Description

Banisteriopsis Muricata Leaves and Vines

Experience the power of Banisteriopsis muricata (Red Ayahuasca), a sacred vine traditionally used by indigenous peoples of the Amazon for healing and spiritual purposes. Our fresh organic Shuar Red Vine Banisteriopsis muricata is sustainably harvested in cooperation with learned Shuar healers in Ecuador.

Banisteriopsis Muricata features:

• Organic and sustainably harvested from Ecuador
• Rich in cultural mythology and tradition
• Used by approximately 70+ tribes for healing, spiritual sight, foretelling the future and divination
• Known for its deep cleansing effect on the body as a purgative
• Contains MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) such as harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine

Banisteriopsis Muricata Native Use

Banisteriopsis muricata is known as the ‘Ayahuasca of the sorcerers’ or ‘Vine of the Soul’ among indigenous peoples of the Amazon. This giant woody vine is regarded as a ‘plant of the gods’ and a Master Plant Teacher. It is used for various purposes, including healing, spiritual sight, foretelling the future and divination.

Shamans of the Amazon claim they can achieve altered states of consciousness just using this single plant. Banisteriopsis muricata is considered to be one of the most fascinating and culturally rich plants on earth, steeped in cultural mythology and tradition. It is revered internationally, yet still considered to be a very mysterious plant.

Habitat

Banisteriopsis muricata grows plentifully in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, close to the border with Perú. The plant twines on other trees for support and its leaves are broad with little hairs on the underside that gives them an ethereal, silvery appearance. Flowers are white or pale pink but the plant is seldom seen in bloom.

Scientific information

Banisteriopsis muricata is one of the main ingredients of Ayahuasca, a mixture used for thousands of years by various tribes of the Amazon. The stem of the vine contains various chemical components such as harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which are classified as MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors).

Scientific research reports the vines to have approximately 0.11-0.83% beta-carboline, the majority of which is harmaline and tetrahydroharmine. Native Amazonian peoples have identified more than 20 varieties of Banisteriopsis caapi, B. muricata being closely related to them. The difference is that B. muricata is considered to be a stronger medicine. The rich red color it produces when extracted gives it its name, Red Ayahuasca. The leaves are also slightly different: the B. muricata leaves are smaller and have a slightly different structure. Interestingly, another characteristic that sets these two species of vines apart is that there are two different types of ants who inhabit each vine.

Read more

• http://hasbrouck.asu.edu/neotrop/plantae/taxa/index.php?taxon=24166
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banisteriopsis_caapi

Experience the power of Banisteriopsis muricata and its spiritual and healing properties with our fresh organic Shuar Red Vine. Purchase now at Wisdom of Plants Institute.