drink), such as:

Caboclos – beer or coconut water

Pretos-Velhos – coffee (and occasionally wine)

Children (Erês) – guaraná, fruit juice, or sodas

Baianos – coconut water or coconut shakes

Wranglers (Boiadeiros) – dark beer

Sailors – rum or light beer

Esù – cachaça, rum, and occasionally whiskey or wine

Pombagiras – champagne or cider Marafo is essential in some Exu works—not for indulgence, but for energetic manipulation.

It may be poured over ritual tools, sites of power, or even rubbed on the medium’s hands, feet, forehead, or neck before incorporation to lower their vibration and make spiritual connection easier.

If deeper grounding is needed, the entity may take a small sip, or more depending on the work. This is done with intention, not excess.

Sacred Contrast and Spiritual Diagnosis

In some cases, even right-hand entities (like Pretos-Velhos) will magnetize a drink (wine, coconut water, smoothie, etc.) and ask the consultant to take a small sip. This serves as an energetic contrast, much like a scan, helping them detect other imbalances in the body or energy field.

A Final Word

Be cautious of distorted practices: If you see guides drinking full bottles of alcohol, or acting outside the ethics of the doctrine, something is not aligned with true Umbanda. Umbanda is Light.
Umbanda cannot exist without common sense, ethics, and spiritual purpose.

Asè

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