Ayahuasca, a plant native to Brazil

[Adolf Ceska]

> The Intermountain Herbarium recently received a request for information
> about Ayahuasca, a plant that is apparently native to Brazil and of some
> medicinal or herbal interest.  Can anyone supply information or references?

Ayahuasaca [sic!] --> Banisteriopsis Caapi (Spr. ex Gris.) Mort.

Banisteriopsis Caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) Morton (syn. Banisteria Caapi
Spruce ex Griseb.) Caapi (Malpighiaceae). - Woody vine. S. America esp.
Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador. Cultivated among the Indians. Leaves
and twigs are source of a narcotic beverage; used among many Indian
tribes of the Amazon region. It is known as Yaje, Ayahuasca [sic!],
Caapi. Contains telepathine and other alkaloids, said to cause realistic
colored hallucinations, fanciful dreams and gives a peculiar telepathic
effect [especially useful when the e-mail is down :-) ]. It causes also
a feeling of extreme and reckless bravery ....

From: Uphof, J.C.T. 1968. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Verlag J. Cramer.

See also: Schultes, R.E. & R.F. Raffauf. 1990. Healing forest: Medicinal
and toxic plants of the Northwest Amazonia, pp. 274-289. [spelled
ayahuasca here]

Did you say Mr. Zimmermann has some?

Best regards,

Adolf Ceska