Brosimum acutifolium / Murure / Moraceae (Mulberry 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sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated.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

Ahua Jonra, Amapá Doce, Bois Mondan, Bururé, Congona, Leche-Caspi, Manichi, Mercuio-vegetal, Mercurio Vegetal, Mercurio-da-terra-firma, Morure, Muira-Piranga, Murare, Murure, Murure-Vermelho, Mururi, Quecho, Takini, Takweni, Tamamuri, Tauni, Urupi, Vegetable Mercury.

Contents

Brosimum acutifolium bark contains flavans, flavanoids, lignans, phenylpropanoids, benezoids, and steroids. Many of these chemicals are novel ones never before seen by scientists, including 6 chemicals they have named "acutifolins" and 13 chemicals named "brosimacutins".(2)
The latex of the subspecies Brosimum acutifolium Huber subsp. acutifolium C.C. Berg contains bufotenin (5-hydroxy-dimethyltryptamine). This is the same alkaloid found in Anadenthara sp., Mucuna pruriens, and several toads of the Bufo genus. (1)(3)

Historical

Shipibo-Conibo Indians on the Ucayali River in the Peruvian Amazon have a legend about Brosimum acutifolium or Tamamuri as they call it. They believe that when a man ingests the white latex of the Tamamuri tree that he will father light-skinned male children. They also use the bark medicinally (in decoctions). The Wayãpi Indians in Guyana also attribute magical properties to the tree. They believe the latex of the tree will help protect them from witchcraft and bad spells. Brosimum acutifolium is widely used in herbal medicine in South America. Shamans of several peoples in Suriname, French Guiana, and the region east of the Para in Brazil have used the latex of the tree for its visionary properties.(2)(3)

Plant Description

Brosimum acutifolium is a large canopy tree of the Amazon rainforest that grows 15 to 25 m high. It produces a white to light pink latex when the smooth trunk bark is wounded or the leaf stems are broken from the branches. It has oblong veined leaves about 8-15 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. Brosimum acutifolium is found throughout the lower elevations of the Amazon basin, usually growing alongside streams and rivers where its fruits (similar to a fig but with one large seed inside) are eaten by fish when it falls from the tree. (2)

References

(1) Bufotenin, Wikipedia article.
(2) Tamamuri, Raintree nutrition.
(3) Identification of 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (bufotenine) in takini (Brosimum acutifolium Huber subsp. acutifolium C.C. Berg, Moraceae), a shamanic potion used in the Guiana Plateau, Moretti C, Gaillard Y, Grenand P, Bévalot F, Prévosto JM (2006)

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

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.

Ficus insipida / Oje / Moraceae (Mulberry 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.

Contents

Phyllosanthine, beta-amyrin or lupeol; lavandulol, phyllanthol, and eloxanthine.

Synergic Combinations

Oje is included among the following plants, which are considered to "teach medicine" if the proper diet is kept, and can be added to the Ayahuasca beverage: Tobacco (a variety called Mapacho in the area), Toe (Brugmansia suaveolens), Uchu-Sanango (Tabernaemontana sp.), Ayahuma (Couroupita guianensis), Caupuri (Virola surinamensis), Tangarana (Triplaris surinamensis), Chuchuhuasi (Maytenus ebenifolia), Hiporuru (Alchornea castaneifolia), Mucura (Petiveria alliacea), Lupuna (Ceiba pentandra), Clavohuasca (Tynanthus panurensis), Bellaco Caspi (Himantanthus sucuuba), Huairacaspi (Cedrelinga catanaeformis), Huacapu (Vouacapoua americana), Chullachaqui Caspi (Tovomita sp.), Cumala (Virola sp.), Catahua (Hura crepitans), Abuta (Abuta grandifolia), Amasisa (Erythrinaglauca), Nuc-Nuc Pichana (Scoparia dulcis), Bobinsana (Calliandra angustifolia), Chiric sanango (Brunfelsia grandiflora), Remo-Caspi (Pithecolobium laetum), Renaco (Ficus sp.), Tahuari (Tabebuia sp.), Capirona Negra (Capirona decorticans), and Cumaseba Negra, Tamshi, Puca Lupuna, Garabato, Millo Renaquilla, Murure, Palisangre, of which at this point I have only the common names. Some of these plants (Tobacco, Toé, Catahua, Mucura, Chiric Sanango and others) may be taken alone. This is also the case for Suelda con Suelda (Phtirusa pyrifolia), Raya Balsa (Montrichardia arborecens), Ajos Sacha (Mansoa alliacea) and Oje (Ficus insipida)

Historical

The latex was processed into powder in Iquitos and exported to many countries, especially for use by military forces. Many preparation methods exist. The latex is often fermented with sugar cane, orange juice or aguardiente, and then taken orally. If the latex is not fermented it will "burn" the insides of a person. The latex is toxic, and overdoses are dangerous. Despite its efficacy if correctly used, bad experiences make many people fear it and seek other methods to control parasites. Education programs have promoted ojé use in Peru. A common belief is that ojé trees attract mosquitos.(3)

Plant Description

A large tree with big plank buttresses. The trunk is smooth and gray brown, and the buttresses have rounded tops that are characteristic. Leaves are bright, shiny green, with yellow veins. The tip of a branch has a long, yellow, pointed stipule, which falls as the branch grows past it; this leaves a circular scar on the branch at the base of each leaf. Broken leaves drip white latex rapidly. On the ground beneath large trees are typically bright yellow fallen leaves.(2)

References

(1) Reevaluation of risks with the use of Ficus insipida latex as a traditional anthelmintic remedy in the Amazon, Anders Hansson, Julio C.Zelada and Hugo P.Noriega
(2) Ficus isipida Willd., Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
(3) Ficus insipida, Rainforest Conservation Fund

Chenopodium ambrosioides / Paico / Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot 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

Paico, Epazote, Erva-de-Santa Maria, Wormseed, Apasote, Chenopode, Meksika Cayi, Pazote, Simon Contegras, Mexican Tea, American Wormseed, Jesuit’s Tea, Payco, Paiku, Amush, Camatai, Cashua, Amasamas, Anserina, Mastruco, Mastruz, Sie-Sie, Jerusalem Tea, Spanish Tea, Ambroisie du Mexique, Wurmsamen, Hierba Hormiguera.

Tabebuia serratifolia / Pao d'Arco / 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

Pau d’ Arco, Surinam greenheart, pau d'arco, taheebo, ipe roxo, yellow poui, amapa, tahuari, chonta, acapro lanco, tucano, chacaradanga, red-purple lapacho.

Legal Remarks

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

• Finland
• Norway

Tabernaemontana sananho / Shiric Sanango / Apocynaceae (Dogbane 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

Sanango, Lobo sanango, Toomecocoriu, Uchu sanango

Scent

This close relative of Gardenias has a powerful fragrance which is many times stronger than Gardenias and other Tabernaemontanas. A single open flower will scent a large commercial greenhouse and will overpower any other fragrance present. One placed outside could be smelled well over 100 yards away! The fragrance is absolutely intoxicating!

Contents

Phytochemical research on the genus Tabernaemontana has revealed that Indole alkaloids are the primary constituent, in some even ibogaine and voacangine have been ascertained. (1)

Historical

"In the Amazon, the Sanango (Tabernaemontana sananho R. et P.) is considered a panacea. The leaves, roots, and the latex-rich bark are used in folk medicine. The tree grows as tall as 15ft (5m). The leaves are used as a psychoactive additive to Ayahuasca. It is used in combination with Virola in the production of an orally effective hallucinogen. In the Amazon, Sanango is also considered a 'memory plant.' Ayahuasca is enhanced with it in order that the visions can be better recalled."(1)

Plant Description

Tabernaemontana is a genus of 100-110 species of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, with a pan-tropical distribution. They are shrubs and small trees growing to 1-15 m tall. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 3-25 cm long, with milky sap. The flowers are fragrant, 1-5 cm diameter and consist of five pointed petals that mostly grow in clusters out of the calyx. The two symmetrical fruits are divided and marked with fairly visible veins. Because of this, they are easily confused with the testes of a mammal. (1)(2)
Tabernaemontana sananho is native to Northern South America. It has large, attractive, glossy leaves. The flowers are white with a touch of yellow in the center. They have a deep nectar tube with 5 long petals which spiral from the center like ribbons.

References

(1) Plants of the Gods, by Richard Evans Schultes and Albert Hofmann
(2) Tabernaemontana, Wikipedia

Pfaffia paniculata / Suma / Amaranthaceae (Amaranth 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

Hebanthe paniculata, Gomphrena paniculata, G. eriantha, Iresine erianthos, I. paniculata, I. tenuis, Pfaffia eriantha, Xeraea paniculata, Suma, Brazilian Ginseng, Pfaffia, Para Toda, Corango-Acu.

Contents

Suma root contains several major constituents, including the nortriterpene pfaffic acid, six pfaffic acid saponins (pfaffosides A-F), pterosterone, ecdysterone, and ecdysteroid. (2)

Historical

There are many claims and little evidence about the historical use of Pfaffia peniculata. The root has supposedly been used for generations by indigenous peoples of the Amazon region. There are also reports of its use in modern herbal medicine in Brazil, North America, Europe. It has also been called "the Russian secret", claiming that Rusian Olympic athletes have used it for many years. (1)
There is no human clinical research to support most of the wide variety of health benefits attributed to this plant by its advocates. "What little research has been done focuses on the plant's anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and aphrodisiac effects and has been completed only in test tubes or with animals." (2)

Plant Description

Suma is a large, rambling, shrubby ground vine with an intricate, deep, and extensive root system. It is indigenous to the Amazon basin and other tropical parts of (southern) Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. Since its first botanical recording in 1826, it has been referred to by several botanical names, including Pfaffia paniculata, Hebanthe paniculata, and Gomphrena paniculata. The genus Pfaffia is well known in Central and South America, with over 50 species growing in the warmer tropical regions. (1)

References

(1) Suma, Raintree Tropical Plant Database
(2) Suma, Blue Shield of California
Published research on the Pfaffia paniculata can be found at PubMed.