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Heimia spp. - Sinicuiche |
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Shaman Australis Ethnobotanicals (Heimia salicifolia - Sinicuiche - Seeds for sale, Plants for sale)
Heimia
salicifolia
Sinicuiche, Sunopener
Botanical information
A perenniel plant it grows to a height of 3m with a spread of 6m. The roots
are strong, thick and fibrous; the stems are grey/brown, straight and branching;
the leaves are dark green, small, oval-acuminate, entire, sessile and 2-9cm
long; the flowers are 1-2cm wide, yellow, six-merous and sessile in the leaf
axis; seed pods are hard, round, 5-10mm wide, sessile, containing many tiny,
round, light brown seeds.
Indigenous to Mexico, and cultivated in most of South America, it prefers well-drained
soils in dry and hot climates, does best in a sunny position and is drought
resistant, but frost tender.
Propagation is by seed sown in fine, moist seeding mix, or by cuttings.
Traditional uses
Heimia salicifolia is the active principle in the fermented drink "sinicuiche",
which is prepared by Mexicans who bruise the leaves and twigs and soak them
in water for a few hours. Then the water and juice are pressed into a container
and left to ferment in the sun for a few days. The resulting beverage is a pleasant
tasting intoxicant causing yellow visions and euphoria.
In traditional medicine this herb is regarded as a healer and tonic, finding
application mostly in fertility and gynaecological matters, but also for intestinal
and skin problems.
Pharmacology
The active principle in Heimia salicifolia is probably the quinolizidine alkaloid
cryogenine (=vertine). It has anticholinergic and antispasmodic effects, causing
mild auditory and visual hallucinations, intoxication, numbness and euphoria.
No adverse side-effects or after-effects are known. While the fresh leaves,
either fermented or extracted with alcohol, are generally active, the dried
material is not. However it appears that concentrated extracts made from the
dried material are active.
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H.salicifolia seedling
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H.salicifolia
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H.salicifolia
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