Ololiuqui

Ipomoea corymbosa (syn. Turbina corymbosa, Rivea corymbosa)

A woody morning glory with white flowers. The small, round seeds contain ergine (LSA) and related ergoline alkaloids, chemically related to LSD. They bring an intoxication with visions, often with nausea and lethargy.

Safety notes

Often causes nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and narrowing of blood vessels; dangerous in pregnancy (it can induce contractions), with heart and vascular disease and together with migraine drugs. Seeds sold commercially are sometimes treated with fungicides. Ergine is not named on the lists of the Opium Act. 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: Nausea and stomach cramps are common; not in pregnancy or with heart and vascular disease. Use at your own risk.

Preparation

Among the Zapotec, Mazatec and Chinantec of Oaxaca the seeds, often a ritual number such as thirteen, are ground on a metate by a child or a virgin, diluted with water and strained. The sick person drinks it at night in silence; someone sits beside them and listens to what they say, to learn the cause of the illness.

Use in traditions

Ololiuhqui means 'round thing' in Nahuatl and refers to the seeds; the plant itself is called coaxihuitl, 'snake plant'. Aztec priests used the seeds to speak with their gods and, before sacrifices, rubbed themselves with an ointment that included ololiuqui. The Spanish imposed severe punishments on its use. In 1941 Schultes established which plant it was, and in 1960 Albert Hofmann found the active compounds. In Spanish the seeds are also called semilla de la Virgen.

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

To find the cause of illness, and in divination.

Preparation and amount

The seeds are ground, diluted with water and strained; the sick person drinks at night in silence.

Caution: Nausea and stomach cramps are common; not in pregnancy or with heart and vascular disease. Use at your own risk.

Ways to prepare herbs: Powder and kitchen

Sources

All herbs from Central America and the Caribbean →