Silene capensis / African Dream Root / Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed 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sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated.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

Silene undulata, African Dream Root, Undlela Ziimphlophe (Xhosa)

Description

Silene capensis is native to the river valleys of the eastern cape province of South Africa. This obscure flowering species is regarded by local shamans as a type of "Ubulawu" or medicinal root that they call "Undlela Ziimhlophe," which translates literally as "White paths" or "White ways." Its root is traditionally used to induce vivid (and according to the Xhosa, prophetic) lucid dreaming, classifying it a naturally-occurring oneirogen similar to the more well-known dream herb Calea (Calea zacatechichi). The plant exerts only minimal alterations in waking consciousness, yet the effects upon the dream state can be profound. (1)(2)

Historical

Silene capensis has been used by Xhosa diviners of South Africa for centuries. They grind the root to prepare a thick white froth, which novice diviners consume on an empty stomach to enhance lucid dreaming. Novices consume it until they fill their stomachs, washing themselves with the remaining dregs, over a three-day period at full moon. A diviner chews a small piece of the root, which has a pungent taste and smell, and spits it out on the threshold to attract clients. Diviners and novices who ingest it regularly exude a musky scented odour, not unlike that of the flower, which is attractive and even mildly hypnotic especially when they perspire after performing any vigorous activity, such as dancing or foraging for medicines. (1)

Plant Description

Silene capensis has a white, erect, trichotomously panicled flower with obtuse lobes. In spring and autumn the flower opens in the evening to exude a scented perfume and it is cross-pollinated by moths. The stem and leaves of the plant are clothed with long spreading hairs. After good rainfall, it is found growing in grassy verges on well-watered slopes and particularly on riverbanks. (1)

References

(1) Dreams and Medicines: The Perspective of Xhosa Diviners and Novices in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by Manton Hirst
(2) Silene capensis, 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.

Dreams
Lucid Dreaming
Oneiromancy

Related Products

Dreamherb (Calea zacatechichi)
Guayusa (Ilex guayusa)
Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea)

Silene capensis / African Dream Root / Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed 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

Silene undulata, African Dream Root, Undlela Ziimphlophe (Xhosa)

Description

Silene capensis is native to the river valleys of the eastern cape province of South Africa. This obscure flowering species is regarded by local shamans as a type of "Ubulawu" or medicinal root that they call "Undlela Ziimhlophe," which translates literally as "White paths" or "White ways." Its root is traditionally used to induce vivid (and according to the Xhosa, prophetic) lucid dreaming, classifying it a naturally-occurring oneirogen similar to the more well-known dream herb Calea (Calea zacatechichi). The plant exerts only minimal alterations in waking consciousness, yet the effects upon the dream state can be profound. (1)(2)

Historical

Silene capensis has been used by Xhosa diviners of South Africa for centuries. They grind the root to prepare a thick white froth, which novice diviners consume on an empty stomach to enhance lucid dreaming. Novices consume it until they fill their stomachs, washing themselves with the remaining dregs, over a three-day period at full moon. A diviner chews a small piece of the root, which has a pungent taste and smell, and spits it out on the threshold to attract clients. Diviners and novices who ingest it regularly exude a musky scented odour, not unlike that of the flower, which is attractive and even mildly hypnotic especially when they perspire after performing any vigorous activity, such as dancing or foraging for medicines. (1)

Plant Description

Silene capensis has a white, erect, trichotomously panicled flower with obtuse lobes. In spring and autumn the flower opens in the evening to exude a scented perfume and it is cross-pollinated by moths. The stem and leaves of the plant are clothed with long spreading hairs. After good rainfall, it is found growing in grassy verges on well-watered slopes and particularly on riverbanks. (1)

References

(1) Dreams and Medicines: The Perspective of Xhosa Diviners and Novices in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by Manton Hirst
(2) Silene capensis, 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.

Dreams
Lucid Dreaming
Oneiromancy

Related Products

Dreamherb (Calea zacatechichi)
Guayusa (Ilex guayusa)
Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea)

Silene capensis / African Dream Root / Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed 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

Silene undulata, African Dream Root, Undlela Ziimphlophe (Xhosa)

Description

Silene capensis is native to the river valleys of the eastern cape province of South Africa. This obscure flowering species is regarded by local shamans as a type of "Ubulawu" or medicinal root that they call "Undlela Ziimhlophe," which translates literally as "White paths" or "White ways." Its root is traditionally used to induce vivid (and according to the Xhosa, prophetic) lucid dreaming, classifying it a naturally-occurring oneirogen similar to the more well-known dream herb Calea (Calea zacatechichi). The plant exerts only minimal alterations in waking consciousness, yet the effects upon the dream state can be profound. (1)(2)

Historical

Silene capensis has been used by Xhosa diviners of South Africa for centuries. They grind the root to prepare a thick white froth, which novice diviners consume on an empty stomach to enhance lucid dreaming. Novices consume it until they fill their stomachs, washing themselves with the remaining dregs, over a three-day period at full moon. A diviner chews a small piece of the root, which has a pungent taste and smell, and spits it out on the threshold to attract clients. Diviners and novices who ingest it regularly exude a musky scented odour, not unlike that of the flower, which is attractive and even mildly hypnotic especially when they perspire after performing any vigorous activity, such as dancing or foraging for medicines. (1)

Plant Description

Silene capensis has a white, erect, trichotomously panicled flower with obtuse lobes. In spring and autumn the flower opens in the evening to exude a scented perfume and it is cross-pollinated by moths. The stem and leaves of the plant are clothed with long spreading hairs. After good rainfall, it is found growing in grassy verges on well-watered slopes and particularly on riverbanks. (1)

References

(1) Dreams and Medicines: The Perspective of Xhosa Diviners and Novices in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by Manton Hirst
(2) Silene capensis, 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.

Dreams
Lucid Dreaming
Oneiromancy

Related Products

Dreamherb (Calea zacatechichi)
Guayusa (Ilex guayusa)
Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea)

Sutherlandia frutescens / Cancer Bush / 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.

Griffonia simplicifolia / Griffonia / 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.

Description

Griffonia simplicifolia is a tall, bushy vine that naturally occurs in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Congo. The vine produces pods, each containing three seeds. These seeds have become increasingly important as a trade product to Europe and the United States. Griffonia is a well known and so far the only vegetable source of 5-HTP.

Legal Remarks

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

• Finland

Griffonia simplicifolia / Griffonia / 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.

Description

Griffonia simplicifolia is a tall, bushy vine that naturally occurs in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Congo. The vine produces pods, each containing three seeds. These seeds have become increasingly important as a trade product to Europe and the United States. Griffonia is a well known and so far the only vegetable source of 5-HTP.

Legal Remarks

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

• Finland

Sceletium tortuosum / Kanna / Mesembryanthemaceae (Mesem 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

Kanna, Channa, Kougoed, Kaugoed, Sceletium, Channa, Scelly, Canna-root.

Description

Sceletium tortuosum is a perennial succulent herb that is native to the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. The Latin name Sceletium is derived from the word Sceletus which refer to its skeleton-like appearance when dried. (3) Kanna use among certain pastoralists and hunter-gatherer groups for a variety of purposes was first documented by the Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town van Riebeeck, in 1662. (1) The second colonial administrator of Cape Town, Van der Stel, wrote in his journal of these peoples "They chew mostly a certain plant which they call "Canna". They use it as the Indians use betel or Areca, and are of a very cheerful nature."(4)

Contents

The active constituents of the plant are alkaloids, including mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol and tortuosamine. The alkaloid concentration in the dry material ranges from 0.05 to 2.3%. Mesembrine is usually the major alkaloid present, and has been demonstrated in laboratory studies (sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States, and conducted by the company NovaScreen) to be a very potent serotonin-uptake inhibitor. It has also been shown to be a PDE4 inhibitor.

Historical

Kanna has been historically documented to be used in South Africa by pastoralists and hunter-gatherers nomadic groups such as the Khoi and San peoples. These peoples valued the herb for its mood-enhancing and other properties and prepared and consumed Kanna in a number of ways including chewing, smoking and snuffing the prepared herb.(4) In fact, the African name for this herb is "Kougoed" which literally means "something to chew"(3) Simon van der Stel writes in his Journal: "This plant is found with the Namaquaas and then only on some of their mountains... It is held by them and surrounding tribes in as great esteem as the Betel or Areca with the Indians. They chew its stem as well as the roots, mostly all day, and become intoxicated by it..."(4) Kanna was alsa prized by the Europeans as a Ginseng-like herb and was used for increasing energy and suppressing hunger and thirst.(4)

Health Warnings

There is little information on interactions of S. tortuosum, although it should not be combined with SSRIs, MAOIs, cardiac or psychiatric medications. (1)

Plant Description

The Sceletium tortuosum plant is a climbing or creeping succulent plant native to South Africa. Its braches become thicker and only slightly woody with age. Its flowers blossom around July through September and are around 20-30 mm in diameter. The petals are white to pale yellow or pink and the fruit are 10-15 mm in diameter and open when wet.(3) The surface of its leaves is often glistening and bright green.(2)

References

(1) Sceletium tortuosum, Wikipedia
(2) Document: Sceletium tortuosum herba, planzafrica.com
(3) Sceletium tortuosum, plantzafrica.com
(4) Psychoactive constituents of the genus Sceletium N.E.Br. and other Mesembryanthemaceae: a review, by Smith, M.T., Crouch, N.R., Gericke, N., and Hirst, M.

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.

Erowid Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) Vault

Sceletium tortuosum / Kanna / Mesembryanthemaceae (Mesem 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

Kanna, Channa, Kougoed, Kaugoed, Sceletium, Channa, Scelly, Canna-root.

Description

Sceletium tortuosum is a perennial succulent herb that is native to the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. The Latin name Sceletium is derived from the word Sceletus which refer to its skeleton-like appearance when dried. (3) Kanna use among certain pastoralists and hunter-gatherer groups for a variety of purposes was first documented by the Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town van Riebeeck, in 1662. (1) The second colonial administrator of Cape Town, Van der Stel, wrote in his journal of these peoples "They chew mostly a certain plant which they call "Canna". They use it as the Indians use betel or Areca, and are of a very cheerful nature."(4)

Contents

The active constituents of the plant are alkaloids, including mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol and tortuosamine. The alkaloid concentration in the dry material ranges from 0.05 to 2.3%. Mesembrine is usually the major alkaloid present, and has been demonstrated in laboratory studies (sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States, and conducted by the company NovaScreen) to be a very potent serotonin-uptake inhibitor. It has also been shown to be a PDE4 inhibitor.

Historical

Kanna has been historically documented to be used in South Africa by pastoralists and hunter-gatherers nomadic groups such as the Khoi and San peoples. These peoples valued the herb for its mood-enhancing and other properties and prepared and consumed Kanna in a number of ways including chewing, smoking and snuffing the prepared herb.(4) In fact, the African name for this herb is "Kougoed" which literally means "something to chew"(3) Simon van der Stel writes in his Journal: "This plant is found with the Namaquaas and then only on some of their mountains... It is held by them and surrounding tribes in as great esteem as the Betel or Areca with the Indians. They chew its stem as well as the roots, mostly all day, and become intoxicated by it..."(4) Kanna was alsa prized by the Europeans as a Ginseng-like herb and was used for increasing energy and suppressing hunger and thirst.(4)

Health Warnings

There is little information on interactions of S. tortuosum, although it should not be combined with SSRIs, MAOIs, cardiac or psychiatric medications. (1)

Plant Description

The Sceletium tortuosum plant is a climbing or creeping succulent plant native to South Africa. Its braches become thicker and only slightly woody with age. Its flowers blossom around July through September and are around 20-30 mm in diameter. The petals are white to pale yellow or pink and the fruit are 10-15 mm in diameter and open when wet.(3) The surface of its leaves is often glistening and bright green.(2)

References

(1) Sceletium tortuosum, Wikipedia
(2) Document: Sceletium tortuosum herba, planzafrica.com
(3) Sceletium tortuosum, plantzafrica.com
(4) Psychoactive constituents of the genus Sceletium N.E.Br. and other Mesembryanthemaceae: a review, by Smith, M.T., Crouch, N.R., Gericke, N., and Hirst, M.

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.

Erowid Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) Vault

Sceletium tortuosum / Kanna / Mesembryanthemaceae (Mesem 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

Kanna, Channa, Kougoed, Kaugoed, Sceletium, Channa, Scelly, Canna-root.

Description

Sceletium tortuosum is a perennial succulent herb that is native to the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. The Latin name Sceletium is derived from the word Sceletus which refer to its skeleton-like appearance when dried. (3) Kanna use among certain pastoralists and hunter-gatherer groups for a variety of purposes was first documented by the Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town van Riebeeck, in 1662. (1) The second colonial administrator of Cape Town, Van der Stel, wrote in his journal of these peoples "They chew mostly a certain plant which they call "Canna". They use it as the Indians use betel or Areca, and are of a very cheerful nature."(4)

Contents

The active constituents of the plant are alkaloids, including mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol and tortuosamine. The alkaloid concentration in the dry material ranges from 0.05 to 2.3%. Mesembrine is usually the major alkaloid present, and has been demonstrated in laboratory studies (sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States, and conducted by the company NovaScreen) to be a very potent serotonin-uptake inhibitor. It has also been shown to be a PDE4 inhibitor.

Historical

Kanna has been historically documented to be used in South Africa by pastoralists and hunter-gatherers nomadic groups such as the Khoi and San peoples. These peoples valued the herb for its mood-enhancing and other properties and prepared and consumed Kanna in a number of ways including chewing, smoking and snuffing the prepared herb.(4) In fact, the African name for this herb is "Kougoed" which literally means "something to chew"(3) Simon van der Stel writes in his Journal: "This plant is found with the Namaquaas and then only on some of their mountains... It is held by them and surrounding tribes in as great esteem as the Betel or Areca with the Indians. They chew its stem as well as the roots, mostly all day, and become intoxicated by it..."(4) Kanna was alsa prized by the Europeans as a Ginseng-like herb and was used for increasing energy and suppressing hunger and thirst.(4)

Health Warnings

There is little information on interactions of S. tortuosum, although it should not be combined with SSRIs, MAOIs, cardiac or psychiatric medications. (1)

Plant Description

The Sceletium tortuosum plant is a climbing or creeping succulent plant native to South Africa. Its braches become thicker and only slightly woody with age. Its flowers blossom around July through September and are around 20-30 mm in diameter. The petals are white to pale yellow or pink and the fruit are 10-15 mm in diameter and open when wet.(3) The surface of its leaves is often glistening and bright green.(2)

References

(1) Sceletium tortuosum, Wikipedia
(2) Document: Sceletium tortuosum herba, planzafrica.com
(3) Sceletium tortuosum, plantzafrica.com
(4) Psychoactive constituents of the genus Sceletium N.E.Br. and other Mesembryanthemaceae: a review, by Smith, M.T., Crouch, N.R., Gericke, N., and Hirst, M.

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.

Erowid Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) Vault

Sceletium tortuosum / Kanna / Mesembryanthemaceae (Mesem 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

Kanna, Channa, Kougoed, Kaugoed, Sceletium, Channa, Scelly, Canna-root.

Description

Sceletium tortuosum is a perennial succulent herb that is native to the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. The Latin name Sceletium is derived from the word Sceletus which refer to its skeleton-like appearance when dried. (3) Kanna use among certain pastoralists and hunter-gatherer groups for a variety of purposes was first documented by the Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town van Riebeeck, in 1662. (1) The second colonial administrator of Cape Town, Van der Stel, wrote in his journal of these peoples "They chew mostly a certain plant which they call "Canna". They use it as the Indians use betel or Areca, and are of a very cheerful nature."(4)

Contents

The active constituents of the plant are alkaloids, including mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol and tortuosamine. The alkaloid concentration in the dry material ranges from 0.05 to 2.3%. Mesembrine is usually the major alkaloid present, and has been demonstrated in laboratory studies (sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States, and conducted by the company NovaScreen) to be a very potent serotonin-uptake inhibitor. It has also been shown to be a PDE4 inhibitor.

Historical

Kanna has been historically documented to be used in South Africa by pastoralists and hunter-gatherers nomadic groups such as the Khoi and San peoples. These peoples valued the herb for its mood-enhancing and other properties and prepared and consumed Kanna in a number of ways including chewing, smoking and snuffing the prepared herb.(4) In fact, the African name for this herb is "Kougoed" which literally means "something to chew"(3) Simon van der Stel writes in his Journal: "This plant is found with the Namaquaas and then only on some of their mountains... It is held by them and surrounding tribes in as great esteem as the Betel or Areca with the Indians. They chew its stem as well as the roots, mostly all day, and become intoxicated by it..."(4) Kanna was alsa prized by the Europeans as a Ginseng-like herb and was used for increasing energy and suppressing hunger and thirst.(4)

Health Warnings

There is little information on interactions of S. tortuosum, although it should not be combined with SSRIs, MAOIs, cardiac or psychiatric medications. (1)

Plant Description

The Sceletium tortuosum plant is a climbing or creeping succulent plant native to South Africa. Its braches become thicker and only slightly woody with age. Its flowers blossom around July through September and are around 20-30 mm in diameter. The petals are white to pale yellow or pink and the fruit are 10-15 mm in diameter and open when wet.(3) The surface of its leaves is often glistening and bright green.(2)

References

(1) Sceletium tortuosum, Wikipedia
(2) Document: Sceletium tortuosum herba, planzafrica.com
(3) Sceletium tortuosum, plantzafrica.com
(4) Psychoactive constituents of the genus Sceletium N.E.Br. and other Mesembryanthemaceae: a review, by Smith, M.T., Crouch, N.R., Gericke, N., and Hirst, M.

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.

Erowid Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) Vault

Nymphaea caerulea / Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile / Nymphaeaceae (Water Lily 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

Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile, Sacred Lotus, Blue Lotus, Lily, Blue Water Lily, Blouwaterlelie, Kaaimanblom, Frog's Pulpit, Paddapreekstoel, Blou Plomb, Izubu.

Description

The Blue Lily, or Blue Lotus was the most sacred plant of Ancient Egypt. It was frequently depicted in works of art, where it is most often shown in party and other social scenes, and sometimes in scenes of sexual debauchery. The flowers were noted for their delightful perfume, suggestive of the sweat of Ra. "A divine essence, for bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility". Some people today believe that the Egyptians used this plant as a narcotic both for its healing qualities and as a recreational drug when soaked in wine, though this is a hotly debated topic.

Scent

Enchanting, aquatic, yet not like water. Somewhat like river mud, yet clean. Floral, yet austere. Ornamental and sweet smelling. Its fragrance is almost creamy, with a sharpness hiding within, similar to that of a hyacinth, a loquat and even of a banana. A transcendent, ethereal, softly sweet, and uplifting bouquet.

Aromatic Properties

The Blue Lotus is connected to the expansion of the higher mind. It eases the spirit out of the body and assists it forward towards its highest potential in the realm of Spirit. It offers one of the highest vibrations of any flower. It is the symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, of intelligence and wisdom, of knowledge.
As well as stimulating spiritual evolvement it acts as a "booster" to other flower essences by intensifying and spiritualizing their effects. Blue Lotus acts on all levels encouraging a gentle unfolding of the highest potential within the Self. Used as a fragrance in aromatherapy, Blue Lotus is purported to have a "divine" essence, bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility. It can be used to create a feeling of contentment and good health and for some works as an aphrodisiac. It was the Egyptian symbol for good health, good romance and birth. Blue Lotus is also a component of both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.

Contents

Nuciferin, Aporphine, Nurpharine, Nupharidine.

Historical

Fossil remains of the Blue Lotus, remarkably similar to today's plant, have been dated to the Jurassic period, and it was widely dispersed before the Ice Age, making it one of the world's first known flowering plants, if not actually the first. This gives an archaeological link to the central role played by the lotus in the creation legends of so many different cultures.
The Blue Lotus flower had a wide variety of uses and meanings to various cultures. They were used for artistic purposes, for symbols, to make bread, to make perfume, for healing and funerary purposes.
The Blue Lotus has had a profound impact on human society, and human civilization, including the Ancient Egyptians, the Chinese, the Japanese, the people of India, the Buddhists, the Greeks and numerous other cultures around the world.
The primary reason for the use of the Blue Lotus as a symbol by the Ancient Egyptians was because it symbolized the origin of life. According to Watterson, they equated the Creator-god with the Blue Lotus, which is believed to have emerged at some point in time from the primeval ocean. Nun-Ra, their primary god, was believed to have first appeared as a beautiful child floating on a great Blue Lotus. As a symbol of rebirth for the Kemet, the Lotus was closely related to the imagery of the funerary and Osirian cult. The Four Sons of Horus were frequently shown standing on a Blue Lotus in front of Osiris. The Book of the Dead contains references to "transforming oneself into a Lotus" and thus fulfilling the promise of resurrection. The Blue Lotus was found scattered over Tutankhamon's body when the Pharaoh's tomb was opened in 1922.
The precise use made by the Kemet of Nymphaea caerulea apart from in funerary rites is still being debated.
In Asia and Africa, the Blue Lotus symbolized immortality in recognition of the plant's ability to survive and resprout after long droughts, and the seed's ability to remain viable for many years.
In China it was regarded as a religious symbol, and a symbol of feminine beauty. Similarly in India, it was compared with the human female form, and in their legends they believe that Brahma, their creator of the universe, sprang from a Lotus-like blossom.
In view of the fact that people are represented sniffing Lotus flowers as early as the time of the pyramid builders, we are faced with a practice that could well date back to the dawn of civilization. At a time when man’s senses had not yet been pampered with products obtained through distillation, not to mention modern artificial preparations, sensitivity to natural scents must have been even more acute. When an Egyptian buried his nose in a Lotus flower, and perhaps kept it there for a while, the effect on him may well have been considerable, and the scent alone may have been sufficient to achieve an alteration of his consciousness.

Contemporary reference to the role of Waterlilies and Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) in ancient Egyptian healing suggest the possible importance of these plants as adjuncts to shamanistic healing in dynastic Egypt. Although the usual interpretation of the Waterlily and the Mandrake has been that of a part of ritual mourning, it is argued that the dynastic Egyptians had developed a form of shamanistic trance induced by these two plants and used it in medicine as well as in healing rituals. Analysis of the ritual and sacred iconography of dynastic Egypt, as seen on stelae, in magical papyri, and on vessels, indicates that these people possessed a profound knowledge of plant lore and altered states of consciousness. The abundant data indicate that the shamanistic priest, who was highly placed in the stratified society, guided the souls of the living and dead, provided for the transmutation of souls into other bodies and the personification of plants as possessed by human spirits, as well as performing other shamanistic activities.

Plant Description

An aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeace. The Blue Lotus has pointed flowers and floating leaves with smooth edges, leaves broadly rounded, 25-40 cm across, with a notch at the leaf stem. The flowers are 10-15 cm diameter. The flower buds rise to the surface over a period of two to three days, and when ready, open in the morning and close in the early afternoon. The flowers and buds do not rise above the water in the morning, nor do they submerge at night. The flowers have pale bluish-white to sky-blue petals, smoothly changing to a pale yellow in the centre of the flower.

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• Poland
• Romania

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.

Lucid Dreaming
Nymphaea caerulea - Entheology
Nymphaea caerulea - Erowid
Nymphaea caerulea - God's favorite flower
Nymphaea caerulea - Nymphaea cults in ancient Egypt and the New World: a lesson in empirical pharmacology
Nymphaea caerulea - Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. var. caerulea (Sav.) Verdc.
Nymphaea caerulea - Seven Facet Blue Lotus Seichem
Nymphaea caerulea - The Blue Water Lily, by Caroline Seawright
Nymphaea caerulea - The Flowers of Ancient Egypt and Today, by Jane Howard
Nymphaea caerulea - The Lotus And The Nile, by Christopher Rutledge
Oneiromancy
Psychoactive Lotus / Lily - The Vaults of Erowid

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