During the late 1950s and early 1960s, the United States experienced a surge of immigration from Afro-Spanish Caribbean communities such as Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Within these newly formed immigrant communities emerged a unique institution called the “botánica.” Located throughout major urban cities in the United States, botánicas are small stores and shops devoted to the distribution of religious artifacts and supplies such as oils, candles, music, books, beads, powders, charms, amulets, statues, ceramic pots, baths and incense. The name “botánica” refers to the science of botany or plants. Hence, assorted herbs and plant life are some of the chief products sold there.

The items sold at botánicas are primarily used for the purposes of sacred ritual and spiritual healing. Much of the herbal pharmacopeia and spiritual supplies are related to the practice of various African-derived religious traditions such as Santería, Palo Mayombe, Espiritismo and Haitian Voudou. Practitioners of these traditions utilize local botánicas as sources for medicinal supplies, religious paraphernalia and spiritual consultation.