Hurston lived 1891-1960. She was a pioneer in the study of African American folklore studies. Hurston is responsible for preserving a great deal of hoodoo and folk cures, as well as many other aspects of Southern African American culture in the 1930's.
As with many traditional formulas, no amounts are provided, and it is also unclear whether "Oil of Cinnamon," "Oil of Vanilla," and "Wintergreen" refer to essential oils or oil-based infusions.
If applied directly, cinnamon essential oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is a skin irritant. The symptoms of skin irritation include redness, itching, and inflammation.
Wintergreen essential oil (methyl salicylate) is highly toxic and should never be taken internally. Also wintergreen essential oil should not be applied to the skin of a child under the age of 12. High doses of topically applied wintergreen oil can be toxic.
By the way, "Oil of Vanilla" is not vanilla extract. "Vanilla essential oil" is extracted from the vanilla plant. There is no true "Vanilla essential oil" because it is not available as a steam distilled oil. What is sold as "Vanilla essential oil" for aromatherapy is typically an "absolute," or solvent extracted oleoresin. There is also a "vanilla essential oil" created from CO2 distillation, but it is expensive.
On the other hand, "vanilla extract" is used in food preparation. "Vanilla extract" is a solution which contains the flavor compound vanillin as the primary ingredient. "Pure vanilla extract" is made by macerating and percolating vanilla beans in a solution of water and ethyl alcohol. Because of the ethyl alcohol, "vanilla extract" will not mix into an oil blend.
In any case, Hurston's "Red Fast Luck oil" would likely have been rubbed onto mojo bags and candles. A few drops might have been added to a floor wash to draw luck to a business. However, it is unlikely that this mixture would have been rubbed directly into anyone's skin.
Cat Yronwode in MAGIC SPELLS: RECIPES for POTIONS used in SPELL-CASTING compiled from usenet, 1995 - present, suggested wearing gloves while mixing this oil recipe.
Angelina_20 provides her own interpetation of the recipe using essential oils mixed into an almond oil base, which she uses to dress candles.
10 drops cinnamon essential oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)Angelina_20 advises combining the essential oils with the almond base oil in the small bottle, which she uses to dress candles. She also suggests the small bottle should be shook up and then set in a cool dark place for at least 24 hours for the oils to blend.
10 drops vanilla essential oil (Vanilla planifolia)
10 drops wintergreen essential oil (methyl salicylate)
almond oil, as base
small bottle
Angelina_20 added a her own chant to repeat while shaking the bottle to be repeated three times: "Fast Luck, Fast Luck,/Bring to me my desire."
[To Angelina_20's suggestions, I add "Always remember to label the bottle. It makes it faster to find it later."]
Cat Yronwode also mentioned that, "Hurston does not tell what makes her informant's Red Fast Luck Oil red, but i was taught to colour it with Alkanet root, a few flakes per 1/2 oz. bottle. "
The term "Alkanet root" could mean either (Batschia canescens) which is commonly known as "alkanet," "hoary gromwell," and "hoary puccoon," or it could mean (Alkanna tinctoria) which is commonly known as "alkanet," "dyer's bugloss," "Spanish bugloss,"and "orchanct." This confusion again underscores the need for using Latin names when working with botanicals, roots, and herbs.
copyright Friday, April 13, 2012 Myth Woodling
Deborah Dera, Cinnamon Oil Safety, August 4, 2010, accessed on 4/13/12.
Georgetown University Medical Center, URBAN HERBS: Bee Balm, Wintergreen, 3900 Reservoir Rd. NW Washington, DC 20057 (no date).
Medieval Cookery, Medieval Spices, 2012.
Spells of Magic.com, Fast Luck Oil, 2012, accessed Friday, 4/13/12.
Catherine Yronwode, MAGIC SPELLS: RECIPES for POTIONS used in SPELL-CASTING compiled from usenet, 1995 - present, , 1995-2003, accessed Friday 4/13/12.