What is idliso?

Idliso is a Zulu word that loosely translates to food poison. It is a form of sorcery that makes use of a concocted poison that is administered to the targeted person through food, drinks, or other substances taken into the body by swallowing. People use idliso for different reasons, which determine the type used. Each type is prepared differently, exhibits different symptoms, and has a unique method of treatment.

Why use idliso?

The motivations for using idliso on another person are wide ranging, the following are some of the most cited reasons: 

• To hinder someone’s success
• To bring sickness into someone’s life
• To destroy someone’s reputation and bring them bad luck
• To kill someone
• Unrequited love, when you love someone who does not love you
• To strengthen a romantic bond such as a marriage

Types of idliso

The motive for using idliso determines the type of idliso that is used. There are different types of idliso with some worse than others. The following outlines the most commonly used idliso from bad to worse:

1. Idliso lothando (love) – also known as ikorobela. This is the most commonly used type of idliso. It is used by both men and women who want someone to fall in love with them. It is also used to keep a lover that is slipping away. This type of idliso is added to food or drinks to make a person fall in love or to strengthen the love bond with them. 
2. Idliso locansi (sex) – is used to make sexual partner to enjoy having sex with the person administering this idliso. It makes the sexual partner to never want to have sexual intercourse with anyone but you. With this type of idliso, the sexual partner become generous in the bedroom and outside the bedroom as well.  
3. Idliso lomoya (spirit) – is a type of idliso that is administered to a person using evil spirits (imimoya emibi).  
4. Idliso lomeqo (jump over) – is a type of idliso that is administered to a person by sprinkling it on the ground where a person usually walks so, they can jump or walk over it.  
5. Idliso lokubulala (kill) – is a type of idliso that is meant to end the life of the targeted person. 

How to prepare idliso?

How idliso is prepared will depend on the type and motive for using it. Let’s use the example of idliso lothando (love) that a couple uses to strengthen their romantic bond.

This type of idliso can be created by feeding the targeted person your filth. Your filth can be anything, for example your nails, pubic hair, discharge, menstruation blood, etc. For example, you can cut your nails, burn them, and add their ash in the idliso mixture. Administer the mixture through food prepared for the targeted person. 

Symptoms of idliso

The symptoms of idliso can vary depending on the motive, type, and preparation method. The following outlines some of the most common symptoms of idliso:   

1. Dreaming of ingesting (eating or drinking) something. This can be voluntary or forced ingestion.
2. Persistent dreams of violence.
3. Passive suicidal ideation, when you think about killing yourself but do not take the necessary steps to make plans.
4. Angina, chest pains caused by the tightening of the heart muscles.
5. Anhedonia, losing interest in things you used to find pleasurable and rewarding. This can be losing interest in your hobbies, work, food, and friendships.
6. Phantom kicks, flutters that mimic fetal movement in the abdomen.
7. Being short-tempered or emotional.

Remedies of idliso

Idliso is one of the most difficult forms of sorcery to recover from. When you have been given idliso, it may take a lifetime to free yourself from it. Before treating idliso you must first determine the type of idliso you have and how it was administered. At times, drastic measures must be taken to treat idliso. The following are some of the most rudimentary ways to treat idliso:

1. The roots of ubukhwebezane (Lantana rugosa) are used to get rid of idliso lothando – a love portion administered with food. The mixture is administered as an emetic and the idliso is ejected through the mouth.
2. The roots of icishamlilo (Pentenisia prunelloides) are used to treat idliso that was administered with food. The roots are made into a decoction that is taken orally as a tonic to neutralize idliso.
3. A decoction made using umkhuze (Heteropyxis natalensis) is administered as an emetic. The idliso is ejected orally.

Safety precaution:

The use of traditional medicine in prescribed dosages will yield good results. Misuse and abuse may lead to complications. To learn about correct dosage, consult a traditional healer or a herbalist. You can also visit imithiyesintu.co.za or email: info@imithiyesintu.co.za to learn more about traditional medicine.