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sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated.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

Description

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.

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

Psychotria viridis / Chacruna / 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

Kawa-kui (Sharanahua), Rami-Appani (Kulina), Chacruna (Peru).

Description

Psychotria viridis is a shrub from the Coffee family. It is the most common admixture to the Ayahuasca brew used in South and Central America. It has many local names, including Chacruna and Chacrona (from Quechua "chaqruy", "to mix"). The Brazilian Ayahuasca church, Santo Daime, holds that Banisteriopsis caapi, the primary component of Ayahuasca, provides "force" to the tea, whereas Chacruna provides "light". Psychotria viridis contains N,N dimethyltryptamine, which is orally acitve only if taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as the beta-carbolines found in the Banisteriopsis caapi vine.

Contents

The leaves of Pychotria viridis contain N,N dimethyltryptamine and small quantities of other alkaloids. The reported concentration of N,N dimethyltryptamine varies between 1mg/g and 17mg/g of dried leaf. The time of the day when the leaves are picked seems to play a role as well. (4)

Historical

Chacrunas' use has been documented by the Sharanahua and Culina Indian tribes of the southwestern Amazon basin, the Kofan Indians of Amazonian Colombia and Ecuador, the Kashinahua of eastern Peru and western Brazil plus in Tarauaca in the Acre of Brazil amongst others. Although the sacred brew Ayahuasca can be prepared from various plants Psychotria viridis is the second most important ingredient after Banisteriopsis caapi. In 1858 Manual Villavicencio, an Ecuadorian geographer, wrote 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."(3)

Plant Description

Psychotria viridis grows naturally in wet lowland tropical forests in Cuba and northern Central America through western and central South America; it appears to be most common in Amazonian Peru and Bolivia. It is an evergreen shrub, that grows to a height of up to 5m with a spread of 2m. The leaves are generally 5-15 x 2-6 cm, in outline generally elliptic or often widest above the middle, usually sharply angled at base. When dry, the leaves of Psychotria viridis usually are grey or reddish brown. (6)

Legal Remarks

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

• Reunion
• Bulgaria
• France

References

(1) Psychotria viridis, Wikipedia article
(2) "The healing forest, medicinal and toxic plants of the northwest Amazonia", by Richard Evans Schultes and Robert F. Raffauf. Discordia Press.
(3) Psychedelics Encyclopedia, 3rd expanded edition, by Peter Stafford
(4) Psychotria viridis: DMT Contents and Dosages, Erowid
(5) Psychotria legal status, Erowid
(6) Psychotria Viridis - A Botanical Source of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), DEA Microgram Journal
(7) Plants of the Gods, by Schultes, Hoffmann

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 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”
Rick Strassman
Santo Daime - Wikipedia
Tryptamine Alkaloids
Tryptamine Alkaloids
Uniao do Vegetal
Uniao do Vegetal - Wikipedia

Related Products

Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi)
Chiricaspi (Brunfelsia chiricaspi)
Chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana)
Jurema (Mimosa hostilis)
Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala)
Virola (Virola peruviana)

Psychotria viridis / Chacruna / 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

Kawa-kui (Sharanahua), Rami-Appani (Kulina), Chacruna (Peru).

Description

Psychotria viridis is a shrub from the Coffee family. It is the most common admixture to the Ayahuasca brew used in South and Central America. It has many local names, including Chacruna and Chacrona (from Quechua "chaqruy", "to mix"). The Brazilian Ayahuasca church, Santo Daime, holds that Banisteriopsis caapi, the primary component of Ayahuasca, provides "force" to the tea, whereas Chacruna provides "light". Psychotria viridis contains N,N dimethyltryptamine, which is orally acitve only if taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as the beta-carbolines found in the Banisteriopsis caapi vine.

Contents

The leaves of Pychotria viridis contain N,N dimethyltryptamine and small quantities of other alkaloids. The reported concentration of N,N dimethyltryptamine varies between 1mg/g and 17mg/g of dried leaf. The time of the day when the leaves are picked seems to play a role as well. (4)

Historical

Chacrunas' use has been documented by the Sharanahua and Culina Indian tribes of the southwestern Amazon basin, the Kofan Indians of Amazonian Colombia and Ecuador, the Kashinahua of eastern Peru and western Brazil plus in Tarauaca in the Acre of Brazil amongst others. Although the sacred brew Ayahuasca can be prepared from various plants Psychotria viridis is the second most important ingredient after Banisteriopsis caapi. In 1858 Manual Villavicencio, an Ecuadorian geographer, wrote 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."(3)

Plant Description

Psychotria viridis grows naturally in wet lowland tropical forests in Cuba and northern Central America through western and central South America; it appears to be most common in Amazonian Peru and Bolivia. It is an evergreen shrub, that grows to a height of up to 5m with a spread of 2m. The leaves are generally 5-15 x 2-6 cm, in outline generally elliptic or often widest above the middle, usually sharply angled at base. When dry, the leaves of Psychotria viridis usually are grey or reddish brown. (6)

Legal Remarks

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

• Reunion
• Bulgaria
• France

References

(1) Psychotria viridis, Wikipedia article
(2) "The healing forest, medicinal and toxic plants of the northwest Amazonia", by Richard Evans Schultes and Robert F. Raffauf. Discordia Press.
(3) Psychedelics Encyclopedia, 3rd expanded edition, by Peter Stafford
(4) Psychotria viridis: DMT Contents and Dosages, Erowid
(5) Psychotria legal status, Erowid
(6) Psychotria Viridis - A Botanical Source of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), DEA Microgram Journal
(7) Plants of the Gods, by Schultes, Hoffmann

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 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”
Rick Strassman
Santo Daime - Wikipedia
Tryptamine Alkaloids
Tryptamine Alkaloids
Uniao do Vegetal
Uniao do Vegetal - Wikipedia

Related Products

Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi)
Chiricaspi (Brunfelsia chiricaspi)
Chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana)
Jurema (Mimosa hostilis)
Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala)
Virola (Virola peruviana)

Psychotria viridis / Chacruna / 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

Kawa-kui (Sharanahua), Rami-Appani (Kulina), Chacruna (Peru).

Description

Psychotria viridis is a shrub from the Coffee family. It is the most common admixture to the Ayahuasca brew used in South and Central America. It has many local names, including Chacruna and Chacrona (from Quechua "chaqruy", "to mix"). The Brazilian Ayahuasca church, Santo Daime, holds that Banisteriopsis caapi, the primary component of Ayahuasca, provides "force" to the tea, whereas Chacruna provides "light". Psychotria viridis contains N,N dimethyltryptamine, which is orally acitve only if taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as the beta-carbolines found in the Banisteriopsis caapi vine.

Contents

The leaves of Pychotria viridis contain N,N dimethyltryptamine and small quantities of other alkaloids. The reported concentration of N,N dimethyltryptamine varies between 1mg/g and 17mg/g of dried leaf. The time of the day when the leaves are picked seems to play a role as well. (4)

Historical

Chacrunas' use has been documented by the Sharanahua and Culina Indian tribes of the southwestern Amazon basin, the Kofan Indians of Amazonian Colombia and Ecuador, the Kashinahua of eastern Peru and western Brazil plus in Tarauaca in the Acre of Brazil amongst others. Although the sacred brew Ayahuasca can be prepared from various plants Psychotria viridis is the second most important ingredient after Banisteriopsis caapi. In 1858 Manual Villavicencio, an Ecuadorian geographer, wrote 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."(3)

Plant Description

Psychotria viridis grows naturally in wet lowland tropical forests in Cuba and northern Central America through western and central South America; it appears to be most common in Amazonian Peru and Bolivia. It is an evergreen shrub, that grows to a height of up to 5m with a spread of 2m. The leaves are generally 5-15 x 2-6 cm, in outline generally elliptic or often widest above the middle, usually sharply angled at base. When dry, the leaves of Psychotria viridis usually are grey or reddish brown. (6)

Legal Remarks

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

• Reunion
• Bulgaria
• France

References

(1) Psychotria viridis, Wikipedia article
(2) "The healing forest, medicinal and toxic plants of the northwest Amazonia", by Richard Evans Schultes and Robert F. Raffauf. Discordia Press.
(3) Psychedelics Encyclopedia, 3rd expanded edition, by Peter Stafford
(4) Psychotria viridis: DMT Contents and Dosages, Erowid
(5) Psychotria legal status, Erowid
(6) Psychotria Viridis - A Botanical Source of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), DEA Microgram Journal
(7) Plants of the Gods, by Schultes, Hoffmann

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 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”
Rick Strassman
Santo Daime - Wikipedia
Tryptamine Alkaloids
Tryptamine Alkaloids
Uniao do Vegetal
Uniao do Vegetal - Wikipedia

Related Products

Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi)
Chiricaspi (Brunfelsia chiricaspi)
Chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana)
Jurema (Mimosa hostilis)
Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala)
Virola (Virola peruviana)

Psychotria viridis / Chacruna / 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

Kawa-kui (Sharanahua), Rami-Appani (Kulina), Chacruna (Peru).

Description

Psychotria viridis is a shrub from the Coffee family. It is the most common admixture to the Ayahuasca brew used in South and Central America. It has many local names, including Chacruna and Chacrona (from Quechua "chaqruy", "to mix"). The Brazilian Ayahuasca church, Santo Daime, holds that Banisteriopsis caapi, the primary component of Ayahuasca, provides "force" to the tea, whereas Chacruna provides "light". Psychotria viridis contains N,N dimethyltryptamine, which is orally acitve only if taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as the beta-carbolines found in the Banisteriopsis caapi vine.

Contents

The leaves of Pychotria viridis contain N,N dimethyltryptamine and small quantities of other alkaloids. The reported concentration of N,N dimethyltryptamine varies between 1mg/g and 17mg/g of dried leaf. The time of the day when the leaves are picked seems to play a role as well. (4)

Historical

Chacrunas' use has been documented by the Sharanahua and Culina Indian tribes of the southwestern Amazon basin, the Kofan Indians of Amazonian Colombia and Ecuador, the Kashinahua of eastern Peru and western Brazil plus in Tarauaca in the Acre of Brazil amongst others. Although the sacred brew Ayahuasca can be prepared from various plants Psychotria viridis is the second most important ingredient after Banisteriopsis caapi. In 1858 Manual Villavicencio, an Ecuadorian geographer, wrote 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."(3)

Plant Description

Psychotria viridis grows naturally in wet lowland tropical forests in Cuba and northern Central America through western and central South America; it appears to be most common in Amazonian Peru and Bolivia. It is an evergreen shrub, that grows to a height of up to 5m with a spread of 2m. The leaves are generally 5-15 x 2-6 cm, in outline generally elliptic or often widest above the middle, usually sharply angled at base. When dry, the leaves of Psychotria viridis usually are grey or reddish brown. (6)

Legal Remarks

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

• Reunion
• Bulgaria
• France

References

(1) Psychotria viridis, Wikipedia article
(2) "The healing forest, medicinal and toxic plants of the northwest Amazonia", by Richard Evans Schultes and Robert F. Raffauf. Discordia Press.
(3) Psychedelics Encyclopedia, 3rd expanded edition, by Peter Stafford
(4) Psychotria viridis: DMT Contents and Dosages, Erowid
(5) Psychotria legal status, Erowid
(6) Psychotria Viridis - A Botanical Source of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), DEA Microgram Journal
(7) Plants of the Gods, by Schultes, Hoffmann

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 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”
Rick Strassman
Santo Daime - Wikipedia
Tryptamine Alkaloids
Tryptamine Alkaloids
Uniao do Vegetal
Uniao do Vegetal - Wikipedia

Related Products

Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi)
Chiricaspi (Brunfelsia chiricaspi)
Chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana)
Jurema (Mimosa hostilis)
Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala)
Virola (Virola peruviana)

Diplopterys cabrerana / Chaliponga / Malpighiaceae (Malpighia family)

Information

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

Other Names

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

Description

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

Contents

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

Historical

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

Plant Description

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

Legal Remarks

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

• Reunion
• Bulgaria
• Ukraine
• France

References

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

Articles

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

1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances
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”
Rick Strassman
Santo Daime - Wikipedia
Tryptamine Alkaloids
Uniao do Vegetal
Uniao do Vegetal - Wikipedia

Related Products

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

Diplopterys cabrerana / Chaliponga / Malpighiaceae (Malpighia family)

Information

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

Other Names

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

Description

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

Contents

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

Historical

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

Plant Description

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

Legal Remarks

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

• Reunion
• Bulgaria
• Ukraine
• France

References

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

Articles

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

1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances
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”
Rick Strassman
Santo Daime - Wikipedia
Tryptamine Alkaloids
Uniao do Vegetal
Uniao do Vegetal - Wikipedia

Related Products

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

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.

Brunfelsia chiricaspi / Chiricaspi / Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

Information

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

Description

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

Related Products

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

Maytenus macrocarpa / Chuchuhuasi / Celastraceae (Bittersweet 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

Maytenus Macrocarpa has large leaves (10-30cm), small, white flowers, and extremely tough, heavy, reddish-brown bark. Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest have been using the bark of chuchuhuasi for health purposes for centuries. The bark soaked in the local rum (Aguardiente) is a popular jungle drink that is even served to tourists.

Contents

The main plant chemicals found in chuchuhuasi include: agarofuran sesquiterpenes, canophyllol, catechin tannins, dammarane triterpenes, dulcitol, ebenifoline alkaloids, euojaponine alkaloids, friedelan triterpenes, krukovine triterpenes, laevisine alkaloids, macrocarpin triterpenes, maytansine, mayteine, maytenin, mebeverine, phenoldienones, pristimeran, proanthocyanidins, and tingenone (and its derivatives). (1)

Historical

Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest have been using the bark of chuchuhuasi medicinally for centuries. Its Peruvian name, chuchuhuasi, means "trembling back". Local people and villagers along the Amazon believe that chuchuhuasi is an aphrodisiac and tonic, and the bark soaked in the local sugarcane rum (aguardiente) is a popular jungle drink that is even served in bars and to tourists (its often called "go-juice" to relieve pain and muscle aches and to "keep going" during long treks in the rainforest). Local healers and curanderos in the Amazon use chuchuhuasi combined with other medicinal plants, as a synergist for many types of illnesses. (1)

Plant Description

Maytenus Macrocarpa has large leaves (10-30cm), small, white flowers, and extremely tough, heavy, reddish-brown bark. Several botanical names have been given to this species of tree. It is referenced as Maytenus krukovii, M. ebenifolia, M. laevis, and M. macrocarpa; all botanical names refer to the same tree. Chuchuhausi is indigenous to the tropical rainforests of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

References

(1) Chuchuhuasi, Raintree Plant Database

Chumpi Stones Albaster