Yage, Ayahuasca, Caapi
Banisteriopsis caapi

Family: Malpighiaceae

What it is like

Yage, Banisteriopsis caapi, is a large climbing shrub with woody stems up to 30 m long. It can be grown indoors but requires consistently moist soil. A hallucinogenic beverage can be obtained from Yage's bark, leaves and twigs. The plant is emetic and purgative, and at low doses used as a mild detoxifier. It also contains an alkaloid which has a strongly stimulatory action on the nervous system.

Banisteriopsis caapi is an evergreen Climber growing to 30 m (98ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 30

Where it is found

Rainforest.

Northern and western S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia. Ecuador, Venezuela.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Coming Soon

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

The bark, leaves and twigs are the source of a beverage that is hallucinogenic (see medical properties below).

Inner bark: the bark that is found just beneath the tough outer bark of trees and shrubs.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 4

The bark, leaves and twigs are the source of a beverage that is hallucinogenic. Commonly used in the Amazonian rainforest, it is used shamanically as a tool to contact the spirits and bring healing, and is also used recreationally. The shoots, roots and leaves, sometimes as an admixture with other species, are used by Indians for the preparation of a hallucinogenic beverage, used for special ceremonies or the roots and stems are chewed for this purpose. The dried leaves are also smoked. In addition to its use as an hallucinogenic, the plant is also emetic and purgative. At low doses it is used as a mild detoxifier. The plant contains an alkaloid, known variously as 'telepathin', yagein' or 'banisterine', which has a strongly stimulatory action on the nervous system. The bark contains beta-carboline alkaloids, including harmine, harmaline and delta-tetrahycroharmine. These alkaloids stimulate hallucinations.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Hallucinogenic: Causes the mind to hallucinate.

Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Other

Rating: 0

Other Uses: None known

Houseplant: A plant grown indoors for decorative purposes.

How it is grown

A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations from around sea level up to 1,000 metres. Suitable for growing indoors. Suitable for growing in containers.

Propagating it: Seed.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Its other names

Local names

Yage, Ayahuasca, Caapi

Synonyms

Banisteria caapi Spruce ex Griseb. Banisteria inebrians (C.V.Morton) J.F.Macbr. Banisteria quitensis