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Page 1: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 2: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants from the CelestialGarden.

The book in your hands was written to provide information and offer clarity about the nature of the plants and products in the Celestial Garden. The information you find here emerged through extensive fieldwork and many travels, reading, testing, utilizing and applying, planting and growing, and living through many interactions with Indigenous peoples and the reports of several collaborators also engaged in ethnobotanical research.

If you find any information in this book to be mistaken or inadequate, or if you have any additional information to what is written here, please let us know so we canimprove our work and expand the depth of knowledge.

All information found here is only for educational purposes. We do not recommend you toingest any of the plants we are working with. Usage and eventual consequences of it areunder the full responsibility of the each individual person.

At this point, I would like to thank everybody that collaborated, supported and believed in ourwork during the years. Especially Lobu and Daniel for their continuous help and effort,Miag for the design, Paula for the translation of the book, and all our families and friends,plant lovers, alchemists and appreciators of all the ancient medicines explored here. A special thanks to the Great Spirit and our spirit guides and protectors, without their help and guidan-ce this would never be possible.

Jamil

ContentsSeeds Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa) Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga)Jurema (Mimosa hostilis)Morning Glory (Ipomoea violacea)Ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa)Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala)Urucum (Bixa orellana)Voacanga (Voacanga africana)Yopo (Anadenanthera peregrina)

Herbs, Barks & RootsAfrican Dream Root (Silene capensis)Amanita (Amanita muscaria)Ashwagandha (Whitania somnifera)Aztecan Dream Herb (Calea zacatechichi)Blue Lotus Petals (Nymphaea caerules) Bobinsana (Calliandra angustifolia)Carapiá (Dorstenia brasiliensis)Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)Chacruna (Psychotria virdis)Chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana)

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Chuchuhuasi (Maytenus krukovii)Damiana (Turnera diffusa)Teonanatl (Psylocibe cubensis)Iboga Root Bark (Tabernanthe iboga)Jurema Root Bark (Mimosa hostilis)Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum)Kava Kava (Piper methysticum)Kolanut (Cola acuminata)Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)Mapachos (Nicotina rustico)Palosanto (Burserea arborea)Piri-Piri (Cyperus articulatus)Red Lotus (Nymphaea rubra)Sacred Lotus Petals (Nelumbo nucifera)Saffron (Crocus sativus)San Pedro (Trichocereus pachanoi)Sinicuiche (Heimia salicifolia)Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia)White Sage (Salvia apiana)Wild Dagga Petals (Leonotis leonorus)Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe)

Page 3: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

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Chuchuhuasi (Maytenus krukovii)Damiana (Turnera diffusa)Teonanatl (Psylocibe cubensis)Iboga Root Bark (Tabernanthe iboga)Jurema Root Bark (Mimosa hostilis)Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum)Kava Kava (Piper methysticum)Kolanut (Cola acuminata)Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)Mapachos (Nicotina rustico)Palosanto (Burserea arborea)Piri-Piri (Cyperus articulatus)Red Lotus (Nymphaea rubra)Sacred Lotus Petals (Nelumbo nucifera)Saffron (Crocus sativus)San Pedro (Trichocereus pachanoi)Sinicuiche (Heimia salicifolia)Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia)White Sage (Salvia apiana)Wild Dagga Petals (Leonotis leonorus)Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe)

Extracts & Tinctures Amanita (Amanita muscaria)Ashwagandha (Whitanga somnifera)Aztecian Dreamherb (Calea zacatechichi)Blue Lotus (Nymphea caerules)Bay Bean (Canavalia maritima)Cacao (Theobroma cacao)Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca)Dragonblood (Croton lechleri)Dream Root (Silene capensis)Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)Harmala (Peganum harmala) Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)Siberian Motherwort (Leonurus sibiricus)Sinicuiche (Heimia salicifolia)Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonorus)

Rapé & SanangaRapé ApurinãRapé Huni KuíRapé YawanawáYawanawa ParikaRapé KatukinaKatukina ParikaRapé KuntanawaRapé NukiniTsunu (Platycyamus regnellii)Sananga (Tabernamontana sananho)

IncensesAlmeçega Resin (Protium heptaphyllum)Cedar (Libocedrus descurrens)Chaparral (Larrea tridentata)Copal, White (Protium copal)Copal, Black (Bursera spp.)Dessert Sage (Artemisia tridentata)Hummingbird Sage (Salvia mellifera)Juniper (Juniperus communis)Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)Palma DulcePalosanto (Burserea arborea)Silver Sage (Artemisia cana)Supã ResinWhite Sage (Salvia apiana)Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon trichocalix)

Oils Andiroba (Carapa guianensis)Copaíba (Copaifera officinalis)Mamona (Ricinus communis)Palosanto Essential Oil (Burserea arborea)

CG EspecialÁgua Florida do CerradoÁgua Florida “Amazonia”Osha with honey (Ligusticum porteri)Lotus WinePirlimpimpimSuco de Fogo

Page 4: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 5: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Ephedra Seeds (Ephedra sinica)

Hawaiian Baby Woodrose Seeds (Argyreia nervosa)

Two thousand years ago Ephedra (under the name Ma-huang) was used in Chinese medicine to treatseveral disorders. Amongst other illnesses asthmaand bronchitis were treated with Ephedra. Ephedra comes from a plant that has a few powerful active compounds, of which ephedrine is the most useful. Over the past few years Ephedra has gained much more attention for its side-effects: an increased metabolism, plus the thermeogenic and fat burning qualities that come along with that. This gives the body stimulation and provides energy.

Origin: USA

Traditional preparation: tea or tincture of the herb. The seeds can be eaten just like this. They give a lot of energy. Around fifty seeds are needed.

How to Plant: this plant grows best on ground rich in clay. They need a warm and dry climate and just a bit of water.

Hawaiian Baby Woodrose is a member of the Convolvulaceae family, related to Morning Glory. Baby Woodrose is found in Asia, Madagascar, Haiti, Hawaii and other places. The Hawaiian Baby Woodrose plant is a large-growing vine reaching lengths of 10 Meters. The beautiful, ornamental vines have large, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of flowers. Hawaiian Baby Woodrose is used in Ayurvedic medicine to increase intelligence, memory and life span.

Origin: Brazil

Tradicional preparation: in Ayurvedic medicine, the whole plant is used. Dried, in powder or fresh. The seeds (1 to 5 seeds) can be eaten to produce entheogenic effects. They need to be peeled until the seed becomes almost white, like a peeled almond. In order to do so, it helps to leave them around 1 minute soaked in water. Some people like to grind them and leave them for 1 night in cold water, then filter and drink only the water.

How to plant: soak the seeds for a few hours, then cover them with earth and keep them moist until they sprout after several days. Argyreia nervosa needs warm climate, a lot of water and sun and a lot of space for the roots. In cold climate this plant will grow only indoors. From 10 seeds usually 6 sprout. This plant needs a lot of space for the roots. In pots, it will not develop well.

Risks: be careful when you plant it. You don’t want it to be close to your house or to a plant thatyou like, because it might destroy roofs and even walls, and it usually kills the plant on which is growing on. It grows well on fences, though. When eaten, it can cause heavy stomach issues and illness throughout the whole body. To avoid that, the seeds have to be prepared well. In case of intoxication, Kava Kava can help, which is an antidote for strychnine, the toxine that the plant contains. KEEP THE SEEDS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN!

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Page 6: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Iboga Seeds (Tabernanthe iboga)

Jurema Seeds (Mimosa hostilis)

Iboga is a perennial rainforest shrub native to the regions of western Central Africa. It has a long history of ritual use by several indigenous peoples living in and around the Gabon province of Central Africa including the Babongo, Mitsogo and Fang people, for whom it occupies a central role in their religious practices. Iboga is especially important in the initiation of the Bwiti religion where it is said to allow the initiate to journey to the land of the dead, learn about past lives, future problems and see the true self. The plant is conside-red sacred by members of the Bwiti and some claim that Iboga is the original Tree of Knowledge from the Bible.Our Iboga is ethically harvested from old Iboga-trees.

Also known as Mimosa tenuiflora and Ju-rema, the rootbark of this tree has an inte-resting role in the history and present day manifestations of psychedelic shamanism. It is the only known plant that can be used for an orally ingested brew that, without the aid of another plant, induces visionary experiences similar to Ayahuasca. In Brazilian history it was used in the Vinho de Jurema, a ceremonial preparation and ingestion of this plant. Rumour has it that the tradition was extinct and recently picked up again. Currently there are only 7 tribes left that work with this plant. For medicinal uses, a tea or decoction is made. It treats skin problems, like burns, ulcers and injures, among others. It has antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, rege-nerative, cicatrizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. It is currently used for dying leather.

Origin: Cameroon

Traditional preparation: in tribes that consume Iboga they eat the fresh root bark in their initiations and rituals.

How to Plant: Iboga takes almost 2 months to sprout and needs a constant warm and humid environment. The plant grows only in tropical regions.

Origin: BrazilHow to Plant: Jurema grows in climates of seasonal rains where the humidity levels change substantially during the year. Coat scarification helps the germination process. Light has no effect in germination. The seeds can be soaked in warm water before being planted, or placed between paper towels in a warm environment. The best temperature for it to sprout is 20 to 25C. Under optimal conditions, germination takes between 1 and 4 days. As soon the radicle (the germinal root) is visibly out, it can be planted a few millimeters into well draining soil.

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Page 7: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Morning Glory Seeds (Ipomoea violacea)

Ololiuqui Seeds (Rivea corymbosa)

Native to the mountains of Southern Mexico, Guatemala, The West Indies and Tropical South America, Morning Glory now grows around the world, favoring tro-pical warm temperate climates. It is a tender perennial vine with large, heart shaped, bright green leaves and showy, trumpet shaped flowers ranging from light blue to dark purple. The seeds, vines, flowers, and leaves contain ergoline alkaloids, and have been used for centuries by many Mexican Native American cultures as an entheogen; they were known to the Aztecs as “tlitliltzin”, the Nahuatl word for “black” with a reverential suffix. In South America, the seeds are also known as “badoh negro”.

Ololiuqui is widely used among the local Indians in Sierra Madre, Oaxaca Mexico. The local Mazatecs use the Rivea corymbosa seeds for divination when the Teonanacatl Mushrooms are not available. Rivea corymbosa grows easily and abundantly in the mountains of southern Mexico. Today in almost all the villages of Oaxaca you can find the Rivea corymbosa plant and the seeds still serving the natives for magic moments. The plant itself is a climber, like Morning Glory (Ipomoea violacea) and called ‘snake-plant’ or ‘coaxihuitl‘ in the Nahuatl language. Seeds of the Rivea corymbosa plant are very closely related to Morning Glories, it is a very rare but easily grown plant. It flowers

abundantly, producing beautiful clusters of white tubular flowers. Ololiuqui is the Nahuatl name for the seeds of the Rivea corymbosa plant and means ‘round thing’.

Risks: the seeds also contain glycosides, which may cause nausea if consumed.

Origin: Mexico (variety: Flying Saucers)

Traditional preparation: approximately 5 grams are grinded and soaked in cold water for one night. Then, it is filtered and only the water is consumed.

How to Plant: cover the seeds with earth and keep them moist until they sprout after several days. Almost 100% of the seeds germinate.

Risks: the dose of 25 seeds has not shown any psychoactive effects on most people who have tried it. Around 5 to 10 grams are needed for non-traditional usage.

Origin: Mexico / Brazil

Traditional preparation: approximately 25 seeds are grinded and soaked in cold water for one night. Then, they are filtered and only the water is consumed. The tradition says that the seeds are only effective if harvested and prepared by female virgins.

How to Plant: soak the seeds for a couple of hours in (warm) water and plant them, in the ground or in pots. Note that this plant needs a lot of space for its roots and that it won’t grow in cold climates.

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Page 8: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Syrian Rue Seeds (Peganum harmala)

Urucum Seeds (Bixa orellana)

Syrian Rue seeds have been considered sacred throughout the Middle East and parts of Asia for centuries. Syrian Rue seeds are a MAO (mono-amino-oxides) inhibitor. They have been used as incense in many Middle Eastern cultures.

Urucum, also known as Achiote or Annato, is a small tree that grows 5-10 m in height. The trees are literally covered by brightly co-lored pods, and one small Urucum tree can produce up to 270 kg of seeds. The seeds are covered with a reddish aril, which is the source of an orange-yellow dye. It grows throughout South and Central America and the Caribbean and can be found in some parts of Mexico as well.Traditionally, the crushed seeds are soaked in water that is allowed to evaporate. A brightly colored paste is produced which is added to soups, cheeses, and other foods to give them a bright yellow or orange color. Urucum paste is also used as a natural dye for

cloth and wool and is sometimes employed in the paint, varnish, lacquer, cosmetic, and soap industries. Throughout the rainforest, indigenous tribes have used annatto seeds as body paint and as a fabric dye. It has been traced back to the ancient Mayan Indians, who employed it as a principal coloring agent in foods, for body paints, and as a coloring for arts, crafts, and murals. Although it is mostly the seed paste or seed oil that is used commercially today, the rainforest tribes have used the entire plant as medi-cine for centuries. A tea made with the young shoots is used by the Piura tribe as an aphrodisiac and astringent, as well as in the treatment of skin problems, fevers, dysentery, and hepatitis.

Origin: Brazil

Risks: be very careful when eating these seeds. They can cause serious harm if youare under the influence of any medication or if consumed in combination with the wrong foods. It is recommended that one be on a strict diet when consuming them. Some things that should be avoided when taking high doses of MAO-Inhibitors: Alcohol, Amphetamines, Pineapple, Antihistaminic (remedy for allergies), Asarone (found in Ca-lamo and some pepper species and others), very ripe bananas, sleeping and calming remedies, dill-oil, ephedrine, figs, fennel-oil, yeast and yeast products, fish (especially conserved), chicken liver, yoghurt, cheese, caffeine, macromerin (donana cac-ti), pickles or other conserved vegetables, Muscat, cream, raisins, sauerkraut, snails, chocolate, cherry, soy sauce, tryptophan, tyrosine.

Origin: Iran

How to Plant: the seeds need temperature of at least 20oC or higher in order to sprout. Use soil that dries quickly, and only water when the soil is dry. Keep ambient humidity low – do not spray it. The seeds like direct sunlight, either in the morning or in the late afternoon, since they start sprouting.

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Page 9: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Voacanga Seeds (Voacanga africana)

Yopo Seeds (Anadenanthera peregrina)

Voacanga africana is an Iboga like plant. Contains voacangine and voccamine, both of which are related to ibogaine. Very little information about this plant has been handed down.

Anadenanthera is a rare species that has been held as entheogenic for many centuries. Archaeological remains of Anadenanthera Colubri-na have been found all throughout South America and the West Indies. The two species of trees in the Anadenanthera genus (A. Pere-grina and A. Colubrina) both have hallucinogenic properties and have been widely used to make powerful psychoactive snuffs in American Indian cultures. The seeds contain several alkaloids, such as Bufotenin and DMT, among others.Anadenanthera is one of the four most widely used types of psy-choactive substance in traditional South American Indian cultures, along with Tobacco, Ayahuasca and Virola species.

Risks: the consumption of the seeds may cause serious issues if not handled with a lot of care, such as being on a strict diet and abstinence of medications and/or drugs.

Origin: Cameroon

Traditional preparation: the people of the tribes are very care-ful with sharing these recipes. The only thing known is that these seeds can simply be eaten just like this in order to produce entheoge-nic effects.

How to Plant: these seeds need about 7 weeks to sprout, they have to stay consistantly moist all the time and need a constant room temperature of at least 25°C. The seeds may take a few months to germinate.

Risks: consumption might cause nausea or headaches.

Origin: Brazil

Traditional preparation: the seeds are peeled and powdered down, then mixed with shells or ashes and sometimes other plants, such as tobacco. This powder is consumed as a snuff.

How to Plant: put the seeds in water over night, in the next day some of them will have already become sprouts that can be planted as they are.

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Page 10: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 11: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 12: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

African Dream Root (Silene capensis)

Amanita (Amanita muscaria)

Silene capensis is native to the river valleys of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This obscure flowering species is regarded by local shamans as a type of “Ubulawu” or medi-cinal root that they call “Undlela Ziimhlophe,” which translates literally as “White paths” or “White ways.” Silene capensis has been used by Xhosa diviners of South Africa for centuries. They grind the root to prepare a thick white froth, which novice diviners consume on an empty stomach to enhance lucid dreaming. Novi-ces consume it until they fill their stomachs, washing themselves with the remaining dregs, over a three-day period at full moon. A diviner chews a small piece of the root, which has a pungent taste and smell, and spits it out on the

threshold to attract clients. Diviners and novices who ingest it regularly exude a musky scented odor, not unlike that of the flower, which is attractive and even mildly hypnotic especially when they perspire after performing any vigorous activity, such as dancing or foraging for medicines.

Amanita muscaria, also known as flying Agar, might be the most famous of all mushrooms. With its red caps and white dots, it calls the attention of anybody that encounters it in nature. It appears on the entire northern hemisphere and in some parts of the southern as well. Featered in countless histories and fairytales, such as the fables of Santa Claus and even in contem-porary storytelling such as Supermario Brothers these mushrooms always appear, sometimes as a unimportant detail, sometimes as a hidden sign to show that supernatural forces are involved in the story, and many more. Unfortunately these mushrooms got the fame of being deadly and toxic, but until today there is not one single case of somebody that died because of Amanita muscaria. Fact is, this mushroom can cause altered states and strong hallucinations, and will lead to stomach ache, but not to death, unless improperly prepared or taken in big doses. Until today, shamans of Siberia and Mongolia use these mushrooms in their ceremonies and healing rituals. Many different tribes and cultures have used it throughout history, such as the Celts and the Druids, as well as several tribes from North America, Mayans from Mexico, and there are rumors that even the myste-rious Soma from the Vedic texts was based on Amanita muscaria. Also, Amanita seems to be the only psychoactive plant, from which active compounds are completely preserved in urine, meaning that if one drinks the urine of somebody that just ate the amanita, he will get the full effect as well.

Origin: South Africa

Traditional preparation: the Xhosa ingest either 0.5g of the root in the morning, or they use 2.5g in water that they whip until it creates foam on the surface. This foam is then eaten until the stomach can not take in anymore. This can be repeated for several days, if the effect doesn’t take place in the first night.

Risks: if the raw mushroom is not completely dry, it can lead to heavy illness. Also eating large amounts of it is a serious journey and only recommended for experienced Amanita users.

Origin: RussiaTraditional preparation: the mushrooms can be cooked in food, soaked in strong alcohol for some weeks, or they can be consumed completely dry or in a tea. The fresh skin can be dried and smoked.

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Page 13: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Ashwagandha (Whitania somnifera)

Aztecan Dream Herb (Calea zacatechichi)

Blue Lotus Petals (Nymphaea caerules)

Ashwagandha is also known as indian ginseng and is a plant from the night-shade family (Solanaceae). It is a general tonic, sedative and hypnotic plant which finds its usage often as a tranquilizer or aphrodisiac. In Ayurvedic medi-cine it is said to be a rejuvenative herb andone of the best herbs for nurturing and clari-fying the mind. It is calming and promotes a deep, dreamless sleep. Usually the root or root bark is used. Ingesting a little bit (less than 1 gram) has an anti-stress and stimulatingeffects, higher doses (5g and more) are sedati-ve and sleep inducing.

The Blue Lotus flower is found on the shores of the Nile River in Egypt and also seen as a power-ful symbol in ancient Egyptology. Because of the flowers unusual characteristic of opening in the morning and closing in the early evening, they believed the Blue Lotus flower held the key to the creation of the universe.The effects of Blue Lotus are typically mild which is why it is so popular amongst experimenters. Blue Lotus is in no way addictive and is a nice inexpen-sive way to augment your mood for a nice relaxing moment.

Calea zacatechichi is a plant used by the Chiapas and Chontal Indians of Mexico to obtain divinatory messages during dreaming. The Chontal Shamans call it “thepelakano” or leaves of god.

Origin: Mexico

Traditional preparation: the Chontal Indians, who believe in visions seen in dreams, take tea of Calea zacatechichi with crushed dried leaves or/and smoke cigarettes from the leaves before going to sleep. Some people have reported that big amounts are ingested in order to enter a dream-like visionary state, where the indigenous people get in contact with the spiritual world. To do so, they use fresh leaves and make a strong decoction, which is

drunk in a dark room and accompanied by a cigarette of the herb.

Origin: India

Traditional preparation: the root is prepa-red as a tea decoction or in milk with honey. For tonic effects, a piece of 3-5cm is chewed every day.

Origin: Thailand

Traditional preparation: Lotus is taken in several ways: wine, tea, tincture, baths etc. To prepare tea, leave between 2 to 5 grams per person in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes. Some people add a bit of honey to get rid of the bitter taste.

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Page 14: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Bobinsana (Calliandra angustifolia)

Carapiá (Dorstenia brasiliensis)

Bobinsana is a shrubby tree that grows 4 to 6 meters high that is usually found alongside rivers and streams in the Amazon Basin. It is native to South America and can be found in the Amazon regions of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia. In the Amazon, the Indians of the Rio Pastaza consider Bobinsana to be a stimulant. They prepare a decoction of the roots to take for strength and energy. The Shipibo-Conibo Indians in the Ucayali area of Peru call the tree “semein” and prepare a bark tincture for rheuma-tism, arthritis, colds, uterine disorders, and edema (or water retention). While Bobinsana is not itself a hallucinogen, it is considered a master plant, which is used many times in combination with Ayahuasca. It cures a whole variety of sicknesses and it works on a spiritual level as well. It also works on the emotional body, strengthens the heart and is used for healing ancestral emotional processes.

Carapiá, also known as Contrayer-va, is a small plant found in South America. Its Spanish name Con-trayerva comes from anti poison or antidote because it is used a lot for snakebites. Indigenous people in the Amazon crush the fresh rhizome and put it on snakebites, poisonous insect bites and broken bones, as well as take it internally for snake bites. In Brazilian herbal medicine systems the rhizome is considered an antiseptic, stimulant, diaphoretic, tonic, diuretic, emmenagogue (pro-motes menstruation), and antima-larial. It is employed in Brazil as an herbal remedy for fevers, diarrhea and dysentery, skin problems, ear aches and ear infections, anemia, menstrual problems, high blood pressure, cystitis, malaria, upper

respiratory problems, and digestive disorders. Carapiá root is also known as a dream enhancer. It has a pleasant taste when drunk or smoked and it’s said to enhance the effects of other herbs when smoked together.

Origin: Peru

Traditional preparation: tea, decoctions and tinctures are made from the foliage, the bark and the rootbark. The plant is taken occasionally, on a daily basis, or during diets with or without Ayahuasca.

Origin: Brazil, local wild harvest in Chapada dos Veadeiros

Traditional preparation: Carapiá root is often smoked in a mixture of other herbs or drunken as a tea, but also crushed and applied topically for snake and insect bites.

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Page 15: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Chacruna (Psychotria virdis)

Cat’s claw is a large, woody vine that derives its name from hook-like thorns that grow along the vine and resemble the claws of a cat. Cat’s claw is indi-genous to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of South and Cen-tral America, including Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela, Suriname, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama. Cat’s claw has been used me-dicinally by the Aguaruna, Asháninka, Cashibo, Conibo, and Shipibo tribes of Peru for at least 2,000 years. The Asháninka Indian tribe in central Peru has the longest recorded history of use of the plant. They are also the largest commercial source of cat’s claw from Peru today. The Asháninka use cat’s claw to treat asthma, inflammations of the urinary tract, arthritis, rheumatism, and bone pain. It is also used to recover from childbirth; as a kidney cleanser; to cure deep wounds; to control inflamma-tion and gastric ulcers; and for cancer.

Chacruna is from the coffee family and its appearance is very similar to the actual coffee tree. It is the most common companion to Banisterop-sis Caapi used to produce Ayahuasca, a sacred medicine used for millennia in order to enter the sacred supernatural world, to heal, for divination and worship. Sections of Banis-teropsis Caapi vine are boiled with leaves from Chacruna. Its leaves contain DMT.

Origin: Peru

Traditional preparation: in tea, de-coct, tincture or macerated in alcohol.

Origin: Peru / Brazil

Traditional preparation: Chacruna is mostly used to make Ayahuasca, together with Banisteropsis Caapi. It is also used for snuffs in some tribes of the Amazon.

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Page 16: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana)

Chuchuhuasi (Maytenus krukovii)

Diplopterys Cabrerana is a liana from the tropical parts of South America. This liana looks like the Banisteriopsis Caapi and was formerly known as Banisteriopsis Rusbyana. Diplopterys is favored by shamans in Amazonian Ecuador and western Colombia, whereas in Brazil and Peru Psychotria Virdis is the preferred admixture plant. The leaves of Diplopterys are known as Chagropanga and Chaliponga and commonly used as an additive to Ayahuasca brews. The brew with Diplopterys is generally known as Oco-yage, (water-yage). The Sionas, for example, use this species to “enhance the visions” to “bring them into focus and bring about longer duration”.

Chuchuhuasi is an enormous canopy tree of the Amazon rainforest that grows to 30 m high. It has large leaves (10-30 cm), small, white flowers, and extremely tough, heavy, reddish-brown bark. Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest have been using the bark of Chuchuhuasi medicinally for centuries. Its Peruvian name, Chuchuhuasi, means “trembling back,” which refers to its long-standing use for arthritis, rheu-matism, and back pain. Local people and villagers along the Amazon believe that Chuchuhuasi is an aphrodisiac and tonic, and the bark soaked in the local sugarcane rum (aguardiente) is a popular jungle drink that is even served in bars and to tourists. In the Peruvian Amazon, Chuchuhuasi is still considered the best remedy for arthritis among both city and forest dwellers. It is also used as a muscle relaxant, aphrodisiac, and pain-reliever, for adrenal support, as an immune sti-mulant, and for menstrual balance and regulation. In Peruvian herbal medicine

systems, Chuchuhuasi alcohol extracts are used to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchitis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, menstrual irregularities and pain.

Origin: Peru

Traditional preparation: Chaliponga is used in addition or as a substitute for Chacruna in Ayahuasca.

Origin: Peru

Traditional preparation: 2-3 cups daily of a bark decoction or 3-5 ml of a tincture three times daily.

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Damiana (Turnera diffusa)

Teonanatl (Psylocibe cubensis)

Iboga Rootbark (Tabernanthe iboga)

Damiana leaves are harvested from the plant Turnera diffusa, a small shrub native to Mexico. Besides being used in the production of a popular Mexican liqueur called Damiana, this fragrant herb has enjoyed a long and unwarranted history of use as an aphrodisiac, supposedly able to stimulate the libido of men and women alike. It is also regarded as an important folk medicine in Mexico. Damiana is known to help strengthen the body, contribute to physical wellbeing and support energetic alertness. It brings balance to the hormonal processes of the body and helps with emotional blockages.

Mushrooms might be the oldest shamanic plants on the planet. Siberian shamans have used the flying agar mushroom for centuries and all over the world we find the usage of psychoactive mushrooms in shamanic practices. The Psylocibe cubensis, also known as golden caps, originally comes from Africa. They where first discovered in Cuba, that is why they are called cubensis. Growing on cow dung in tropical and subtropical regions, they have been distributed all over the planet together with the cattle that came from Africa. Some people say that the ancient Mayas have used this mushroom in their ceremonies, but since there was no cattle in Mexico before the Spanish arrived, the chances that it even could have existed are very low. It is most likely that other types of psychoactive mushrooms have been used by the Mayas. Nowadays, Psylocibe cubensis can be found in the tropical and subtropical regions of central and south America, Africa and Asia. In the tradition of the Mazatek indians of southern Mexico where the usage of Psylocibe cubensis was first documented and studied, ceremonies are held in a dark room at night. Chants, prayers and offerings are always a present part of the ritual. The shaman receives visions about the peoples sicknesses and problems, in order to diagnose, advice or heal them.

Iboga is a perennial rainforest shrub native to the regions of western Central Africa. It has a long history of ritual use by several indigenous peoples living in and around the Gabon province of Central Africa including the Babongo, Mitsogo and Fang people, for whom it occupies a central role in their religious practices. Iboga is especially important in the initiation of the Bwiti religion where it is said to allow the initiate to journey to the land of the dead, learn about past lives, future problems and see the true self. The plant is considered sacred by members of the Bwiti and some claim that Iboga is the original Tree of Knowledge from the Bible.Our Iboga is ethically harvested from old Iboga-trees.

Origin: Mexico

Traditional preparation: as tea, smoked, in tincture, decoction or in liquor.

Origin: Brazil

Traditional preparation: in the tradition of the Mazatek indians, usually fresh mushrooms are always eaten in pairs.

Risks: Mushrooms should be used in well chosen places (best in nature), with well chosen people, in contexts where one doesn’t have to worry about responsibilities. One should use small doses to get to know the plant, if not guided by a professional, and maybe increase the quantity on further occasions.

Risks: several people have died taking this plant. In cases where users are on medication, have heart issues or addictions related to morphine, extreme care needs to be taken. Before experimenting with this plant, further research needs to be done.

Origin: Cameroon

Traditional preparation: in Iboga taking tribes they eat the fresh rootbark in their initiations.

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Jurema Rootbark (Mimosa hostilis)

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum)

Also known as Mimosa tenuiflora and Jurema, the rootbark of this tree has an interesting role in the history and present day manifestations of psychedelic shamanism. It is the only known plant that can be used for an orally ingested brew that, without the aid of another plant, induces visionary experiences similar to Ayahuasca. In Brazilian history it was used in the Vinho de Jurema, a ceremonial preparation and inges-tion of this plant. Rumour has it that the tradition was extinct and recently picked up again. Currently there are only 7 tribes left that work with this plant. For medicinal uses, a tea or decoction is made. It treats skin pro-blems, like burns, ulcers and injures, among others. It has antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, regenerative, cicatrizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. It is currently used for dying leather.

Sceletium tortuosum is a perennial suc-culent herb that is native to the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. The Latin name Sceletium is derived from the word Sceletus, which refer to its skeleton-like appearance when dried. The traditionally prepared dried Sceletium was often chewed as a quid after fermenting it, but it has also been made into teas and tinctures. Less commonly, it has been reported that Sceletium tortuosum used to be inhaled as a snuff, or smoked with the addition of other herbs.Kanna effects include the elevation of mood and a decrease in anxiety, stress and tension, and it has also been used as an appetite suppressant by shepherds walking long distances in arid areas. In

intoxicating doses it can cause euphoria, initially with stimulation and later with sedation. Long-term use in the local context followed by abstinence has not been reported to result in a withdrawal state or addiction. The plant is not hallucinogenic, and no severe adverse effects have ever been documented. Our Kanna is fermented.

Origin: Brazil

Traditional preparation: the recipe of the Jurema vine a secret. The tribes still using it won’t share it. Rumors go around that they use passionflower, tobacco or even Harmala seeds (which is not native to Brazil) in its preparation.

Origin: South Africa

Traditional preparation: traditionally, Kanna is chewed for 15 minutes with a bit of alcohol and then spit out.

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Kava Kava (Piper methysticum)

Kolanut (Cola acuminata)

Kava Kava has been used as a ceremonial drink in the Pacific Islands for hundreds of years. It has been reported to have an effect similar to an alcoholic drink.In addition to its ceremonial uses, Kava is best known for its relaxing qualities. Kava is said to elevate mood, well being, and contentment, and produce a feeling of relaxation. Several studies have found that Kava may be useful in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and related nervous disorders.

Kolanut is a caffeine-contai-ning nut of evergreen trees of the genus Cola, primarily the species Cola acuminata and Cola nitida. The kola nut has a bitter flavor and contains caffeine. It is often used ceremonially, presented to tribal chiefs or presented to guests. It is preferred among African Muslims, who are forbidden to drink alcohol. Chewing Kolanut can ease hunger pangs. Kolanuts are often used to treat whooping cough and asthma. Until today a Kola-extract is used to produce Coca-Cola.

Origin: Hawaii

Traditional preparation: the roots are chewed or ground into a pulp and added to cold water.

Origin: Brazil

Traditional preparation: it is chewed in many West African cultures, individually or in a group setting.

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Kratom is a tree from Thailand and Malaysia, used as a medicine and as a drug. It can grow up to 25m, but usually it stays smaller. The leaves of this tree are used to either stimulate the organism, or in higher doses as a sedative, similar to opium. In Thailand it’s common that Tuk-tuk drivers and farmers use it, to be able to stand the many hours of work per day. Medicinally, Kratom is used against diarrhea, parasites, as a painkiller, anti-inflammatory and in some cases even to treat opium addiction. Its effects are paradox; some use it as a stimulant, some as a sedative drug. Depending on the dose the effect varies a lot, small doses (1-5g) create a more stimulating and higher doses (5-15g) a sedative effect.

Origin: Thailand

Palo Santo, or “Holy Wood” or “Sacred tree” is a na-tural aromatic incense wood, used for centuries by the Incas as a spiritual remedy for purifying and cleansing and to get rid of evil spirits, misfortune and calamity. Burning Palo Santo helps to create an overall peaceful and purifying effect. It has a wonderfully calming, soo-thing fragrance, with a powerful energy. Palo Santo is harvested under government supervision by the native peoples of the Amazonian region of South America. These are protected, one thousand year old trees from which the windfall is collected from the ground and considered sacred by the indigenous peoples for many generations.

Mapacho is native black Tobacco from Peru, rolled in unfil-tered cigarettes or smoked in pipes. It is used in ceremonies for cleaning the energy field, protection and prayer.

Risks: Kratom should be taken on an empty stomach or after light food, because it can lead in some cases to illness. After a high dose of it, it can lead to hang-over syndrome in the next day. Kratom can lead to a psychological dependence, and it’s common that people who use it frequently creat a tolerance to it, which means that they may develop a need for higher doses to achieve the same effect.

Traditional preparation: the fresh or dried leaves are chewed, prepared in a tea or as syrup. In Malaysia they mix the syrup with powdered leaves of Pala palm (Licuala paludosa) and make it into pills called “Madatin” which are usually smoked in long bamboo-pipes.

Origin: Peru

Origin: Peru / Brasil

Usage: smoke of Mapacho is not supposed to be inhaled. Many times, the smoke is held is the mouth and blown on different parts of the body, in order to heal, cleanse, protect or close energetical wounds. Mapacho cigarettes are often charged with a prayer for several minutes, before ascended to then blow the smoke on the person the prayer was for.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)

Palosanto (Burserea arborea)

Mapacho (Nicotina rustico)

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Piri-Piri is a type of reed-like tropical grass called a “sedge-grass.” It can attain the height of 6 feet and grows in damp, marshy and flooded areas along rivers and streams (where it can help control soil erosion) in the Amazon basin. The indigenous Indian tribes of the Amazon region ascribe magical properties to Piri-Piri. There are many types of Piri-Piri, used for different purposes.

Red Lotus is just as blue Lotus, actually a water Lily. It occurs on the shores of the Nile in Egypt. Red Lotus is rarer to find than the blue Lotus and its flowers open usually at night. The effects of red Lotus are mild, rela-xing and equilibrating to the body, mind and spirit, very similar to the effects of the other Lotus species.

The Sacred Lotus is one of the world’s most celebrated flowers. Lotus flowers, pods or petals are most commonly used, while the flower stamens are reported to be the most potent part of the plant. Nelumbo nucifera may be smoked or made into a tea. Though little known in the modern world and difficult to obtain, the Sacred Lotus is non-addictive, non-toxic, and said to be “relatively safe for long-term use”, with no known negative side-effects.

Traditional preparation: the tall stems and/or the rhi-zomes are dried and powdered, or are prepared as a tea and used as a good luck charm or a love potion (called a pusanga). Women will cultivate the plant and bathe their children with it to prevent sickness and injury, and give it

to their husbands to bring good luck in hunting and fishing. The Shipibo Indians prepare several types of eye drops with Piri-Piri, to enhance the vision, creativity and other spiritual and physiological functions.

Traditional preparation: Lotus is taken in several ways: wine, tea, tincture, baths etc. To prepare tea, leave between 2 to 5 grams per person in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes. Some people add a bit of honey to get rid of the bitter taste.

Traditional preparation: Lotus is taken in several ways: wine, tea, tincture, baths etc. To prepare tea, leave between 2 to 5 grams per person in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes. Some people add a bit of honey to get rid of the bitter taste.

Origin: Peru

Origin: Thailand

Origin: Thailand

Piri-Piri (Cyperus articulatus)

Red Lotus (Nymphaea rubra)

Sacred Lotus Petals (Nelumbo nucifera)

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Saffron is one of the oldest of all cultivated plants. It’s first mentioned 2300 B.C.E. and today, a wild form is no longer known. It has a great history of usage throughout Europe and Asia, as a tonic, aphrodisiac, spice and as a part of the Laudanum (Opium and wine based remedy of the Middle Ages) and Theriak (All-heal remedy from the past) and countless other reme-dies. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. The little crocus flower has only 3 stigmas which are carefully harvested and dried. Saffron is said to be an effective antidote for drunkenness and to increase male potency. Also it was said that smelling a Saffron Crocus in bloom expands the heart and the tools of the mind, strengthens the soul and works as an agent for the blood. It has sedative and antispasmodic effects as well as anti-depressive, fear, shock and confusion-relieving properties.

Heimia salicifolia is a little weed with a sun like flower and is the active principle in the fermented drink “Sinicuiche”, which is prepared by Mexican Indians. Also known as “Sun opener”, this slightly psychoactive drink is famous for bringing yellow visions and auditory hallucinations. In traditional medicine this herb is regarded as a healer and tonic, finding applica-tion mostly in fertility and gynecological matters, but also for intestinal and skin problems.

San Pedro is an alkaloid rich cacti containing a simi-lar alkaloid composition to Peyote. It is a powerful entheogen, used by the shamans and medicine men in the Andes for spiritual quests. They use this cactus in Peru much the way North American Natives use Peyote. Our cacti is ethically harvested in Peru and prepared the way it has been for hun-dreds of years. Only the green outer part is used.

Origin: Iran

Traditional preparation: Saffron is often used in wine, liquor and food, but also in tincture or smoked in admixture with other herbs.

Origin: Peru

Traditional preparation: traditionally prepared either powdered and eaten or brewed similar to Ayahuasca boiling and concentrating it for several hours.

Origin: Argentina

Traditional preparation: leaves and twigs are soaked in water for a day. Then the water and jui-ce are pressed into a container and left to ferment in the sun for a few days before consumed.

Saffron (Crocus sativus)

San Pedro (Trichocereus pachanoi)

Sinicuiche (Heimia salicifolia)

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Vanilla is the only out of more than 20.000 orchids which produces and edible seedpod. Usually when talking about Vanilla one is talking about the pods of the flower of that orchid, which is one of the worlds most precious and loved spices. Its amazing smell and taste used in all kinds of foods and drinks made it become an ingredient which cannot be missing in any gourmet kitchen. Because of its rarity, there are a lot of artificial Vanilla aromas on the market; none of them would ever replace the real Vanilla flavor though. Native to tropical America, the Vanilla bean was cultivated and processed by the Aztecs, who used it to flavor their cocoa-based drink, xocolatl, later transliterated to chocolatl. That basic flavoring wisdom is still true today: Vanilla deliciously heightens chocolate’s flavor. The Vanilla bean was once considered an aphrodisiac and was so rare that it was reserved for royalty.

Because of the extremely labor-intensive, time-consuming process by which it’s obtained, pure Vanilla is still relatively expensive today. The process begins with the orchid blossoms, which open only one day a year (and then only for a few hours). Because this particular orchid has only one natural pollinator (the Melipona bee), which cannot possibly handle the task in such a small period of time, the flower must be hand-pollinated. After pollination, pods take six weeks to reach full size and eight to nine months after that to mature. The mature pods, which must be hand-pi-cked, are green and have none of the familiar Vanilla flavor or fragrance. For that they need curing, a three to six month process that begins with a 20-second boiling water bath followed by sun heating. Once the beans are hot, they’re wrapped in blankets and allowed to sweat. Over a period of months of drying in the sun by day and sweating in blankets at night, the beans ferment, shrinking by 400 percent and turning their characteristic dark brown. Whole beans that have been used to flavor sauces or other mixtures may be rinsed, dried and stored for reuse.

Tobacco might be the strongest of all plants on earth. Indigenous people from all of the Americas as well as from Australia have used this plant for centuries, if not thousands of years to heal the body, mind and spirit, to pray and protect and to recieve visions. There is no known tribe in the Americas which does not use Tobacco. There are many types of Tobacco, all of them native to the Americas and Australia. Soon after the colonization, Tobacco was brought to Europe and became famous quickly. From there it was brought to Africa, Arabia and all the way to India and the far east countries, where it was welcomed and appreciated so much that today it appears as though Tobacco has always been there. It seems that everywhere Tobaco arrived, people immediately understood and adapted it into their culture. Smoking Tobacco, also known as Virgi-nia Tobacco, is different from all the other Tobacco types. It grows larger (more than double size), has rose colored flowers and can produce huge leaves. It has a more pleasant aroma and not as much nicotine as most wild occurring Tobaccos. This variety was found in the Oroinko region, where it was cultivated for thousands of years with a lot of love, respect and care. It is most likely due to this relationship that this variety is much more abundant than others. Studies about other plants (such as Yopo or Cannabis) have shown that cultivated plants develop a better qualities after generations of care taking. Wild Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) is cultivated industrially to produce pesticides, but the indigenous people use even these types for their purposes. These Tobaccos are usually very strong and people not used to it can expect very strong and unpleasant effects. There are many ways of processing Tobacco. For industrial cigarettes the Tobacco is dried in the shade and washed, sometimes several times, after the fermentation, in order to get weaker. Turkish Tobacco is dried in the Sun, while the Tobacco used for chewing in Chimó and Ambil (almost the same thing, Chimó is from Venezuela while Ambil comes from Colombia) is dried on the fire. Most smoking Tobaccos are dried in the shade. Fermentation is reached by the right temperature and the right humidity, this can take days, weeks or months, depends on the technology available. Fruit juices, alcohol, aromas and syrups are used to give a special aroma to the blend. In the many places, traditionally tobacco leaves are first dried for a few days, and when still humid rolled into big rolls or braids, where it needs to be opened every day for a few weeks until it can rest closed and finish to ferment, in its own juice basically. Tobacco is a great paradox to modern science; while being considered one of the most cancer causing things in our society, indigenous people from the Americas and from all over the world have used it to cure numerous diseases and injuries. While science says that smokers die younger, the indigenous people claim the opposite.

Origin: Brazil

Traditional preparation: Tobacco is used in many ways. Smoked in cigars or pipes; drunken with Ayahuasca or San Pedro, in tea or decoctions; sniffed as rapé; chewed fresh or as Chimó; as enema or plaster for the skin.

Risks: Tobacco is a highly toxic plant and should not be ingested by normal people. Very small quantities ingested lead to vomit and even death. KEEP OUT THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

Origin: Madagaskar

Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia)

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

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Wild Dagga is highly praised by the Hottentot tribe of South Africa. It is considered to bring relaxation and tranquility of the mind. Leonotis Leonurus species is also used in Eastern medicine as euphoriant, purgative, and vermifuge. Leonotis Leonurus is commonly called Lion’s Tail because of the Lion’s-tail-looking blossoms that grow from the ends of the plant.

Yohimbe is an evergreen tree from western Africa that can grow up to 30 meters. The bark is used as a highly effective aphrodisiac and the extracted alkaloid Yohimbin is used in many viagras before the synthetic substitute came up. Until now, people with impotency can get a perscription to acquire Yohimbine in the pharmacy.

Origin: Thailand

Traditional preparation: as a tea or smoked in a cigarette,sometimes in addition to other herbs.

Risks: This plant can cause strong alteration of the body functions, such as sweating, heated-head, insomnia, loss of appetite and, taken in high doses, it can even cause hallucinations.

Origin: Cameroon

Traditional preparation: a tea is made from 4-10g of the bark, boiled together with lemon for about 20 minutes. Yohimbe can also be used to make tinctures and liquors.

Wild Dagga Flowers (Leonotis leonorus)

Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe)

White sage is one of the most sacred herbs among indigenous North American peoples. The clean burning sage is used in the energy cleansing ritual known as smudging (or purifica-tion), which means the smoke attaches itself to the negative energy of the area and cleanses it so that it becomes positive energy. White sage might be the best smudge for cleaning a place where one is going to live in, to get rid of the old, make space for the new and clean negative ener-gies. It’s a strong stimulant for the human spirit. It makes us receptive for healing, higher vibration and cosmic vibrations.It helps for bronchitis and lung problems in gene-ral and can be used as a tea (use only 1-3 leaves and don’t boil them) or in cold water (use 1 leave in your water bottle) or even smoked in very tiny

amounts, mixes with tobacco or/and other herbs. They say that white sage helps to keep the water in the body, and in fact it helps to reduce sweating.

Origin: California

White Sage (Salvia apiana)

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Page 26: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Amanita muscaria, also known as flying Agar, might be the most famous of all mushrooms. With its red caps and white dots, it calls the attention of anybody that encounters it in nature. It appears on the entire northern hemisphere and in some parts of the southern as well. Featered in countless histories and fairytales, such as the fables of Santa Claus and even in contemporary story-telling such as Supermario Brothers these mushrooms always appear, sometimes as a unimportant detail, someti-mes as a hidden sign to show that supernatural forces are involved in the story, and many more. Unfortunately these mushrooms got the fame of being deadly and toxic, but until today there is not one single case of somebody that died because of Amanita muscaria. Fact is, this mushroom can cause altered states and strong hallucinations, and will lead to stomach ache, but not to death, unless improperly prepared or taken in big doses. Until today, shamans of Siberia and Mongolia use these mushrooms in their ceremonies and healing rituals. Many different tribes and cultures have used it throughout history, such as the Celts and the Druids, as well as several tribes from North Ame-rica, Mayans from Mexico, and there are rumors that even the mysterious Soma from the Vedic texts was based on Amanita muscaria. Also, Amanita seems to be the only psychoactive plant, from which active compounds are completely preserved in urine, meaning that if one drinks the urine of somebody that just ate the amanita, he will get the full effect as well.

Ashwagandha is also known as indian ginseng and is a plant from the night-shade family (Solanaceae). It is a general tonic, sedative and hypnotic plant which finds its usage often as a tranquilizer or aphrodisiac. In Ayurvedic medicine it is said to be a rejuvenative herb andone of the best herbs for nurturing and clarifying the mind. It is calming and promotes a deep, dreamless sle-ep. Usually the root or root bark is used. Ingesting a little bit (less than 1 gram) has an anti-stress and stimulatingeffects, higher doses (5g and more) are sedative and sleep inducing.

Calea zacatechichi is a plant used by the Chiapas and Chontal Indians of Mexico to obtain divinatory messa-ges during dreaming. The Chontal Indians, who believe in visions seen in dreams, take tea of Calea zacatechichi with crushed dried leaves (tastes disgusting) or/and smoke cigarettes from the leaves before going to sleep. The Chontal Shamans call it “thepelakano” or leaves of god.

Usage: smoked, in addition to tobaco or other herbs.

Usage: use less than a gram in tea, honey or milk for a calming and sleep inducing effect.

Usage: the tincture is used before sleeping, 3-15 drops under the tongue, and best together with a cigarette of the herb. In Case no effect shows up, repeat during several days.

Amanita (Amanita muscaria) Extract

Ashwagandha (Whitanga somnifera) Extract

Aztecian Dreamherb (Calea zacatechichi) Tincture

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Page 27: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

The Blue Lotus flower is found on the shores of the Nile River in Egypt and also seen as a powerful symbol in ancient Egyptology. Because of the flowers unusual characteristic of opening in the morning and closing in the early evening, they believed the Blue Lotus flower held the key to the creation of the universe.The effects of Blue Lotus are typically mild which is why it is so popular amongst experimenters. Blue Lotus is in no way addictive and is a nice inexpensive way to augment your mood for a nice relaxing moment.

Canavalia maritima is commonly known as Bay Bean and belongs to the Fabaceae plant family. This beautiful pink flowered plant grows best under subtropical and tropical climate-conditions. Like many other tropical-plants, this plant prefers an area with a lot of sunshine and slightly humid floor. It even inhabits difficult terrains located at beaches, coasts and cliffs. For that reason the Canavalia maritima is also known as Bay Bean, Beach Bean or Coastal-Jack-Bean.Some of mankind’s earliest societies enshrined this plant and used it at the burial ceremonies of their beloveds. Intact seeds have been found in many graves around Oaxaca and Yucatan Mexico and Peru dating back to 300 B.C. Today Canavalia maritima is very popular with the inhabitants of the Gulf Coast of Mexico. It is reported that the psychoactive substances are quite similar to hemp and is often used as substitute.

Cacao is one of the worlds most wanted plants. The beautiful tree grows inside the forest and can not be cultivated in a monocultu-re. Its fruits are yellow, green, brown to red, and it has a delicious white pulp around the seeds which can only be consumed fresh or frozen, or processed into a cacao-honey, which is very rare to find on the market. There are a few types of Cacao, compared to the commonly cultivated Cacao from Brazil, Guatemalan Cacao has smaller beans and is usually more potent. Its origin are not exactly clear; either it comes from the Amazonian rainforest, where indi-genous people have been using it for generations, or it originated in Guatemala, where the Mayans use and appreciate it until today. Both, the indigenous from the Amazon and the Mayans use it ritually, in rapé (usually the ashes of the bark are used) or the Xocolatl drink, used in cacao ceremonies, as well as for offerings or simply as an energy enhancing snack. Cacao beans were once used as a currency by the Mayans and in all the cultures that

employ it, it is considered a sacred plant of the gods. It’s uplifting and heart opening effects have been noted by all cultures, though the Mayans use Cacao up to the present day in ceremonies While not of a hallucinogenic nature, deep and profound emotional healing can occur during these ceremonies, when ingested in higher quantities. In ceremony, between 50g to 100g of pure, many times raw Cacao is consumned by each person. In a drink, sometimes mixed with honey, vanilla or/and chili, this medicine called Xocolatl by the Mayans. This is where the modern name chocolate comes from. Cacao beans, when roasted, loose approximately 60% of its effectiveness. Raw Cacao beans tend to mold, but only within the fuit and the outer skin, and they can be peeled and consumed even after mold has shown up on the outside. If one wants to make raw chocolate and needs to peel a lot of seeds, soaking them in water with lemon helps a lot.

Usage: the tincture can be used any moment, 3-10 drops under the tongue. The extract can be smoked or prepared in tea.

Usage: Smoked or as tea.

Usage: 2-4g of this extract are ingested pure, in tea, hot chocolate or mixed in any kind food.

Blue Lotus (Nymphea caerules) Extract / Tincture

Bay Bean (Canavalia maritima) Extract

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Extract

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Damiana leaves are harvested from the plant Turnera Aphrodi-siaca, a small shrub native to Mexico. Besides being used in the production of a popular Mexican liqueur called Damiana, this fragrant herb has enjoyed a long and unwarranted history of use as an aphrodisiac, supposedly able to stimulate the libido of men and women alike. It is also regarded as an important folk medicine in Mexico. Damiana is known to help strengthen the body, contribute to physical wellbeing and support energetic alertness. It brings balance to the hormonal processes of the body and helps with emotional blockages.

Sangre de Grado is a medium-sized to large tree that grows from 10–20 m high, ocuring in the upper Amazon region of Peru, Ecu-ador, and Colombia. Although tall, the trunk is usually less than 30 cm in diameter and is covered by smooth, mottled bark. It has large, heart-shaped, bright-green leaves and unique, greenish-whi-te flowers on long stalks. In South America, it is named sangre de drago which means “dragon’s blood”. When the trunk of the tree is cut or wounded, a dark red, sappy resin oozes out as if the tree is bleeding; earning this local name. Sangre de grados red sap or latex (and also its bark) has a long history of indigenous use in the rainforest and in South America. For centuries, the sap has been painted on wounds to staunch bleeding, to accelerate healing, and to seal and protect injuries from infection. The sap dries quickly and forms a barrier, much like a second skin. It is used externally by indigenous tribes and local people in Peru for wounds, fractures, and hemorrhoids, internally for intestinal and stomach ulcers, and as a douche for vaginal discharge. Other indigenous uses include treating intestinal fevers and inflamed or infected gums, in vaginal baths before and after childbirth, for hemorrhaging after childbirth, and for skin disorders.

Usage: the tincture can be used any moment needed, or as a daily treatment for chronic diseases, 3-15 drops under the tongue.

Usage: put a drop on top of your hand and rub it with a finger until it becomes a white reddish paste. This paste can be applied to the skin and gums. For internal use, take 10 drops in a glass of water, up to 3 times a day.

Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca) Tincture

Dragonblood (Croton lechleri) Resin

Cat’s claw is a large, woody vine that derives its name from hook-like thorns that grow along the vine and resemble the claws of a cat. Cat’s claw is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of South and Central America, including Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela, Suriname, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama. Cat’s claw has been used medicinally by the Aguaruna, Asháninka, Cashibo, Conibo, and Shipibo tribes of Peru for at least 2,000 years. The Asháninka Indian tribe in central Peru has the longest recorded history of use of the plant. They are also the largest commercial source of cat’s claw from Peru today. The Asháninka use cat’s claw to treat asthma, inflammations of the urinary tract, arthritis, rheumatism, and bone pain. It is also used to recover from childbirth; as a kidney cleanser; to cure deep wounds; to control inflammation and gastric ulcers; and for cancer.Usage: 3-15 drops under the tongue or in a glass of water, several times a day, until the symptoms disappear.

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) Tincture

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Silene capensis is native to the river valleys of the eastern cape province of South Africa. This obscu-re flowering species is regarded by local shamans as a type of “Ubulawu” or medicinal root that they call “Undlela Ziimhlophe,” which translates literally as “White paths” or “White ways.” Silene capensis has been used by Xhosa diviners of South Africa for centuries. They grind the root to prepare a thick white froth, which novice diviners consume on an empty stomach to enhance lucid dreaming. Novices consume it until they fill their stomachs, washing themselves with the remaining dregs, over a three-day period at full moon. A diviner chews a small piece of the root, which has a pungent taste and smell, and spits it out on the threshold to attract clients. Diviners and novices who ingest it regularly exude a musky scented odor, not unlike that of the flower, which is attrac-tive and even mildly hypnotic especially when they perspire after performing any vigorous activity,

such as dancing or foraging for medicines.

Syrian Rue Seeds have been considered sacred throughout the Middle East and Parts of Asia for centuries. Syrian Rue Seeds are an MAO (mono-amino-oxides) inhibitor. They have been used as incense in many Middle Eastern cultures.

Usage: A few drops under the tongue in the morning, if needed several days in a row.

Dream Root (Silene capensis) Tincture

Harmala (Peganum harmala) Extract

GSE is a potent and natural anti-biotic. This product contains 35% GSE extract and 65% vegetable glicerin.

Usage: orally taken, use 1-3 drops (kids) or 5-15 drops (adults) in a glass of water, 1-3 times a day. Never use it pure! For external application use 3 drops and mix in with a spoon of water. You can use it basically anywhere except for the eyes.

Usage: use 0.5g-1g orally.

Risks: be very careful using this extract! It can seriously harm you if you are under medication or if combined with the wrong foods or substances. You should rather be on a strict diet when consuming it. Some things that should be avoided when taking high doses of MAO-Inhibitors: Alcohol, amphe-tamines, pineapple, antihistaminic (remedy for allergies), asarone (found in Calamo and some pepper species and others), very ripe bananas, sleeping and calming remedies, dill-oil, ephedrine, figs, fennel-oil, yeast and yeast products, fish (especially conserved one), chicken liver, yoghurt, cheese, caffeine, macromerin (donana cacti), pickles or other conserved vegetables, Muscat, cream, raisins, sauerkraut, snails, chocolate, sherry, soy sauce, tryptophan, tyrosine.

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

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Sceletium tortuosum is a perennial succulent herb that is native to the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. The Latin name Sceletium is derived from the word Sceletus, which refer to its skeleton-like appearance when dried. The traditionally prepared dried Sceletium was often chewed as a quid after fermenting it, but it has also been made into teas and tinctures. Less commonly, it has been reported that Sceletium tortuosum used to be inhaled as a snuff, or smoked with the addition of other herbs.Kanna effects include the elevation of mood and a decrea-se in anxiety, stress and tension, and it has also been used as an appetite suppressant by shepherds walking long distances in arid areas. In intoxicating doses it can cause euphoria, initially with stimulation and later with sedation. Long-term use in the local context followed by abstinence has not been reported to result in a withdrawal state or addiction. The plant is not hallucinogenic, and no severe adverse effects have ever been documented. Our Kanna is fermented.

Passionflower was used traditionally in the Americas and later in Europe as a calming herb for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and hysteria. It is still used today to treat anxiety and insomnia. Scientists believe passionflower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA lowers the activity of some brain cells, making you feel more relaxed.Passionflower is often combined with valerian (Valeria-na officinalis), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), or other calming herbs.

The Sacred Lotus is one of the world’s most celebrated flowers. Lotus flowers, pods or petals are most commonly used, while the flower stamens are reported to be the most potent part of the plant. Nelumbo nucifera may be smoked or made into a tea. Though little known in the modern world and difficult to obtain, the Sacred Lotus is non-addictive, non-toxic, and said to be relatively safe for long-term use, with no known negative side-ef-fects.

Usage: Use 3-15 drops under the tongue.

Usage: from the tincture 3-10 drops can be used under the tongue. The extract can be smoked or prepared in tea.

Usage: the tincture can be used any moment, 3-10 drops under the tongue. The extract can be smoked or prepared in tea.

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) Tincture

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) Extract / Tincture

Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Extract / Tincture

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Leonurus sibiricus is also known as Siberian motherwort and little marijuana. This bush, reaching 1-2 meters has been used in traditional Asian medicine for many centu-ries for its relaxing and soothing effects. It is said to help against potency problems, menstruation problems and bruises. In South America and Mexico the herb was nick-named “Marihuanilla” (little marijuana). Mixed in a blend of herbs or used on itself, it is said to be a mild intoxicant.Leonurus sibiricus is mostly used for its relaxing effects and its pleasant, mild taste. It has been confirmed that the plant contains alkaloids such as Leonurine.

Wild Dagga is highly praised by the Hottentot tribe of South Africa. It is considered to bring relaxation and tranquility of the mind. Leonotis Leonurus species is also used in Eastern medicine as euphoriant, purgative, and vermifuge. Leonotis Leonurus is commonly called Lion’s Tail because of the Lion’s-tail-looking blossoms that grow from the ends of the plant.

Heimia salicifolia is a little weed with a sun like flower and is the active principle in the fermented drink “Sinicuiche”, which is prepared by Mexican Indians. Also known as “Sun opener”, this slightly psychoactive drink is famous for bringing yellow visions and auditory hallucinations. In traditional medicine this herb is regarded as a healer and tonic, finding application mostly in fertility and gynecological matters, but also for intestinal and skin problems.

Usage: smoked or as a tea.

Usage: smoked in addition to other herbs or tobacco.

Usage: 30ml diluted in water for a mild effect.

Siberian Motherwort (Leonurus sibiricus) Extract

Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonorus) Extract

Sinicuiche (Heimia salicifolia) Tincture

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Page 33: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 34: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Rapé is a snuff, coming from the indigenous tribes of the Amazon. There are many different varieties, but most of them are based on Tobacco and ashes. Eachtribe has its own specialties and it is a great honorfor us to be able to provide these rare and preciousmedicines. Its usage varies a bit from tribe to tribe. Insome cultures it is more restricted and only chiefs, shamans, elders, or people in need for cure are allowed to use it, while in other cultures everybody uses it. In some cultures they use it only for special occasions, yet in other cultures all the time.The preparation of Rapé takes usually several days,during which the participants adhere to some specific regulations. Individuals observe a restricted diet,and abstain from having sex or orgasms, as well as

consuming any alcohol. They dedicate the time to the preparation, during which they chant and pray a lot, in order to get a highly vibrating and curative medicine.

““The rapé mighT be very good, buT iTs force is always in The blow” (yawanawa indian)This phrase is indeed very important, because the effect of the rapé depends a lot on the blow that one receives. Tobacco is a powerful carrier of information and prayer and depending on the intentions and energy that comes with the person that blows, the benefits of the one that is receiving it can vary alot. Therefore it is recommended to be careful from who you receive the rapé. Never accept it from somebody you don’t know, from somebody that is sick or drunk, or in any way not aligned with the divine force. The indigenous people also give great value to the pipe or applicator of their medicine. They elaborate special tools, made out of wood, bamboo, bones and other animal, mineral or plant material. They say that a powerful pipe will lead to a powerful application. The rape in our shop comes directlyt from the Indigenous people and our trades have offered great benefits to both sides. It is beneficial for them, because it is one of the very few means that they have of earning money, which they need as well in this world, because their life circumstances are no longer the same as they were a few hundred years ago, when money was unknown to them. Some of the money that flows into the rape, results in the construction of new houses, cultural or educational centers, and funding Indigenous cultural events such as festivals held in order to unify the tribes (or at least the villages of one tribe) with western people, and of course, it opens up the possibility for the people that sell the rape (mostly lea-ders of the tribes), to travel around Brazil and even further, in order to share their medicines and spread the knowledge about its appropriate usage, as well as a lot of healing and ancient wisdom to the people around the world.Usage: it is blown through a pipe (Tepe) into the nose by another person, or one can apply it to himself through a smaller self –applicating pipe (Curipe). Traditionally it’s used for healing ceremonies, political or family encounters, before hunting, when taking a bath or for going to sleep, to activate dreams, and for waking up.Effects: the effects of the rapé depend on the variety. The ones that mainly consist of tobacco have a cle-ansing effect on the nose, the blood, the mind and spirit & the whole body. Sometimes it causes vomiting,sweating, low blood pressure, and sometimes tearsstart running or people sneeze. Usually the strongeffects of the first moments pass after 15 minutes,and are followed by a nice and clear sensationthroughout the whole body. In strong sessionsthese effects can take a couple of hours or moreto pass. Good to know: rapé is a very sacred medicineand is not supposed to be used in any moment orto substitute cigarettes. It’s important to choose theright moment, place and people to share it with.It is advised to use in moments when the user has time to meditate and to work with the effects that come up, whatever they may be, and to be able to be with the essence of the medicine for a while.

Rapé

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The Apurinã tribe comes from the southern Amazon region,on the border with the Brazilian state of Acre. The recipe of their rapé is a secret and they will not disclose it for any price.They say that they do not plant their rapé. They say that in some villages they have their “terreiro dos ancestrais” which means more or less the sacred place of their ancestors, where all the herbs they use in their snuff grow naturally, though it is their responsibility to care for these lands and harvest the plants, if not they would dry out and they perhaps even disappear. They use their rapé mainly to meditate, but also to hunt and to sharpen the senses in general.

The Huni Kuí (translated “the real people”) people, also known as Kaxinawa, are famous for their knowledge about plants, their chants and beautiful handcrafts. They are currently the biggest tribe in Acre. They use rapé a lot and it plays a very central role in their culture until today. Their rapé can vary a lot, and they don’t seem to have one traditional method of preparation. It is usually a heavy blend of rapé, containing a lot of tobacco, ashes (“Mulateiro” (Calycophyllum spruceanum), Pau ferro (Caesalpi-nia ferrea), Tsunu, and others) and many other plants as well. The Huni Kuí rapé is good for cleansing in or outside ceremonies and for deep meditation. If taken in higher doses, vomiting is a common effect.

The Yawanawá people (translated “the tribe of the white-lipped peccary”) people are a small tribe, living within only a few villages. They are known as the people who keep on walking the path, even in hard times. They are considered a tribe of warriors. At some point in history their tribe was almost exterminated, with only about 300 members left. Nowadays their tribe is growing, and their traditions and knowledge have been conserved in a very strict way. Therefore their rapé reflects this thriving, with a typical uplifting and clearing frequency. It usually contains more ashes (“Tsunu” Platycyamus regnellii) and tobacco. Some recipes (commonly known as Paricá) contain a variety of other plants, which they wouldn’t share with us, holding it as an ancient secret of their tribe.

This very special and rare rapé from the Yawanawa tribe is made by a much respected man from the tribe which learned the art of making rapé from an elder. It contains several plants such as Inburana, Tobacco and ashes among others. It has a pleasant fragrance and a strong force which causes clean-sing of the physical and spiritual body.

The Katukina (name of a very tiny mosquito, given to the tribe by white men) people call themselves “Wari” (translated “Tribe of the sun”). They still carry a wealth of knowledge about plants and the spirit world. Their rapé is strong and firm, containing tobacco, ashes (“Cumaru” (Dipteryx odorata) and sometimes other plants such as some native types of mint and other plants. It has a strong vibration and it often transmits this vibration with a lot of force to the user. In other words, when one is not in a clean vibration, this rapé might take him through a journey of cleansing and energetic shift, until the frequency is assimilated.

Rapé Apurinã

Rapé Huni Kuin

Rapé Yawanawá

Yawanawa Parika

Rapé Katukina

Origin: Brazil, Acre

Origin: Brazil, Acre

Origin: Brazil, Acre

Origin: Brazil, Acre

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Katukina Parika

Rapé Kuntanawa

Rapé Nukini

Tsunu (Platycyamus regnellii)

This very special and rare rapé is made by a member of the Katukina tribe. His recipes vary but it usually contains Tobacco, ashes, Mint, Pepper, Imburana among other plants. It burns when applied but the Mint causes a nice feeling of expansion of the head. It has an uplifting and clearing effect on the body, spirit and mind.

The Kuntanawa (translated “the tribe of the Babassu palm or Babassu coconut”) people have alwaysdefended their spirituality as the core principle of their existence. They have always used plants to initiate direct contact with the beings of the forest and the spirits. It is through this communication that they learned how to cure their tribe with their own traditional medicine and until today they maintain their practices. Their rapé has a very unique vibration, it has a strong spiritual connection that calls the attention inward and calms one down, so the healing and understanding can enter from the spirit of the medicine. Sometimes they add other plants with cosmologic powers which bring luck, tranquility and other benefits, which are used in other ways as well to protect people and bless the hunters. They say it helps them to have strength, clarity and power, and to maintain the right attitude and take the right decisions. It is interesting to note that it seems to be more active on the chest and in the heart region than on the head. It is typically mild, burns less in the nose and in the brain and many people consider it heart opening. It contains usually Tobacco and ashes (“Tsunu” Platycyamus regnellii), though some other recipes contain Samauma, Nissural, Jarina, Sanssara and others.

The Nukini tribe is a small community of several villages. They use rapé the same way most other tribes do; for clarity, healing, against stress, in ceremonies with or without Ayahuasca and when taking a bath in the river for cleansing. This rather infamous tribe has a history of being dominated by other tribes, very few documents are available about them and nobody seems to have done a lot of research about them. Their rapé is remarkable though; people appreciate it for its freshness, purity and its fine consis-tency. The effect is somehow similar to the Yawanawa rapé, uplifting, force-spending, cleansing and a burning effect at first. They say that in their tradition of rapé they use two unique plants which are considered their speciality; Shuané and Haianí, both are plants botanically not yet identified. Tobacco and Ashes (usually Tsunu) are blended with these two plants to make this rapé a very authentic one.

Origin: Brazil, Acre

Tsunu is an indigenous name for the ashes of a tree bark they use in the rapé. In some tribes Tsunu is considered the ashes already mixed with Chacrona powder. Our ashes come from the Yawanawá and Kuntanawa tribe, without Chacrona.

Jarina flower: this is a very fine and appreciated rape among the Kuntanawas, they say that the use of the Jarina flowers makes them invisible to enemies, both spiritual and physical ones, and helps to keep their enemies far.Sanssara: brings luck and cures Panema (a disease known by the Indigenous people, which manifests as bad luck, low energy, lazyness etc.)Cawaranik: has the power to heal physical and spiritual illness and brings luck in love and attraction. Samauma: is the biggest tree in the Amazon, considered sacred by all tribes, also know as the mother tree. It strengthens the organism, cures head aches and brings about good dreams. Cumaru: helps to cure head aches and strengthens the nervous system.

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Origin: Brazil, Acre

Origin: Brazil, Yawanawá/Kuntanawa tribe

Origin: Brazil, Acre

Plants used by the Kuntanawas in their rapes (among others):

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Sananga is an indigenous medicine, made with the roots of the plant and water, applied straight into the eyes. The indigenous people say that this medicine cures several sicknesses that can appear on the eyes (such as Glaucoma, Catarata, Miopia, Astig-matismo, Hipermetropia, Distrofias, alteration of colors and others) and even increases the capacity to see. It clears the mind and keeps one awake, clears the nose and the eyes, and even the meridians of energy, which flow through the entire body. They use it in the case of sickness, irritation or weakness of the eye, in ceremonies with other medicines such as rapé and Ayahuasca and also for hunting. The indigenous people also say that Sananga works as a opener for the spiritual path, they say it aligns one with their path and if the first appli-cation burns a lot, so much that the whole body gets strongly affected, it is because the person was not spiritually aligned.

Sananga (Tabernamontana sananho)

Origin: Brazil, Kuntanawa tribe

Usage: one or more drops into each eye, lay preferably in a horizontal position. After the application, the eyes stay closed until it doesn’t burn anymore.

Effects: the person will feel a strong vibration, in which several degrees of burning can occur, thisusually takes between 3-5 minutes. After this, the colors get stronger, the shapes sharper and the mindgets clearer. The first applications are usually stronger than the following ones, some treatments have

miraculous effects by the first applica-tions, others ones take longer but arenot less miraculous.

Risks: the strength of Sananga canvary a lot. In case one has a strongSananga, it’s important to have a fewdays break at least after each applica-tion. Strong Sananga burns the firstlayer of the eye away, on which weaccumulate dust and bacteria, in orderto heal the eye and improve vision.If a strong Sananga is used too much,one can hurt other layers of the eyewhich can be very dangerous.Sananga eyedrops will stay fresh only a few weeks without refrigeration, store in the fridge for longer preservation.

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Page 38: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 39: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 40: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Almeçega trees are native to the Brazilian Cerrado and Amazon forest. The trees grow from 10 to 15m high. Its resin has an amazing smell and is used as an incense and in perfumes. Its medicinal properties are as an expectorant, a stimulant, as an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial agent, and used against ulcers.

Chaparral is native to the south-west of the Unites States and Mexico. It’s used medicinally against Cancer and as a general antibiotic against viruses, bacteria and parasites as well as for rheumatism, high blood pressure, intestinal problems and bronchitis. Also it is said to be a cure-all remedy for all kind of skin problems. As incense it has a sweet and very pleasant smell, a bit similar to palma dulce from the Andes.

Cedar is often used in the sweat lodge ceremony. A few pinches are thrown on the red-hot rocks, immediately sparking into a yellow glow and releasing their aroma. Also in Peyote ceremo-nies the Cedar is burned often, among other herbs, for prayers and protection. As the Cedar sparkles it carries the prayer to the universe. The smoke of burning cedar is said to attract the good spirits and eliminate negative energies.

White Copal from Mexico is one of the world’s most famous incenses. The Mayas and Aztecs used it a lot, and in the Mayan language it was called “pom”, which means “brain of the heaven”. It has a delicious, etheric and uplifting smell and is used for cleansing and praying in Te-mascal and Peyote ceremonies, among other ceremonies. It is a strong stimulant for the human spirit. It makes us receptive to healing, higher vibration and cosmic vibra-tions. White Copal helps to ease the mind and emotions, therefore it can help to resolve problems between humans.It is said that burning Copal before sleeping can help one to remember their dreams in the morning.

Origin: Brazil, local harvest from the native Cerrado.

Origin: California

Origin: Canada

Origin: Mexico

Almeçega Resin (Protium heptaphyllum)

Chaparral (Larrea tridentata)

Cedar (Libocedrus descurrens)

Copal Resin, white (Protium copal)

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Dessert Sage is native to the Southwestern US. It was used by many indigenous tribes from the north as smudging herb or in admixture to other herbs for pipe ceremonies. They use it also to prepare the floor for ceremonies, or to spread on the floor to transport precious plants, which can not touch the ground. Its smoke is stimulating, uplifting, equilibrating and warming. Used in difficult situations in life, it helps to find the right decision. It’s a strong stimulant for the human spirit. It makes us receptive for healing, higher vibration and cosmic vibrations. It’s considered to be linked to the coyote, which is holy to the Indians. Both survive in the dessert and can find solutions in crucial moments. Both Sage and the coyote survive in the dessert and can find solutions in crucial moments

.

The black copal balls from Guatemala are a mixture of the resin and the bark of the tree. They can be burned entirely or in pieces, on charcoal or directly in the fire. They have a mil-lenary history of usage in the ancient kingdom of the Mayas.

Origin: Guatemala

Juniper grows all over the planet and has a very long traditional use as incense. It is considered a protector and vitality inducing plant, and itwas even used in the past to avoid the contagion of epidemic sicknes-ses. Until the 20th century the smoke of Juniper was used in Europe to disinfect hospitals. Its smoke is said to help with the flu and other si-cknesses, especially when they are spread in a household where peoplerecover and then catch it again, contaged by the people they live toge-ther with. It cleans the ambient space and gets rid of bacteria in the air; therefore it helps a lot to keep the living environment clean. Juniper is considered the light in the dark; its warm smell brings force, courage and safety in moments we feel that our spirit is weak.

In North American tradition Juniper is considered holy and one of the first plants God made. The twigs are carried in a little leather bag as amulet.

Hummingbird sage is native to southern and central California. As the name suggests, it is pollenated by feeding hummingbirds and attracts them to the garden. It has been used by the Native Americans of the north as incense and ingredient in pipe mixtures.

Origin: California

Origin: California

Origin: California

Copal Resin, black (Bursera spp.)

Dessert Sage (Artemisia tridentata)

Juniper (Juniperus communis)

Hummingbird Sage (Salvia mellifera)

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Palma dulce, also known as sweet palm is a precious and very rare incense from the high desserts of the Andes. It has a strong and sweet fragrance and it is used for prayers and in sweat lodges.

Palo Santo, or “Holy Wood” or “Sacred tree” is a natural aromatic incense wood, used for centuries by the Incas as a spiritual remedy for purification and cleansing and to get rid of evil spirits, misfortune and calamity. Burning Palo Santo helps to create an overall peaceful and purifying effect. It has a wonderfully calming, soothing fragrance, with a powerful, stimulating and euphonizing energy. Palo Santo is harvested under government supervision by the native peoples of theAmazonian region of South America. These are protected,very old trees from which the windfall is collectedfrom the ground.

Silver sage, also known as plains sage is and was used by many different indigenous tribes of the Plains of North America. It was used by many indigenous tribes from the north as an incense and in admixture with other herbs for pipe ceremonies.

Origin: Peru

Origin: Peru

Origin: United States

Palma dulce

Palosanto (Burserea arborea)

Silver Sage (Artemisia cana)

Mugwort is a plant native to Europe and Asia which is considered the herb for protection and prophecy. It is said to be good for enhancing the dreams, when taken in tea, smoked or even under the pillow. It is used as an ingredient in beer as well. The herb has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties and it helps to stimulate the appetite. Chewing fresh Mu-gwort clears the mind and helps to get rid of fatigue. It was used for abortions and it helps to regulate the menstruation cycle. It is associated with the moon and was considered a magic plant for centuries. Mugwort can be used as a smudging herb for protection or divination, and smoking it is said to enhance astral projections and lucid dreaming. Hanging Mugwort over or on a door will keep unwelcome energies from passing through. Mugwort should not be used for more than one week continuously.

Origin: United States

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

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White sage is one of the most sacred herbs among indigenous North American people. The clean burning sage is used in the energy cleansing ritual known as smudging (or puri-fication), which in theory means the smoke would attach itself to the negative energy of the area and cleanse it so that it becomes posi-tive energy. White sage might be the best smu-dge for cleaning a place where one is going to live in, to get rid of the old, make space for the new and clean negative energies. It’s a strong stimulant for the human spirit. It makes us receptive for healing, higher vibration and cosmic vibrations.It helps for bronchitis and lung problems in general and can be used as a tea (use only 1-3 leaves and don’t boil them) or in cold water (use 1 leave in your water bottle) or even smoked in very tiny amounts, mixes with

tobacco or/and other herbs. They say that white sage helps to keep the water in the body, and in fact it helps to reduce sweating.

Yerba Santa is a shrub, native to the south of the United States and north of Mexico. It has been used in tea and medicinally for the management of bruises and rheumatic pain. The plant also has been used as an expec-torant and in the treatment of respiratory diseases, as well as for asthma and allergic attacks. Yerba Santa flower essence is indica-ted for those who hold in the water element, especially manifest in the emotions of grief, melancholy, depression or despair. Yerba Santa frees the lungs and heart to acknowle-dge and release stored emotional experience. It was regarded as a holy herb by the Native people, because the process of awakening and claiming deep soul experiences leads one to the indwelling Temple of the Spiritual Self. It is often in those places where the soul retains the most profound pain or trauma, and it is here that the strongest teachings of the Spiritual Self can be realized. It has been used by the Native Americans of the north as an incense and ingredient in Pipe mixtures as well. Adding syrup of Yerba Santa to bitter things, such as Aloe Vera takes away the bitter taste.

Origin: California

Origin: California

White Sage (Salvia apiana)

Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon trichocalix)

Supã is the sacred resin from several indigenous tribes of the Amazon. Our Supã comes from the Yawanawá people, which use the resin in their rituals for cleansing, protecting and clearing the spirits of the people. They use it on a regular base to smudge their children and in some places even the entire tribe.Origin: Brazil, Yawanawa tribe

Supã Resin

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Page 44: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 45: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 46: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

Andiroba is a tall rainforest tree that grows up to 40 m high. It is in the same family as mahogany. Andiroba oil is a sustainable rainforest product that has a long history of use in South America as well as commercial value. A single tree will produce, on average, about 200 kg of nuts annually. Appro-ximately 6 kg of nuts are required to produce 1 kg (about a liter) of Andiroba oil using the traditional extraction method. This traditional method is efficient, if somewhat primitive. The seeds are collected from rivers, where they float after being sued by trees or from the forest floor. They are then boiled in a large pot of water, left for some two weeks until they have rotted, and then squeezed to extract the oil. The indigenous people in the Amazon have used Andiroba in many ways for centuries, and virtually all parts of the tree, as well as the seed oil are utilized. The Munduruku Indians traditionally used the oil for the mummification of human heads taken as war trophies. The Wayãpi, Palikur, and Creole Indian tri-bes have used Andiroba oil to remove ticks from their scalps and for other skin parasites. Several Indian tribes in the Amazon combine Andiroba oil with the reddish-orange pigment extracted from annatto seeds. They rub the oily bright orange paste all over their bodies and even into their hair to protect themselves from biting insects and to repel rain water.Andiroba oil burns well and is used as a natural lamp fuel in the rainforest. Not only does it burn cleanly with little smoke but it also repels mosquitoes, flies, and other pests. It is also applied directly on joints to relieve arthritis pain and mixed it with hot water and human milk and dropped it into the ear for ear infections. They apply it externally to wounds and bruises, use it as a massage oil and natural insect repellant, and employ it topically for many skin diseases and conditions, including psoriasis.

Origin: Brazil

Usage: Andiroba oil can be applied topically several times daily to rashes, muscle/joint aches and injuries, wounds, insect bites, boils, and ulcers. It can also be used by itself or combined with other oils as a healing and anti-inflammatory massage oil as well as placed in the ears for ear infections. It’s also a great natural remedy for ear mites in dogs and cats: just place several drops in the affected ears daily for a week.

Andiroba (Carapa guianensis)

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Copaiba trees are considerably branched and grow from 15-30 m high. The oil is harvested by tapping or drilling holes into the wood of the trunk and collecting the resin that drips out. A single copaiba tree can provide about 40 liters of oleoresin annually, making it a sustainable rainforest resource that can be harvested without destroying the tree or the forest in which it grows. When tapped, the initial oily resin is clear, thin, and colorless; it thickens and darkens upon contact with air. On the Rio Solimoes in northwest Amazonia, copaiba resin is used topically by indigenous tribes as a wound healer, to stop bleeding, for skin sores and psoriasis, and to treat gonorrhea.In Brazilian herbal medicine systems the resin is used as a strong antiseptic and expectorant for the res-piratory tract (including bronchitis and sinusitis), as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic for the urinary tract (for cystitis, bladder, and kidney infections), and as a topical anti-inflammatory agent for all types of skin problems. In Peruvian traditional medicine, three or four drops of the resin are mixed with a spoonful of honey and taken as a natural sore throat remedy.

Origin: Brazil

Usage: Copaiba resin is taken internally only in very small dosages-usually only 5-15 drops 1-3 times daily. Topically it can be applied straight on the affected area.

Risks: in large doses, it has been documented to cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and a measles-like skin rash.

Copaíba (Copaifera officinalis)

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Common and traditional uses of the oil: To treat flu, cold, cough, asthma and allergies, to relief stress, sadness, headaches, panics and anxiety. Dilute one part of the Palosanto essen-tial oil with 5 parts of massage oil such as coconut, grape seed or copaiba. Apply some drops on the chest, on the nose, and on the neck, 3 times a day, and on the bottom of the feet before going to sleep. To treat psoriasis, acne, wounds and twists, apply the diluted oil on the af-fected area and massage for it to enter the skin, 3 times a day. To treat arthritis and muscular pain, use only when you have pain, 3 times a day. Evaporating it in a room, mixed with water, helps to keep the mosquitos away, also applied on the skin it helps a lot. In Aromatherapy its mainly used to treat depression, with good results.

Mamona is native from Africa, but grows in many places around the world. The seed contains 40-50% of oil. It’s medicinal usage reaches back into the ancient Egypt, where it was appreciated for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has always been appreciated in places and times where modern me-dicine wasn’t present. It is considered an immune stimulant and can be used to treat sicknesses such as arthritis, rheumatism,multiple scleroses, parkinson’s and cerebral paralyzation. It’s also used for the hair, infections caused by fungus, acne, sunburn, gastrointestinal problems, in-flammations and especially as a purgative.

Origin: Brazil

Origin: Peru

Usage as purgative: use 1-2 spoons in the morning, can be mixed with tea or juice to enhance the taste.

Risks: this oil should not be used more than 3 days in a row. Pregnant woman, people with heavy intestine issues or other internal sickness should not use it.

Palosanto Oil (Burserea arborea)

Mamona (Ricinus communis)

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Page 49: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 50: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants
Page 51: Contents · Welcome to the Celestial Garden. After years of creative research and cultivating experiences relating to ethnobotanical plants, we present you with the book of plants

This Agua Florida is made exclusively with wild plants from around Alto Paraiso in Brazil and it’s prepared according to the cycle of the moon. The result is this amazing potion for external use, to bring clear vision, focus and protection.

This Agua Florida is made with plants that occur throughout the Amazon region. It’s prepared according to the cycle of the moon and the result is this amazing potion for external use, to bring clear vision, focus and protection.

Osha is a plant, used in the Americas by many indigenous people. The indigenous people of the north have observed the bears, coming out of their hibernation, rubbing the leaves all over their fur, and eating the roots, as the first thing they do coming out of the winter. That’s why it is known as the bear’s medicine. The roots are strongly medicinal, and in honey it becomes easier for the body to absorb it’s effects, and to conserve it much longer. For the immune system, colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, and several other sicknesses it’s very efficient.

To use the blue Lotus in wine is an old tradition, probably coming from ancient Egypt, where the blue Lotus has been praised for its beauty and elevating properties. Our Lotus wine is prepared with organic Brazilian wine, and mixed with a bit of organic honey from the region. Usage: Share a bottle between 2 persons.

Risks: the Lotus may cause a slight nausea in the first 40 Minutes, which will pass soon and be followed by the very pleasant sensation of the lotus flower.

Origin: Brazil, Chapada dos Veadeiros

Origin: Brazil, Chapada dos Veadeiros

Usage: eat it on a spoon or in tea, several times a day, until you get better.

Agua Florida do Cerrado

Agua Florida “Amazonia”

Osha with honey (Ligusticum porteri)

Lótus Wine

Pirlimpimpim is our magic house blend. It can be used for nice evenings at home with friends, days spent in nature, for dance parties, or, if taken in big quantities, for ceremonies and shamanic experiences. It’s 100% natural and made with lots of love.

Small (1-3 doses) Medium (3-8 doses)Big (5-12 doses)

Ingredients: Kava Kava, Argyreia nervosa, Ginko biloba, Damiana and Ginseng.Effects: it can connect you to the earth and to the stars, it can keep you awake, but it can also make you want to lie down. It activates the brain and increases sensibility, opens the heart and the sensitivity of the skin. If taken in big quantities, it can bring visions and deep states of trance. In few cases it leads to nausea, in this case it’s good to walk or to vomit if needed, since this is a natural cleanse of the body. Its effects last from 6-12 hours and it’s nice, but not needed, to take it on empty stomach. It can be taken in juices, honey, smoothies, water, pure etc.

Pirlimpimpim

This is our aphrodisiac tincture house blend. It’s based on Yohimbe, and contains Catuaba, Muira Puama, Damiana, Ginger, Honey, Lemon, Vanilla, Alcohol and Water.The bitter taste is on purpose, in order to avoid abuse and accidents. If you prefer it tasty, mix it with an extra spoon of honey.

Usage: we recommend using one bottle, shared between a love couple for one night. For medicinal effects, you can use a little bit every day for a couple of weeks, or drink the whole bottle for a night without sleep and full of energy and sweat. But be aware, drinking too much of it will not bring you any aphrodisiac effects and can lead to unpleasant side effects.

Risks: using too much or too often can cause strong alteration of the body functions, such as sweating, heated-head, insomnia, loss of appetite and, taken in high doses, it can even cause hallucinations.

Suco de Fogo

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