PROVIDED AS AN EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE ONLY; PLANTS AND TECHNIQUES DESCRIBED HERE MAY BE DANGEROUS AND/OR ILLEGAL. WE DO NOT ENDORSE OR RECOMMEND ANYTHING FOUND ON THIS SITE.
Acacia spp. – Acacia – 190 degree water for 20 minutes – active components may include dimethyltryptamine, 5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine and N-methyltryptamine, but this depends on the species of Acacia. Active at 1-4 teaspoons of extracted resin.
Acorus calamus – Calamus – 190 degree water for 15 minutes – active components are asarone and beta-asarone.
Agrimonia eupitoria – Agrimony – 20 minutes in water – active components include tannins, flavonoids, coumarins and vitamin C. Traditionally used topically as an antiseptic or consumed to promote vivid dreams. Active at 2-4 teaspoons of dried plant matter.
Argyreia nervosa – Hawaiian Baby Woodrose – 3-5 hours in water – active component is D-lysergic acid amide. Active at 5-13 seeds ground and extracted water, then strained. Hawaiian Baby Woodrose seeds are legal in most, but not all, countries. Do not consume Hawaiian Baby Woodrose seeds under any circumstances.
Argemone mexicana – Prickly poppy – 190 degree water for 5 minutes – active components are berberine and protopine. Traditionally smoked for sedative effects.
Calea zacatechichi – Calea – 1 hour in water – active component is calcimine. The full complement of psychoactive alkaloids in Calea zacatechichi has not yet been scientifically determined. Calea is traditionally smoked before bedtime along with the extract or a tea to allow for deep sleep and vivid dreams. Active at 3 grams of dried plant matter.
Celastrus paniculata – Celastrus Seed – 190 degree water for 3 hours – active components include celastrine and paniculatin. Active at 10-12 seeds.
Corynanthe yohimbe – Yohimbe – 1/2 hour in boiling water, adding ascorbic acid. Major active compound is yohimbine, an alkaloid with aphrodisiac and stimulting effects. Yohimbine is available as a prescription medication for the treatment sexual dysfunction.
Eschscholzia californica – California Poppy – 190 degree water for 1 hour – active components include flavone glycosides, protopine, cryptopine and chelidonin. Active at 1-2 teaspoons of dried plant matter.
Heimia salicifolia – Sinicuichi – 3 days in water – major active component is vertine (cryogenic). The herb and water mixture is traditionally placed in the sun to ferment. Active at 10 grams.
Hemidismus indicus – Sugandi Root – 190 degree water for 1 hour – active components are numerous and include p-methoxy salicylic aldehyde. Sugandi root is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a wide variety of disorders. Active at 1-3 grams of dried plant matter.
Humulus lupulus – Hops – 1 hour in water – major active component is dimethylvinyl carbinol. Hops have relaxing and antibacterial properties. Active at 1.5 – 2 grams of dried plant matter.
Hyssopus officinalis – Hyssop – 1 hour in boiling water – active components include flavonoids, hyssopin, resin, tannins and terpenes. Hyssop has traditionally been used to treat coughs and other respiratory problems. Active at 1-2 grams of dried plant matter.
Ilex spp. – Holly – chopped leaves minutes boiled in water 45 minutes and strained – active components vary from species to species, but many contain very high levels of caffeine. One example is I. paraguariensis, which is one of the main ingredients in the energizing tea Yerba Mate. Another species, I. guayusa is sometimes used as part of ayahuasca brews and has the highest known caffeine content of any plant.
Juniper spp. – Juniper – 190 degree water for 1 hour – active components include monoterpenes, terpinene-4-ol (an alcohol), as well as a number of vitamins and minerals. This extraction is a potent emetic and should not be used regularly.
Kaempheria galanga; Alpinia galanga – Galangal – 190 degree water for 20 minutes – active component is galangin. Active in an oral dose of 1 oz of root per 3 cups of water.
Licorice Root – Licorice – 190 degree water for 20 minutes – active components include phytoestrogens and anethole, which provides the sweet taste of the root.
Mentha pulegium – Pennyroyal – 190 water for 20 minutes – active components include pulegone, menthol, limonene, piperitone and neomenthol. Active at 1-2 teaspoons of dried plant matter.
Nymphaea alba – White Lotus – 190 degree water for 20 minutes – active components include aporphine. Dried flowers are traditionally smoked. Active at 1-2 flowers when smoked, or 5 grams when extracted in water.
Passiflora incarnata – Passion Flower – 190 degree water for 30 minutes – active components include beta-carboline harmala alkaloids which are MAO inhibitors. Active at 2 grams of dried plant matter.
Paullinia cupana – Guarana – 190 degree water for 30 minutes – major active component is guaranine, a type of caffiene. Guarana seeds contain about twice as much caffiene as coffee beans.
Pedicularis canadensis – Wood Betony – 190 degree water for 15 minutes – active components are stachydrine and betonicine. Active at 1-2 teaspoons of dried plant matter.
Peganum harmala – Syrian Rue – 190 degree water for 40 minutes – major active components are various harmala alkaloids. These alkaloids can potentiate the activity of certain psychoactive compounds. Syrian Rue is an MAO inhibitor and can therefore have very dangerous side effects in combination with certain foods or substances. Not for human consumption!
Pfaffia paniculata – Suma Root – 190 degree water for 45 minutes – major active components are pfaffic acids, which have been reported to have anti-cancer as well as aphrodisiac and energizing properties in recent laboratory studies. Active at 2-4g of plant matter.
Piper methysticum – Kava Kava – place powdered Kava Kava in a muslin bag and immerse in water. Squeeze multiple times to release Kava liquid. Active components are kavalactones, of which there are at least 15 different varieties. Concentrations vary from plant to plant. Kavalactones promote mild sedation, a cheerful mood, and vivid dreams. Active at 2-4g of plant matter prepared as noted above.
Ocimum sanctum – Holy Basil – 1 hour in water – active components include eugenol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid and linalool. Active at 2.5 grams of dried plant matter.
Rivea corymbosa – Ololiuqui Seeds – 3 hours in water – major active component is ergine (LSA), an ergoline alkaloid. Active at 6-10 finely ground seeds.
Rosa spp. – Rose Hip – 1 day in water – Active components include vitamins C, A and B, essential fatty acids and antioxidant flavonoids. Rose hips are particularly rich in vitamin C. Active at 3-6 grams of dried plant matter.
Sassafras albidum – Sassafras – 45 minutes in water – active components include anodyne.
Scutelleria spp. – Scullcap – 1/2 hour in boiling water – active component is scutellarine. May act as an anticonvulsant or dream aid.
Sida cordifolia – Bala Root – 1 hour in boiling water – active component is ephedrine. Active at 10g. This plant has been proven safe in multiple laboratory studies.
Silybum marianum – Milk Thistle – 30 minutes in water – major active component is silymarin, which may help to protect the liver. 12-15 grams of dried plant matter is considered a therapeutic dose.
Trifolium pratense – Red Clover – 190 degree water for 1 hour – major active components include salicylic acid and methyl salicylate, as well as calcium and magnesium. Traditionally used as a blood purifier. Active at 4 grams of dried plant matter.
Verbena officialis – Vervain – 190 degree water for 30 minutes – active compounds include verbenone, caffeic acid and various glycosides. Active at 2-4 grams of dried plant material.
Withania somnifera – Ashwaganda/Indian Ginseng – 190 degree water for 15-20 minutes – active components include withanine. It is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a wide variety of symptoms. Active at 3-5 grams of dried plant matter.
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