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sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated.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

Purple Wolfsbane, Dogbane, Bitter Root, Milkweed, Fly-Trap, Canadian Hemp, Chanvre Du Canada, Spreading Dogbane, Vliegenwurger, American Ipecac, Bitter Dogbane, Black Indian Hemp, Catch Fly, Colicroot, Honey Bloom, Indian Hemp, Milk Ipecac, Rheumatism Wood, Wandering Milkweed, Western Wallflower, Wild Ipecac, Gewöhnliches Hundsgift, Rattlesnake Root, Snakebite, Three-leaved Nightshade, Trillium, Wakerobin, Birthroot.

Scent

Almost inodorous, a slight, rather musty odour and a starchy, bitter taste.

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance is stimulant and relaxant about equally; manifesting its powers slowly, and quite persistently. It enhances one's creativity and imagination, bringing out the child within. Some believe Dogbane should be used on Autum Eve, in order to enter the realm of Faery and to be able to see natural spirits. It is a herb of protection, under the rule of Jupiter, said to encourage nature's Spirits and the presence of Deva's to be invited.

Contents

Contains apocynamarin, a cardiac glycoside, as well as other glycosides and resins.

Synergic Combinations

Dogbane goes well with Ginger and Anise.

Health Warnings

It is official in the United States Pharmacopoeia and has emetic, cathartic, diaphoretic, expectorant and diuretic properties, and on account of the last-named action it is used in dropsical affections. It should be used with great caution, and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner if taking this plant internally. It has a powerful action in slowing the pulse and also has a very strong action on the vaso-motor system, it is rather an irritant to the mucous membranes though, so some people cannot tolerate it.

Plant Description

A shrub-like, perennial herb, 30-120cm tall. Leaves paired and ovate, toothless, dark green above, paler and downy beneath, 5-8cm long. Stems ruddy and branching, and, in common with the other three members of the genus, yielding on incision a milky juice resembling India rubber when dry. Flowers bell shaped, white, tinged with red and fragrant, dangling from curved stalks; five scales in the throat of the corolla secrete a sweet liquid, attractive to flies. These scales are very sensitive, and when touched bend inward, imprisoning the insects. Fruit dry narrow pods, in pairs, 10-20cm long. Seeds reddish, with long white hairs. Blooms mid-June through the end of July in the North Country. Reproduces by seed and vegetatively by rhizomes.
The bark yields a good quality fibre that is used for making twine, bags, linen etc. The fibre is finer and stronger than cotton. It can be harvested after the leaves fall in the autumn but is probably at its best as the seed pods are forming.

Plumeria spp / Frangipani / 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

"Kembang Kamboja" in Indonesia, "Temple Tree" or "Champa" in India, "Kalachuchi" in the Philippines, "Araliya" or "Pansal Mal" in Sri Lanka, "Champa" in Laos, "Lantom" or "Leelaawadee" in Thai, "Cacalloxochitl" in Nahuatl.

Scent

Frangipani's rich, heady, exotic scent has a deep expansive quality which encourages a sensual almost provocative response.

Aromatic Properties

Frangipani is particularly valued for its emotionally uplifting properties. It soothes many emotional problems and can help those who working through psychological blockages associated with love and sexual fulfilment. It is thought to restore inner peace and harmony which guides one to honour the sacred in intimacy. Frangipani's nature is to remind us of the beauty of our soul's infinite journey.

Synergic Combinations

Blends well with Vetiver, Agarwood, Champaca, Ylang Ylang and Sandalwood.

Historical

Frangipani, also known as Plumera, is one of the most delightful members of the Apocynacea or Dogbane family. Its delicate, silken flowers appear in a myriad of variation and its enchanting fragrance can be described as the mother of all perfumes - it is nectar for the Gods. In India, Bali and other tropical countries it is indeed held sacred and present at every ceremony. But most of all it is sacred to Krishna. Frangipani trees are frequently planted in temple grounds, which has earned them the name "Pagoda trees". In India, they are also often planted near graves and revered as a "Tree of Life" that symbolizes the eternal life of the soul. The Maya of Central America also hold this tree sacred. The red and white varieties represent the sun and the moon respectively. Shamans use the flower water of Frangipani as an offering to the Gods. In Mexico, the Nahuatl (Aztec language) name for this plant is "cacalloxochitl" which means "crow flower." It was used for many medicinal purposes such as salves and ointments.
In several Pacific islands, such as Tahiti, Fiji, Hawaii, Tonga and the Cook Islands Plumeria is used for making leis. In modern Polynesian culture, it can be worn by women to indicate their relationship status - over the right ear if seeking a relationship, and over the left if taken.
Frangipani received its name from a perfume invented by the Marquis Frangipani, Marechal des Armees of Louis XIII of France. It was composed of every spice known until Plumeria (Frangipani) was discovered. The scent of Frangipani was the perfect perfume, a million times better than all other scents put together. Henceforth, the perfume was made from Frangipani and the tree was named after the Marquis.

Plant Description

Plumeria is related to the Oleander, Nerium oleander, and both possess poisonous, milky sap, rather similar to that of Euphorbia. Each of the separate species of Plumeria bears differently shaped leaves and their form and growth habits are also distinct. The leaves of P. alba are quite narrow and corrugated, while leaves of P. pudica have an elongated oak shape and glossy, dark green color. P. pudica is one of the everblooming types with non-deciduous, evergreen leaves. Another species that retains leaves and flowers in winter is P. obtusa.
Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar, and simply dupe their pollinators. The moths inadvertently pollinate them by transferring pollen from flower to flower in their fruitless search for nectar.
Plumeria species are easily propagated by taking a cutting of leafless stem tips in Spring and allowing them to dry at the base before inserting them into soil. They are also propagated via tissue culture both from cuttings of freshly elongated stems and aseptically germinated seed.(1)

References

(1) Plumeria, Wikipedia

Related Products

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
Champaca (Michelia champaca)

Tabernanthe iboga / Iboga / Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Information

This botanical product is not intended for the purpose of human consumption. Information provided on this website, including 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". This is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest and is delivered with no expressed or implied fitness for any purpose. The information we provide is 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 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. The use and application of this product is solely at the customer's risk.

Other Names

Leaf of God, Eboka, Ibogaine, Thle-Pelakano, Bitter Grass.

Contents

Ibogaine, Ibogaline and Ibogamine.(2)

Historical

Iboga its ability to bring about dream-like states was documented as early as 1885 by Father Henri Neu who wrote in his manuscript "Most Europeans (living in Gabon) have heard about this plant, used in fetishistic ceremonies. The natives use an infusion of Iboga root scrapings as a potent philter that enables one to discover hidden things and to tell the future. The one who drinks it falls into a deep sleep during which he is obsessed by uninterrupted dreams which, until the time that he awakens, he takes to be actual events..."(5)

Iboga has a central role in the West Central African Bwiti religion which is one of the three official religions in Gabon today. It has been involved in many Bwiti ceremonies, festivals and rites for hundreds of years.(4) Out of these rites and ceremonies, the initiation ceremony is considered one of the most important and usually involves the ingestion of high doses of Iboga by the new initiate. In this ceremony the young men take Iboga for extended periods, sometimes up to three days, in order to become members of the religion. During the ceremony, a few designated members remain close to the initiate to monitor his condition while musicians playing drums and harps are also close by. Iboga is believed to allow the spirit to travel to the land of the dead and learn about past lives and the consequences of past actions. After the initiation ceremony, the initiate wakes up to what is considered a new life and relates the journey with other members.(1)(3)
It is sometimes taken in lower doses as well after initiation by some as a stimulant to aid in hunting and is also used in some special ceremonies to heal sick people or drive out evil spirits.(1)
Iboga is also consumed by the entire community on night ceremonies or Ngoze which are nights that are designated for communal sharing, celebration and religious fervor. The ceremony lasts all night and by the end the community is said to share in a blissful feeling of collective unity and love. This state is called "Nlem Myore" by Bwitists which literally means "One heart only" and describes a state of emotional flow where people understand each other as they share a feeling of oneness and good will toward each other.(3)
In the United States, recently Howard Lotsof of New York began patenting Ibogaine, the plant`s most active chemical, for drug addiction treatment in 1985. He also campaigned for FDA approval for this use between 1982 and 1994. Despite poor financial support, experimental treatment for addiction and further research on Ibogaine are still being carried out today.(2)

Plant Description

Tabernanthe iboga is a small, evergreen, bushy, rainforest shrub that usually grows to a height of 2 m but given the right conditions it can grow up to 10 m tall into a small tree. It has small green leaves and its flowers are pink and white. The fruit are elongated and orange in color. Its roots are yellow and contain ibogaine in the highest concentration.(1)

Legal Remarks

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

• Poland
• Australia
• Reunion
• Romania
• Belgium
• Sweden
• United States
• France
• Switzerland

References

(1) Tabernanthe iboga, Wikipedia
(2) Extraction studies of Tabernanthe iboga and Voacanga africana., Jenks CW.
(3) The Bwiti Religion and the psychoactive plant Tabernanthe iboga (Equatorial Africa), Giorgio Samorini
(4) Bwiti, Wikipedia
(5) Pharmacodynamics and Therapeutic Applications of Iboga and Ibogaine, Robert Goutarel, Otto Gollnhofer and Roger Sillans.

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.

Bwiti
Howard Lotsof
Ibogaine
Tabernanthe iboga - Erowid
The Ibogaine Dossier

Related Products

Iboga, Rite of Passage (DVD) (Ben de Loenen)

Aspidosperma quebracho / Quebracho / 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

Quebracho, Quebracho Blanco. The name Quebracho is derived from the Spanish "Quebra Hacha" meaning "axe-breaker" and is an indication of the hardness of the wood.

Scent

The taste is very bitter, but there is scarcely any odour.

Contents

Contains six alkaloids: Aspidospermine, Aspidospermatine, Aspidosamine, Quebrachine, Hypoquebrachine and Quebrachamine. All agree that quebrachine is the most active. Two new sugars, quebrachite and laevogyrate inosite, tannin and starch have also been extracted.

Additional Remarks

Two other plants are known as Quebracho: Schinopsis Lorenzii, the wood of which is sold in commerce as 'quebracho wood,' and Iodina rhombifolia, 'quebracho flojo', the wood and bark of which are sometimes substituted for the 'quebracho colorado'.

Historical

Quebracho is used by indigenous Shamans known as Paleros, (those that use wood) specializing in the use of trees as teachers. They speak with great reverence about several species called Remocaspi. These formidable trees with their huge buttressed roots are said to be among the most powerful spirits of the jungle, capable of bestowing sublime insight to the carefully prepared user. The Shaman warns, however, that the same tree can mete out death to anyone who has not properly prepared by following a strict diet and regime of abstinence.
Quebracho wood is extremely hard and is used in construction, or an extract of the wood is used for its high tannin content particularly in the leather tanning industry.

Plant Description

This tree is a large evergreen, having pendant branchlets, bearing small elliptic-lanceolate, acutely-pointed leaves, which are opposite, or tri-verticillate, and subsessile. They have entire, stiff margins. The flowers are axillary, cymose, small, and yellow. The fruit is a ligneous capsule, containing seeds having broad wings.
This tree is a native of Chili and the Argentine Republic.

Legal Remarks

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

• Finland

References

Aspidosperma, from King's American Dispensatory, by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898
Quebracho, A modern Herbal, by Mrs M. Grieve

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

Voacanga africana / Voacanga / 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.

Contents

Voacanga africana contains a complex mixture of iboga alkaloids such as voacangine, vocamine, vobtusine, amataine, akuammidine, tabersonine, coronaridine and vobtusine. (1)

Historical

Voacanga africana is reportedly one of the guarded secrets of the African Magic Healers. The plant is held in high esteem for ritual and visionary purposes. The root bark is used as a stimulant during hunts, which can reportedly last for several days. Voacanga africana is also used as a poison, and has a reputation as an aphrodisiac. (2)
"Ibogaine is a natural alkaloid of Voacanga africana that is effective in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms and craving in drug addicts." (3)

Plant Description

Voacanga Africana is native to West Africa. The genus of voacanga is closely related to that of Tabernanthe. Voacanga Africana is an evergreen shrub or tree to 10 m. Branches lenticellate. Leaves opposite, elliptic or narrowly elliptic; texture herbaceous when fresh, membranous or papery when dry; base cuneate; apex acuminate, sometimes acute or obtuse. Calyx not clasping the corolla and not shed with it; lobes mostly partly recurved, 0.8-1.3 times as long as the tube. Corolla cream, greenish or yellow; lobes obovate, narrowly obovate or elliptic. Fruit composed of two separate mericarps, one only often developing; obliquely subspherical. Seeds with an orange aril.

References

(1) Voacanga africana, Wikipedia
(2) Voacanga africana, The Vaults of Erowid
(3) Ibogaine and a total alkaloidal extract of Voacanga africana modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission in the rat parabrachial nucleus in vitro. Kombian SB, Saleh TM, Fiagbe NI, Chen X, Akabutu JJ, Buolamwini JK, Pittman QJ. NRG, University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, Canada.