Throughout humankind’s history there have been many plants that have been taken to help men and women discover themselves, commune with nature, and become one with the universe. Modern science has now discovered that some of these so-called sacred plants contain chemicals which have the capacity to alter our perceptions, allowing use to enter into an almost drug-like state.

For example, the witch hysteria that began in the Medieval Ages in Europe can be traced to women ingesting certain plants. Some of these herbs and plants (such as, belladonna) contained narcotic-like substances, sending the people who eat them (mostly women performing religious ceremonies) into “acid-like trips”. Ordinary people would have been horrified when encountering these women as they thought these women were either insane or possessed by the devil. The Church authorities attributed these women’s strange behavior to their supposed participation in satanic ceremonies. Many of these women were jailed, tortured, and burned at the stake. All had been labeled as witches and paid a heavy price for their ignorance of plant substances.

Unfortunately, many of the sacred plants that are reputed to give humans a heightened awareness of their world (the vision to view their destinies) are toxic to the body (poisonous) and/or hallucinogenic (illegal to possess).

Please note: All of the information in this section is meant to be reference material only. It is not meant to promote the use of one or more particular plant substances. As a matter of fact, it is meant to show you the potential dangers of ingesting a particular plant. Use extreme caution if someone asks you to ingest one or more of these plants as these plants can have a toxic effect upon the body and many are illegal to possess. To be on the safe side, do not ingest any of the sacred plants that have a toxic effect upon your body, as they can seriously impair your health. Consult a physician before you try any of the sacred plants.

Some of these sacred plants are reputed to be able to alter your perceptions to the point where you can become aware of your life's destiny within a very short period of time. However, it is difficult to say if the vision you receive when you take these plants is an accurate portrayal of your true destiny or just a drug-induced hallucination, which you can easily interpret as your true destiny. Even if the vision you receive is accurate, it does you no good if you seriously impair your health in the process to the point where you cannot function properly. The following list describes the different plant substances that are known to increase your physical and/or psychological awareness.

The Ayahuasca Vine
Wild Lettuce
Scullcap
Fly Agaric
Morning Glory Seed
Thorn Apple

The Ayahuasca Vine

• It is an extremely powerful plant, a definite hallucinogenic substance.
• It is native to South America, particularly to the Amazon Rainforest.
• It has been used for centuries by the indigenous peoples, particularly their shamans (medicine men).
• It has been described as a magical and visionary vine. This vine is harvested from the Rainforest, chopped up, ground up, brewed with water and other liquids, then drunk.
• It is frequently used in religious ceremonies.
• One of its powerful side-effects is to give you a clear vision of your destiny (what your purpose in life is); it’s as though Heaven itself opens up and gives you a glimpse of your life and what your mission should be.
• It is rarely used in North America as it is relatively unknown and very difficult to obtain. The vine's power, however, is no longer a secret for more and more people, particularly from the United States and Canada, are visiting the Amazon Rainforest to find this plant. Retreat centers have been set up where people can actually try out this plant in safety (under proper supervision).
• Some people report both vomiting and diarrhea from using it (signs that it is toxic to your system). Others, however, claim that they have taken it and have had only pleasant experiences. The natives claim that the plant is merely “cleaning out” your “system”--purging it from built-up undigested food and other toxic substances present in your colon. Be forewarned that your body may react very violently if you ingest it. Do much research beforehand and consult a physician if you decide to visit one of these retreats that uses this substance in its ceremonies.

For further information, go to the web site: www.sacharuna.com.


Wild Lettuce

• Its botanical name is: Lactuca virosa.
• It is native to Southern and Central Europe and the United States.
• It has been traditionally dried and smoked similar to opium. As a matter of fact, some of its chemical composition is similar to opium.
• Native North Americans used to smoke the dried resin or sap from the plant.
• It is a mild narcotic and analgesic (relieves pain).
• When smoked before you go to sleep, it can give you very vivid dreams.
• Your dream-induced sleep is supposed to reveal details about your life that you are unaware of during most of your conscious state. Some people claim this use of vivid dreams can help you create a better future (as you are more aware of whom you are and what you want in life).
• One known warning is: people who suffer from stomach disorders, e.g. have ulcers, should not ingest this substance. Apparently it coats the stomach.
• One side effect is that it can reduce your sex drive.
  

Scullcap

• Its botanical name is: Scuttellaria laterifoli.
• It is also known as Mad dogweed.
• It grows in the United States and Europe.
• Its primary benefit is that it acts as a tranquilizer.
• When smoked, its effects are similar to marijuana
• It soothes the mind and nerves; and is particularly useful when you cannot concentrate and are in a fearful state of mind.
• One known warning is: People should not use this substance with any pharmaceutical tranquilizer.
• Some of its side-effects are: It helps eliminate headaches and can help you sleep (both positive side-effects).
  
  
  

Fly Agaric

• Its botanical name is: Amanita muscaria.
• It is also known as the amanita mushroom.
• This mushroom can be different colors: red, reddish orange, orange, brown, yellow, or white. Most people, however, recognize it when it is a distinct red color.
• It grows in Europe, Asia, and throughout North America.
• It obtained its strange name from people grinding it up and using it (in a mixture) to kill flies.
• It has been used for centuries. Unfortunately, it has not always had good effects upon the people who ingest it: According to some historians some of the Viking killing sprees that terrorized Europe many centuries ago are linked to the Vikings eating this mushroom before battle.
• This mushroom has hallucinogenic properties, both visual and auditory. You can be “high” anywhere from four to ten hours.
• Some of the substances present in this mushroom can be very toxic (poisonous). Caution: if your body reacts badly to its presence, you may have to be rushed to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment.
• It has been used by indigenous peoples for spiritual growth, probably because of the hallucinogenic effects upon the people taking it. People using it would become so “high” that they would seem to enter another world: A world where you could see and hear things that others could not.
• The proper identification of this mushroom is a continual problem. Many people can easily pick the wrong mushroom, many times picking the Amanita pantherina mushroom in error. This latter mushroom contains high levels of muscarine, a highly toxic hallucinogenic substance. It can make you severely sick or even kill you.

Morning Glory Seed

• Its botanical name is: Ipomoea violacea.
  
• It has also been known as heavenly blue or flying saucers.
  
• It grows in North America, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the West Indies.
• Its use can be traced back hundreds of years ago to the Aztecs: Priests used these seeds in a potion in religious ceremonies. Sacrificial victims had this potion rubbed on their bodies before they were killed. Apparently the potion was absorbed into the body, making the victim fearless.
• Some indigenous people claim that it gave the recipient psychic powers, allowing the shaman (medicine man) to know what was wrong with a sick person without having to do any examinations; also it gave the recipient the ability to locate lost objects.
• It has hallucinogenic properties that can give you a LSD-like experience, which can last anywhere from six to twelve hours.
• It is a powerful mind-altering drug, giving you a feeling of incredible power and insight.
  You should have specific questions in mind before you ingest these seeds, e.g. what do I want to accomplish with my life?
• For certain people it can have serious side-effects. People with hepatitis or any other liver disorder should not use it at all. Women who are pregnant should not use it at all as it can cause an abortion.

Thorn Apple

• Its botanical name is: Datura stramonium.
• It is also known as Jimson Weed, Devil’s Apple, or the Angel’s Trumpet.
• It grows in the United States, Mexico, Central America, India, and Asia.
• It is a hallucinogenic plant, a powerful narcotic.
• Its primary use is to give the recipient the experience of astral projection. (Similar to the experience that women in the Middle Ages had when they performed religious ceremonies, using similar plants in some of their potions, rubbing it onto their bodies, and then hallucinating that they were flying around town on their broomsticks. Unfortunately, the townspeople thought these women were possessed by the devil and burned many of them at the stake!)
• Indigenous peoples have used it for hundreds of years. Shamans (medicine men) used it to give them the power to see visions and dream answers to problems facing their tribe or individuals.
• There are dozens of caves along the coastline of Southern California that were used by shamans. These caves were known as The Dreaming Caves. Shamans would ingest the plant, and then go to these caves. In their hallucinogenic state, some of them would actually paint their visions or dreams onto the walls of the caves. Even today you can visit these caves and see these paintings, going back hundreds of years ago.
• This plant is highly toxic. Ongoing usage can be detrimental to the heart, eventually causing death. For the sake of your health, it should not be used.
  
  
  Conclusion:
  
  For many centuries humankind has known about the ability of certain sacred plants to alter our perceptions. Some of these plants can transport you into a different reality, giving you insight about yourself, your goals, and in essence your life’s destiny.
  
  Indigenous peoples were very clever in their identification of these sacred plants. Long before medical science could isolate the specific chemical compounds that give the plants their mind-altering abilities, indigenous peoples were using these plants in many of their religious ceremonies. It was their “short-cut” to discovering themselves in the fastest way possible. These plants gave their recipients incredible energy and power, making them feel like they were connected to a higher being (God). The only “downside” to using these plants was their potential harm to the body. Any insight you gained from using these plants could be wiped out by the toxic effects they could have on the body. It’s no use having incredible insight into your life if you don’t live long enough to fulfill it! Use sacred plants with caution, some are far more toxic than others. Some you should not take at all. It’s your decision, but make it a wise one!