Voacango Bush

The bark and seeds of the African species Voacanga africana Stapf339 contain up to 10% indole alkaloids of the iboga type (cf. Tabernanthe iboga, ibogaine) and reportedly induce stimulating and hallucinogenic effects (Bisset 1985b; Oliver-Bever 1982, 8). The principal alkaloid is voacamine. African sorcerers are said to use the seeds to produce visions. In West Africa, the bark is utilized as a hunting drug and stimulant (Schuldes 1995, 77*). It also is regarded as a potent aphrodisiac. The bark of Voacanga bracteata Stapf is used in Gabon to get "high" (most likely as a marijuana substitute; cf. Cannabis indica). It contains 2.460/0 alkaloids (voacamine, voacamine-N-oxide, 20epi- voacorine, voacangine) that, although closely related to the compounds found in Tabernanthe iboga, apparently produce only mild depressant effects.(de Smet 1996, 145*; Puiseux et al. 1965). Voacanga dregei E. H. Mey. is also said to produce hallucinogenic effects (Schultes and Hofmann 1980, 366*). West African sorcerers ingest the seeds of Voacanga grandiflora (Miq.) Rolfe for visionary purposes. Unfortunately, the details of this use are still unknown, as the sorcerers keep their knowledge secret.

Literature Bisset, N. G. 1985a. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Voacanga species. Agricultural University Wageningen Papers 85 (3): 81-114. ---. 1985b. Uses of Voacanga species. Agricultural University Wageningen Papers 85 (3): 115-22. Bombardelli, Ezio, Attilio Bonati, Bruno Gabetta, Ernseto Martinelli, Giuseppe Mustich, and Bruno Danieli. 1976. 17-0-acetyl-19,20dihydrovoachalotine, a new alkaloid from Voacanga chalotiana. Phytochemistry 15:2021-22. Oliver-Bever, B. 1982. Medicinal plants in tropical West Africa I: Plants acting on the cardiovascular system. Journal ofEthnopharmacology 5 (1): 1-71. Puiseux, E, M. P. Patel, J. M. Rowson, and J. Poisson. 1965. Alcaloides des Voacanga: Voacanga africana Stapf. Annales Pharmaceutiques Fran~aises 23:33-39.