- Region
- South America
- Origin
- Amazon basin of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Brazil
- Traditions
- Herbal knowledge of the Amazon
South America · Herb · № 902
Psychotria viridis
Herb · South America
Chacruna
Psychotria viridis
A shrub of the coffee family up to five metres tall. The leaves contain DMT, a short-acting, powerfully mind-altering substance that only works by mouth together with an MAO inhibitor such as ayahuasca.
Safety notes
Only works together with an MAO inhibitor, and then carries all the risks of ayahuasca, see that card. DMT is on List I of the Opium Act; possessing and preparing DMT-containing material is a criminal offence in the Netherlands. 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: Carries all the risks of ayahuasca. Use at your own risk; never alone and not with medicines. Illegal in the Netherlands.
Preparation
Traditionally the leaves, which some healers pick at sunrise with a prayer, are boiled for hours together with the ayahuasca vine. The leaf is not used on its own.
Use in traditions
The name comes from the Quechua word chaqruy, 'to mix'. Chacruna is the most common addition to ayahuasca in Peru, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador; Schultes already described it as making the visions 'brighter and longer'. Brazilian churches such as Santo Daime grow the shrub themselves.
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
As an addition to ayahuasca, to make the visions stronger and clearer.
Preparation and amount
The leaves are boiled only together with the ayahuasca vine.
Caution: Carries all the risks of ayahuasca. Use at your own risk; never alone and not with medicines. Illegal in the Netherlands.