Abuta grandifolia / Abuta / Menispermaceae (Moonseed 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sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated.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

Abuta, Ancabesux (Siona), Aristoloche Lobee, Barbasco, Bejuco De Raton, Bejunco de Cerca, Bofrusiri (Surinam) , Brava, Mutua, mutua, Caimitillo, Feuille Coeur, Gasing Gasing, Ice Vine, Imchich Masha, Liane Patte chaval, Motelo sanando, Oje-ji-ka-ka (Andoke), Palo de motelo (Ecuador), Palo de Motelo (Ecuador), Pancha muca (Shipibo-Conibo, Pareira , Patacon, Quaymitu (Quechua) , sanando, Soga, Taquepuraque (Kubeo), Trompetero sacha, Velvetleaf, Vibuajeira-Mirsimarika (Macuna), Yahuaticaspi.

Scent

Abuta is extremely bitter to the taste.

Contents

Abuta contains Saponins, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, and Tannins. Its active components are: (+) Curine, (++) Curine-4''-Methyl-Ether, 4-O-Methylcurine, Alkaloids, Bebeerine, Cissamine, Cissampareine, Cyclanoline, Cycleanine, D-quercitol, EO, Hayatidine, Hayatine, Hayatinine, Isochondodendrine, Menismine, Parierine, Pelosine, Quercitol, Saponin, Tetrandrine, and Tetrandrine-N-2'-Oxide.
Abuta contains Palmatin; bis-benzil-isoquinolinic alkaloids and three particular molecules: Tetrandrin, Parirubin A and Parirubin B.

Plant Description

Abuta is a tropical woody, climbing vine with long leaves, white flowers and inedible dark, grape seized, berries. Abuta vine is hard, heavy, tough, and when freshly cut has a waxy luster. The vine is blackish brown with beautiful knotty ridges that resemble a ruffled ribbon winding its way up to the canopy. This plant is found in tropical wet areas, with a high level of rainfall and is relatively resistant to floods. It can be found near and far away from water, in secondary forests, degraded meadows, and pastures with medium light intensity. Found throughout the Amazon in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador and Columbia, Abuta is cultivated by many people to beautify their gardens.

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Native to South America and India, Abuta grows in the Amazon basin and other humid, tropical areas. The part most frequently used in herbal medicine is the bark, but the leaves and roots have also been used. This woody vine has a long history of use in medical systems throughout latin America and also in ayurvedic medicine. Abuta is commonly referred to as the midwives' herb. Some Peruvian shamans add the bark to ayahuasca brews. It is also an ingredient in a dart poison recipe.

			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	wood (1) shredded Peru, Amazon, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		50 g - $ 3.80  100 g - $ 6.60  250 g - $ 15.25  500 g - $ 27.50  1000 g - $ 49.50	x
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Mansoa alliacea / Ajos Sacha / Bignoniaceae (Bignonia 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

Adenocalymma alliaceum, Adenocalymma pachypus, Adenocalymma sagotii, Pachyptera alliacea, Pseudocalymma pachypus, Pseudocalymma sagotti, Pseudocalymma alliaceum, Bignonia alliacea, Mansoa alliacea, Bignonia aequinoctialis, Aboeja-mibia, Ah-kah-pota, Ajo Macho, Ajo Sacha, Ajos Sacha, Ajosacha, Ajos del Monte, Amazonian Garlic Bush, Ayotete, Be'o-ho, Be'o-ja, Pusanga, Bejuco de Ajo, Boens, Cipo-alho, Cipo-dalho, False Garlic, Garlic Rope, Garlic Vine, Gonofroe-tite, Ilay Kamwi, Ka Ale, Knof-looklian, Knoflook Liaan, Koenofrokoetite, Kwi-po-kan, Liane-ail, Nia Boens, Nishi Boains, Posatalu, Sacha Ajo, Sucho Ajo, Shansque Boains, Tingi-tite, Vova, Wild Garlic, Woe-ipole.

Scent

This vine has a strong Garlic fragrance, and is even used as substitute for Garlic in food.

Aromatic Properties

The plant, when used as an amulet and its fragrance when burned will drive away evil spirits. Used for cleansing the aura or to purify ritual objects.

Contents

Chemicals reported in Ajos Sacha thus far include: 24-ethyl-cholest-7-en-3-beta-ol, 3-beta-hydroxy-urs-18-en-27-oic acid, alliin, allyl sulfides, alpha 4-hydroxy-9-methoxy-lapachone, alpha 9-methoxy-lapachone, apigenins, aspartic acid, beta-sitosterol, beta amyrin, beta-peltoboykinolic acid, cosmosiin, cyanidin-3-o-beta-d-rutinoside, daucosterol, diallyl sulfides, 1-2: 3-vinyl-dithi-4-ene, 1-2: 3-vinyl-dithi-5-ene, dithiacyclopentene, dotriacontan-1-ol, fucosterol, glutamic acid, glycyrrhetol, hentriacontanes, hexacosan-1-ol, hexatriacontans, leucine, luteolin, n-nonacosane, oct-1-en-3-ol, octacosan-1-ol, pentatriacont-1-en-17-ol, scutellarein-7-o-beta-d-glucuronide, stigmasterol, triacontan-1-ol, triallyl sulfides, trithiacyclohexene, n-tritriacontane, and ursolic acid. (1)

Historical

Ajos Sacha is well used and respected by most of the indigenous Indian tribes of the Amazon and almost all parts of the plant are used; the leaves, vine bark, and root. Most consider the plant to be "Magical" or "Spiritual" and capable of driving away evil spirits or used for good luck. The leaves, tied in bunches, can often be found in local huts and houses for this purpose, or, the leaves are burned as smudge over people or in houses to "cleanse the spirit" or to bring good luck. The Shipibo-Conibo Indians give a tea of bark to dogs to make them good hunters and also drink the tea themselves to bring good luck when hunting or fishing. Oftentimes, Ajos Sacha can be found as an adjunctive ingredient in the potion the shamans use in spiritual ceremonies called Ayahuasca. It is added to the brew to drive away evil spirits, or to purify the blood and body to make the Ayahuasca more readily accepted.
True communion with the spirits of plants can only be achieved, shamans believe, through a special diet. The diet consists of vegetables and special plants of the jungle, such as the Ajos Sacha.
Ajos Sacha is also quite well known and popular in the cities and towns in the Amazon and has a long history of use in herbal medicine systems in Peru and Brazil. (1)

Plant Description

Ajos Sacha grows into a cluster of vines, and it is common to plant it next to the trunk of a tree. Deep lavender flowers with white throat fading to a paler lavender. Blooms heavily in the Spring and Fall. Will have some flowers on and off throughout the year. Flowers start off purple and change to a lighter shade of lavender with age. Eventually fading to almost white. You will see 3 different color of flowers at the same time on the plant.

References

(1) Ajos Sacha, Raintree Plant Database

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Literally translated as "Fake Garlic", Ajos Sacha is a vine-like tree whose leaves, when crushed, smell like garlic, with a hint of onion. Ajos Sacha has many spiritual uses, and is a favorite with hunters. Ritual purification of the fisherman's body, tools, and canoes with Ajos Sacha to assure a good catch, are common practice. The plant is also used in a "Baño de florecimiento", meaning "Flourishing bath" to attract good luck, wealth and prosperity into one's life. Among many other herbs, such as Mucura (Petivera alliacea), Guayusa (Ilex guayusa), Toe (Brugmansia suaveolens) and Piri Piri (Cyperus articulatus), Ajos sacha is often used as an admixture of Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) preparations. It is a teacher-plant.

			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	wood (3) cut Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		50 g - $ 4.50  100 g - $ 7.90  250 g - $ 17.75  500 g - $ 33.50  1000 g - $ 59.00	x
	leaves (1) whole Peru, Amazon, excellent quality, limited stock ! [ details ] [ view ]		25 g - $ 2.20  50 g - $ 3.90	x
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Desmodium mollicum / Amor Seco / Leguminosae (Pea 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.

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			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	herb (1) whole Peru, excellent quality [details] [ view ]		50 g - $ 4.70  100 g - $ 8.30	x
	herb (2) finely shredded Peru, excellent quality, limited stock ! [details] [ view ]		50 g - $ 4.70  100 g - $ 8.30	x
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Myrcianthes sp / Arrayan / Myrtaceae (Myrtle 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

Myrianthes sp., Myrtus luma Mol., Myrtus apiculata, Luma apiculata, Eugenia apiculata, Myrceugenia apiculata Niedenzu, Myrceugenella apiculata Kausel, Arrayan, Arrayán, Kelümamüll (orange-wood), Collimamol, Glanleam Gold, Chilean Myrtle, Palo Colorado, Temu.

Scent

The leaves have a lemon fragrance.

Aromatic Properties

Arrayan is mostly used for smudging during ceremonies and rituals.

Historical

Arrayan is an ancient tree. The tree is part of a forest called "Gondwannic" that evolved between 500 and 140 million years ago, when South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica were still part of a single supercontinent called Gondwana. Plate tectonics caused Gondwana to begin splitting apart 140 million years ago, spreading a southern beech (nothofagus) forest ecosystem to regions of southern Chile and Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and southern Africa. They are holy trees to the Araucanian Indians.

Plant Description

Arrayán trees are a strikingly beautiful variety of Myrtle with twisted, Cinnamon-colored trunks that are very smooth and cold to the touch. The trunk peels, revealing shades from reddish-brown to white. When the sun's rays filter through the branches, the effect is magical. Arrayán trees grow very slowly, reaching heights up to 55 feet, and can be up to 300 years old. It is evergreen, with small fragrant oval leaves 2-2.5 cm long and 1.5 cm broad, and profuse white flowers in early to mid summer. Its fruit is an edible black or blue berry, ripe in early autumn.

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Arrayan leaves, from the Peruvian rainforest are traditionally used as a smudging incense during Ayahuasca rituals. The Arrayán has medicinal uses for the Mapuche people. The fruit is eaten as candy or used to make a drink called "Chicha". It is also grown in gardens and as bonsai as a decorative plant for its glossy evergreen foliage, in beautiful contrast to the slender red stems. It has become naturalised in parts of Ireland and western Great Britain.

			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	leaves (1) whole Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		25 g - $ 2.70  50 g - $ 4.60  100 g - $ 8.30  250 g - $ 18.50  500 g - $ 34.50  1000 g - $ 62.00	x
	herb (1) essential oil Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		1 ml - $ 2.00  5 ml - $ 6.90  10 ml - $ 12.50	x
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Banisteriopsis caapi / Ayahuasca / 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

Ayahuasca, Caapi, Yage, Yaje, Natem, Datem, Pinde, Dapa, Vine of the Soul, Vine of the Dead, Spirit of the Dead, Spirit Vine.

Contents

Telepathine was originally thought to be the active chemical constituent of Banisteriopsis caapi. This isolated chemical was so named because of the reported effects of Ayahuasca among the indigenous users, including: collective contact with and/or visions of jaguars, snakes, and jeweled birds, and ancestral spirits; the ability to see future events; and as the name suggests, telepathic communication among tribal members. It was assumed to be a newly discovered chemical at the time, however, it was soon realized that Telepathine was already more widely known as "harmine" from its previous discovery in Peganum harmala (Syrian Rue).

Constituents:
Harmine: 7-methoxy,1-methyl-bC, Harmaline: 3,4-dihydroharmine, Harmine-N-oxide, Harmine acid: methylester: Methyl-7-methoxy-b-carboline-1-carboxylate, Harmilinic acid: 7-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-b-carboline1-carboxylic acid
Harmanamide: 1-carbamoyl-7-methoxy-b-carboline, Acethylnorharnine: 1-acethyl-7-methoxy-b-carboline, Keto-tetrahydronorharmine: 7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-oxo-b-carboline.
Principal active biochemicals: the beta-carbolines harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine are present in the bark, stems, and trunk of B. caapi (B. inebrians), and other species of Banisteriopsis. Tetrahydroharmine occurs in greater concentration in B. caapi than in other plants bearing harmala alkaloids such as Peganum harmala (Syrian rue). This may account for the more profound and lasting effects produced by genuine Ayahuasca compared to "analogue" preparations.

Additional Remarks

When the Ayahuasca is used for healing purposes, the shaman is the person to take the drink, not the patient. Sometimes the patient has already tried conventional medicine. If that fails, they will turn to the shaman for treatment believing that the source of the illness may be magical. During this treatment the shaman will imbibe in the drink and translate the visions he sees while under the influence. He interprets these visions so he can discern what caused the illness and fight it symbolically. The shaman will sing to the patient about the fight and in the process is freeing him from the evil (Rivier and Lindgren 1972). This is not the only way the drinks are used medicinally. In some cultures, the shaman and the patient will ingest the drink (Bennett 1992).
Shamans, as the tribes medicinemen are sometimes called, take the Ayahuasca, Natem, or Pinde, which ever name their tribe uses, for religious and spiritual reasons and healing purposes. The shamans "drink hallucinogenic beverages to communicate with the spirit world, diagnose illnesses, determine guilt, and see the future" (Bennett 1992).

Historical

The use of Ayahuasca for visionary experiences appears to be primeval, to judge from the richness of associated mythology. Pre-Columbian rock drawings are similar to contemporary Ayahuasqueros paintings, which are said to represent Yage visions. (See page 127 of "Plants of the Gods" by Richard Evans Schultes and Albert Hofmann for a fine example of such a drawing on granite). However, the earliest known record of the practices associated with this botanical wasn't set down until the middle of the nineteenth century.
The author was Richard Spruce, a one time British schoolteacher, who was among the early explorers to make the perilous journey into the Amazon. Spruce almost died of dysentery and malaria but survived to become one of botany's greatest collectors. In 1851, while exploring the upper Rio Negro of the Brazilian Amazon, he observed the use of Yage. He came upon it twice in Peru in 1853. In his "Notes of a Botanist on the Amazon and Andes", he described its sources, its preparation and its effects upon himself. Unfortunately, Spruce's experience was characterized mainly by his getting sick.

Spruce's Notes didn't appear in print until 1908. Alfred Russel Wallace, who simultaneously with Darwin conceived the theory of evolution, edited them. Spruce suspected that additives were responsible for the psychoactivity of this beverage, although he noted that Banisteriopsis by itself was considered mentally active. The samples he sent to England for chemical analysis weren't located and assayed until more than a century later. They were still psychoactive when examined in 1966.

The first widely read description of Yage practices was published in 1858 by Manuel Villavicencio, an Ecuadorian geographer. The experience made him feel he was "flying" to most marvelous places. Describing how natives responded, he reported that natives using this drink were able to foresee and answer accurately in difficult cases, be it to reply opportunely to ambassadors from other tribes in a question of war; to decipher plans of the enemy through the medium of this magic drink and take proper steps for attack and defense; to ascertain, when a relative is sick, what sorcerer has put on the hex to carry out a friendly visit to other tribes to welcome foreign travelers or, at least to make sure of the love of their womenfolk.

Several early explorers of northwestern South America -Martius, Crevaux, Orton, Koch-Grunberg and others- also referred to Ayahuasca, Yage and Caapi. They all cited a forest liana but offered little detail. In the early twentieth century, it was learned that the use of Banisteriopsis vines for healing, initiatory and shamanic rites extended from Peru to Bolivia.

In 1923, a film of Indian Yage ceremonies was shown at the annual meeting of the American Pharmaceutical Association. Other noteworthy publications drawing attention to the effects of this drink came from Rusby and White, who observed Yage practices in Bolivia in 1922, from the Russians Varnoff and Jezepezuk, who did Colombian fieldwork in 1925-1926, and from Morton, who in 1931 published "Klug's southern Colombian notes about Banisteriopsis inebrians".

Untill the middle of the eighteenth century, the use of Ayahuasca was only known by the indigenous populations on the south-American continent. But around that time, the knowledge of Ayahuasca and it's use spread. Probably rubber-tappers, increasingly penetrated the dense jungle, learned about Ayahuasca. The use of Ayahuasca as an important folkmedicine appeared also in urbanised areas of the Amazon. This use has extensively been studied by Dobkin de Rios.

One of the persons who travelled the Amazon and came across Ayahuasca was Raimundo Irineu Serra. In an Ayahuasca vision, Irineu claims he was visited by a woman whom he called both "Our Lady of Conception" and the "Forest Queen". She told him to found a spiritual doctrine in which the drinking of Ayahuasca would be central to the ritualistic worship. The Forest Queen also gave the drink a new name, "Daime". The name in Portuguese means "give me," which has been interpreted to mean both a gift and a prayer to "give me love, give me light, and give me strength." His experience appeared to be a religious revelation, and he decided to found a new religion in Rio Branco in 1930: the "Santo Daime". Along with the ritual use of Ayahuasca, the doctrine of the Santo Daime includes worship of nature, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and other icons of the Christian faith. This combination of Christianity and nature religions is common in South America, and creates a unifying belief system where all can find comfort and healing.

More churches came into existence that combine a shamanic use of Ayahuasca with the Christian faith. Today, the "Uniao do Vegetal" is the largest church. Both the Santo Daime and the Uniao do Vegetal, using Ayahuasca as a sacrament, are official churches under the Brazilian law and can be found in most Brazilian cities. Especially the Santo Daime spread around the world.

Ayahuasca might be the last traditional hallucinogenic drug increasingly becomming popular in the west. Ayahuasca is a complex brew of which Banisteriopsis is only the most important ingredient. In the past decennia, more and more research has been done, and our understanding of this complex tea slowly becomes bigger.

Plant Description

Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) Morton. Malpighiaceae, Pyramidotorea, Tribus Banisteriae. One hundred species of plants in tropical America. Three of these are known for their hallucinogenic effects in Ayahuasca. These three plants are B. inebriens, B. caapi (Schultes 1970) and B. quitensis (Schultes 1995). The best known of these three species and the main component of Ayahuasca is Banisteriopsis caapi. The geographical origin is not known because the plant is cultivated throughout the entire Amazonion region. The plant grows in Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Equador etc.
It is a shrub or extensive liana in tropical forests. Bark usually chocolate-brown, smooth. Leaves opposite, oval-shaped, green, marginally entire, 8-18 cm long, 3.5-8 cm wide, upper surface glaborous. Inflorescence axillary or terminal cymose panicles. Flowers 12-14 mm in diameter 2.5-3 mm long, 1.5 mm wide. Petals pink, 5-7 mm long, 4-5 mm wide. This liana is mainly propagated vegetatively because it rarely blossoms and sets seed. The fan-like shaped seeds are green when fresh, but turn brown with age.

Legal Remarks

Ayahuasca is not controlled by international conventions.
In the criminal procedure against the Santo Daime churches in the Netherlands, the District Attorney delivered an official letter from Mr. Herbert Schaepe, Secretary of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board. The letter answered some questions from the Dutch Ministry of Public Health about the use of a preparation called "Ayahuasca" by religious groups in the Netherlands.
The letter says: "The above-mentioned issue was consulted by the INCB Secretariat with the Scientific Section and the Legal Advisory Section of the United National International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). It is our understanding that "Ayahuasca" is the common name for a liquid decoction prepared from plants indigenous to the Amazon basin of South America, essentially the stem bank of different species of a jungle vine (Banisteriopsis sp.) and the tryptamine-rich plant Psychotria viridis. According to the scientific literature, Ayahuasca commonly contains a number of psychoactive alkaloids, including N,N dimethyltryptamine which is a substance included in Schedule I of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
The letter concludes with the statement: No plants (natural materials) containing N,N dimethyltryptamine are at present controlled under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Consequently, preparations (e.g. decoctions) made of these plants, including Ayahuasca are not under international control and, therefore, not subject to any of the articles of the 1971 Convention.

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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.

1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances
Ayahuasca Dreams
Ayahuasca Homepage
Ayahuasca to Pharmahuasca to Anahuasca - Jonathan Ott
Banisteriopsis caapi - Vine of the Soul - taken from “Plants of the gods, their sacred, healing and hallucinogenic powers”
Harmaline
Harmine
MAO Inhibiters - Foods to Avoid
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
Pharmahuasca, Anahuasca and Vinho da Jurema - Jonathan Ott
Santo Daime - Wikipedia
Telepathine
Tetrahydroharmine
Uniao do Vegetal
Uniao do Vegetal - Wikipedia

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The Ayahuasca brew is considered by the Amazon's tribes as one of the masters "teacher plants". It has been used by shamans of the Peruvian Andes and Amazon jungle for centuries as an essential part of their traditional medicine, their cultural identity, and as a way of expanding consciousness. In Quechua, the term "Aya" means "Spirit" or "Soul", while "Huasca" means "rope" (the soul's rope). Banisteriopsis caapi is a vine, connecting the earth with the heavens. The plant and the usage has first been described by the botanist Richard Spruce who came across it in the Amazon in 1851 and 1853. The working-mechanisms of Ayahuasca, however, have been unclear until the 1980's.

			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	*Red* vine (8) shredded Amazon, Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		100 g - $ 16.50  250 g - $ 37.50  500 g - $ 67.00  1000 g - $ 124.00	x
	*Hawai* vine (37) shredded Hawaii, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		100 g - $ 23.50  250 g - $ 52.00  500 g - $ 96.00  1000 g - $ 176.00  5 kg - $ 790.00	x
	*Hawai* vine (37) liquid extract 5:1 Hawaii, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		20 ml - $ 24.75  50 ml - $ 55.00  100 ml - $ 102.00  200 ml - $ 192.00  500 ml - $ 410.00  1000 ml - $ 740.00	x
	*Hawaii* leaves (2) whole Hawaii, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		50 g - $ 11.50  100 g - $ 21.25  250 g - $ 48.50	x
	*Hawaii* root (2) whole Hawaii, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		50 g - $ 13.75  100 g - $ 24.75  250 g - $ 56.00  500 g - $ 104.00	x
	*White* leaves (4) broken Shipibo-Conibo, Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		50 g - $ 8.00  100 g - $ 14.75  250 g - $ 33.50  500 g - $ 61.00  1000 g - $ 110.00	x
	*Cielo* vine (1) shredded Iquitos, Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		100 g - $ 13.75  250 g - $ 32.00  500 g - $ 58.00	x
	*Cielo* vine (1) liquid extract 5:1 Iquitos, Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		50 ml - $ 36.00  100 ml - $ 66.00  250 ml - $ 148.00  500 ml - $ 276.00  1000 ml - $ 490.00	x
	*Yellow* vine (17) shredded Iquitos, Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		100 g - $ 13.75  250 g - $ 33.50  500 g - $ 61.00  1000 g - $ 110.00  5 kg - $ 490.00	x
	*Yellow* vine (19) shredded Peru, excellent quality, limited stock! [ details ] [ view ]		100 g - $ 11.75	x
	*Yellow* vine (19) powdered Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		100 g - $ 11.75  250 g - $ 27.50  500 g - $ 49.50  1000 g - $ 90.00	x
	*Black* vine (18) finely shredded Iquitos, Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		250 g - $ 37.50  500 g - $ 67.00  1000 g - $ 124.00  5 kg - $ 550.00  10 kg - $ 995.00	x
	*Black* vine (18) liquid extract 5:1 Iquitos, Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		20 ml - $ 16.50  50 ml - $ 36.00  100 ml - $ 66.00	x
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Couroupita guianensis / Ayahuma / Lecythidaceae (Brazilnut family)

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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.

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			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	leaves (1) whole Iquitos, Peru, excellent quality, limited stock ! [ details ] [ view ]		25 g - $ 3.50	x
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Calliandra angustifolia / Bobinsana / Leguminosae (Pea 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

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

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Calliandra angustifolia, also known as Bobinsana, is a shrubby tree that grows 4 to 6 meters high. It is native to South America, most commonly found alongside rivers and streams in the Amazon Basin. Bobinsana produces pretty pink to reddish powderpuff-like flowers typical of the Mimosa family to which it belongs. It has been used by indigenous people as a herbal remedy, but there is little research regarding its properties. Bobinsana is also used as an adjunctive ingredient in various Ayahuasca recipes.

			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	leaves (1) whole Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		25 g - $ 2.40  50 g - $ 4.20  100 g - $ 7.40  250 g - $ 16.75  500 g - $ 30.50  1000 g - $ 55.00	x
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Uncaria tomentosa / Cat`s Claw / 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

uña de gato, paraguayo, garabato, garbato casha, samento, toroñ, tambor huasca, uña huasca, uña de gavilan, hawk's claw, saventaro

Contents

Cat's claw contains ajmalicine, akuammigine, campesterol, catechin, carboxyl alkyl esters, chlorogenic acid, cinchonain, corynantheine, corynoxeine, daucosterol, epicatechin, harman, hirsuteine, hirsutine, iso-pteropodine, loganic acid, lyaloside, mitraphylline, oleanolic acid, palmitoleic acid, procyanidins, pteropodine quinovic acid glycosides, rhynchophylline, rutin, sitosterols, speciophylline, stigmasterol, strictosidines, uncarine A thru F, and vaccenic acid. (2)

Historical

Cat's Claw (U. tomentosa) has been used medicinally by the Aguaruna, Asháninka, Cashibo, Conibo, and Shipibo tribes of Peru for at least 2,000 years. The Asháninka Indian tribe in central Peru has the longest recorded history of use of the plant. They are also the largest commercial source of Cat's Claw from Peru today.
Cat's Claw has been used in Peru and Europe since the early 1990s as an adjunctive treatment for diseases that target the immune system. In herbal medicine today, cat's claw is employed around the world for many different conditions.(2)
The inner bark of Cat's Claw is used to make liquid extracts, capsules, and teas. Preparations of Cat's Claw can also be applied to the skin.(3)

Health Warnings

Pregnant women, organ transplant recipients, and individuals who have autoimmune conditions should avoid taking cat’s claw. (4)
Individuals allergic to plants in the Rubiaceae family and different species of Uncaria may be more likely to have allergic reactions to Cat's Claw.
There are other plants which are known as cat's claw (or uña de gato) in Mexico and Latin America; however, they are entirely different plants, belonging to neither the Uncaria genus, nor to the Rubiaceae family. Some of the Mexican uña de gato varieties are known to have toxic properties. (5)

Plant Description

Uncaria tomentosa is a liana deriving its name from hook-like thorns that resemble the claws of a cat. U. tomentosa can grow up to 30m tall, climbing by means of these thorns. The leaves are elliptic with a smooth edge, and grow in opposite whorls of two. Cat's claw is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest, with its habitat being restricted primarily to the tropical areas of South and Central America. (5)

Legal Remarks

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

• Norway

References

(1) Document: NL-E4-0-C-REF, Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
(2) Cat's Claw, Raintree Tropical Plant Database
(3) Herbs at a Glance: Cat's Claw, NCCAM, US National Institutes of Health
(4) Cat's Claw, DrugDigest
(5) Uncaria tomentosa, Wikipedia

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.

Una de Gato or Cat' s Claw: Another Valuable Treasure from the Peruvian Rain Forest

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Cat's Claw or Uña de gato is derived from the bark of a large woody vine, commonly Uncaria tomentosa, although natives use Uncaria guianensis interchangeably. It's name is derived from the claw-like thorns that grow along the vine's pedicule. It is a traditional herbal used by numerous cultures in the Amazon river basin. The Ashinika tribe of central Perú has been most widely associated with its ethnomedical use but other tribes such as the Aguaruna, Cashibo, Conibo, and Shipobo are thought to have used Cat's claw for over 2000 years. Cat's Claw is a wonderful gift of nature. According to several monographs(1) Uncaria tomentosa contributes to the immune system and helps to maintain flexible joints.

			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	bark (2) shredded Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		50 g - $ 2.80  100 g - $ 5.30  250 g - $ 11.75  500 g - $ 21.25  1000 g - $ 38.50	x
	bark (2) finely powdered Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		50 g - $ 3.00  100 g - $ 5.40  250 g - $ 12.25  500 g - $ 22.25  1000 g - $ 40.00	x
	bark (3) dry extract PE 12:1 Peru, excellent quality, limited stock ! [ details ] [ view ]		10 g - $ 3.80  25 g - $ 8.30  50 g - $ 15.25	x
	root bark (2) whole Peru, excellent quality, limited stock ! [ details ] [ view ]		50 g - $ 3.90  100 g - $ 6.90  250 g - $ 15.75	x
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Phyllanthus niruri / Chancapiedra / Euphorbiaceae (Spurge 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.

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			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	herb (1) finely shredded Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		50 g - $ 3.60  100 g - $ 6.40  250 g - $ 14.50  500 g - $ 26.50  1000 g - $ 48.50	x
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Annona muricata / Graviola / Annonaceae (Custard Apple 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

English: Brazilian pawpaw, soursop, prickly custard apple, Soursapi
Spanish: guanábana, guanábano, anona, catche, catoche, catuche, zapote agrio
Chamorro: laguaná, laguana, laguanaha, syasyap
German: Sauersack, Stachelannone, anona, flashendaum, stachel anone, stachliger
Fijian: sarifa, seremaia
French: anone muriquee, cachiman épineux, corossol épineux,anone, cachiman épineux, caichemantier, coeur de boeuf, corossol, corossolier, epineux
Indonesian: sirsak
Māori: kātara‘apa, kātara‘apa papa‘ā, naponapo taratara
Dutch: zuurzak
Portuguese: graviola, araticum-grande, araticum-manso, coração-de-rainha, jaca-de-pobre, jaca-do-Pará, anona, curassol, graviola, pinha azeda
Samoan: sanalapa, sasalapa, sasalapa
Tahitian: tapotapo papa‘a, tapotapo urupe

Contents

Acetogenins, quinolines, isoquinolines, annopentocins and annomuricins. Coreximine and reticuline subfractions have been isolated from root bark. (3)

Historical

The fruit of Annona muricata is sold in local markets in the tropics, where it is called guanábana in Spanish-speaking countries and graviola in Brazil. The fruit pulp is excellent for making drinks and sherbets and, though slightly sour-acid, can be eaten out of hand. Graviola has a long, rich history of use in herbal medicine as well as a lengthy recorded indigenous use. All parts of the graviola tree are used in natural medicine in the tropics, including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit, and fruit seeds. Different properties and uses are attributed to the different parts of the tree. The bark and leaves are typically prepared into a tea. (1) In the Caribbean it is believed that laying the leaves of the soursop on a bed below a sleeping person with a fever will break the fever by the next morning. (2)

"The bark, leaves, root, and fruits have been used as traditional remedies in many countries. Extracts of graviola have been shown to have antiviral, antiparasitic, antirheumatic, astringent, emetic, antileishmanial and cytotoxic effects. Graviola has also been shown to be effective against multidrug resistant cancer cells line. There are no large scale studies in humans on the effects of graviola. Alkaloids extracted from graviola may cause neuronal dysfunction and degeneration leading to symptoms reminiscent of Parkinson's Disease." (3)

Plant Description

Graviola is a small, upright evergreen tree, 5-6 m high, with large, glossy, dark green leaves. It produces a large, heart-shaped, edible fruit that is 15-20 cm in diameter, is yellow-green in color, and has white flesh inside.

References

(1) Graviola, Raintree Tropical Plant Database
(2) Annona muricata, Wikipedia
(3) Graviola, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

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Annona muricata is a member of the family of Custard apple trees and grows natively in the Caribbean and Central America. It is best known for its edible fruit Anona, usually called Soursop due to its slightly acidic taste when ripe. The Soursop is usually processed into ice creams, sherbets and drinks, but fiber-free varieties are often eaten raw. All parts of the tree are used in natural medicine in the tropics, including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit, and fruit seeds. Different properties and uses are attributed to the different parts of the tree. Scientists have been studying its properties since the 1940s and have isolated chemicals with promising medicinal potential.

			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	leaves (1) very finely powdered Peru, excellent quality [ details ] [ view ]		100 g - $ 6.30  250 g - $ 14.25  500 g - $ 25.75  1000 g - $ 47.00	x
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