Psychotria Species

Family Rubiaceae (Coffee Family) Most of the approximately 1,200 to 1,400 Psychotria species that have been described are found in the tropical zones of Central and South America, although a few species occur in the rain forests of Malaysia and in New Caledonia (Standley 1930). In the Caribbean, the seeds of some species, e.g. Psychotria nervosa, are referred to as wild coffee and drunk as a coffee substitute (cf. Coffea arabica). The fruits of many Psychotria species (P. involucrata Swartz, P. nudiceps Standley) are regarded as poisonous (Schultes 1969, 158; 1985). N,N-DMT has been demonstrated to be present in several species. Some contain the alkaloid psychotridine, and others indoles (Lajis et a1. 1993). Some species (Psychotria poeppigiana Muel1. Arg., Psychotria ulviformes Sterm.) appear to contain opium-like constituents (Elisabetskyet a1. 1995, 78). The Yucatec Maya regard the Central American species Psychotria acuminata Benth. (ixanal) and Psychotria tenuifolia Sw. (x'anal) as «male" and «female" counterparts and use them to treat nervousness and sleeplessness (Arvigo and Balick 1994, 45, 105*). In Europe, Psychotria emetica (1. fi1.) Mutis, the Peruvian vomit plant, was known in particular as a counterfeit for ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha [Brot.] Tussac [syn. Psychotria ipecacuanha (Brot.) Stokes]) (Ratsch 1991a, 136f.*; Schneider 1974, 3:135f.*). The vomit-inducing substance emetine is said to occur in numerous Psychotria species (Fisher 1973, 231). Psychotria brachypoda (Muell. Arg.) Britton This Psychotria is used traditionally as a pain medicine. The species contains active constituents with opium-like, analgesic effects (Elisabetsky et a1. 1995). Psychotria carthaginensis Jacquin-sameruca According to information provided by the Colombian Makuna Indians, eating the fruit of this bush will induce perceptual alterations that can persist for days, nausea, weakness, and fever (Schultes 1969, 158). The leaves, which contain some N,N-DMT, are used as an ayahuasca additive (Schultes 1985, 118). Psychotria colorata (Willd. ex R. et S.) Muell. Arg. This bush is known as perpetua do mato in the Brazilian Amazon, where it is used in folk medicine to treat ear and lower abdominal pain. The Caboclos produce eardrops by heating the flowers in banana leaves on hot ashes. A decoction of the roots and fruits is drunk to treat abdominal pains. The leaves and flowers have been found to contain alkaloids with opium-like effects whose structures have not yet been determined (Elisabetsky et a1. 1995).

Psychotria poeppigiana Muel!. Arg.-oreja del diablo (Spanish, "clevil's ear") In Amazonia (Ecuador), the nectar of this species is used as a traditional ear medicine. The leaves are rich in N,N-DMT and are evidently well suited for use as an ayahuasca additive (ayahuasca analogs) (Rob Montgomery, pers. comm.). In the Putumayo region of Colombia, the roots are used to treat lung ailments (Schultes 1985, 119; Schultes and Raffauf 1990, 395*). Among the Ka'apor, Psychotria poeppigiana Muel1. Arg. is called yawaru-ka'a, «black jaguar plant;' or tapi'i-ka'a, «tapir plant" (Balee 1994, 303*). These names suggest that the plant may be used for shamanic purposes (animal transformation) . Psychotria psychotriaefolia (Seem.) Standley In the Colombian Putumayo region, the leaves of this species are used together with Banisteriopsis caapi to produce ayahuasca. In Ecuador, both the leaves and the fruits are used for this purpose (Schultes 1969, 158). The addition of this plant to the mixture is said to deepen and prolong the visions. The leaves contain N,N-DMT. The Kofan Indians call the plant oprito. They use this same name to refer to the "heavenly people" that they contact while under the influence of ayahuasca (164). This species may be synonymous with Psychotria viridis. Psychotria spp. Among the many members of the genus Psychotria, there are certainly other species that contain N,N-DMT and may be suitable for use as ayahuasca additives. We already know of some as yet undescribed members of the genus that are used to make ayahuasca and are often called by the name chacruna. Literature See also the entries for Psychotria viridis, ayahuasca, and N,N-DMT. Elisabetsky, Elaine, Tania A. Amador, Ruti R. Albuquerque, Domingos S. Nunes, and Ana do C. T. Carvalho. 1995. Analgesic activity of Psychotria colorata (Willd. ex R. et S.) Muell. Arg. alkaloids. Journal ofEthnopharmacology 48:77-83. Fisher, H. H. 1973. Origin and uses of ipecac. Economic Botany 27:231-34. Lajis, Nordin H., Zurinah Mahmud, and R. F. Toia. 1993. The alkaloids of Psychotria rostrata. Planta Medica 59:383-84. Schultes, Richard Evans. 1969. De Plantis Toxicariis e Mundo Novo Tropicale Commentationes IV. Botanical Museum Leaflets 22 (4): 133-64. ---. 1985. De Plantis Toxicariis e Mundo Novo Tropicale Commentationes XXXIV: Biodynamic Rubiaceous plants of the Northwest Amazon. Journal ofEthnopharmacology 14:105-24. Small, John K. 1928. Psychotria sulzneri. Addisonia 13:47-48. Standley, Paul C. 1930. The Rubiaceae ofColombia. Botanical Series, vol. 8, no. 1. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History.