Yagé (Banisteriopsis caapi) is famous for being one of the main plants that is used for making the South American shamanic brew called Ayahuasca. It is a vine with small white & pink flowers that grows in rainforested regions reaching up to about 100 feet into the forest canopy.
As it contains the harmala alkaloids, harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine, it acts as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOIs) psychoactive substance, which is combined with other plant substances to make the Ayahuasca brew.
Another commonly found main substance in Ayahuasca is the plant called Psychotria viridis, which contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT)—the combination of which creates a powerful effect when taken orally.
Although the harmala alkaloids are often scheduled substances in countries, the fresh plant material of B. caapi usually is not. In the US, a Supreme Court decision involving B. caapi Ayahuasca brew ruled in favor of the Brazilian religious sect called União do Vegetal (UDV) allowing them to continue to use the brew for religious ceremony.
With its use as the common main ingredient in ayahuasca, Banisteriopsis caapi is often referred to as a “plant teacher”.
The Ayahuasca brew became more widely known by the world when Dennis and Terrence McKenna published their experiences and studies on the topic.
Modern Brazilian religious sects that use the Ayahuasca brew, like the UDV, have also spread in the world and have gained Western followers. People who have participated in ceremony involving Ayahuasca often describe it to have given them life-altering insights. However, this western interest in shamanic experiences has also put pressure on indigenous communities.
There has also recently been a revived interest and clinical research in psychoactive substances, such as Ayahuasca, being used for treating mental illness, as well as addiction to drugs and alcohol.
#APlantADay #UsefulPlants #MedicinalPlants #Ethnopharm #Ethnobotany #Brazil #ayahuasca #banisteriopsiscaapi #psychotropics #psychoactiveplants #entheogen #amazon #indigenous *This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
Photo by CostaPPPR