Silene capensis / African Dream Root / Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed Family)

Information

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sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated.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

Other Names

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

Description

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

Historical

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

Plant Description

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

References

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

Articles

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

Dreams
Lucid Dreaming
Oneiromancy

Related Products

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

Coffea arabica / Coffee / Rubiaceae (Coffee family)

Description

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. It is prepared from the roasted seeds (coffee beans) of several species of the genus Coffea. The most commonly grown coffee plant is Coffea arabica. Coffee has played an important role in many societies throughout modern history. Coffee was initially used for spiritual reasons in Africa and Yemen. Its early association in Europe with rebellious political activities led to its banning in England, among other places. Coffee continues to play an important role in the social life of many communities. It is also one of the world`s largest, most valuable, legally traded commodities.

Contents

Coffee contains several compounds which are known to affect human body chemistry. The coffee bean itself contains chemicals which are psychotropic (in a way some find pleasing) for humans as a by-product of their defense mechanism.(2) Non-volatile and volatile compounds of green coffee beans are responsible for their attraction of insects but also distraction of animals preventing them from eating the coffee fruit and beans. Further, both non-volatile and volatile compounds are contributing to the flavor of the roasted coffee bean. Among the non-volatile compounds nitrogenous compounds together with carbohydrates are of major importance for the full aroma of roasted coffee and its biological action. The nitrogenous compound are consisting of alkaloids, trigonelline, proteins and free amino acids. Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethyl-xanthine) is the most important molecule of the alkaloids being present in green and roasted coffee beans. The content of caffeine is between 1% and 2,5% (w/w of dry green coffee).(4)

Historical

Coffee use can be traced at least to as early as the 9th century, when it appeared in the highlands of Ethiopia. According to legend, Ethiopian shepherds were the first to observe the influence of the caffeine in coffee beans when the goats appeared to "dance" and to have an increased level of energy after consuming wild coffee berries. From Ethiopia, coffee spread to Egypt and Yemen. It was in Arabia that coffee beans were first roasted and brewed similarly as they are today. By the 15th century, it had reached the rest of the Middle East, Persia, Turkey, and northern Africa. From the Muslim world, coffee spread to Italy. The thriving trade between Venice and North Africa, Egypt, and the Middle East brought many goods, including coffee, to the Venetian port. From Venice, it was introduced to the rest of Europe. Coffee became more widely accepted after it was deemed a Christian beverage by Pope Clement VIII in 1600, despite appeals to ban the "Muslim drink". The Dutch were the first to import coffee on a large scale, and they were among the first to defy the Arab prohibition on the exportation of plants or unroasted seeds when Pieter van den Broeck smuggled seedlings from Aden into Europe in 1616. The Dutch later grew the crop in Java and Ceylon. Through the efforts of the British East India Company, coffee became popular in England as well. It was introduced in France in 1657, and in Austria and Poland after the 1683 Battle of Vienna, when coffee was captured from supplies of the defeated Turks. When coffee reached North America during the colonial period, it was initially not as successful as it had been in Europe. During the Revolutionary War, however, the demand for coffee increased so much that dealers had to hoard their scarce supplies and raise prices dramatically; this was partly due to the reduced availability of tea from British merchants. After the War of 1812, during which Britain temporarily cut off access to tea imports, the Americans' taste for coffee grew, and high demand during the American Civil War together with advances in brewing technology secured the position of coffee as an everyday commodity in the United States.
Noted as one of the world`s largest, most valuable, legally traded commodities after oil, coffee has become a vital cash crop for many Third World countries. Over one hundred million people in developing countries have become dependent on coffee as the primary source of income. Coffee has become the primary export and backbone for African countries like Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia as well as many Central American countries.(1)(5)

Plant Description

Coffea arabica is a species of coffee indigenous to Ethiopia and Yemen. It is also known as the "coffee shrub of Arabia", "mountain coffee" or "arabica coffee". Coffea arabica is believed to be the first species of coffee to be cultivated, being grown in southwest Arabia for well over 1,000 years. It is considered to produce a superior tasting baverage with lower caffeine content compared to the other major commercially grown coffee species, Coffea canephora (robusta). Coffea arabica accounts for 75-80 percent of the world's coffee production.
Coffea arabica takes about seven years to mature. It is usually cultivated between 1,300 and 1,500 m altitude, but there are plantations as low as sea level and as high as 2,800 m. Two to four years after planting Coffea arabica produces small, white and highly fragrant flowers. The sweet fragrance resembles the sweet smell of Jasmine flowers. When flowers open on sunny days, this results in the greatest numbers of berries. This can be a curse however as coffee plants tend to produce too many berries; this can lead to an inferior harvest and even damage yield in the following years as the plant will favor the ripening of berries to the detriment of its own health. On well kept plantations this is prevented by pruning the tree. The flowers themselves only last a few days leaving behind only the thick dark green leaves. The berries then begin to appear. These are as dark green as the foliage, until they begin to ripen, at first to yellow and then light red and finally darkening to a glossy deep red. At this point they are called 'cherries' and are ready for picking. The berries are oblong and about 1 cm long. Inferior coffee results from picking them too early or too late, so many are picked by hand to be able to better select them, as they do not all ripen at the same time. In perfect conditions, like those of Java, trees are planted at all times of the year and are harvested year round. In less ideal conditions, like those in parts of Brazil, the trees have a season and are harvested only in winter.(3)(6)

References

(1) Coffee, Wikipedia
(2) Coffee and Health, Wikipedia
(3) Coffea arabica, Wikipedia
(4) Coffea, Wikipedia
(5) The Story Of Coffee, International Coffee Organization
(6) Arabica and Robusta Coffee Plant, coffeeresearch.org

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.

Kopi Luwak
Luwak Coffee

Handbook on Oral Cocaine in Addictions

Description

Handbook on Oral Cocaine in Addictions - Dr. J. Ernesto Chang-Fung, M.D., and Dr. Teobaldo Llosa, M.D., Ph.D.

Cocaine addiction is an uncontrollable health and behavioral problem. During the past decades up until today, millions of dollars have been spent in research, mainly directed towards demonstrating the damaging effects of cocaine use through nasal, pulmonary or intravenous routes. Very little investigation has been performed to study the daily use of oral Coca by millions of people in the Andean regions (Coca chewers, Coca tea drinkers, Coca powder eaters) who show no behavioral disorders or illnesses which fit the DSM-IV-TR or ICD-10 criteria for cocaine dependence.
In this book the author has shown the advantages obtained by investigators when interviewing or evaluating traditional chronic oral Coca users who, in most cases, are physically and mentally normal. These facts contradict the WHO conclusions reached during the New York Single Convention in 1961, which pointed out that the oral use of Coca leaded to behavioral and mental deterioration of its users. These concepts were refuted in modern multi-centric studies designed by WHO, Cocaine Project/UNICRI 1995, and Consultation on Drug Substitution Project/PSA, 1995, but their publication was never authorized.
What all these studies have done is only "to confirm what the Andean population who is chronically impregnated with Coca already knew thousands of years ago". The author and his collaborators emphasized that the wrong use of cocaine ought to be rigorously controlled internationally, and also argued that the studies on oral Coca use ought to be separated from every political and police aspect and centered in the scientific and social analysis of the users. Also, the benefits of the use of oral Coca agonist therapy (cocalization/cocainization) for cocaine dependence reduction in a simple, economic and harmless manner should be shown; as well as the studies about the toxicological and physio-psychological effects of Coca powder oral consumption, a new over-the-counter modality, used for medical, nutritional and energy goals.

-History, botany, Coca leaves, Coca infusions, Coca powder, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, toxicity, cocaine liability and dependence, cocainization as agonist therapy, clinical researches, legal status, references, abstracts. (pocket, 114 pages)

Argyrea nervosa / Hawaiian Baby Woodrose / Convolvulaceae (Bindweed 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

Baby Hawaiian Woodrose, Baby Woodrose, Cordon Seda, Coup D'Air, Elephant Creeper, Liane A Minguet, Liane D' Argent, Samudrasokh, Silver Morning Glory, Woolly Morning Glory, Vridha daraka, Samudra Shokha, Bijarka, Samudra phool, Vriddadaru, Samudar sokh, Kadarpalai.

Description

Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa), not to be confused with the Hawaiian woodrose (Merremia tuberosa), is a perennial climbing vine, also known as Elephant Creeper and Woolly Morning Glory. Native to the Indian subcontinent and introduced to numerous areas worldwide, including Hawaii, Africa and the Caribbean, it can be invasive, although is often prized for its aesthetic value. The seeds of the plant contain ergot alkaloids, including the hallucinogenic LSA (ergine), which is a chemical analog of LSD. Hawaiian Baby Woodrose seeds are sometimes used as a legally obtainable psychedelic, though the legality of consuming the seeds is ambiguous in some jurisdictions.(1)

Contents

The seeds of Argyreia nervosa contain about 0.3% ergot alkaloids, including chanoclavine, lysergol, ergotmetrine and ergine. These are all derivatives of Lysergic acid and most are collectively named lysergic acid amides (LSA). LSD (Lysergic Acid Diiethylamide) is also a lysergic acid amide and although resembling the natural lysergic acid amides both in structure and and pharmacological activity, it has not been found in nature.

Historical

Hawaiian Baby Woodrose seeds have been used ethnobotanically in the Pacific Islands by certain high priests to induce communication with the spiritual world. The plant is a rare example of a hallucinogenic herb, the properties of which have only recently been discovered. While its cousins in the Convolvulaceae family, such as the Rivea corymbosa (Ololiuhqui) and Ipomoea violacea (Tlitliltzin or Morning Glory) were used in shamanic rituals of Latin America for centuries, the Hawaiian baby woodrose was not traditionally recognised as a hallucinogen. Its properties were first brought to attention in the 1960s, despite the fact that the chemical composition of its seeds is near identical to those of the two species mentioned above, and in fact contain the highest concentration of psychoactive compounds in the entire family. The hallucinogenic properties of the seeds became known mainly through their use in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, where impoverished members of the population would consume the seeds, seeking a "cheap buzz" as an alternative to alcohol. A sample made its way to Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD, who confirmed the effects and analysed its chemical composition.

Health Warnings

The "furry" outer skin of the seeds purportedly contains cyanogenic glycosides, also found in the pits of most fruit, such as apples and apricots, the ingestion of which is the likely cause of nausea reported by those who have eaten the seeds. Many of the ergot alkaloids can cause constriction of bloodvessels, which may result in necrosis of the tissue and gangrene in humans and animals in excessive doses.

Plant Description

Beautiful woody, flowering vine that grows well in full sun on a trellis. The leaves are large, downy and have velvety white hairs. The flowers are purple on the inside fading lighter at the ends. The seed pods dry into woody "roses" which hold one to four seeds.

Hawaiian Baby Woodrose has a very tough seed coat and nicking aids in germination a lot. Take very sharp scissors and make a shallow snip away from the germ eye, just piercing the seed coat. Alterinateivly you can take a file a file away a bit, again away from the germ eye. Some people recomend pouring boiling water over the freshly nicked seeds, and to let them sit over night, but this is not nessecery. Plant in free draining soil (HBWR is somewhat susceptible to rot). In any event if the seeds are good germination should occur in less than a week.
The plant does not like a lot of light when it is young. Put the seedlings in direct light every day until they show some signs of wilting, then take them out. This way the seedlings are getting the maximum amount of sunlight they can handle and soon adapt to it and pump out as much growth as possible. Alternitively you can start them off outside in pots in full sun. This way they will adapt to lots of light very quickly, again take them out of the sun when they show signs of wilting.
Keep soil moist but not wet. Still make sure to water regularly. If they remain dry to long they will start to wilt and appear to have gotten too much sun. It is, unlike its close relative Morning Glory, a very slow grower, and can take up to two years to even reach a foot tall. Feed the plants regularly with fertilizer (20,20,20), which they seem to respond well to. Any fertilizer will do. Also worm castings is reccomended when younger. Whatever you use just make sure to start off with half the recomended strength.
Good luck with it if you dont live in a tropical climate. The most important factor in getting them to flower is ensuring enough space for the roots. HBWR gets potbound very easily after its first year or so of growth... you think shes barely growing but it seems to focus its energy on growing roots.

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
• Romania
• Russia
• Italy
• Croatia
• Lithuania
• Estonia
• Finland
• Norway

References

(1) Wikipedia
Erowid Herb Vault

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.

Ergot
Lysergic acid

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.

Description

Tabernanthe iboga, known commonly as Iboga, is a perennial rainforest shrub native to the regions of western Central Africa. It has a long history of ritual use by several indigenous peoples living in and around the Gabon province of Central Africa including the Babongo, Mitsogo and Fang people where it occupies a central role in their religious practices.(4) Iboga is especially important in the initiation rite into the Bwiti religion where it is said to allow the initiate to journey to the land of the dead, learn about past lives, future problems and see the true self. The plant is considered sacred by members of the Bwiti and some claim that Iboga is the original Tree of Knowledge from the Bible.(3)

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)

Mitragyna speciosa / Kratom / 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

Ithang, Kakuam, Krathom and in southern regions of Thailand, Thom.

Description

Kratom is a tree in the Coffee family that is native to Thailand where it has a long history of use. It was mainly used by workers for its stimulant effects but has also been employed for a variety of other purposes.(1) The genus was first recorded and named by the Dutch Botanist Pieter Willem Korthals who gave it its name because the stamen of the species he first discovered resembled a bishop's miter. Kratom has a rich chemistry and contains more than 25 different alkaloids. Mitragynine, the most abundant one, is structurally related to Yohimbe alkaloids and is more distantly related to tryptamine alkaloids such as psilocybin and Ibogaine. The plant also contains Epicatechin which is a powerful anti-oxidant also found in Cocoa and Green Tea. Botanically Kratom is also related to Cat's Claw. Although Kratom has recently been made illegal in Thailand, Malaysia and several other countries, some people are lobbying their governments to allow medical research into Kratom as a potential prescription substance.

Contents

Mitragynine, Mitraphylline, 7-hydroxymitragynine, 7-acetoxymitragynine, Paynanthine, Speciogynine, Speciofoline, Ajmalicine, Akuammigine, Corynanthedine, Mitraversine, Rhynchophylline, Speciociliatine, Stipulatine, Epicatechin and others. (2)

Historical

Traditional use of Kratom is usually associated with Thailand, although some use in Malaysia has also been reported. Use of Kratom dates far enough back that its beginnings can't be determined. The genus was first recorded and named by the Dutch Botanist Pieter Willem Korthals who gave it its name because the stamen of the species he first discovered resembled a bishop's miter. Traditionally users tend to be peasants, laborers, and farmers who use the plant to overcome the burdens of hard work and as a stimulant to help endure long days. (2) Female users are apparently quite rare possibly due to the association of Kratom with labor, while women tend to have more domestic roles. In some parts of the country, it was said that parents would choose to give their daughters in marriage to men who used Kratom rather than men who used Marihuana, in part due to the idea that Kratom users are hard working, while Marihuana users are lazy. (3)
As well as being used as a stimulant it has also been used for medicinal purposes and as an opium substitute. It is interesting to note that it reportedly causes stimulant effects at low dosages and more narcotic analgesic effects at higher doses. (4)

In 1943, the Thai government passed the Kratom Act 2486 that made the planting of the tree illegal and required existing trees to be cut down. This law has not been very successful, because Kratom is an indigenous species. The Thai government also made Kratom illegal and classed it in the same enforcement group as cocaine and heroin.
More recently, scientists and other specialists in the field have opted Kratom's possible use as an aid in opium withdrawal, inspired by its traditional use, or as an active placebo in research. Pennapa Sapcharoen, director of the National Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine, said krathom could be prescribed to addicts and patients suffering depression, but stressed that further research was needed. (3)

However it was recently discovered that 7-hydroxymitragynine is the most likely candidate as the chief agent of Kratom's effects and since most of the previous research was done with the assumption that Mitragynine was the most active chemical, many of the previous conclusions on Kratom may have to be revised. (2)

Health Warnings

Side effects from long term use include anorexia and weight loss, insomnia, and a darkening of the skin, particularly on the cheeks, giving an appearance similar to a hepatic face. Among addicts, 30% report limited sexual desire and the need to use a combination of Kratom and alcohol to become sexually stimulated. One study found 5 people who had psychotic conditions which may or may not have been revealed by very heavy Kratom use. Addiction seems to be a possibility if high doses are used. Some withdrawal symptoms reported by addicts include hostility, aggression, wet nose, inability to work, flow of tears, muscle and bone aches, and jerky limb movement.

Plant Description

Mitragyna speciosa is an evergreen tree native to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It usually grows to a height of around 15 feet though in some cases can reach up to 50 feet depending on species and location. The plant has a branch width of over 15 feet. The leaves are smooth, ovate-acuminate, opposite and dark green in color, and can grow to more than 7 inches long and 4 inches wide. The flowers are yellow and grow in clusters. During the dry part of the year leaf is more abundant and there is more new growth during the rainy season. (1)(2)

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
• Iceland
• Romania
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Thailand
• Finland

References

(1) Kratom, Wikipedia
(2) Kratom, Murple.net
(3) Role Seen For Traditional Herbal Stimulant, Ploenpote Atthakor Bangkok Post, 27 November 1999
(4) Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), Microgram Bulletin, Vol XXXIX

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.

7-acetoxymitragynine
7-hydroxymitragynine
Epicatechin
Erowid Kratom Vault
Mitragynine
Mitraphylline

Related Products

Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea)

Mitragyna speciosa / Kratom / 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

Ithang, Kakuam, Krathom and in southern regions of Thailand, Thom.

Description

Kratom is a tree in the Coffee family that is native to Thailand where it has a long history of use. It was mainly used by workers for its stimulant effects but has also been employed for a variety of other purposes.(1) The genus was first recorded and named by the Dutch Botanist Pieter Willem Korthals who gave it its name because the stamen of the species he first discovered resembled a bishop's miter. Kratom has a rich chemistry and contains more than 25 different alkaloids. Mitragynine, the most abundant one, is structurally related to Yohimbe alkaloids and is more distantly related to tryptamine alkaloids such as psilocybin and Ibogaine. The plant also contains Epicatechin which is a powerful anti-oxidant also found in Cocoa and Green Tea. Botanically Kratom is also related to Cat's Claw. Although Kratom has recently been made illegal in Thailand, Malaysia and several other countries, some people are lobbying their governments to allow medical research into Kratom as a potential prescription substance.

Contents

Mitragynine, Mitraphylline, 7-hydroxymitragynine, 7-acetoxymitragynine, Paynanthine, Speciogynine, Speciofoline, Ajmalicine, Akuammigine, Corynanthedine, Mitraversine, Rhynchophylline, Speciociliatine, Stipulatine, Epicatechin and others. (2)

Historical

Traditional use of Kratom is usually associated with Thailand, although some use in Malaysia has also been reported. Use of Kratom dates far enough back that its beginnings can't be determined. The genus was first recorded and named by the Dutch Botanist Pieter Willem Korthals who gave it its name because the stamen of the species he first discovered resembled a bishop's miter. Traditionally users tend to be peasants, laborers, and farmers who use the plant to overcome the burdens of hard work and as a stimulant to help endure long days. (2) Female users are apparently quite rare possibly due to the association of Kratom with labor, while women tend to have more domestic roles. In some parts of the country, it was said that parents would choose to give their daughters in marriage to men who used Kratom rather than men who used Marihuana, in part due to the idea that Kratom users are hard working, while Marihuana users are lazy. (3)
As well as being used as a stimulant it has also been used for medicinal purposes and as an opium substitute. It is interesting to note that it reportedly causes stimulant effects at low dosages and more narcotic analgesic effects at higher doses. (4)

In 1943, the Thai government passed the Kratom Act 2486 that made the planting of the tree illegal and required existing trees to be cut down. This law has not been very successful, because Kratom is an indigenous species. The Thai government also made Kratom illegal and classed it in the same enforcement group as cocaine and heroin.
More recently, scientists and other specialists in the field have opted Kratom's possible use as an aid in opium withdrawal, inspired by its traditional use, or as an active placebo in research. Pennapa Sapcharoen, director of the National Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine, said krathom could be prescribed to addicts and patients suffering depression, but stressed that further research was needed. (3)

However it was recently discovered that 7-hydroxymitragynine is the most likely candidate as the chief agent of Kratom's effects and since most of the previous research was done with the assumption that Mitragynine was the most active chemical, many of the previous conclusions on Kratom may have to be revised. (2)

Health Warnings

Side effects from long term use include anorexia and weight loss, insomnia, and a darkening of the skin, particularly on the cheeks, giving an appearance similar to a hepatic face. Among addicts, 30% report limited sexual desire and the need to use a combination of Kratom and alcohol to become sexually stimulated. One study found 5 people who had psychotic conditions which may or may not have been revealed by very heavy Kratom use. Addiction seems to be a possibility if high doses are used. Some withdrawal symptoms reported by addicts include hostility, aggression, wet nose, inability to work, flow of tears, muscle and bone aches, and jerky limb movement.

Plant Description

Mitragyna speciosa is an evergreen tree native to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It usually grows to a height of around 15 feet though in some cases can reach up to 50 feet depending on species and location. The plant has a branch width of over 15 feet. The leaves are smooth, ovate-acuminate, opposite and dark green in color, and can grow to more than 7 inches long and 4 inches wide. The flowers are yellow and grow in clusters. During the dry part of the year leaf is more abundant and there is more new growth during the rainy season. (1)(2)

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
• Iceland
• Romania
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Thailand
• Finland

References

(1) Kratom, Wikipedia
(2) Kratom, Murple.net
(3) Role Seen For Traditional Herbal Stimulant, Ploenpote Atthakor Bangkok Post, 27 November 1999
(4) Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), Microgram Bulletin, Vol XXXIX

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.

7-acetoxymitragynine
7-hydroxymitragynine
Epicatechin
Erowid Kratom Vault
Mitragynine
Mitraphylline

Related Products

Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea)

Mitragyna speciosa / Kratom / 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

Ithang, Kakuam, Krathom and in southern regions of Thailand, Thom.

Description

Kratom is a tree in the Coffee family that is native to Thailand where it has a long history of use. It was mainly used by workers for its stimulant effects but has also been employed for a variety of other purposes.(1) The genus was first recorded and named by the Dutch Botanist Pieter Willem Korthals who gave it its name because the stamen of the species he first discovered resembled a bishop's miter. Kratom has a rich chemistry and contains more than 25 different alkaloids. Mitragynine, the most abundant one, is structurally related to Yohimbe alkaloids and is more distantly related to tryptamine alkaloids such as psilocybin and Ibogaine. The plant also contains Epicatechin which is a powerful anti-oxidant also found in Cocoa and Green Tea. Botanically Kratom is also related to Cat's Claw. Although Kratom has recently been made illegal in Thailand, Malaysia and several other countries, some people are lobbying their governments to allow medical research into Kratom as a potential prescription substance.

Contents

Mitragynine, Mitraphylline, 7-hydroxymitragynine, 7-acetoxymitragynine, Paynanthine, Speciogynine, Speciofoline, Ajmalicine, Akuammigine, Corynanthedine, Mitraversine, Rhynchophylline, Speciociliatine, Stipulatine, Epicatechin and others. (2)

Historical

Traditional use of Kratom is usually associated with Thailand, although some use in Malaysia has also been reported. Use of Kratom dates far enough back that its beginnings can't be determined. The genus was first recorded and named by the Dutch Botanist Pieter Willem Korthals who gave it its name because the stamen of the species he first discovered resembled a bishop's miter. Traditionally users tend to be peasants, laborers, and farmers who use the plant to overcome the burdens of hard work and as a stimulant to help endure long days. (2) Female users are apparently quite rare possibly due to the association of Kratom with labor, while women tend to have more domestic roles. In some parts of the country, it was said that parents would choose to give their daughters in marriage to men who used Kratom rather than men who used Marihuana, in part due to the idea that Kratom users are hard working, while Marihuana users are lazy. (3)
As well as being used as a stimulant it has also been used for medicinal purposes and as an opium substitute. It is interesting to note that it reportedly causes stimulant effects at low dosages and more narcotic analgesic effects at higher doses. (4)

In 1943, the Thai government passed the Kratom Act 2486 that made the planting of the tree illegal and required existing trees to be cut down. This law has not been very successful, because Kratom is an indigenous species. The Thai government also made Kratom illegal and classed it in the same enforcement group as cocaine and heroin.
More recently, scientists and other specialists in the field have opted Kratom's possible use as an aid in opium withdrawal, inspired by its traditional use, or as an active placebo in research. Pennapa Sapcharoen, director of the National Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine, said krathom could be prescribed to addicts and patients suffering depression, but stressed that further research was needed. (3)

However it was recently discovered that 7-hydroxymitragynine is the most likely candidate as the chief agent of Kratom's effects and since most of the previous research was done with the assumption that Mitragynine was the most active chemical, many of the previous conclusions on Kratom may have to be revised. (2)

Health Warnings

Side effects from long term use include anorexia and weight loss, insomnia, and a darkening of the skin, particularly on the cheeks, giving an appearance similar to a hepatic face. Among addicts, 30% report limited sexual desire and the need to use a combination of Kratom and alcohol to become sexually stimulated. One study found 5 people who had psychotic conditions which may or may not have been revealed by very heavy Kratom use. Addiction seems to be a possibility if high doses are used. Some withdrawal symptoms reported by addicts include hostility, aggression, wet nose, inability to work, flow of tears, muscle and bone aches, and jerky limb movement.

Plant Description

Mitragyna speciosa is an evergreen tree native to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It usually grows to a height of around 15 feet though in some cases can reach up to 50 feet depending on species and location. The plant has a branch width of over 15 feet. The leaves are smooth, ovate-acuminate, opposite and dark green in color, and can grow to more than 7 inches long and 4 inches wide. The flowers are yellow and grow in clusters. During the dry part of the year leaf is more abundant and there is more new growth during the rainy season. (1)(2)

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
• Iceland
• Romania
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Thailand
• Finland

References

(1) Kratom, Wikipedia
(2) Kratom, Murple.net
(3) Role Seen For Traditional Herbal Stimulant, Ploenpote Atthakor Bangkok Post, 27 November 1999
(4) Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), Microgram Bulletin, Vol XXXIX

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.

7-acetoxymitragynine
7-hydroxymitragynine
Epicatechin
Erowid Kratom Vault
Mitragynine
Mitraphylline

Related Products

Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea)