Myrcianthes sp / Arrayan / Myrtaceae (Myrtle 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sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated.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

Myrianthes sp., Myrtus luma Mol., Myrtus apiculata, Luma apiculata, Eugenia apiculata, Myrceugenia apiculata Niedenzu, Myrceugenella apiculata Kausel, Arrayan, Arrayán, Kelümamüll (orange-wood), Collimamol, Glanleam Gold, Chilean Myrtle, Palo Colorado, Temu.

Description

Arrayan leaves, from the Peruvian rainforest are traditionally used as a smudging incense during Ayahuasca rituals. The Arrayán has medicinal uses for the Mapuche people. The fruit is eaten as candy or used to make a drink called "Chicha". It is also grown in gardens and as bonsai as a decorative plant for its glossy evergreen foliage, in beautiful contrast to the slender red stems. It has become naturalised in parts of Ireland and western Great Britain.

Scent

The leaves have a lemon fragrance.

Aromatic Properties

Arrayan is mostly used for smudging during ceremonies and rituals.

Historical

Arrayan is an ancient tree. The tree is part of a forest called "Gondwannic" that evolved between 500 and 140 million years ago, when South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica were still part of a single supercontinent called Gondwana. Plate tectonics caused Gondwana to begin splitting apart 140 million years ago, spreading a southern beech (nothofagus) forest ecosystem to regions of southern Chile and Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and southern Africa. They are holy trees to the Araucanian Indians.

Plant Description

Arrayán trees are a strikingly beautiful variety of Myrtle with twisted, Cinnamon-colored trunks that are very smooth and cold to the touch. The trunk peels, revealing shades from reddish-brown to white. When the sun's rays filter through the branches, the effect is magical. Arrayán trees grow very slowly, reaching heights up to 55 feet, and can be up to 300 years old. It is evergreen, with small fragrant oval leaves 2-2.5 cm long and 1.5 cm broad, and profuse white flowers in early to mid summer. Its fruit is an edible black or blue berry, ripe in early autumn.

Myrcianthes sp / Arrayan / Myrtaceae (Myrtle 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

Myrianthes sp., Myrtus luma Mol., Myrtus apiculata, Luma apiculata, Eugenia apiculata, Myrceugenia apiculata Niedenzu, Myrceugenella apiculata Kausel, Arrayan, Arrayán, Kelümamüll (orange-wood), Collimamol, Glanleam Gold, Chilean Myrtle, Palo Colorado, Temu.

Description

Arrayan leaves, from the Peruvian rainforest are traditionally used as a smudging incense during Ayahuasca rituals. The Arrayán has medicinal uses for the Mapuche people. The fruit is eaten as candy or used to make a drink called "Chicha". It is also grown in gardens and as bonsai as a decorative plant for its glossy evergreen foliage, in beautiful contrast to the slender red stems. It has become naturalised in parts of Ireland and western Great Britain.

Scent

The leaves have a lemon fragrance.

Aromatic Properties

Arrayan is mostly used for smudging during ceremonies and rituals.

Historical

Arrayan is an ancient tree. The tree is part of a forest called "Gondwannic" that evolved between 500 and 140 million years ago, when South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica were still part of a single supercontinent called Gondwana. Plate tectonics caused Gondwana to begin splitting apart 140 million years ago, spreading a southern beech (nothofagus) forest ecosystem to regions of southern Chile and Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and southern Africa. They are holy trees to the Araucanian Indians.

Plant Description

Arrayán trees are a strikingly beautiful variety of Myrtle with twisted, Cinnamon-colored trunks that are very smooth and cold to the touch. The trunk peels, revealing shades from reddish-brown to white. When the sun's rays filter through the branches, the effect is magical. Arrayán trees grow very slowly, reaching heights up to 55 feet, and can be up to 300 years old. It is evergreen, with small fragrant oval leaves 2-2.5 cm long and 1.5 cm broad, and profuse white flowers in early to mid summer. Its fruit is an edible black or blue berry, ripe in early autumn.

Calliandra angustifolia / Bobinsana / 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

Bobinsana, Bobinzana, Balata, Bobensana, Bubinianal, Bubinsana, Bushiglla, Capabo, Chipero, Cigana, Koprupi, Kori-sacha, Kuanti, Neweí, Quinilla Blanca, Semein, Sháwi, Yacu Yutzu, Yopoyo.

Description

Calliandra angustifolia, also known as Bobinsana, is a shrubby tree that grows 4 to 6 meters high. It is native to South America, most commonly found alongside rivers and streams in the Amazon Basin. Bobinsana produces pretty pink to reddish powderpuff-like flowers typical of the Mimosa family to which it belongs. It has been used by indigenous people as a herbal remedy, but there is little research regarding its properties. Bobinsana is also used as an adjunctive ingredient in various Ayahuasca recipes.

Contents

The chemical constituents in bobinsana are not well documented. It is believed to contain harmala alkaloids, amino acids, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and sterols. Two studies reports the presence of several pipecolic acids.

Historical

This plant has been well known for centuries as a powerful healing plant. Traditionally a decoction of the bark is used. Indigenous people from Rio Pastaza use this plant, when they have to swim a river or fight. People of the Peruvian Amazon also grate the bark into baths.
Bobinsana is used by the Indians as an adjunctive ingredient in various Ayahuasca recipes in the Amazon, sometimes interchangeably with Chacruna. It is considered a "plant teacher" and is sometimes added to Ayahuasca recipes to help the shamans connect to and learn from the plants on a spiritual level.

Health Warnings

Avoid if seeking pregnancy.

Plant Description

This water-loving plant belongs to the Leguminosae (Pea family). It grows from 4 to 6m hight and is usually found alongside rivers and streams in the Amazon Basin. It can be found in the regions of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia. Bobinsana can also be found alongside streams in the cloud forests and warmer valleys of the Eastern Andean slopes up to 1500 meters in elevation. Bobinsana produces pretty pink to reddish powderpuff-like flowers typical of the Mimosa family to which it belongs. Also the tree produces a usable resinous gum.

References

Concept of Plants as Teachers among four Mestizo Shamans of Iquitos, Northeastern Perú, by Luis Eduardo Luna
Ayahuasca: alkaloids, plants & analogs, The Vaults of Erowid
Bobinsana, Raintree Tropical Plant Database

Peumus boldus / Boldo / Monimiaceae (Monimia 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

Peumus boldus, Boldea fragrans, Peumus fragrans, Boldo, Boldu, Boldus, Boldoa, Boldina, Baldina, Molina.

Description

Boldo is a tree native to the central region of Chile. It is a characteristic component of the sclerophyllous forest. They have leaves that resist long dry summers and cold rainy winters. A deliciously fragrant essential oil is obtained from the leaves. The dried and powdered leaves are scattered amongst clothes to sweeten them and repel insects. Boldo oil can be sprinkled around the house, or the powdered leaves can be burnt on charcoal to ward off evil spirits. The different parts of the plant have many uses, ranging from culinary purposes to tanning hides.

Scent

Aromatic, reminiscent to Camphor and cinnamic acid. It has a warm, spicy and slightly bitter flavour. A deliciously fragrant (but very toxic) essential oil is obtained from the leaves.

Contents

Boldo has many biologically active chemicals. At least 17 alkaloids have been documented thus far, several of which are believed to be Boldo's main active constituents. Much of the biological activity of the plant has been attributed to a single alkaloid called boldine. In addition to boldine, boldo contains ascaridole, benzaldehyde, boldoglucin, bornyl-acetate, 1,8-cineol, coclaurine, coumarin, cuminaldehyde, 2-decanone, 6(a)-7 dehydroboldine, diethylphthalate, eugenol, farnesol, fenchone, gamma terpinene, 2-heptaone, isoboldine, kaempferols, laurolitsine, laurotetainine, norboldine, norisocorydine, pachycarpine, P-cymene, P-cymol, pro-nuciferine, 2-octanone, reticuline, rhamnosides, sabinene, sinoacutine, terpinoline, thymol, trans verbenol, 2-tridecanone, and 2-undecanone.(1)

Historical

Indigenous uses of Boldo have been widely documented. Legend has it that the medicinal uses of the plant were discovered by chance: a Chilean shepherd noticed that his sheep were healthier, and had fewer liver problems, when they grazed on native Boldo plants growing in his fields. For many years the fruit has been eaten as a spice, the wood has been used for charcoal, and the bark has been used in tanning hides. A deliciously fragrant essential oil is obtained from the leaves. The dried and powdered leaves are scattered amongst clothes to sweeten them and repel insects. The small fruits are dried and used as beads in necklaces. When warmed by the body or the sun they release the scent of cinnamon.(1)(2)
The leaves are used for culinary purposes in a similar manner to bay leaves, and also used as an herbal tea, primarily in Chile and Argentina but also in other bordering countries.(3)(4)
According to monographs(6) Boldo contributes to digestive comfort and supports liver and biliary function.

Plant Description

Peumus boldus is an evergreen, fragrant shrub, from 15 to 20 feet high. It is native to the mountainous regions of Chili and introduced to Europe and North Africa. The leaves are opposite, coriaceous, and on leaf-stalks about 1/4 inch in length. The flowers are in loose, terminal, dioecious cymes of about 12 flowers each, on slender, pubescent pedicles. The petals are generally 7, strap-shape, and about 1/2 inch long, of a light-yellow color, and somewhat twisted. The male flower has numerous recurved stamens, with slender filaments, which are hairy at the base. The fruit is a small orange-green, 1-seeded drupe, which is aromatic and edible.(5)

Legal Remarks

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

• Finland
• Norway

References

(1) Boldo, Raintree Plant Database
(2) Peumus boldus - Molina. Plants For A Future
(3) Boldo, Wikipedia
(4) Boldo leaves, Gernot Katzer's Spice Page
(5) Boldus.--Boldo. King's American Dispensatory, by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898
(6) Document: NL E4-0-C-REF, Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

Thuja plicata / Cedar western red / Cupressaceae (Cypress 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.

Lemongrass / Cymbopogon citratus / Poaceae (Grass 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

Cymbopogon citratus, Andropogon citratus var. Citronella grass, Erva-cidreira, Fever grass, Khawi, Lemongrass, Limonaria, Malojillo, Ning meng cao, Pasto cedron, Pasto-limon, Pirhe ghaans, Remon gurasu, Remonsou, Sa, Sera, Serai, Sereh, Ta khrai, Tanglad, Te de limon, Verveine des Indes, West Indian Lemongrass, Xiang mao cao, Zacate-limon.

Description

Lemongrass is widely used as a herb in Asian and Caribbean cooking. It has a citrus flavour and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. Lemongrass is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is often used as a tea in African countries. Studies(1) suggest that usual consumption of Lemongrass as traditional foodstuff in a normal diet helps maintain heart health and normal blood pressure, contributes to the resistance against health precarious microorganisms, helps to support the digestion and contributes to physical well-being. Lemongrass contains naturally occurring antioxidants.

Scent

Fresh and Lemon-like, with a hint of Rose fragrance.

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance is strengthening, uplifting, refreshing, deodorant.

Contents

The essential oil of Lemongrass (0.2 to 0.5% in "West Indian Lemongrass oil") consists mainly of citral. Citral is a mixture of two stereoisomeric monterpene aldehydes. Further terpenoids in Lemongrass oil are nerol, limonene, linalool and alpha-caryphyllene. The content of myrcene is low, but still enough to make the oil susceptible to oxidative polymerization.
Active Constituents: Stereoisomeric monterpene aldehydes; trans isomer geranial (40-62%), cis isomer neral (25-38%), nerol, limonene, linalool, beta-caryphyllene, C. flexuosus, alcohols (20-30% cotronellol, geranoil), aldehydes (15% geranial, 10% neral, 5% citronellal), myrecene, dipentene, nerol, citronellol, farnesol, linalooletc, geraniol, Citral a, Citral b, furfural, isovaleraidehyde, citronellal, decylaldehyde, farnesal, diacetyl, methyl heptenone.

Synergic Combinations

Blends well with Basil, Cedarwood, Coriander, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender and Tea Tree. Lemongrass oil is also mixed with Virgin Coconut Oil to produce the so called "Negros Oil" used in aromatherapy.

Historical

In traditional medicine, Lemongrass is usually given in the form of a tea or foot bath made from the fresh herb, from which the patient additionally benefits by inhaling the fragrance. Lemongrass is widely used as a spice in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and on the Indonesian islands. In Thailand, finely ground fresh lemon grass is added to curry pastes. Its fine fragrance goes well with poultry, fish and sea food.
East-Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), also called "Cochin Grass" or "Malabar Grass", is native to Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand while the West-Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is assumed to have its origins in Malaysia. While both can be used interchangeably, Cymbopogon citratus is more suited for cooking. In India Cymbopogon citratus is used both as a beneficial herb and in perfumes.

Plant Description

Also known as Citronella grass, Lemongrass is a sweet scented perennial grass of tropical regions. The narrow, ribbon-like, leafy stalks grow in clumps that reach one meter or more in height. The leaves swell slightly at the base to form a fleshy stolon or underground stem. The stem is white and is also edible. The edges of mature leaves are rough and can be quite sharp, it's easy to get cut fingers when harvesting them.

Legal Remarks

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

• Australia

References

(1) Document: NL E4-0-C-REF, Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

Eucalyptus globulus / Eucalyptus / Myrtaceae (Myrtle 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

Eucalyptus globulus, indigenous to Australia and Tamania, is nowadays found around the world. The fragrance of the leaves is well known and appreciated. They were used in traditional Aboriginal medicine. Eucalyptus leaves are known to help soothe the common cold, ease respiration, and help maintain a normal blood glucose level.(1) The oil derived from the leaves has a wide variety of uses: in aromatherapy, medicine, cosmetics and food flavoring.

Scent

A clear and strong resinous odour, reminiscant of peppermint, fresh yet with an undertone of sweet and woody.

Aromatic Properties

Eucalyptus oil is derived through steam distillation from the leaves and twiggs. It gives a colorless, clear fluid, which can ripen into yellow. Its fragrance has strong cleansing and restorative qualities; helping to focus again, clearing the energy. Is said to protect against negative thoughts, and helps to restore after strong physical or mental exhaustion. On a very subtle level it can be used for clearing spaces where conflicts have occurred, like arguments or even physical confrontations, so in general it is helpful for any space where negative energies can be detected.

Contents

Monoterpenes; Sesquiterpenes; Monoterpene alcohols; Sesquiterpenols; Oxides: eucalyptol; Aldehydes.
Eucalyptol (also known as cineol, cajeputol, limonene oxide) comprises up to 90% of the essential oil of Eucalyptus leaves (depending on species) and gives it its pleasant aroma and healing value.

Synergic Combinations

Goes well with: aniseed, basil, cajeput, cedarwood, ceder, citronella, ginger, hyssop , juniperberry , lavender, lemon cold pressed, marjoram, myrtle, niaouli, olibanum, pine needle , peppermint, rosemary, sandalwood, spearmint, tea tree, thyme.

Plant Description

The young trees have blue-green oval shaped leaves. The older trees have fine blue-green shiny leaves 10 to 30cm long and 3 to 8cm wide, and they have little glands. The 4cm big flowers are white-creme colored and carry seedpods which are blackish colored with a gray-blueish lid on top. The tree has a straight growing round trunk covered with gray bark, often white powder coated.

Legal Remarks

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

• Norway

References

(1) Document:NL E4-0-C-REF, Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
(-) Eucalyptus, Erowid Herb Vault
(-) King's American Dispensatory, by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898
(-) A Modern Herbal, by Margaret Grieve

Cannabis sativa / Hemp / Cannabinaceae (Hemp 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.

Hyssopus officinalis / Hyssop / 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.

Description

Herb Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is an herbaceous plant of the genus Hyssopus native to Southern Europe, the Middle East, and the region surrounding the Caspian Sea. Due to its properties as an antiseptic, cough reliever, and expectorant, it is commonly used as an aromatic herb and medicinal plant.

Incense from Africa

Description

African incense sticks. These sticks are handrolled, and dipped in natural essential oils of African origin. Each stick burns for approx. 100 minutes. Foilwrapped, 20 sticks a packet. Now available in many beautiful fragrances.

Justicia pectoralis / Justicia / Acanthaceae (Acanthus 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

Chapantye, Tilo, Masha-Hari, Piri Piri.

Description

Justicia pectoralis is an erect herb growing up to 60 cm tall and producing white or pink flowers. It is used in herbal medicine in South America. Justicia pectoralis is also a common admixture in Virola snuffs, an entheogen used by indigenous tribes. Justicia is not psychoactive by itself but appears to aid and enhance the effects of the snuff on the user. It has a pleasant Vanilla-like fragrance. (1)(4)

Scent

The fresh plant has a balsamic odor; the dried plant smells faintly of coumarin (a Vanilla substitute).

Contents

Coumarin and umbelliferone have been identified in Justicia pectoralis. (2)

Synergic Combinations

Shamans add ground dried leaves of Justicia pectoralis to Virola bark resin with ash made from the tree Elizabetha princeps to prepare a snuff. "Justicia pectoralis has an aromatic aspect, but when added to Virola may facilitate the extraction of several tryptamine alkaloids and promote their absorption in human through mucous membranes." (1)

Historical

Virola snuffs are widely used by groups in wet tropical forests of South America. These tribes include the Waika of the upper Orinoco area in Venezuela and northern Brazil and the Paumarí from near the Rio Purus in Amazonian Brazil. The main ingredient of the snuff is an extract from Virola bark and Justicia pectoralis and other plants are often added to enhance the flavour and effects of the snuff. (1) Justicia pectoralis is "largely used in north-eastern Brazil for respiratory tract diseases"(3).

Plant Description

Justicia pectoralis Jacq., Acanthaceae, also named Tila or Tilo is a herb, 20 to 60 cm tall, with slender, grooved stems; erect, climbing or trailing and rooting at the nodes. Leaves opposite, narrow to broad-lanceolate, 3-11 cm long, 3-25 mm wide. Inflorescences 1-sided terminal panicles 2-12 cm long. Corollas tubular, 2-lipped, 8-10 mm long, white, lilac or pink, the throat sometimes dotted with dark purple, the outer surface downy. Cultivated in gardens as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Its native range extends from Mexico to Venezuela and throughout the West Indies. (5)

References

(1) An Hallucinogenic Snuff from the Amazon, Anne Swoboda. Biology 10, Winter 1998
(2) Justicia pectoralis: a study of the basis for its use as a hallucinogenic snuff ingredient, MacRae WD, Towers GH
(3) Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator activities of Brazilian medicinal plants containing coumarin: a comparative study, L. K. A. M. Lealb, A. A. G. Ferreiraa, G. A. Bezerraa, F. J. A. Matosc and G. S. B. Viana
(4) Justicia pectoralis, The Vaults of Erowid
(5) TRI-OLOGY, Vol. 35, No. 2, Nancy C. Coile, Ph. D., Bureau of Entomology, Nematology & Plant Pathology, Florida Department of and Consumer Services.

Justicia pectoralis / Justicia / Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)

Information

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Other Names

Chapantye, Tilo, Masha-Hari, Piri Piri.

Description

Justicia pectoralis is an erect herb growing up to 60 cm tall and producing white or pink flowers. It is used in herbal medicine in South America. Justicia pectoralis is also a common admixture in Virola snuffs, an entheogen used by indigenous tribes. Justicia is not psychoactive by itself but appears to aid and enhance the effects of the snuff on the user. It has a pleasant Vanilla-like fragrance. (1)(4)

Scent

The fresh plant has a balsamic odor; the dried plant smells faintly of coumarin (a Vanilla substitute).

Contents

Coumarin and umbelliferone have been identified in Justicia pectoralis. (2)

Synergic Combinations

Shamans add ground dried leaves of Justicia pectoralis to Virola bark resin with ash made from the tree Elizabetha princeps to prepare a snuff. "Justicia pectoralis has an aromatic aspect, but when added to Virola may facilitate the extraction of several tryptamine alkaloids and promote their absorption in human through mucous membranes." (1)

Historical

Virola snuffs are widely used by groups in wet tropical forests of South America. These tribes include the Waika of the upper Orinoco area in Venezuela and northern Brazil and the Paumarí from near the Rio Purus in Amazonian Brazil. The main ingredient of the snuff is an extract from Virola bark and Justicia pectoralis and other plants are often added to enhance the flavour and effects of the snuff. (1) Justicia pectoralis is "largely used in north-eastern Brazil for respiratory tract diseases"(3).

Plant Description

Justicia pectoralis Jacq., Acanthaceae, also named Tila or Tilo is a herb, 20 to 60 cm tall, with slender, grooved stems; erect, climbing or trailing and rooting at the nodes. Leaves opposite, narrow to broad-lanceolate, 3-11 cm long, 3-25 mm wide. Inflorescences 1-sided terminal panicles 2-12 cm long. Corollas tubular, 2-lipped, 8-10 mm long, white, lilac or pink, the throat sometimes dotted with dark purple, the outer surface downy. Cultivated in gardens as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Its native range extends from Mexico to Venezuela and throughout the West Indies. (5)

References

(1) An Hallucinogenic Snuff from the Amazon, Anne Swoboda. Biology 10, Winter 1998
(2) Justicia pectoralis: a study of the basis for its use as a hallucinogenic snuff ingredient, MacRae WD, Towers GH
(3) Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator activities of Brazilian medicinal plants containing coumarin: a comparative study, L. K. A. M. Lealb, A. A. G. Ferreiraa, G. A. Bezerraa, F. J. A. Matosc and G. S. B. Viana
(4) Justicia pectoralis, The Vaults of Erowid
(5) TRI-OLOGY, Vol. 35, No. 2, Nancy C. Coile, Ph. D., Bureau of Entomology, Nematology & Plant Pathology, Florida Department of and Consumer Services.