Calliandra angustifolia / Bobinsana / Leguminosae (Pea family)

Information

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Other Names

Bobinsana, Bobinzana, Balata, Bobensana, Bubinianal, Bubinsana, Bushiglla, Capabo, Chipero, Cigana, Koprupi, Kori-sacha, Kuanti, Neweí, Quinilla Blanca, Semein, Sháwi, Yacu Yutzu, Yopoyo.

Contents

The chemical constituents in bobinsana are not well documented. It is believed to contain harmala alkaloids, amino acids, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and sterols. Two studies reports the presence of several pipecolic acids.

Historical

This plant has been well known for centuries as a powerful healing plant. Traditionally a decoction of the bark is used. Indigenous people from Rio Pastaza use this plant, when they have to swim a river or fight. People of the Peruvian Amazon also grate the bark into baths.
Bobinsana is used by the Indians as an adjunctive ingredient in various Ayahuasca recipes in the Amazon, sometimes interchangeably with Chacruna. It is considered a "plant teacher" and is sometimes added to Ayahuasca recipes to help the shamans connect to and learn from the plants on a spiritual level.

Health Warnings

Avoid if seeking pregnancy.

Plant Description

This water-loving plant belongs to the Leguminosae (Pea family). It grows from 4 to 6m hight and is usually found alongside rivers and streams in the Amazon Basin. It can be found in the regions of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia. Bobinsana can also be found alongside streams in the cloud forests and warmer valleys of the Eastern Andean slopes up to 1500 meters in elevation. Bobinsana produces pretty pink to reddish powderpuff-like flowers typical of the Mimosa family to which it belongs. Also the tree produces a usable resinous gum.

References

Concept of Plants as Teachers among four Mestizo Shamans of Iquitos, Northeastern Perú, by Luis Eduardo Luna
Ayahuasca: alkaloids, plants & analogs, The Vaults of Erowid
Bobinsana, Raintree Tropical Plant Database