Minthostachys setosa / Muna / Lamiaceae (Mint 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sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated.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.

Minthostachys setosa / Muna / Lamiaceae (Mint 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.

Brosimum acutifolium / Murure / Moraceae (Mulberry 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

Ahua Jonra, Amapá Doce, Bois Mondan, Bururé, Congona, Leche-Caspi, Manichi, Mercuio-vegetal, Mercurio Vegetal, Mercurio-da-terra-firma, Morure, Muira-Piranga, Murare, Murure, Murure-Vermelho, Mururi, Quecho, Takini, Takweni, Tamamuri, Tauni, Urupi, Vegetable Mercury.

Description

Brosimum acutifolium is a large canopy tree of the Amazon rainforest that grows 15 to 25 m high. In traditional medicine "the bark is used as an anti-inflammatory and a treatment for rheumatism"(3). It has also been used in magic to protect from bad spells. Brosimum acutifolium goes by different local names including Murure, Tamamuri and Takini. In the Guiana Plateau a potion prepared from the latex of the tree is used in shamanism.

Contents

Brosimum acutifolium bark contains flavans, flavanoids, lignans, phenylpropanoids, benezoids, and steroids. Many of these chemicals are novel ones never before seen by scientists, including 6 chemicals they have named "acutifolins" and 13 chemicals named "brosimacutins".(2)
The latex of the subspecies Brosimum acutifolium Huber subsp. acutifolium C.C. Berg contains bufotenin (5-hydroxy-dimethyltryptamine). This is the same alkaloid found in Anadenthara sp., Mucuna pruriens, and several toads of the Bufo genus. (1)(3)

Historical

Shipibo-Conibo Indians on the Ucayali River in the Peruvian Amazon have a legend about Brosimum acutifolium or Tamamuri as they call it. They believe that when a man ingests the white latex of the Tamamuri tree that he will father light-skinned male children. They also use the bark medicinally (in decoctions). The Wayãpi Indians in Guyana also attribute magical properties to the tree. They believe the latex of the tree will help protect them from witchcraft and bad spells. Brosimum acutifolium is widely used in herbal medicine in South America. Shamans of several peoples in Suriname, French Guiana, and the region east of the Para in Brazil have used the latex of the tree for its visionary properties.(2)(3)

Plant Description

Brosimum acutifolium is a large canopy tree of the Amazon rainforest that grows 15 to 25 m high. It produces a white to light pink latex when the smooth trunk bark is wounded or the leaf stems are broken from the branches. It has oblong veined leaves about 8-15 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. Brosimum acutifolium is found throughout the lower elevations of the Amazon basin, usually growing alongside streams and rivers where its fruits (similar to a fig but with one large seed inside) are eaten by fish when it falls from the tree. (2)

References

(1) Bufotenin, Wikipedia article.
(2) Tamamuri, Raintree nutrition.
(3) Identification of 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (bufotenine) in takini (Brosimum acutifolium Huber subsp. acutifolium C.C. Berg, Moraceae), a shamanic potion used in the Guiana Plateau, Moretti C, Gaillard Y, Grenand P, Bévalot F, Prévosto JM (2006)

Brosimum acutifolium / Murure / Moraceae (Mulberry 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

Ahua Jonra, Amapá Doce, Bois Mondan, Bururé, Congona, Leche-Caspi, Manichi, Mercuio-vegetal, Mercurio Vegetal, Mercurio-da-terra-firma, Morure, Muira-Piranga, Murare, Murure, Murure-Vermelho, Mururi, Quecho, Takini, Takweni, Tamamuri, Tauni, Urupi, Vegetable Mercury.

Description

Brosimum acutifolium is a large canopy tree of the Amazon rainforest that grows 15 to 25 m high. In traditional medicine "the bark is used as an anti-inflammatory and a treatment for rheumatism"(3). It has also been used in magic to protect from bad spells. Brosimum acutifolium goes by different local names including Murure, Tamamuri and Takini. In the Guiana Plateau a potion prepared from the latex of the tree is used in shamanism.

Contents

Brosimum acutifolium bark contains flavans, flavanoids, lignans, phenylpropanoids, benezoids, and steroids. Many of these chemicals are novel ones never before seen by scientists, including 6 chemicals they have named "acutifolins" and 13 chemicals named "brosimacutins".(2)
The latex of the subspecies Brosimum acutifolium Huber subsp. acutifolium C.C. Berg contains bufotenin (5-hydroxy-dimethyltryptamine). This is the same alkaloid found in Anadenthara sp., Mucuna pruriens, and several toads of the Bufo genus. (1)(3)

Historical

Shipibo-Conibo Indians on the Ucayali River in the Peruvian Amazon have a legend about Brosimum acutifolium or Tamamuri as they call it. They believe that when a man ingests the white latex of the Tamamuri tree that he will father light-skinned male children. They also use the bark medicinally (in decoctions). The Wayãpi Indians in Guyana also attribute magical properties to the tree. They believe the latex of the tree will help protect them from witchcraft and bad spells. Brosimum acutifolium is widely used in herbal medicine in South America. Shamans of several peoples in Suriname, French Guiana, and the region east of the Para in Brazil have used the latex of the tree for its visionary properties.(2)(3)

Plant Description

Brosimum acutifolium is a large canopy tree of the Amazon rainforest that grows 15 to 25 m high. It produces a white to light pink latex when the smooth trunk bark is wounded or the leaf stems are broken from the branches. It has oblong veined leaves about 8-15 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. Brosimum acutifolium is found throughout the lower elevations of the Amazon basin, usually growing alongside streams and rivers where its fruits (similar to a fig but with one large seed inside) are eaten by fish when it falls from the tree. (2)

References

(1) Bufotenin, Wikipedia article.
(2) Tamamuri, Raintree nutrition.
(3) Identification of 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (bufotenine) in takini (Brosimum acutifolium Huber subsp. acutifolium C.C. Berg, Moraceae), a shamanic potion used in the Guiana Plateau, Moretti C, Gaillard Y, Grenand P, Bévalot F, Prévosto JM (2006)

Protium nodulosum / Myrrh / 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.

Description

The resin of Peruvian Myrrh, has a similar aroma to that of Myrrh and Opopanax, but without the latex background. Very calm, relaxing and full, with a touch of melon or cherry. It burns just like Myrrh and Opoponax - it smolders and chars rather than melts. It has a relaxing effect, used to repel negative energies.

Protium nodulosum / Myrrh / 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.

Description

The resin of Peruvian Myrrh, has a similar aroma to that of Myrrh and Opopanax, but without the latex background. Very calm, relaxing and full, with a touch of melon or cherry. It burns just like Myrrh and Opoponax - it smolders and chars rather than melts. It has a relaxing effect, used to repel negative energies.

Protium nodulosum / Myrrh / 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.

Description

The resin of Peruvian Myrrh, has a similar aroma to that of Myrrh and Opopanax, but without the latex background. Very calm, relaxing and full, with a touch of melon or cherry. It burns just like Myrrh and Opoponax - it smolders and chars rather than melts. It has a relaxing effect, used to repel negative energies.

Morinda citrifolia / Noni / 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

great morinda, Indian mulberry, beach mulberry, Tahitian noni, cheese fruit

Description

Noni might be a relatively recent discovery for Western herbology, but it has a long history of use in Polynesian culture. It is widely recognized through the Pacific for its healthful attributes. Almost all parts of the plant have some application in folk medicine. The fruit has been used in food, and the root and bark - as a dye.

Contents

Analyzed as a whole fruit powder, noni fruit has excellent levels of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, providing 55% and 100% of the Dietary Reference Intakes, respectively, in a 100 g serving. A good source of protein (12% DRI), noni pulp is low in total fats (4% DRI). The main micronutrient features of noni pulp powder include exceptional vitamin C content (10x DRI) and substantial amounts of niacin (vitamin B3), iron and potassium. Vitamin A, calcium and sodium are present in moderate amounts. It also contains oligo- and polysaccharides, glycosides, scopoletin, beta-sitosterol, damnacanthal, alkaloids. (2)

Historical

About 2000 years ago, the ancient peoples of French Polynesia colonized islands throughout the South Pacific. As they made their voyages, they brought with them sacred plants from their home islands. These plants
had within them basic foods, construction materials and medicines used by the colonizers. Morinda citrifolia L (noni) is one of the most important traditional Polynesian medicinal plants. Remedies from isolated Polynesian cultures, such as that of Rotuma, illustrate traditional indications that focus upon leaves, roots, bark, and green fruit, primarily for topical ailments. Anecdotally collected Hawaiian remedies that employ noni fruit illustrate changing usage patterns with shifts in recent times to preparation of juice made of ripe or decaying fruit. (1)
This species was commonly cultivated as a dye plant; the bark contains a red pigment and the roots a yellow pigment used in dying kapa. (3)

Plant Description

Small trees or shrubs 3-6 m tall; stems 4-angled, glabrous. Leaves glossy, membranous, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 20-45 cm long, 7-25 cm wide, glabrous, petioles stout, 1.5-2 cm long, stipules connate or distinct, 10-12 mm long, apex entire or 2-3lobed. Flowers perfect, ca. 75-90 in ovoid to globose heads, peduncles 10-30 mm long; calyx a truncate rim; corolla white, 5-lobed, the tube greenish white, 7-9 mm long, the lobes oblong-deltate, ca. 7 mm long; stamens 5, scarcely exserted; style ca. 15 mm long. Syncarp yellowish white, fleshy, 5-10 cm long, ca. 3-4 cm in diameter, soft and foetid when ripe. Seeds with a distinct air chamber. Native from southeastern Asia to Australia; in Hawai’i a Polynesian introduction originally cultivated for its medicinal and dye properties, now naturalized in relatively dry to mesic sites, 0-450 m, in solution pits near the coast, disturbed hala forest, dry to mesic forest, and alien grassland, on all of the main islands except not documented from Kaho’olawe. (3)

References

(1) From Polynesian Healers to Health Food Stores: Changing Perspectives of Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae), Will McClatchey
(2) Noni, Wikipedia
(3) The Noni Website, University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Morinda citrifolia / Noni / 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

great morinda, Indian mulberry, beach mulberry, Tahitian noni, cheese fruit

Description

Noni might be a relatively recent discovery for Western herbology, but it has a long history of use in Polynesian culture. It is widely recognized through the Pacific for its healthful attributes. Almost all parts of the plant have some application in folk medicine. The fruit has been used in food, and the root and bark - as a dye.

Contents

Analyzed as a whole fruit powder, noni fruit has excellent levels of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, providing 55% and 100% of the Dietary Reference Intakes, respectively, in a 100 g serving. A good source of protein (12% DRI), noni pulp is low in total fats (4% DRI). The main micronutrient features of noni pulp powder include exceptional vitamin C content (10x DRI) and substantial amounts of niacin (vitamin B3), iron and potassium. Vitamin A, calcium and sodium are present in moderate amounts. It also contains oligo- and polysaccharides, glycosides, scopoletin, beta-sitosterol, damnacanthal, alkaloids. (2)

Historical

About 2000 years ago, the ancient peoples of French Polynesia colonized islands throughout the South Pacific. As they made their voyages, they brought with them sacred plants from their home islands. These plants
had within them basic foods, construction materials and medicines used by the colonizers. Morinda citrifolia L (noni) is one of the most important traditional Polynesian medicinal plants. Remedies from isolated Polynesian cultures, such as that of Rotuma, illustrate traditional indications that focus upon leaves, roots, bark, and green fruit, primarily for topical ailments. Anecdotally collected Hawaiian remedies that employ noni fruit illustrate changing usage patterns with shifts in recent times to preparation of juice made of ripe or decaying fruit. (1)
This species was commonly cultivated as a dye plant; the bark contains a red pigment and the roots a yellow pigment used in dying kapa. (3)

Plant Description

Small trees or shrubs 3-6 m tall; stems 4-angled, glabrous. Leaves glossy, membranous, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 20-45 cm long, 7-25 cm wide, glabrous, petioles stout, 1.5-2 cm long, stipules connate or distinct, 10-12 mm long, apex entire or 2-3lobed. Flowers perfect, ca. 75-90 in ovoid to globose heads, peduncles 10-30 mm long; calyx a truncate rim; corolla white, 5-lobed, the tube greenish white, 7-9 mm long, the lobes oblong-deltate, ca. 7 mm long; stamens 5, scarcely exserted; style ca. 15 mm long. Syncarp yellowish white, fleshy, 5-10 cm long, ca. 3-4 cm in diameter, soft and foetid when ripe. Seeds with a distinct air chamber. Native from southeastern Asia to Australia; in Hawai’i a Polynesian introduction originally cultivated for its medicinal and dye properties, now naturalized in relatively dry to mesic sites, 0-450 m, in solution pits near the coast, disturbed hala forest, dry to mesic forest, and alien grassland, on all of the main islands except not documented from Kaho’olawe. (3)

References

(1) From Polynesian Healers to Health Food Stores: Changing Perspectives of Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae), Will McClatchey
(2) Noni, Wikipedia
(3) The Noni Website, University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.