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sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated.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

Copaiba, Copal, Balsam Copaiba, Copaiva, Jesuit's Balsam.

Description

Copal is a type of resin produced by plant or tree secretions, particularly identified with the forms of aromatic tree resins used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as a ceremonially burned incense, as well as for a number of other purposes. The word Copal is derived from the Nahuatl language word "Copalli", meaning "incense". To the pre-Columbian Maya and contemporary Maya peoples it is known in the various Mayan languages as "Pom", although the word itself has been demonstrated to be a loanword to Mayan from Mixe-Zoquean languages. It is sometimes likened to, or substituted for Amber and put in jewellery. Copal is still used by a number of indigenous peoples of Mexico and Central America as an incense, used during ceremonies such as the sweat lodge ceremony.

Scent

Sweet, creamy-balsamic, spicy, slightly peppery.

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance of Copal calms anxiety, is grounding, and helpful in stress-related conditions. Useful in mental and spiritual work, helps open the deeper levels of the soul, stimulates imagination, intuition and creativity.

Contents

Alloaromadendrene, alpha-bergamotene, alpha-cubebene, alpha-multijugenol, alpha-selinene, ar-curcumene, beta-bisabolene, beta-cubebene, beta-elemene, beta-farnesene, beta-humulene, beta-muurolene, beta-selinene, calamenene, calamesene, carioazulene, caryophyllenes, coipaiferic acid, copaene, copaiferolic acid, copalic acid, copaibic acids, cyperene, delta-cadinene, delta-elemene, enantio-agathic acid, gamma-cadinene, gamma-elemene, gamma-humulene, hardwickic acids, illurinic acid, kaurenoic acids, kaurenic acid, kolavenol 1, maracaibobalsam, methlyl copalate, paracopaibic acids, polyalthic acid, and trans-alpha-bergamotene.

Synergic Combinations

Copal blends well with Palo Santo, Pine, Juniper, White Sage.

Historical

Copaifera resin has been used topically by healers in the Amazon. The incense was regarded as a seeing instrument for the Mayans and considered a form of protection against sorcery, illness, and misfortune. The incense still burns in many Mexican churches today for the purpose of making the body ritually clean. Copaifera resin is known to European medicine since 1625. Jesuits brought it back from the New World and it was called "Jesuit's Balsam" where it was used medicinally. Between 1820 and 1910, it was an official drug in the United States. Nowadays, although mainly used as fragrance, copaiba resin is also approved in the United States as a food additive and small quantities are used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages.(1)(2)(3)

Plant Description

Copaifera officinalis is a well branched tropical tree that grows up to 100 feet tall. It has pinnate leathery leaves and blossoms are borne in whitish racemes. The flowers are small and aromatic. The fruit is a coriaceous legume containing a single seed.

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) Copaiba, Raintree Plant Database
(2) Copaifera officinalis, John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898
(3) Natural flavoring substances and natural substances used in conjunction with flavors., U.S. Code of Federal Regulations

Copaifera officinalis / Copal / Burseraceae (Copal 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

Copaiba, Copal, Balsam Copaiba, Copaiva, Jesuit's Balsam.

Description

Copal is a type of resin produced by plant or tree secretions, particularly identified with the forms of aromatic tree resins used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as a ceremonially burned incense, as well as for a number of other purposes. The word Copal is derived from the Nahuatl language word "Copalli", meaning "incense". To the pre-Columbian Maya and contemporary Maya peoples it is known in the various Mayan languages as "Pom", although the word itself has been demonstrated to be a loanword to Mayan from Mixe-Zoquean languages. It is sometimes likened to, or substituted for Amber and put in jewellery. Copal is still used by a number of indigenous peoples of Mexico and Central America as an incense, used during ceremonies such as the sweat lodge ceremony.

Scent

Sweet, creamy-balsamic, spicy, slightly peppery.

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance of Copal calms anxiety, is grounding, and helpful in stress-related conditions. Useful in mental and spiritual work, helps open the deeper levels of the soul, stimulates imagination, intuition and creativity.

Contents

Alloaromadendrene, alpha-bergamotene, alpha-cubebene, alpha-multijugenol, alpha-selinene, ar-curcumene, beta-bisabolene, beta-cubebene, beta-elemene, beta-farnesene, beta-humulene, beta-muurolene, beta-selinene, calamenene, calamesene, carioazulene, caryophyllenes, coipaiferic acid, copaene, copaiferolic acid, copalic acid, copaibic acids, cyperene, delta-cadinene, delta-elemene, enantio-agathic acid, gamma-cadinene, gamma-elemene, gamma-humulene, hardwickic acids, illurinic acid, kaurenoic acids, kaurenic acid, kolavenol 1, maracaibobalsam, methlyl copalate, paracopaibic acids, polyalthic acid, and trans-alpha-bergamotene.

Synergic Combinations

Copal blends well with Palo Santo, Pine, Juniper, White Sage.

Historical

Copaifera resin has been used topically by healers in the Amazon. The incense was regarded as a seeing instrument for the Mayans and considered a form of protection against sorcery, illness, and misfortune. The incense still burns in many Mexican churches today for the purpose of making the body ritually clean. Copaifera resin is known to European medicine since 1625. Jesuits brought it back from the New World and it was called "Jesuit's Balsam" where it was used medicinally. Between 1820 and 1910, it was an official drug in the United States. Nowadays, although mainly used as fragrance, copaiba resin is also approved in the United States as a food additive and small quantities are used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages.(1)(2)(3)

Plant Description

Copaifera officinalis is a well branched tropical tree that grows up to 100 feet tall. It has pinnate leathery leaves and blossoms are borne in whitish racemes. The flowers are small and aromatic. The fruit is a coriaceous legume containing a single seed.

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) Copaiba, Raintree Plant Database
(2) Copaifera officinalis, John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898
(3) Natural flavoring substances and natural substances used in conjunction with flavors., U.S. Code of Federal Regulations

Turnera aphrodisiaca / Damiana / Turneraceae (Damiana 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

Damiana, Damiane, Oreganillo, Thè Bourrique, Mexican Damiana, Mexican Holly, Damiana de Guerrero.

Description

Damiana leaves are harvested from the plant Turnera aphrodisiaca, a small shrub native to Mexico. Besides being used in the production of a popular Mexican liqueur called Damiana, this fragrant herb has enjoyed a long and unwarranted history of use as an aphrodisiac, supposedly able to stimulate the libido of men and women alike.
It is also regarded as an important folk medicine in Mexico. Damiana is known to help strengthen the body, contribute to physical wellbeing and support energetic alertness.(1)

Scent

The shrub is said to have an odor somewhat like Chamomile or Cannabis sativa, due to an oil present in the plant.(3)

Contents

The main constituents of Damiana include: Albuminoids, alpha-copaene, alpha-pinene, arbutin, barterin, beta-pinene, beta-sitosterol, calamenene, caoutchouc, chlorophyll, 1,8-cineole, cymene, cymol, damianin, essential oil, gamma-cadinene, gonzalitosin-i, hexacosanol-1, luteolin, quinovopyranosides, tannins, tetraphyllin b, thymol, triacontane, and trimethoxyflavones.(2)

Historical

The leaves have traditionally been made into a tea which was used by native people of Central and South America for its aphrodisiac effects. A Spanish missionary first reported that the Mexican Indians made a drink from the Damiana leaves, added sugar, and drank it for its purported power to enhance lovemaking. (2)

Plant Description

Damiana is a small shrub that grows 1-2 m high and bears aromatic, serrate leaves that are 10-25 cm long. Small yellow flowers bloom in early to late summer which are followed by small fruits with a sweet smell and fig-like flavor. The medicinal part of the plant is its leaves, which are harvested during the flowering season. Damiana is found throughout Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies, as well as in parts of South America. Turnera diffusa and T. aphrodisiaca are generally regarded as the same plant in herbal commerce. A closely-related species, T. ulmifolia, is similar in appearance, but it has different traditional medicinal uses. (2)

References

(1) Document: NL-E4-0-C-REF, Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
(2) Damiana, Raintree Tropical Plant Database
(3) Damiana, 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.

Turnera afrodisia - Erowid

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Bangalala (Eriosema cordatum)
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Maya`s Aphrodite Mix (Maya`s Aphrodite Mix)
Suma (Pfaffia paniculata)
Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides)
Saw Palmetto (Sabal serrulata)
Sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis)
Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris)
Love Reed (Typha capensis)

Turnera aphrodisiaca / Damiana / Turneraceae (Damiana 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

Damiana, Damiane, Oreganillo, Thè Bourrique, Mexican Damiana, Mexican Holly, Damiana de Guerrero.

Description

Damiana leaves are harvested from the plant Turnera aphrodisiaca, a small shrub native to Mexico. Besides being used in the production of a popular Mexican liqueur called Damiana, this fragrant herb has enjoyed a long and unwarranted history of use as an aphrodisiac, supposedly able to stimulate the libido of men and women alike.
It is also regarded as an important folk medicine in Mexico. Damiana is known to help strengthen the body, contribute to physical wellbeing and support energetic alertness.(1)

Scent

The shrub is said to have an odor somewhat like Chamomile or Cannabis sativa, due to an oil present in the plant.(3)

Contents

The main constituents of Damiana include: Albuminoids, alpha-copaene, alpha-pinene, arbutin, barterin, beta-pinene, beta-sitosterol, calamenene, caoutchouc, chlorophyll, 1,8-cineole, cymene, cymol, damianin, essential oil, gamma-cadinene, gonzalitosin-i, hexacosanol-1, luteolin, quinovopyranosides, tannins, tetraphyllin b, thymol, triacontane, and trimethoxyflavones.(2)

Historical

The leaves have traditionally been made into a tea which was used by native people of Central and South America for its aphrodisiac effects. A Spanish missionary first reported that the Mexican Indians made a drink from the Damiana leaves, added sugar, and drank it for its purported power to enhance lovemaking. (2)

Plant Description

Damiana is a small shrub that grows 1-2 m high and bears aromatic, serrate leaves that are 10-25 cm long. Small yellow flowers bloom in early to late summer which are followed by small fruits with a sweet smell and fig-like flavor. The medicinal part of the plant is its leaves, which are harvested during the flowering season. Damiana is found throughout Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies, as well as in parts of South America. Turnera diffusa and T. aphrodisiaca are generally regarded as the same plant in herbal commerce. A closely-related species, T. ulmifolia, is similar in appearance, but it has different traditional medicinal uses. (2)

References

(1) Document: NL-E4-0-C-REF, Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
(2) Damiana, Raintree Tropical Plant Database
(3) Damiana, 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.

Turnera afrodisia - Erowid

Related Products

Quebracho (Aspidosperma quebracho)
Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)
Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium sagittatum)
Bangalala (Eriosema cordatum)
Catuaba (Erythroxylum catuaba)
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia)
Maya`s Aphrodite Mix (Maya`s Aphrodite Mix)
Suma (Pfaffia paniculata)
Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides)
Saw Palmetto (Sabal serrulata)
Sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis)
Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris)
Love Reed (Typha capensis)

Calea zacatechichi / Dreamherb / 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.

Other Names

The name of the species comes from Nahuatl "Zacatechichi" which means "Bitter grass" and is the common name of the plant all over Mexico. It is also known with the Spanish names of "Zacate de Perro" (Dog's grass), "Hoja Madre" (Mother's leaf) "Hoja de Dies" (God's leaf), and Thle-pela-kano in Chontal.

Description

Calea zacatechichi, also known as Dream Herb, Cheech, and Bitter Grass, is a plant used by the indigenous Chontal of the Mexican state of Oaxaca for oneiromancy (a form of divination based on dreams). Whenever they desire to know the cause of an illness or the location of a distant or lost person, dry leaves of the plant are smoked, drunk in infusions, and put under the pillow before going to sleep. Reportedly, the answer to the question comes in a dream. (1)(2).

Contents

Several sesquiterpene lactones had been isolated from the plant. Calaxin and ciliarin were identified by Ortega et al. (1970), and the germacranolides, 1B-acetoxy zacatechinolide and l-oxo zacatechinolide, by Bohlmann and Zdero (1977). Quijano at al. (1977-1978) identified caleocromenes A and B and caleins A and B. while Ramos (1979) found caleicins I and II. Herz and Kumar (1980) isolated acacetin, o-methyl acacetin, zexbrevin and an analogue, as well as several analogues of budlein A and neurolenin B, including calein A. The chemical composition varies between samples. (5)

Historical

Dreams have an important place in mesoamerican cultures. They are believed to occur in a realm of suprasensory reality and therefore are capable of conveying messages. In 1968 a naturalist, Thomas MacDougall, working among the Chontal Indians, reported a "secret" plant that is made into a tea or infusion and consumed in solitude while a cigarette of the same leaves is smoked. This produces a feeling of well-being that continues for one or more days. The Chontal medicine men, who assert that this plant is capable of "clarifying the senses," call it "Thlepelakano" or "Leaf of God." Subsequent interviews with MacDougall's informant and active participation in ceremonial ingestion revealed that the plant is used for divination during dreaming. (3)(4)(5)

Plant Description

C. Zacatechichi is a shrub measuring 1-1,5 m in height. The plant has many branches with oviform and opposite leaves (3-5 cm long and 2-4 cm wide). The leaves show serrated borders, acute endings and a short petiole. They are rugose and pubescent. The inflorescence is small and dense (comprising around 12 flowers each) with the pedicels shorter than the heads. The plant grows from Mexico to Costa Rica in dry savannas and canyons. (5)

Legal Remarks

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

• Poland

References

(1) Ethnopharmacology and taxonomy of Mexican psychodysleptic plants. Diaz JL. J Psychedelic Drugs. 1979
(2) Calea zacatechichi, Wikipedia article
(3) Narcotic Plants, revised ed., Wm. Emboden
(4) Botany & Chemistry of Hallucinogens, Schultes & Hofmann
(5) Psychopharmacologic Analysis of an Alleged Oneirogenic Plant Calea zacatechichi, L Mayagoitia, JL Diaz, CM Contreras, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 18 (1986)
(6) Calea zacatechichi Legal Status, Erowid

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.

Calea zacatechichi - Wikipedia
Chontal
Dreams
Lucid Dreaming
Oneiromancy

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Calea zacatechichi / Dreamherb / 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.

Other Names

The name of the species comes from Nahuatl "Zacatechichi" which means "Bitter grass" and is the common name of the plant all over Mexico. It is also known with the Spanish names of "Zacate de Perro" (Dog's grass), "Hoja Madre" (Mother's leaf) "Hoja de Dies" (God's leaf), and Thle-pela-kano in Chontal.

Description

Calea zacatechichi, also known as Dream Herb, Cheech, and Bitter Grass, is a plant used by the indigenous Chontal of the Mexican state of Oaxaca for oneiromancy (a form of divination based on dreams). Whenever they desire to know the cause of an illness or the location of a distant or lost person, dry leaves of the plant are smoked, drunk in infusions, and put under the pillow before going to sleep. Reportedly, the answer to the question comes in a dream. (1)(2).

Contents

Several sesquiterpene lactones had been isolated from the plant. Calaxin and ciliarin were identified by Ortega et al. (1970), and the germacranolides, 1B-acetoxy zacatechinolide and l-oxo zacatechinolide, by Bohlmann and Zdero (1977). Quijano at al. (1977-1978) identified caleocromenes A and B and caleins A and B. while Ramos (1979) found caleicins I and II. Herz and Kumar (1980) isolated acacetin, o-methyl acacetin, zexbrevin and an analogue, as well as several analogues of budlein A and neurolenin B, including calein A. The chemical composition varies between samples. (5)

Historical

Dreams have an important place in mesoamerican cultures. They are believed to occur in a realm of suprasensory reality and therefore are capable of conveying messages. In 1968 a naturalist, Thomas MacDougall, working among the Chontal Indians, reported a "secret" plant that is made into a tea or infusion and consumed in solitude while a cigarette of the same leaves is smoked. This produces a feeling of well-being that continues for one or more days. The Chontal medicine men, who assert that this plant is capable of "clarifying the senses," call it "Thlepelakano" or "Leaf of God." Subsequent interviews with MacDougall's informant and active participation in ceremonial ingestion revealed that the plant is used for divination during dreaming. (3)(4)(5)

Plant Description

C. Zacatechichi is a shrub measuring 1-1,5 m in height. The plant has many branches with oviform and opposite leaves (3-5 cm long and 2-4 cm wide). The leaves show serrated borders, acute endings and a short petiole. They are rugose and pubescent. The inflorescence is small and dense (comprising around 12 flowers each) with the pedicels shorter than the heads. The plant grows from Mexico to Costa Rica in dry savannas and canyons. (5)

Legal Remarks

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

• Poland

References

(1) Ethnopharmacology and taxonomy of Mexican psychodysleptic plants. Diaz JL. J Psychedelic Drugs. 1979
(2) Calea zacatechichi, Wikipedia article
(3) Narcotic Plants, revised ed., Wm. Emboden
(4) Botany & Chemistry of Hallucinogens, Schultes & Hofmann
(5) Psychopharmacologic Analysis of an Alleged Oneirogenic Plant Calea zacatechichi, L Mayagoitia, JL Diaz, CM Contreras, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 18 (1986)
(6) Calea zacatechichi Legal Status, Erowid

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.

Calea zacatechichi - Wikipedia
Chontal
Dreams
Lucid Dreaming
Oneiromancy

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Guayusa (Ilex guayusa)
Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea)
African Dream Root (Silene capensis)

Hoodia gordonii / Hoodia / Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed 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.

Legal Remarks

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

• Netherlands

Mimosa hostilis / Jurema / Leguminosae (Pea family)

Information

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

Other Names

Mimosa, Jurema, Jurema preta, Vinho da Jurema.

Description

In North-eastern Brazil, this plant is called "Jurema", a common flowering Leguminous tree. Most of them are American, although some occur in Africa and Asia. Jurema is native only to the dry regions of eastern Brazil. Jurema has been used as an entheogenic beverage since time immemorial. In the eighteenth and nineteenth century, "Vinho da Jurema" was reported several times. Later, its use was thought to be extinct. It evidently went underground, although truly indigenous tribes using Jurema probably also became extinct as its use has later only been reported among "mixed" populations. In 1964 Mimosa hostilis was identified as the source of Jurema. Especially the inner root-bark has a high tryptamine content.

Contents

N,N Dimethyltryptamine was originally isolated from the bark of M. hostilis in 1946. However the authors then named it nigerine after the entheogenic beverage made from the plant. In 1959 nigerine was actually discovered to be N,N Dimethyltryptamine (Pachter et al, 1959). Other compounds found in Mimosa tenuiflorae which is believed to be another name for M. hostilis include yuremamine, a new type of phytoindole. This compound may be responsible for the supposed oral activity of cold water infusions of this plant unlike Ayahuasca brews which involve Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor plants in combination with DMT containing plants (Vepslaainen et al 2005). The bark of M. tenuiflorae also contains tannins and triterpenoidal saponins. These compounds are believed to be responsible for the antimicrobial and wound healing properties of the plant bark. "Recently, clinical studies performed at Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) hospitals with a standardized tannin content extract obtained from Mimosae tenuiflora bark showed excellent therapeutic properties on being applied in the treatment of skin venous leg ulcerations," (Rivera-Arce et al, 2007).

Historical

The Jurema brew the Indians drink is not Mimosa Hostilis, but the root bark from Mimosa Verrucosa. Different tribes will call Mimosa Hostilis, the Jurema Negra and Mimosa Verrucosa, the Jurema Branca, while other tribes call Mimosa Verrucosa, the Jurema Negra. This means that when an Indian says that they drink Jurema Negra, it does not necessarily mean they are drinking Mimosa Hostilis, but Mimosa Verrucosa which is called both: Jurema Branca and Jurema Negra. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, there were a number of reports from North-eastern Brazil of the use of an inebriating beverage called Vinho da Jurema (Goncalves de Lima 1946), a use said to be extinct today (Schultes and Hofmann 1980) but evidently continuing underground (Da Mota 1987). In 1964, the botanical source of Vinho da Jurema was identified as the roots of Mimosa Hostilis.

Plant Description

Mimosa tenuiflora is a perennial evergreen shrub native to the northeastern region of Brazil and found as far north as southern Mexico. It is one of scores of Mimosa species and cognates. The white, fragrant flowers occur in loosely cylindrical spikes. The fern-like branches have leaves that are finely pinnate, growing to 5 cm long. The brittle fruits average 3 cm long. The plant itself grows to 4 meters in height.

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• United States
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References

- I.J. Pachter, D.E. Zacharias, O. Ribeiro, "Indole Alkaloids of Acer saccharinum (the Silver Maple), Dictyloma incanescens, Piptadenia columbrina, and Mimosa hostilis", J. Org. Chem. 24
- Vepsalainen, JJ; Auriola, S; Tukiainen, M; Ropponen, N; Callaway, JC, Isolation and characterization of yuremamine, a new phytoindole
- Rivera-Arce, E (Rivera-Arce, E.); Gattuso, M (Gattuso, M.); Alvarado, R (Alvarado, R.); Zarate, E (Zarate, E.); Aguero, J (Agueero, J.); Feria, I (Feria, I.); Lozoya, X (Lozoya, X.), Pharmacognostical studies of the plant drug Mimosae tenuiflorae cortex, JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
- Mimosa, Erowid
- Peter Stafford, Psychedelics Encyclopedia
- Jonathan Ott, Pharmacotheon

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.

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Tagetes lucida / Mexican Tarragon / 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.

Other Names

Mexican Tarragon, Texas Tarragon, Pericon, Sweet Mace, Mexican Mint Marigold, Sweet Marigold, Sweetscented Marigold, Tzitziqui, Winter Tarragon. "Lucida" means: "shining" or "clear".

Description

As a native Marigold of Mexico and Guatemala, T. lucida is well known by the locals as a substitute for Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), and as such is used in teas, vinegars and dishes. The Zapotecs use Tagetes as a primary herb in purification rituals. The plant is popular with the Tarahumara Indians of Chihuahua and is used by the modern Huichol Indians in their religious Peyote rituals. Smoked, the plant is said to enhance closed-eye visions. The botanical genus name Tagetes is in reference to a Roman deity, Tages which, probably, was originally an Etruscan god of prophecy. The species name lucidus means "bright", or "light". In Mexico, it is traditionally used as a tea but also as a flavoring for soups, sauces, chicken dishes, etc. and harsh Turkish tobaccos. A strong Tagetes Lucida tea is said to produce similar but milder effects than those of Peyote and has been used since pre-Hispanic times with many of its properties ascribed to this plant, known as Yauhtli in the Nahuatl language. The leaves were an important flavouring of "Chocolatl", the foaming Cocoa-based drink of the Aztec.

Scent

Bruised leaves have and intoxicating, sweet Licorice, and Tarragon-like smell with overtones of Anise, with a hint of floral. Tagetes lucida is amongst the most sweetly-scented of all flowers.

Aromatic Properties

Tagetes lucida offers a new dimension of relaxation to aromatherapy. The aroma clears thinking, relieves tension, aids emotional control. The dried plant can also be burnt as an incense and used to repel insects.

Contents

Tagetes species contain a number of bioactive compounds; notably flavonoids. Flavonoids constitute a large group of natural compounds, with an array of pharmacological activities. Notably, we find patuletin. We also find quercetagetin, and a related compound, quercetagritin. In addition to the abovementioned compounds, the genus Tagetes is rich in thiophenes, carotenoids and xanthophylls, as well as smaller levels of terpenes, ketones and other types of active chemicals. T. Lucida contains small amounts of methyl eugenol and anethole.

Historical

Bernal Diaz, one of the Conquistadors sent by Spain to explore middle America, recorded in his diary the Conquistadors astonishment at the gardens of the Aztec Emperor Montezuma, "with their many varieties of flowers and sweet-scented trees... his gardens were a wonderful sight." But plants were not merely used for decorative purposes as Diaz later notes; Montezuma kept a place within the palace gardens for "the medicinal and useful herbs". The Aztecs had developed a highly sophisticated system of medicine, in which these medicinal and useful herbs played a vital part. We know this because, in the wake of the Conquistadors, scholars travelled to the Americas to record the knowledge of the indigenous people in the form of codices and other documents. We can also see traces of traditional uses of herbs in the contemporary use of medicinal plants by Mexican communities.
In Sahagún’s description of the use of Tagetes Lucida: "it is an ejector of humors, it is a medicine... one who has chills drinks an infusion of it. It is rubbed in the hands with water. And with it there is incensing, and there is washing." It is worth mentioning that powdered Tagetes Lucida was also administered to certain sacrificial victims, with the dual intention of inducing both anaesthetic and hallucinogenic effects.
When Tagetes Lucida was administered to sacrificial victims, it was as a powder of dried herb, which would be blown into the face of the intended victim. It is not especially likely that this is an effective way of administering the drug. There are manyfold properties to Tagetes Lucida and Erecta, that, although commonplace to us, they actually held a central place in the Aztec world, being both sacred herbs of Tlaloc, and enormously important medicines.
Secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil and the growing plant also has a repellent effect on various insect pests. A yellow dye can be obtained from the flowers, which was also known in Cherokee herbal knowledge as well as the medicinal qualities.
It is used in the kitchen as a condiment and tea. Leaves are dried and ground into a powder then used as a Tarragon substitute for flavouring soups, sauces etc. They have an Anise-like flavour. The petals are used as a condiment.

Plant Description

Tagetes Lucida or Mexican tarragon is an attractive landscape ornamental, a beautiful, bright green perennial herb. Mexican tarragon is originally from Guatemala and the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is a half-hardy semi-woody sub-shrub that grows 50-100cm tall. The plant is bushy with many smooth, upright, unbranched stems. The leaves are linear to oblong, about 7cm long, and shiny medium green, not blue-green as in real French Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus). In late summer Mexican tarragon bears clusters of small yellow flower heads on the ends of the stems. The flower heads are about a half inch across and have 3-5 golden-yellow ray florets. They continue to bloom late into autumn.

References

(1) The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual, Sylla Sheppard-Hanger, Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy

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.

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Rivea corymbosa / Ololiuhqui / 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

Round Thing, Green Snake, Turbina corymbosa

Description

Ololiuhqui in Nahuatl is the name of the seeds, not of the plant that yields the seeds. The word means "round thing", and the seeds are small, brown, and oval. The plant itself is a climber, called appropriately
"Coaxihuitl", meaning "Snake-plant". It is a Morning Glory, and it grows easily and abundantly in the mountains of southern Mexico. Ololiuhqui has a long history of use as an entheogen.

Contents

The main component in the seeds is ergine (also called d-lysergic acid amide or LSA), an alkaloid structurally similar to LSD, also present in Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian Baby Woodrose) and Ipomoea tricolor (Morning Glory). Rivea corymbosa seeds also contain the alkaloids: d-Isolysergic acid amide (isoergine), Chanoclavine, Elymoclavine, Lysergol. (4)

Historical

The seeds of Turbina corymbosa, better known as Rivea corymbosa, are valued as one of the major entheogens of numerous Indian groups in southern Mexico. Their use goes back to early periods. Known as Ololiúqui (also spelled Ololiuhqui or Ololiuqui), they were important in Aztec ceremonies. (1)
The natives of Mexico were well aware of the powers possessed by the Rivea corymbosa seeds. Their Christian conquerors believed that the healing power of the seeds came from the devil, and sought to deliver the Indians from the perceived devil worship. While some of the Aztecs were converted to the Christian faith, in private many continued to make use of Ololiuhqui, believing that it was indeed holy. In fact the seeds of the Rivea corymbosa are still being openly used by the tribes that managed to keep away from Christians and live in isolation throughout the more remote parts of Mexico. Research shows the plant was commonly used by the Aztecs as an important ingredient in magic potions and ointments. (2)
The seeds are also used by Native curers in order to gain knowledge in curing practices and ritual, as well as the causes for the illness. The Nahuatl word Ololiuhqui means "round thing", and refers to the small, brown, oval seeds of the Morning Glory, not the plant itself, which is called "Coaxihuitl", "snake-plant", in Nahuatl, and "Hiedra" or "Bejuco" in the Spanish language. The seeds, in Spanish, are sometimes called "Semilla de la Virgen" (seeds of the Virgin Mary).
In 1941, Richard Evans Schultes first identified Ololiuhqui as Rivea corymbosa and the chemical composition was first described on August 18, 1960, in a paper by Dr. Albert Hofmann. (3)

Plant Description

Rivea corymbosa (common synonym: Turbina corymbosa), is a species of Morning Glory, native throughout Latin America from Mexico in the North to Peru in the South and widely naturalised elsewhere. This plant also occurs in Cuba, where it usually blooms from early December to February. Its flowers secrete copious amount of nectar, and the honey the bees make from it is very clear and aromatic. It is considered one of the main honey plants from the island. (3)
Turbina corymbosa is a large woody vine with heart-shaped leaves 2—3½ in. (5—9cm) long and 1-1¾ in. (2.5—4.5cm) wide. The cymes are many-flowered. The bell-shaped corollas, ¾ -1½ in. (2—4cm) long, are white with greenish stripes. The fruit is dry, indehiscent, ellipsoidal with persistent, enlarged sepals, and bears a single hard, roundish, brown, minutely hairy seed about 1/8 in. (3 mm) in diameter. (1)

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• Poland
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References

(1) Plants of the Gods, by Richard Evans Schultes and Albert Hofmann
(2) Ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa) Information, a1b2c3.com
(3) Rivea corymbosa, Wikipedia
(4) Teonanácatl and Ololiuqui, two ancient magic drugs of Mexico, Albert Hofmann, Bulletin on Narcotics (Issue 1, 1971; 3-14)

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
Rivea corymbosa - Erowid

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Ligusticum porteri / Osha / Umbelliferae (Carrot 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

Ligusticum porteri, Osha, Bear Root, Chuchupate, Chuchupaste, Chuchupatle, Chuchupati, Nahuatl, Tejano, Colorado Cough Root, Mountain Ginseng, Nipo, Indian Root, Indian Parsley, Wild Parsley, Empress Of The Dark Forest, Bear Medicine, Wild Lovage, Porters Lovage, Porter's Licorice-root, Mountain Carrot, Guariaca, Hierba del cochino, Raíz del cochino, Washía, Yerba de cochino.

Description

Ligusticum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae. Its name is believed to derive from the Italian region of Liguria. Ligusticum is also known as the "Chinese lovage" and is one of the most popular herbs in China and Korea. It is a perennial plant with hermaphrodite flowers. The root and rhizomes have been used for herbal remedies. In addition to its healing uses, ligusticum was combined with certain foods and beverages as a flavor component, and to add fragrance to some soaps and cosmetics.