Diplopterys cabrerana / Chaliponga / Malpighiaceae (Malpighia family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Chaliponga, Chagropanga, Oco-yagè, Pucahuasca, Huambisca.

Description

Diplopterys cabrerana is a liana from the tropical parts of South America. This liana looks like the Ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and was formerly known as Banisteriopsis rusbyana. Diplopterys is favored by Ayahuasca shamans in Amazonian Ecuador and western Colombia, whereas in Brazil and Peru, Chacruna (Psychotria viridis) is the preferred admixture plant. The leaves of Diplopterys are known as Chagropanga and Chaliponga and commonly used as an additive to Ayahuasca brews. The brew with Diplopterys is generally known as Oco-yage, (water-yage). The leaves of Diplopterys cabrerana contain tryptamine alkaloids. The Sionas, for example, use this species to "enhance the visions" to "bring them into focus and bring about longer duration".

Contents

Leaves:
* N,N Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) 0.17-1.75%
* 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)
* Bufotenine, traces
* Methyltryptamine
* N-methyltetrahydro-beta-carboline, traces
Stems:
* N,N Dimethyltryptamine
* 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine
* N-methyltetrahydro-beta-carboline

Historical

The term "Oco" in all Tukanoan languages means "water". In the westernmost Colombian Amazonia the leaves are often used as additives in the preparation of Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi). The Sionas use this species to "enhance the visions" to "bring them into focus and bring about longer duration". This plant was formerly known as Banisteriopsis rusbyana."(4)
In northeastern Peru, eastern Ecuador, and western Colombia the leaves of Diplopterys cabrerana are commonly prepared with Banisteriopsis caapi, in the preparation of Ayahuasca.

Plant Description

The 800 species in 60 genera of this family are shrubs or small trees, more often vines or lianas. Diplopterys cabrerana is native to South America and it can still be found growing wild in parts of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is also intentionally cultivated as a cash crop in these areas.

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Reunion
• Bulgaria
• Ukraine
• France

References

Diplopterys cabrerana analysis and use, Lycaeum.org
Diplopterys cabrerana, Wikipedia
Chaliponga, a1b2c3

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Ayahuasca Homepage
Banisteriopsis caapi - Vine of the Soul - taken from "Plants of the gods, their sacred, healing and hallucinogenic powers"
France Control Ayahuasca Plants & Chemicals
Rick Strassman
Tryptamine Alkaloids

Related Products

Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi)
Chiricaspi (Brunfelsia chiricaspi)
Chacruna (Psychotria viridis)

Brunfelsia chiricaspi / Chiricaspi / Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Description

In the Colombian, Ecuadorian and Peruvian Amazon, several species of Brunfelsia are traditionally used as visionary plants. Brunfelsia is added to a hallucinogenic drink called Yage made from the giant forest liana Banisteriopsis caapi (Malpighiaceae). Scopoletin has been isolated from Brunfelsia, but this may not be the only psychoactive compound present. Scopoletin is a phenolic lactone (C10H8O4) that is found in many solanaceous plants, including species of Scopolia and the deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). According to Richard Evans Schultes and Albert Hofmann, a sensation of chills follows the ingestion of Brunfelsia, an effect which has given rise to the name "Chiricaspi" or "Cold tree".

Related Products

Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi)
Chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana)
Chacruna (Psychotria viridis)

Leonotis nepetifolia / Klip Dagga / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Bald head, Bald Rush, Bird honey, Christmas candlestick, Gros bouton, Gros tête, Hollowstalk, Johnny Collins, Klip Dagga, Lion's ear, Lion's Tail, Lulyolwasebe, Man Piabba, Pompon soldat, Rubim and Tolonga.

Leonotis nepetifolia / Klip Dagga / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Bald head, Bald Rush, Bird honey, Christmas candlestick, Gros bouton, Gros tête, Hollowstalk, Johnny Collins, Klip Dagga, Lion's ear, Lion's Tail, Lulyolwasebe, Man Piabba, Pompon soldat, Rubim and Tolonga.

Leonotis nepetifolia / Klip Dagga / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Bald head, Bald Rush, Bird honey, Christmas candlestick, Gros bouton, Gros tête, Hollowstalk, Johnny Collins, Klip Dagga, Lion's ear, Lion's Tail, Lulyolwasebe, Man Piabba, Pompon soldat, Rubim and Tolonga.

Ptychopetalum olacoides / Muira Puama / Olacaceae (Aster family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Potency Wood, Marapuama, Marapama, Muiratã, Muiratam, Pau-Homen, Potenzholz.

Description

Ptychopetalum olacoides is a small tree native to the Amazon rainforest. Muira Puama is also called "potency wood", referring to its main usage as an Aphrodisiac in South American folk medicine. Muira Puama is in the Brazilian, English and German herbal pharmacopoeia and also used in the United States by herbal practitioners. Muira puama has a long history of use, primarily for strengthening libido and sexual function.

Contents

The main plant chemicals found in Muira Puama include: alpha-copaene, alpha-elemene, alpha-guaiene, alpha-humulene, alpha-muurolene, alpha-pinene, alpha-resinic acid, alpha-terpinene, arachidic acid, allo-aromadendren, behenic acid, beta-bisabolene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, beta-resinic acid, beta-sitosterol, beta-transfarnesene, borneol, campesterols, camphene, camphor, car-3-ene, caryophyllene, cerotic acid, chromium, coumarin, cubebene, delta-cadinene, dotriacontanoic acid, elixene, ergosterols, eugenol, essential oils, gamma-muurolene, hentriacontanoic acid, heptacosanoic acid, lignoceric acid, limonene, linalool, lupeol, melissic acid, montanic acid, muirapuamine, myrcene, nonacosanoic acid, para-cymene, pentacosanoic acid, phlobaphene, stigmasterols, trichosanic acid, and uncosanic acid.(2)

Synergic Combinations

Muira Puama is sometimes combined with Catuaba, Damiana or Horny Goat Weed in various formulas on the market.

Historical

Historically, all parts of muira puama have been used medicinally, but the bark and roots are the most-utilized parts of the plant. It has long been used in the Amazon by indigenous peoples for a number of purposes. In Brazilian herbal medicine, muira puama still is a highly-regarded sexual stimulant with a reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac. It has been in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia since the 1950s. Early European explorers noted the indigenous uses and the aphrodisiac qualities of muira puama and brought it back to Europe, where it has become part of herbal medicine in England. Muira puama has been gaining in popularity in the United States among herbal practitioners.(2)(3)

Plant Description

Ptychopetalum olacoides is a small tree that grows to 5 m high and is native to the Brazilian Amazon and other parts of the Amazon rainforest. The small, white flowers have a pungent fragrance similar to jasmine's. The Ptychopetalum genus is a small one - only two species of small trees grow in tropical South America and five in tropical Africa. The two South American varieties, P. olacoides (found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname) and P. uncinatum (found only in Brazil), are used interchangeably in South American herbal medicine systems.(1)(2)

References

(1) Ptychopetalum, Wikipedia
(2) Muira Puama, Raintree
(3) Fytotherapeutisch compendium J van Hellemont

Morinda citrifolia / Noni / Rubiaceae (Coffee family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

great morinda, Indian mulberry, beach mulberry, Tahitian noni, cheese fruit

Description

Noni might be a relatively recent discovery for Western herbology, but it has a long history of use in Polynesian culture. It is widely recognized through the Pacific for its healthful attributes. Almost all parts of the plant have some application in folk medicine. The fruit has been used in food, and the root and bark - as a dye.

Contents

Analyzed as a whole fruit powder, noni fruit has excellent levels of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, providing 55% and 100% of the Dietary Reference Intakes, respectively, in a 100 g serving. A good source of protein (12% DRI), noni pulp is low in total fats (4% DRI). The main micronutrient features of noni pulp powder include exceptional vitamin C content (10x DRI) and substantial amounts of niacin (vitamin B3), iron and potassium. Vitamin A, calcium and sodium are present in moderate amounts. It also contains oligo- and polysaccharides, glycosides, scopoletin, beta-sitosterol, damnacanthal, alkaloids. (2)

Historical

About 2000 years ago, the ancient peoples of French Polynesia colonized islands throughout the South Pacific. As they made their voyages, they brought with them sacred plants from their home islands. These plants
had within them basic foods, construction materials and medicines used by the colonizers. Morinda citrifolia L (noni) is one of the most important traditional Polynesian medicinal plants. Remedies from isolated Polynesian cultures, such as that of Rotuma, illustrate traditional indications that focus upon leaves, roots, bark, and green fruit, primarily for topical ailments. Anecdotally collected Hawaiian remedies that employ noni fruit illustrate changing usage patterns with shifts in recent times to preparation of juice made of ripe or decaying fruit. (1)
This species was commonly cultivated as a dye plant; the bark contains a red pigment and the roots a yellow pigment used in dying kapa. (3)

Plant Description

Small trees or shrubs 3-6 m tall; stems 4-angled, glabrous. Leaves glossy, membranous, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 20-45 cm long, 7-25 cm wide, glabrous, petioles stout, 1.5-2 cm long, stipules connate or distinct, 10-12 mm long, apex entire or 2-3lobed. Flowers perfect, ca. 75-90 in ovoid to globose heads, peduncles 10-30 mm long; calyx a truncate rim; corolla white, 5-lobed, the tube greenish white, 7-9 mm long, the lobes oblong-deltate, ca. 7 mm long; stamens 5, scarcely exserted; style ca. 15 mm long. Syncarp yellowish white, fleshy, 5-10 cm long, ca. 3-4 cm in diameter, soft and foetid when ripe. Seeds with a distinct air chamber. Native from southeastern Asia to Australia; in Hawai’i a Polynesian introduction originally cultivated for its medicinal and dye properties, now naturalized in relatively dry to mesic sites, 0-450 m, in solution pits near the coast, disturbed hala forest, dry to mesic forest, and alien grassland, on all of the main islands except not documented from Kaho’olawe. (3)

References

(1) From Polynesian Healers to Health Food Stores: Changing Perspectives of Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae), Will McClatchey
(2) Noni, Wikipedia
(3) The Noni Website, University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Morinda citrifolia / Noni / Rubiaceae (Coffee family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

great morinda, Indian mulberry, beach mulberry, Tahitian noni, cheese fruit

Description

Noni might be a relatively recent discovery for Western herbology, but it has a long history of use in Polynesian culture. It is widely recognized through the Pacific for its healthful attributes. Almost all parts of the plant have some application in folk medicine. The fruit has been used in food, and the root and bark - as a dye.

Contents

Analyzed as a whole fruit powder, noni fruit has excellent levels of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, providing 55% and 100% of the Dietary Reference Intakes, respectively, in a 100 g serving. A good source of protein (12% DRI), noni pulp is low in total fats (4% DRI). The main micronutrient features of noni pulp powder include exceptional vitamin C content (10x DRI) and substantial amounts of niacin (vitamin B3), iron and potassium. Vitamin A, calcium and sodium are present in moderate amounts. It also contains oligo- and polysaccharides, glycosides, scopoletin, beta-sitosterol, damnacanthal, alkaloids. (2)

Historical

About 2000 years ago, the ancient peoples of French Polynesia colonized islands throughout the South Pacific. As they made their voyages, they brought with them sacred plants from their home islands. These plants
had within them basic foods, construction materials and medicines used by the colonizers. Morinda citrifolia L (noni) is one of the most important traditional Polynesian medicinal plants. Remedies from isolated Polynesian cultures, such as that of Rotuma, illustrate traditional indications that focus upon leaves, roots, bark, and green fruit, primarily for topical ailments. Anecdotally collected Hawaiian remedies that employ noni fruit illustrate changing usage patterns with shifts in recent times to preparation of juice made of ripe or decaying fruit. (1)
This species was commonly cultivated as a dye plant; the bark contains a red pigment and the roots a yellow pigment used in dying kapa. (3)

Plant Description

Small trees or shrubs 3-6 m tall; stems 4-angled, glabrous. Leaves glossy, membranous, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 20-45 cm long, 7-25 cm wide, glabrous, petioles stout, 1.5-2 cm long, stipules connate or distinct, 10-12 mm long, apex entire or 2-3lobed. Flowers perfect, ca. 75-90 in ovoid to globose heads, peduncles 10-30 mm long; calyx a truncate rim; corolla white, 5-lobed, the tube greenish white, 7-9 mm long, the lobes oblong-deltate, ca. 7 mm long; stamens 5, scarcely exserted; style ca. 15 mm long. Syncarp yellowish white, fleshy, 5-10 cm long, ca. 3-4 cm in diameter, soft and foetid when ripe. Seeds with a distinct air chamber. Native from southeastern Asia to Australia; in Hawai’i a Polynesian introduction originally cultivated for its medicinal and dye properties, now naturalized in relatively dry to mesic sites, 0-450 m, in solution pits near the coast, disturbed hala forest, dry to mesic forest, and alien grassland, on all of the main islands except not documented from Kaho’olawe. (3)

References

(1) From Polynesian Healers to Health Food Stores: Changing Perspectives of Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae), Will McClatchey
(2) Noni, Wikipedia
(3) The Noni Website, University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Bursera graveolens / Palo Santo / Burseraceae (Copal Family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Palo de la vida o Santo, Sacred Wood, Holy wood, St. Anthony`s wood, Palosanto, Mallka Waki.

Description

Palo Santo, or "Holy Wood" or "Sacred tree" is a natural aromatic incense wood, used for centuries by the Incas as a spiritual remedy for purifying and cleansing and to get rid of evil spirits, misfortune and calamity. Burning Palo Santo helps to create an overall peaceful and purifying effect. It has a wonderfully calming, soothing fragrance, with a powerful energy. Palo Santo is harvested under government supervision by the native peoples of the Amazonian region of South America. These are protected, one thousand year old trees from which the windfall is collected from the ground and considered sacred by the indigenous peoples for many generations.

Scent

Palo Santo has both a deep enjoyable wooden aroma as well as a nice warming middle range and a wonderful sweet top range to it. Palo Santos wide range of enjoyable aromatic 'notes' seems to be uniquely uncharacteristic to any single aromatic component. Burning a small piece of wood gives a peaceful warm atmosphere and leads you into a pleasant relaxed state of mind.

Contents

Aged heartwood is rich in essential oils such as limonene and alpha-pinene.

Preparation

Light the end of a Palo Santo stick, allow the flame to burn for a moment, and blow out the flame. Alternatively you can burn the powdered or shredded wood on Charcoal Disks.

Synergic Combinations

For those who love to experiment with the alchemy of combined scents, Palo Santo goes very well with the following incenses: Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), White Sage (Salvia apiana) and Copal (Dacryoides peruviana).

Historical

Palo Santo has been used by the Incas for generations. Shamans in the Andean mountains still use Palo Santo as part of their curing rituals. It is often used in Ayahuasca ceremonies. Its sacred properties and distinctly enjoyable aroma have only very recently been rediscovered by modern man. Nowadays Palo Santo can be found in the streets of Quito at Christmas, where the salesmen shout "Palo Santo, to clean your house of bad energy", "Palo Santo for good luck". The essential oil of the Palo Santo tree has many applications in aromatherapy.

Plant Description

Bursera graveolens inhabits the South American Gran Chaco region (northern Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and the Brazilian Mato Grosso). It is also common on the coast of Ecuador. It is related to the Frankincense tree (genus Boswellia). The Palo Santo tree has no branches on the lower part of the trunk, and within a radius of several yards not a leaf or a blade of grass will grow. It is a soft, light wood, usually found near the river banks, and is the favorite haunt of colonies of the Brazilian fire ant, a vicious insect with an extremely painful bite. Touch the tree, and armies of these ants rush out from holes in the trunk eager to attack, even dropping from branches above on to the trespasser.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Alpha-pinene
Limonene

Related Products

Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi)
Charcoal disks (Charcoal disks)
Copal (Dacryoides peruviana)
Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata)
Chacruna (Psychotria viridis)
White Sage (Salvia apiana)

Heimia salicifolia / Sinicuichi / Lythraceae (Loosestrife family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Sun Opener, Sinicuichi, Heimia, Plant of the Yellow Vision, Herb of Life, Huauchinal, Anchinol, Xonecuili, Shrubby Yellowcrest.

Description

Native in Highlands from Mexico to Northern Argentina, Sinicuichi is an ancient divination plant. Although many different uses in folk medicine are reported from widely separated parts of its range, only in Mexico as of yet, has the small shrub been valued as a shamanistic herb. Some of the local vernacular names are suggestive of the biodynamic properties of Heimia salicifolia, such as "Abre-o-Sol" (Sun Opener) and "Herva de la Vida" (Herb of Life) in Brazil. Traditionally used to induce trance states, especially for memory and communication with ancestors.

Aromatic Properties

"Sun Opener", "Plant of the Yellow Vision", "Herb of Life". The natives believe that Sinicuichi has sacred or supernatural qualities. Increases communication and listening skills, quietens in order to hear others and understand, lifts emotional burdens from the heart. Joy, creativity. Clearer decision-making, choice of direction. Deep satisfaction and experience of harmony.

Contents

Vertine (cryogenine) is generally regarded as the primary psychoactive component and is also generally the most abundant constituent of alkaloidal extracts.(4) Other alkaloids which have been isolated from Heimia salicifolia are lythrine, dehydrodecodine, lythridine, heimidine, lyfoline, epi-lyfoline, 9beta-hydroxyvertine and (2S,4S,10R)-4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-quinolizidin-2-acetate.(5)

Historical

"This plant was called Sinicuiche or Sinicuichi by the Aztec and is still used by Mexican shamans as a trance-divination catalyst"(1). This plant typifies an hallucinogen of which the hallucinogenic characteristics are auditory, not visual. The natives believe that Sinicuichi has sacred or supernatural qualities, since they hold that it helps them recall events which took place many years earlier as if they had happened yesterday; others assert that they are able, with Sinicuichi, to remember pre-natal events.(2)
"The aerial parts have a wide folk reputation for antisyphilitic, sudorific, antipyretic, laxative and diuretic activity, and are reported to be useful in preparing post partum baths and to enhance wound healing."(3)
Other Mexican names for this plant are Huauchinal, Anchinol and Xonecuili. In English it is called "Sun Opener" or "Shrubby Yellowcrest".

Plant Description

Heimia salicifolia is a shrub with numerous small dark green leaves, and often dozens of tiny bright yellow flowers. It can grow to 3 m tall. The yellow flowers are 5 petaled and 2-3 cm in diameter. The leaves are approximately 1 cm wide and 3-5 cm long. The plant is native to most of the tropical regions throughout the Western Hemisphere, specifically Texas, Mexico, El Salvador, and all areas between Colombia and Argentina - most commonly found in ditches and other wet soils. This plant is cold and drought tolerant, but will not survive a solid freeze.

Legal Remarks

References

(1) Psychedelic Shamanism, Jim DeKorne
(2) The plant kingdom and hallucinogens (part III), Richard Evans Schultes
(3) Heimia salicifolia: a phytochemical and phytopharmacologic review. Malone MH, Rother A, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific
(4) Heimia salicifolia FAQ, Rev. MeO, Auxin, and Erowid
(5) Alkaloids from Heimia salicifolia, Rumalla CS, Jadhav AN, Smillie T, Fronczek FR, Khan IA, National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi