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sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated.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

Sandalwood, White Sandalwood, Sandal.

Description

The value of Sandalwood lies in its lovely fragrance. This aspect of the Sandalwood represents the divine qualities found in godly people or Gurmukhs. Being one of the oldest incense materials, Sandalwood has been in use for at least 4,000 years. According to mythology, Sandalwood originally grew only in heaven’s gardens. Temple gates and religious statues are carved from the wood because of this spiritual association and because of the exquisite scent. Sandalwood scent is believed to transform one's desires and maintain a person's alertness while in meditation.

Scent

Sandalwood essential oil provides perfumes with a striking wood base note. Sandalwood smells not unlike other wood scents, except it has a bright and fresh edge with few natural analogues. When used in smaller proportions in a perfume, it is an excellent fixative to enhance the head space of other fragrances.

Aromatic Properties

Sandalwood is balancing and stimulating to all of the Yin meridians in the body. It can be used for protection. It stimulates greater concentration in any activity. Sandalwood fragrance is believed to bring about calmness and serenity. Some traditional uses: to lift melancholy, enhance meditation, heal the skin, help breathing, for calming and reducing stress, restful sleep. Emotional profile: to relieve possessiveness, lack of forgiveness, cynicism, insecurity, loneliness, nightmares, dwelling on the past.
It is said that individuals who use any form of touch to heal will increase their ability to channel energies through the hands by anointing the palms with a drop of sandalwood oil.

Contents

Chemical constituents: 3% to 6% essential oil, resin, tanins. The essential oil contains high amounts of alpha- and beta-santalol.

Synergic Combinations

Blends well with: Cypress, Frankincense, Lemon, Myrrh, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Spruce

Historical

In Hinduism, sandalwood is often used for rituals or ceremonies. Its use as an embalming paste is used in temples on idols. A vast majority of hindus wear a small mark of this paste on their forehead right above the middle of the eyes. It is supposed to keep cool the body and the mind. Sandalwood is considered in alternative medicine to bring one closer with the divine. Sandalwood essential oil, which is very expensive in its pure form, is used primarily for Ayurvedic purposes. It is said to have been used for embalming the corpses of princes in Ceylon since the 9th century. In Buddhism, Sandalwood are considered to be of the Padma (lotus) group and attributed to the Bodhisattva Amitabha. Sandalwood scent is believed to transform one's desires and maintain a person's alertness while in meditation. Sandalwood is also one of the more popular scents used for incense used when offering incense to the Buddha. Sandalwood, along with agarwood, is the most popular and commonly used incense material by the Chinese and Japanese in worship and various ceremonies. It is also used extensively in Indian incense, religiously or otherwise. Firekeeping priests, who have maintained sacred fires for centuries, accept Sandalwood twigs from Zoroastrian worshippers as their contribution for sustaining the fire.
Sandalwood oil is used in rituals for converting to Wicca.

Plant Description

It is a small evergreen tree with slender drooping branches, the sapwood is white and odourless, the heartwood yellowish brown and strongly scented. Leaves elliptic lanceolate, sub-acute petioles 1-1.3 cm long slender, flowers brownish red, inodourous, in terminal and axillary cymes shorter than leaves. The fruit is a drupe.

References

Database on Medicinal Plants Used in Ayurveda: Vol.3., Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (Govt. of India)

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.

Santalum album - Wikipedia

Sabal serrulata / Saw Palmetto / Arecaceae (Palm 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

Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulatum, Saw palmetto, Palmier de l’ Amerique du Nord, Sagepalme, Zwergpalme, Palmetto di Florida, Zaagpalmbes.

Description

Sabal serrulata, also known as Serenoa repens and more commonly Saw Palmetto is a small palm found commonly in the Southeastern United States. It is a fan palm of the Arecaceae family that grows to be about 2m in height. It is particularly known for its large (30mm) fruits or "berries". Saw Palmetto is a common source of food and shelter for a variety of animals and insects of the Southeastern United States making it an ecologically important plant. Saw palmetto fruits have been reported to have been eaten by American natives for centuries. Today it is an economically important crop because of its supposed medicinal properties (1).
Seronoa repens is listed as a Traditional North American medicine and Traditional European medicine. Seronoa repens and its extracts is mentioned in various pharmacopoeias, it has a positive monograph by the German Commission E., a monograph in the World Health Organization volume 2, and in the U.S. is sold as a dietary supplement. (2)

Contents

The seed oil is an abundant source of short chain fatty acids and their glycerides. The major one being lauric acid. The fruit is also a rich source of phytosterols such as sitosterol, campesterol, and cycloartenol (2).

Historical

Saw palmetto has a long history of human use both as a food crop and medicinal herb. The fruits were a common food source for natives of the Southeastern United States. In the 1800’s the first description of its medicinal use came into being. (1). Even today the fruits of Saw Palmetto are widely used to support the health of the prostate and the urinary tract. 2-4 g of dried fruits or equivalent tincture helps maintain a good function of the prostate and supports peak urinary flow. (3)

Plant Description

Saw palmetto is for the most part stemless and grows to be about 2 meters in height. It has fan shaped leaves with teeth along the edges of the stalk. It forms clusters of small flowers with form fruits that can reach up to 30mm in length. The berries turn black as they mature (2).

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

(1) George W. Tanner, J. Jeffrey Mullahey and David Maehr. "Saw-palmetto: An Ecologically and Economically Important Native Palm". Circular WEC-109. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. (July 1996).
(2) Ben-Erik van Wyk, Michael Wink. "Medicinal Plants of the World". Timber Press, 2004.
(3) BHC 2006 p.345-52; BHP 1996 p.166-7; Canadian government (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/prodnatur/mono_sawpalmetto-palmiernain_e.pdf); Commission E monograph; ESCOP monograph; Hager Drogen P-Z p. 681-7; WHO monograph.

Sabal serrulata / Saw Palmetto / Arecaceae (Palm 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

Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulatum, Saw palmetto, Palmier de l’ Amerique du Nord, Sagepalme, Zwergpalme, Palmetto di Florida, Zaagpalmbes.

Description

Sabal serrulata, also known as Serenoa repens and more commonly Saw Palmetto is a small palm found commonly in the Southeastern United States. It is a fan palm of the Arecaceae family that grows to be about 2m in height. It is particularly known for its large (30mm) fruits or "berries". Saw Palmetto is a common source of food and shelter for a variety of animals and insects of the Southeastern United States making it an ecologically important plant. Saw palmetto fruits have been reported to have been eaten by American natives for centuries. Today it is an economically important crop because of its supposed medicinal properties (1).
Seronoa repens is listed as a Traditional North American medicine and Traditional European medicine. Seronoa repens and its extracts is mentioned in various pharmacopoeias, it has a positive monograph by the German Commission E., a monograph in the World Health Organization volume 2, and in the U.S. is sold as a dietary supplement. (2)

Contents

The seed oil is an abundant source of short chain fatty acids and their glycerides. The major one being lauric acid. The fruit is also a rich source of phytosterols such as sitosterol, campesterol, and cycloartenol (2).

Historical

Saw palmetto has a long history of human use both as a food crop and medicinal herb. The fruits were a common food source for natives of the Southeastern United States. In the 1800’s the first description of its medicinal use came into being. (1). Even today the fruits of Saw Palmetto are widely used to support the health of the prostate and the urinary tract. 2-4 g of dried fruits or equivalent tincture helps maintain a good function of the prostate and supports peak urinary flow. (3)

Plant Description

Saw palmetto is for the most part stemless and grows to be about 2 meters in height. It has fan shaped leaves with teeth along the edges of the stalk. It forms clusters of small flowers with form fruits that can reach up to 30mm in length. The berries turn black as they mature (2).

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

(1) George W. Tanner, J. Jeffrey Mullahey and David Maehr. "Saw-palmetto: An Ecologically and Economically Important Native Palm". Circular WEC-109. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. (July 1996).
(2) Ben-Erik van Wyk, Michael Wink. "Medicinal Plants of the World". Timber Press, 2004.
(3) BHC 2006 p.345-52; BHP 1996 p.166-7; Canadian government (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/prodnatur/mono_sawpalmetto-palmiernain_e.pdf); Commission E monograph; ESCOP monograph; Hager Drogen P-Z p. 681-7; WHO monograph.

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

Description

A tree with beautiful flowers from the Amazon. In it`s native environment T. sananho is used medicinally by several tribes with various usages. Many tribes consider the plant sacred and shamans often plant it in their gardens. This visionary plant is used by shamans and curanderos in the potion Ayahuasca, in special initiation ceremonies, and for bad luck. The plant is also an ingredient in arrow poisons.

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

Heimia salicifolia / Sinicuichi / Lythraceae (Loosestrife 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

Sun Opener, Sinicuichi, Heimia, Plant of the Yellow Vision, Herb of Life, Huauchinal, Anchinol, Xonecuili, Shrubby Yellowcrest.

Description

Native in Highlands from Mexico to Northern Argentina, Sinicuichi is an ancient divination plant. Although many different uses in folk medicine are reported from widely separated parts of its range, only in Mexico as of yet, has the small shrub been valued as a shamanistic herb. Some of the local vernacular names are suggestive of the biodynamic properties of Heimia salicifolia, such as "Abre-o-Sol" (Sun Opener) and "Herva de la Vida" (Herb of Life) in Brazil. Traditionally used to induce trance states, especially for memory and communication with ancestors.

Aromatic Properties

"Sun Opener", "Plant of the Yellow Vision", "Herb of Life". The natives believe that Sinicuichi has sacred or supernatural qualities. Increases communication and listening skills, quietens in order to hear others and understand, lifts emotional burdens from the heart. Joy, creativity. Clearer decision-making, choice of direction. Deep satisfaction and experience of harmony.

Contents

Vertine (cryogenine) is generally regarded as the primary psychoactive component and is also generally the most abundant constituent of alkaloidal extracts.(4) Other alkaloids which have been isolated from Heimia salicifolia are lythrine, dehydrodecodine, lythridine, heimidine, lyfoline, epi-lyfoline, 9beta-hydroxyvertine and (2S,4S,10R)-4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-quinolizidin-2-acetate.(5)

Historical

"This plant was called Sinicuiche or Sinicuichi by the Aztec and is still used by Mexican shamans as a trance-divination catalyst"(1). This plant typifies an hallucinogen of which the hallucinogenic characteristics are auditory, not visual. The natives believe that Sinicuichi has sacred or supernatural qualities, since they hold that it helps them recall events which took place many years earlier as if they had happened yesterday; others assert that they are able, with Sinicuichi, to remember pre-natal events.(2)
"The aerial parts have a wide folk reputation for antisyphilitic, sudorific, antipyretic, laxative and diuretic activity, and are reported to be useful in preparing post partum baths and to enhance wound healing."(3)
Other Mexican names for this plant are Huauchinal, Anchinol and Xonecuili. In English it is called "Sun Opener" or "Shrubby Yellowcrest".

Plant Description

Heimia salicifolia is a shrub with numerous small dark green leaves, and often dozens of tiny bright yellow flowers. It can grow to 3 m tall. The yellow flowers are 5 petaled and 2-3 cm in diameter. The leaves are approximately 1 cm wide and 3-5 cm long. The plant is native to most of the tropical regions throughout the Western Hemisphere, specifically Texas, Mexico, El Salvador, and all areas between Colombia and Argentina - most commonly found in ditches and other wet soils. This plant is cold and drought tolerant, but will not survive a solid freeze.

Legal Remarks

References

(1) Psychedelic Shamanism, Jim DeKorne
(2) The plant kingdom and hallucinogens (part III), Richard Evans Schultes
(3) Heimia salicifolia: a phytochemical and phytopharmacologic review. Malone MH, Rother A, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific
(4) Heimia salicifolia FAQ, Rev. MeO, Auxin, and Erowid
(5) Alkaloids from Heimia salicifolia, Rumalla CS, Jadhav AN, Smillie T, Fronczek FR, Khan IA, National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi

Skull Reindeer Horn

Description

Miniature human skull made from reindeer-horn. Approximate size 1cm. Handmade in Bali, Indonesia.

Historical

Historically, sculls have been used for different purposes by man. In medieval times and even nowadays scull cups were simple reminders of human impermanence (momento mori). Just a symbol or ornament which tells you: "Dear old friend your time will come earlier or later".

In Indian shamanism (1) a widespread use of different ornaments, totem items, plants, rocks, sculls, bones etc. is common. A shaman travels between the two worlds, the world of the living and the mystical world of spirits and ghosts. In a state of trance the two worlds might melt together to form one. Totem items are used as the linking elements between the two worlds. They serve as the telephone line to the astral world. Shamans have even worn totem items as part of their clothing. Some Indian tribes believe all human beings have a totem, usually an animal or other naturalistic figure, which acts as a spiritual guide, a kind of a father figure determining a persons character or protecting the person.

In some cultures one of the shaman's duties is to bring over the souls of dead people to their final destination. In North-European shamanism the folks collected the sculls of the killed enemies in war times and gave them to the shaman. The shaman placed these sculls around his home. This way they believed that even after the enemies were dead they would have power over them and could avoid the return of their souls.

In Buddhism the skull of a murder or execution victim is believed to possess the greatest tantric power; the skull of one who has died from a violent or accidental death, or from a virulent illness, possesses a medium magical power; the skull of a person who died peacefully in old age has virtually no occult power. The vital force or potential of the skull's 'previous owner' is embodied within the bone as a spirit, rendering it as an effective power object for the performance of tantric rituals. (2)

Probably the most impressive and bizarre collection of multiple thousand sculls can be found in the Sedlec Ossuary, a chapel in the Czech Republic (3). This is an extraordinary example of a christian death cult.

References

(1) Shamanism, Wikipedia
(2) Skeletons, Skulls and Bones, Khandro.Net
(3) Sedlec Ossuary , Wikipedia

Smoking papers large

Description

The best brands King Size Rice Smoking Papers available.

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Stevia rebaudiana / Stevia / Compositae (Sunflower 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

For hundreds of years, indigenous peoples in Brazil and Paraguay have used the leaves of Stevia as a sweetener. The Guarani Indians of Paraguay call it Kaa jheé and have used it to sweeten their Yerba Mate tea for centuries. They have also used it traditionally to sweeten other medicinal teas and foods as well as used it medicinally.

Legal Remarks

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

• Germany