Legal Status of Ayahuasca Herbs on the Line in the US
On April 1st, 2002, U.S. ex-patriate Alan Shoemaker was arrested at Miami International Airport by agents of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency. Unbeknownst to Shoemaker, a sealed indictment had been handed down on January 24th, 2002 charging him with intent to distribute the Schedule 1 substance DMT (dimethyltryptamine). If convicted, Shoemaker may have faced up to 20 years in prison.
Datura metel – Indian Thorn Apple
The Indian Thorn Apple – Datura metel – was first documented in Sanskrit literature. The Arabic physician Avicenna touted the importance of its medicinal applications as well as prescribed the exact amount of dosage to the Arabs, who categorized the plant as “mokederrat narcotica.” Ingesting too much Datura metel can be dangerous.
Turnera diffusa – Damiana Leaf
Damiana is a small shrub with aromatic leaves found throughout Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies. The botanical name of the plant describes its use as an aphrodisiac. For more than 100 years, Damiana’s use has been associated with improving sexual function in both males and females.
Peganum harmala – Syrian Rue
Syrian rue is one of the plants that has been suggested to be the original haoma plant of Persia. It may have also been used as an entheogen by the mystery religion that surrounded the god Mithras. In the Koran, it is stated that “every root, every leaf of harmel, is watched over by an angel who waits for a person to come in search of healing.” Therefore, dervishes in Buchara are said to worship and use harmala for its inebriating effects.
Cytisus canariensis – Genista
Genista (Cytisus canariensis) is employed as an entheogen in the magic practices of Yaqui medicine men in northern Mexico where it was introduced from the Canary Islands. There it may have been used by the indigenous Guancha people in their rituals worshiping the Goddess Tara. It is rare for a non-indigenous plant to find its way into the religious and magic customs of a people. Known also by the scientific name Genista canariensis, this species is the “genista” of florists.
Cyperus articulatus – Piri Piri
Many aboriginal tribes that live in the Amazonian tropical rainforests believe that Piri Piri grass has magical qualities and have used it to cure disease, heal wounds, relieve pain, and for many other folk remedies. The Sharanahua Indians, from the Amazon river basin, have used Cyperus articulatus to help pregnant women induce labor, or even force an early term abortion.
Calliandra anomala – Red Powder Puff
The Aztecs were known to drip the sap of C. anomala in to the nose to induce hypnotic sleep. The root was chewed or peeled, ground and mixed with water and honey in order to treat coughs. In modern Mexican folk medicine, the root is still used to treat fevers, diarrhea and malaria. The plant is also becoming increasingly important in treating diabetes.
Theobroma cacao – Cacao Tree
Over four thousand years ago, the cacao tree was first cultivated in Central America where it was held in high esteem as a food of Divinity. Consumed during rituals, the fruits of the cacao tree were be offered as sacraments to the gods. Its botanical name, Theobroma cacao, refers directly to the cacao tree’s relationship to the divine.
Cymbopogon densiflorus – Lemongrass
Entheogenic and ethnographic research conducted in 1918 by Newbould found that the Tanganyika tribe shaman and witch doctors use this plant to induce vivid dreams and foretell the future. The medicine men in the tribe are known to use this grass to produce elevated states of intoxication, in which they are able to visualize the ailments of patients and prescribe an appropriate remedy.
Coryphantha compacta – Pincushion Cactus
C. compacta is believed to be the Tarahumara híkuri known as “bakánawa.” Bakánawa, like most híkuri, is both respected and feared as a god, and considered to have a soul and human emotions. It has been recorded as both more powerful, and as only second in power, to L. williamsii. To some populations of Tarahumara, particularly those of Guadalupe, it is (was) their primary híkuri, being valued instead of L. williamsii.
Conocybe siligineoides – Cone Caps
The common name for C. siligineoides is Ya’nte, or Ta’a’ya. The Mazatec use the mushroom as an entheogen. Recently, a cult centering around Tamu, or ‘Mushroom of Awareness’, a species of Conocybe, has been discovered in the Ivory Coast region. The Aztecs called sacred mushrooms Teonanacatl, or ‘food of the gods’ and used it ritual and for divination and healing.
Coleus blumei – Painted Nettle
El Ahijado was first studied by Gordon Wasson while he was searching Southern Mexico for the mythical psychoactive plant used by the Aztecs known as Pipiltzintzintli. During Wasson’s expedition through the Sierra Madre Mazateca region, not only did he discover the ritual use of Salvia Divinorum as a hallucinogen, but he also learned of the use of Coleus Blumei as a potent substitute for Salvia. When Salvia Divinorum, La Hembra (the Woman) was unavailable, the native shaman would use the leaves and flowers of El Ahijado (the Godson) in its place.
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