- Region
- South America
- Origin
- Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador and Brazil, on rocky slopes in dry forests
South America · Herb · № 924
Anadenanthera colubrina
Herb · South America
Cebil (vilca)
Anadenanthera colubrina
A thorny tree of the pea family, related to yopo. The seeds contain much bufotenine, up to over twelve per cent, as well as some DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. As a snuff they cause violent physical effects and short visions.
Safety notes
Causes vomiting, a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, shortness of breath and muscle twitching; dangerous with heart and vascular disease and together with antidepressants or MAO inhibitors. DMT is on list I of the Dutch Opium Act; bufotenine and 5-MeO-DMT are not listed by name, but the seeds also contain DMT. This information describes traditional use and is no encouragement or advice. Use is at your own risk; the makers of this site are not responsible for the consequences. Never alone, never together with alcohol, other drugs or medicines, not in pregnancy, with heart disease or mental illness (also in the family), and do not drive. In an emergency call 112.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Healing traditions of the Americas: Hard on the heart and blood vessels. Use at your own risk; never alone and not with medicines. Illegal in the Netherlands.
Preparation
Traditionally the pods are roasted so that the husk comes off. The seeds are ground in a mortar and mixed with lime or plant ash. The powder is snuffed, often through a tube of bone or reed and from a snuff tray. The Wichí in Argentina smoke the seeds. According to archaeological research the Wari in Peru mixed seeds into chicha made from the pepper tree.
Use in traditions
In Peru the tree is called willka or vilca, which in Quechua means 'grandchild'; in Argentina it is called cebil. At Inca Cueva in Jujuy province, Argentina, pipes of puma bone with seeds have been found that are over four thousand years old. On the coast of Peru snuff trays and tubes from around 1200 BC have been found, and in northern Chile snuffing gear from the first centuries AD. The Incas used vilca in divination. Wichí shamans still use it, under the name hatáj. The bark and gum serve as a remedy for cough.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Healing traditions of the Americas
Attributed effects
For visions in divination and healing; the bark and gum for cough.
Preparation and amount
Roasted seeds ground, mixed with lime or plant ash and snuffed; smoked by the Wichí.
Caution: Hard on the heart and blood vessels. Use at your own risk; never alone and not with medicines. Illegal in the Netherlands.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Powder and kitchen