Plants of the gods : their sacred, healing, and hallucinogenic powers
The use of hallucinogenic plants has been a part of human experience for millennia, yet modern Western societies have only recently become aware of the significance that these plants have had in shaping the history of diverse cultures. Capable of bringing human beings in closer touch with the spirit worlds, hallucinogenic plants have long been venerated as aids to mental health and as the sacred connection to the mystical. The authors of this definitive book examine the cross-cultural ceremonial and ritual use of many hallucinogenic substances. Profusely illustrated, this book contains an extensively researched plant lexicon, providing common and botanical names, history, ethnography, preparation, chemical components, usage in healing, and effects for 91 hallucinogenic plants
Print Book, English, 2001
Rev. and expanded ed View all formats and editions
Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vt., 2001
208 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 27 cm
9780892819799, 0892819790
47666585
What are plant hallucinogens?
The plant kingdom
Phytochemical research on sacred plants
Geography of usage and botanical range
Plant lexicon
Who uses hallucinogenic plants?
Overview of plant use
The most important hallucinogenic plants
Mainstay of the heavens
Amanita (Fly agaric)
The hexing herbs
Atropa (Deadly nightshade)
Hyoscyamus albus (Yellow henbane)
Hyoscyamus niger (Black henbane)
Mandragora (Mandrake)
The nectar of delight
Cannabis (Hemp, marijuana, hashish)
St. Anthony's fire
Claviceps (Ergot)
Holy flower of the North star
Datura innoxia (Toloache)
Datura metel (Datura)
Datura stramonium (Thorn apple)
Guide to the ancestors
Tabernanthe (Iboga)
Beans of the Hekula spirit
Anadenanthera peregrina (Yopo)
Seeds of civilization
Anadenanthera colubrina (Cebíl)
The magic drink of the Amazon
Banisteriopsis (Ayahuasca)
Psychotria (Chacruna)
Peganum (Syrian rue)
Tetrapteris (Yagé)
Ayahuasca analogs
Trumpets of the angels
Brugmansia (Golden angel's trumpet)
Brugmansia (Blood-red angel's trumpet)
The tracks of the little deer
Lophophora (Peyote)
Little flowers of the gods
Conocybe
Panaeolus cyanescens (Blue meanies)
Panaeolus sphinctrinus (Hoop-petticoat)
Panaeolus subbalteatus (Dark-rimmed Mottlegill)
Psilocybe cubenis (San Isidro)
Psilocybe cyanescens (Wavy cap)
Psilocybe mexicana (Teonanácatl)
Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty cap)
Diviner's sage
Salvia divinorum
Cactus of the four winds (Trichocereus (San Pedro)
Vines of the serpent
Ipomoea (Morning glory)
Turbina (Ololiugui)
Semen of the sun
Virola (Epená)
Gateway to dreamtime
Duboisia (Pituri bush)
Chemical structures of hallucinogens
Uses of hallucinogens in medicine