Plants of the gods : their sacred, healing, and hallucinogenic powers

Book

Plants of the gods : their sacred, healing, and hallucinogenic powers / Richard Evans Schultes, Albert Hofmann, Christian Rätsch.

Schultes, Richard Evans. (Author). Hofmann, Albert, 1906-2008 (Added Author). Rätsch, Christian, 1957- (Added Author).

Summary:

The use of hallucinogenic plants has been a part of human experience for millennia, yet modern Western societies have only recently become aware of the significance that these plants have had in shaping the history of diverse cultures. Capable of bringing human beings in closer touch with the spirit worlds, hallucinogenic plants have long been venerated as aids to mental health and as the sacred connection to the mystical. The authors of this definitive book examine the cross-cultural ceremonial and ritual use of many hallucinogenic substances. Profusely illustrated, this book contains an extensively researched plant lexicon, providing common and botanical names, history, ethnography, preparation, chemical components, usage in healing, and effects for 91 hallucinogenic plants.

Record details

ISBN: 0892819790 (pbk.)
ISBN: 9780892819799 (pbk.)
Physical Description: 208 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 27 cm.
Edition: Rev. and expanded ed.
Publisher: Rochester, Vt. : Healing Arts Press, 2001.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:: Includes bibliographical references (p. 199-203) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:: What are plant hallucinogens? -- The plant kingdom -- Phytochemical research on sacred plants -- Geography of usage and botanical range -- Plant lexicon -- Who uses hallucinogenic plants? -- Overview of plant use -- The most important hallucinogenic plants -- Mainstay of the heavens -- Amanita (Fly agaric) -- The hexing herbs -- Atropa (Deadly nightshade) -- Hyoscyamus albus (Yellow henbane) -- Hyoscyamus niger (Black henbane) -- Mandragora (Mandrake) -- The nectar of delight -- Cannabis (Hemp, marijuana, hashish) -- St. Anthony's fire -- Claviceps (Ergot) -- Holy flower of the North star -- Datura innoxia (Toloache) -- Datura metel (Datura) -- Datura stramonium (Thorn apple) -- Guide to the ancestors -- Tabernanthe (Iboga) -- Beans of the Hekula spirit -- Anadenanthera peregrina (Yopo) -- Seeds of civilization -- Anadenanthera colubrina (Cebíl) -- The magic drink of the Amazon -- Banisteriopsis (Ayahuasca) -- Psychotria (Chacruna) -- Peganum (Syrian rue) -- Tetrapteris (Yagé) -- Ayahuasca analogs -- Trumpets of the angels -- Brugmansia (Golden angel's trumpet) -- Brugmansia (Blood-red angel's trumpet) -- The tracks of the little deer -- Lophophora (Peyote) -- Little flowers of the gods -- Conocybe -- Panaeolus cyanescens (Blue meanies) -- Panaeolus sphinctrinus (Hoop-petticoat) -- Panaeolus subbalteatus (Dark-rimmed Mottlegill) -- Psilocybe cubenis (San Isidro) -- Psilocybe cyanescens (Wavy cap) -- Psilocybe mexicana (Teonanácatl) -- Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty cap) -- Diviner's sage -- Salvia divinorum -- Cactus of the four winds (Trichocereus (San Pedro) -- Vines of the serpent -- Ipomoea (Morning glory) -- Turbina (Ololiugui) -- Semen of the sun -- Virola (Epená) -- Gateway to dreamtime -- Duboisia (Pituri bush) -- Chemical structures of hallucinogens -- Uses of hallucinogens in medicine.