High John the Conqueror

High John the Conqueror is jalap, a vine of the morning glory family that can grow twelve feet long, with heart-shaped leaves and purple trumpet-like flowers. The dried root, which resembles testicles, is the part used. Kynes places it in the hoodoo tradition, where John the Conqueror is a mythical person whose spirit was said to live in the roots he made. The figure may come from West and Central African beliefs, or from an enslaved hero called Old John. The word high implied authority and strength. The root is usually carried in the pocket and rubbed with oils or other substances to keep it potent, and it goes into mojo bags. Cunningham has it carried to attract money, to stop depression, to bring love and success, to protect from hexes and curses, and to break spells. He soaks three cut roots in oil for several weeks to make an anointing oil for candles and sachets. Kynes throws powdered root out the back door to send a negative spirit away, and adds it to any spell for strength. Wikipedia links the plant to the John the Conqueror legend.