There is a profound, rhythmic power in the simple act of breathing. For many of us, breath is something we take for granted until it becomes shallow or restricted by the weight of modern stress. But in our Yoruba heritage and across the African diaspora, breath is more than just oxygen entering the lungs.
It is Sisi, the sacred act of inhalation, a gateway for healing that connects our physical bodies to the medicinal spirit of the earth.
As Black women, elders, and seekers, we often carry a heaviness in our chests that doesn’t belong to us alone. It is the residue of generational trauma, the dust of cultural disconnection, and the literal pollutants of an urban world that has forgotten the sanctity of the air.
Today, I want to invite you into a space of “The Remembering.” I want us to look back at the wisdom of our grandmothers and the ancient preparations of our ancestors to understand how we can breathe ourselves back to wholeness.
The Remembering: Wisdom in the Vapours
Our ancestors understood that the plants around us were not just scenery; they were kin. When someone struggled with respiratory issues, congestion, or a heavy spirit, the solution was often found in the rising steam of a medicinal pot. This practice of Sisi (inhalation) was a foundational element of our traditional healthcare.
In the Yoruba tradition, we recognise that everything in nature possesses a life force. When we boil specific herbs, roots, or barks, we are releasing that life force into the air. By inhaling those vapours, we are literally taking the medicine into the deepest parts of our being. This is not just “aromatherapy” in the modern, commercial sense. This is a spiritual and physical alignment.
- The Power of Steam: Steam acts as a carrier, opening the passages of the body to receive the healing properties of the plants.
- The Connection to Earth: Using indigenous flora reminds us that the land provides everything we need to sustain our lives.
- The Ritual of Presence: You cannot rush a medicinal inhalation. It requires you to sit, to cover your head, and to be present with the breath.
By remembering these practices, we begin to chip away at the cultural amnesia that tells us healing only comes in a plastic bottle. We start to reclaim the “Sisi” as a tool for our liberation.
The Unveiling: Clearing the Pathways of Trauma
As we move into “The Unveiling,” we must look at what is actually blocking our breath. Often, respiratory issues are the physical manifestation of unexpressed grief or the “smothering” effect of societal expectations. Many of us have been taught to keep a “stiff upper lip,” to hold our breath and keep going.
When we engage in the practice of inhaling medicinal vapours, we are doing more than clearing mucus; we are unveiling the hidden layers of tension stored in the respiratory system.
In our work at Fematin958 Intl, we see how intergenerational trauma can manifest as a literal “tightness” in the chest. This is the weight of the stories our mothers and grandmothers couldn’t tell.
Consider the herbs often used in our traditions for these purposes. Plants like Lemongrass (Ewe Tea), Eucalyptus, or Mint are frequently used to open the airways. As the sharp, clearing scent enters your nostrils, it serves as a wake-up call to the nervous system. It says: “It is safe to breathe now. You are no longer in the crisis your ancestors survived.”
Identifying the Blocks
To truly heal, we must ask ourselves what we are afraid to breathe in. Are we afraid of our own power? Are we suffocating under the need to be “strong” for everyone else?
- Acknowledge the Weight: Recognise the physical sensation of constriction in your body.
- Invite the Medicine: Use the steam of traditional preparations to soften that constriction.
- Release the Old Air: As you exhale, consciously let go of the stagnant energy of the past.
The Reclaiming: A Ritual for Modern Healing
“The Reclaiming” is where we take this ancient wisdom and weave it into our daily lives. You do not need an elaborate laboratory to practice Sisi. You only need intention, water, and the gifts of the earth.
I want to share with you a simple way to bring this sacred inhalation into your home. This is a way to reclaim your right to clear air and a clear spirit. When you feel the onset of a cold, or perhaps just the onset of a heavy heart, try this ritual:
- Prepare the Space: Find a quiet corner where you won’t be disturbed. This is your “spirit-led sanctuary” for the moment.
- The Preparation: Boil a pot of water. Once it is off the heat, add your medicinal elements. This could be fresh ginger, citrus peels, or essential oils derived from African plants.
- The Inhalation (Sisi): Place your face over the steam (at a safe distance) and drape a towel over your head to create a tent. Close your eyes.
- The Prayer: As you breathe in, ask your ancestors to help clear the pathways. Ask for the “Sisi” to reach the parts of your spirit that have felt suppressed.
Through this act, you are reclaiming your health. You are stating that your body is a temple worthy of care, and that the wisdom of those who came before you is still alive and potent. This is how we revive the divine feminine: through nurturing, through ritual, and through the breath.
Healing the Collective Breath
Our work at Fematin958 Intl is rooted in the belief that when one woman heals her breath, the entire lineage breathes a little easier. We are navigating a world that often feels like it is trying to take our breath away, whether through systemic injustice or the frantic pace of life. By returning to the practice of medicinal inhalation, we are making a radical choice to sustain ourselves.
We use the term “Sisi” because it carries the vibration of our heritage. It reminds us that our wellness is not a new invention; it is a homecoming. Whether you are dealing with a physical ailment like asthma or bronchitis, or an emotional ailment like anxiety, the breath is your first and most powerful tool.
The Benefits of Sacred Inhalation
- Physical Clarity: Thinning mucus and soothing inflamed tissues in the throat and lungs.
- Mental Focus: The cooling or warming properties of the plants help to ground a wandering or stressed mind.
- Spiritual Connection: Using the scents of our ancestral lands triggers a deep, cellular memory of belonging.
The journey through The Remembering, The Unveiling, and The Reclaiming is not a linear one. It is a spiral. Some days we find ourselves needing to remember our worth; other days we are ready to reclaim our power. But in every stage, the breath remains the constant.
An Invitation to Your Higher Self
My dear sisters and elders, the air you breathe is a gift. The plants that grow from the earth are your allies. I invite you to stop running, even if just for fifteen minutes, and check in with your internal atmosphere. Is it clear? Is it heavy? Is it waiting for the cleansing power of a sacred vapour?
You don’t have to carry the weight of the world in your lungs. You can choose to inhale the medicine of the ancestors and exhale the expectations that were never yours to carry. Let us walk this path of ancestral healing together, one breath at a time, with grace, clarity, and an unshakable connection to our roots.
If you feel a calling to dive deeper into these practices, to understand the specific patterns that are keeping you from your full expression, I am here to guide you. Your healing is not just a personal goal; it is a sacred duty to those who came before you and those who will follow.
Book a 15-minute free Call with me – Learn to recognise and transform the negative patterns that may be holding you back and use them for your good. https://gloriaogunbadejo.com/15-minutes-call/
