Description

Psychotria viridis (Chacruna) – Dried Leaves from a Kichwa Home Garden in Ecuador

Our dried Psychotria viridis leaves come from a Kichwa family chakra in Ecuador, where they are grown, harvested, and blessed by a Kichwa shaman. By purchasing this sacred plant from us, you are supporting this family and helping them maintain the land they care for.

The leaves are dried slowly to preserve as many plant properties as possible, and our direct relationship and fair trade agreement with the family ensures that we always have fresh stock available for you.

Features of Psychotria viridis (Chacruna) Dried Leaves:

• Grown, harvested, and blessed by a Kichwa shaman in Ecuador
• Dried slowly to preserve plant properties
• Direct relationship and fair trade agreement with the family
• No harmful fertilizers or pesticides used
• Supports a Kichwa family and helps maintain their land

Native Use of Psychotria viridis (Chacruna)

In Perú, the fresh juice of Psychotria viridis has been traditionally used for the treatment of migraines by applying drops directly into the eyes. The Machiguenga indigenous people also use fresh leaf juice to assist in hunting, as it causes a burning sensation that leads to heightened alertness. The Andoke people crush up the leaves and infuse them with water to apply to the eyes for promoting sharp vision and greater understanding.

Habitat of Psychotria viridis (Chacruna)

Psychotria viridis is a common perennial tree or shrub of the Rubiaceae family that typically grows to a height of approximately five meters. The leaves are opposite, elliptic in shape, and papery in texture, and tend to become grayish to reddish-brown when dried. It produces many open, inflorescent flowers that turn into a red fruit, 4-5mm in diameter. The plant is native to the Amazonian lowlands but is also cultivated throughout northern South America and much of Central America, growing naturally in wet, tropical forests and most common in Amazonian Perú, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

Scientific Information about Psychotria viridis (Chacruna)

Psychotria viridis can be confused with other plants of similar genus, including Psychotria alba and Psychotria carthagenesis, which are all commonly used among shamans. For further information, please refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotria_viridis.

Experience the sacred and healing properties of Psychotria viridis while supporting a Kichwa family and their land. Purchase our dried leaves today at the Wisdom of Plants Institute.