Coro

In the Chaco region of northern Argentina, a number of species of the genus Trichocline are utilized as psychoactive substances. Locals call them coro or contrayerba.337 Jesuit reports from the eighteenth century describe how the Calchaqui Indians used the ground roots to strengthen their chicha (beer made from maize or other plants). The Mocovies, Toba, and Matac0338 smoke the powdered root alone or mixed with tobacco (cf. smoking blends). The smoke is said to have medicinal effects upon stomachaches. Today, the root is also burned alone or with tobacco as an incense. The most commonly used species are Trichocline reptans (Webb.) Rob., Trichocline exscapa Griseb., and Trichocline dealbata (Hook. et Arn.) Griseb. (Zardini 1975, 649 f.; 1977). Unfortunately, no chemical studies of the root have been conducted to date. The roots supposedly are sold at herb stands in Argentinian markets in the Chaco region. In Salta, a seller from Germany offered imported calamus roots (Acorus calamus) as coro.

Literature Zardini, Elsa M. 1975. Revision del genero Trichocline (Compositae). Darwiniana 19:618-733. ---. 1977. The identification of an Argentinian narcotic. Botanical Museum Leaflets 25 (3): 105-7.