Root Work (Southern U.S.,Caribbean), or Mal puesto or brujeria in (Latino societies)>, A belief that illnesses are caused by supernatural curcumstances such as, witch craft, voodoo, or evil influences. The affected experiences symptoms such as gastrointestinal complaints, anxiety, and the fears of being poisoned or killed. <reference>-http://rjg42.tripod.com/culturebound_syndromes.htm Root Work is known by other names as well such as Hoodoo, Conjure, and Folk Magic. Historically, Root work has been practiced by African Americans, but you can find some white root doctors as well. Root Work is found in the Caribbean, but also in the southern United States. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoodoo_(folk_magic)

1. ""Hoodoo Folk Magic"" (no author) [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/hoodoo_(Folk_Magic)] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture-bound_syndrome The term "hoodoo" or "conjure" as it is sometimes called, was adopted into the American English system in 1875.

2. Primary Psychiatry, Manuel Trujillo,MD Primary Psychiatry. 2008;15(4):65-71,77-84, [www.primarypsychiatry.com/aspx/articledetail.aspx?articleid=1527] http://www.primarypsychiatry.com/aspx/articledetail.aspx?articleid=1527

3. Hoodoo Conjure and Rootwork by Catherine Yronwode [www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html] http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html Hoodoo is considered an African American fold magic tradition. The beliefs were brought to America by the African slaves who came here. With the combination of Christian, Jewish, and Pagen religions and forklore, hoodoo was born. Catherine Yronwode

4. McQuillar, T. L. (2003). Rootwork: Using the folk magick of black america for love, money and success. Touchstone. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Rootwork-Using-Magick-America-Success/dp/0743235347 Rootwork is a form of folk magic that’s considered a means of changing ourselves, others, and our environment. It’s an African-American form of shamanism it makes use of organic materials to heal the body. Like other forms of shamanism; believers in rootwork, believe that they can use unseen forces of nature to manipulate the tangible world. (By:Amanda Buck)

5. Harry Middleton- http://www.molochsorcery.com/rootwork.html - People actual use a Christian Bible as a source of Mystical Folklore. -(Brooke Blackford) 6. http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html (Added by Mike Wightman) Its earliest usage in America is connected with Irish sailors, not African slaves. in the mid 19th century, ships that had suffered a series of ill-fated voyages and mishaps were called hoodoo ships or were said to have been hoodoo'd. In some accounts the problems onboard these vessels were attributed to an evil spirit or presence.

7. Sacred Vescha Conjure. (http://veschaconjure.com/rootwork/). Accessed June 25, 2012. <Added by Kelly Cox> Rootwork, or Hoodoo, is not considered a religion. It is a system of magic that incorporates other religions and may be practiced by individuals who belong to a particular religion. Many practicers or rootwork believe in God.

<REFERENCE> Michael C. Tinling M.D. Dr. Tinling produces 7 cases of Root Work in his article http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/content/29/5/483.full.pdf