Bc. Bennett et R. Alarcon, OSTEOPHLOEUM-PLATYSPERMUM AND VIROLA-DUCKEI (MYRISTICACEAE) - NEWLY REPORTED AS HALLUCINOGENS FROM AMAZONIAN ECUADOR, Economic botany, 48(2), 1994, pp. 152-158
Quijos Quichua collaborators identified Osteophloeum platyspermum and
Virola duckei (Myristicaceae) as sources of a psychoactive sap. This i
s the first reported hallucinogenic use of Myristicaceae from Ecuador.
Species in Malpighiaceae and Solanaceae are more common sources of ha
llucinogens. but older Quichua still employ these myristicaceous speci
es. Virola is used widely as a hallucinogen in other parts of Amazonia
but there are no previous reports on the psychoactive use of O. platy
spermum. Field tests for the presence of alkaloids using Dragendorff's
reagent were positive for both species. Like the Bora and Witoto in P
eru, the Quijos Quichua consume myristicaceous hallucinogens orally. M
ost other indigenous peoples prepare psychoactive snuffs from the bark
and sap.