Babalawos use, to address conditions that go beyond what physical remedies alone can resolve. Akose blends herbs, roots, leaves, and sometimes animal components with sacred incantations and ritual preparation. The medicines are created to support protection, fertility, healing, conflict resolution, reversal of harmful energies, or the removal of obstacles.

These preparations differ from general herbal medicine because akose carries both physical properties and sacred potency activated through ritual and prayer. While herbal medicine focuses on the biological effects of plants, akose integrates unseen spiritual components.

A Babalawo is knowledgeable in both forms of healing protocols. However, his function differs from a regular herbalist in his ability to create spiritually activated potions.

A Babalawo determines the correct akose through divination, ensuring the solution aligns with the seeker’s destiny. This is why some issues, such as,persistent misfortune, legal trouble, or spiritual interference, require akose rather than conventional approaches.