Hawaiian Baby Woodrose Seeds
Originally this member of the Convolvulacea family came from India, but now it is common to much of the area of Southeast Asia, and is domesticated in the Hawaiian Islands. Sometimes referred to as the peyote of Asia, it is often consumed by the lower classes of people in those areas as a recreational high. So far, I have encountered no reports of historical use of the Argyreia nervosa seeds in spiritual or religious ceremonies, though the Church of the Tree of Life (San Francisco) has declared them a sacramental substance.
Normally the dried seedpods are used as decorative floral arrangements; they are quite attractive and remain well-preserved without care. The small brown pods of less-than-an-inch in diameter usually contain four large fuzz-coated seeds, though some of the pods are occasionally empty, or contain only two or three seeds. A related type of woodrose, Merremia tuberosa (also called A. tuberosa), is very similar, though the concentration of psychoactive principles is somewhat lower.
The white layer of fuzz is a survival mechanism evolved by the plant to aid in water retention during germination. Several years ago, it was thought that this layer of fuzz contained strychnine-like alkaloids, but recent investigations have shown it to be no more toxic then the rest of the seed. Whether the coating is removed or not will make no difference in the psychedelic effect of them.
Eating the seeds should be done on an empty stomach and is usually followed by a period of nausea and loss of appetite. The nausea associated with ingestion of the seeds is of such intensity that they are not generally favored as a hallucinogen. Some claim to reduce the nausea by taking travel sickness pills such as dramamine, but I can’t vouch for their effectiveness. Vomiting is common, but not inevitable. Even if vomiting does occur, it will not lessen the psychedelic effect, since by that time the psychoactive principles (lysergic acid amide and its isomer) have already been absorbed into the bloodstream.* If vomiting is induced, it will make the remainder of the trip much more pleasant.
It would be appropriate to interject a comment on the aspect of nausea here, for Argyreia nervosa is one of the more intense plants in this respect. Although nausea may seem undesirable, we should realize that it is an effective inhibitor against misuse. Those who eat the seeds to have “something to get loaded on” are not likely to want to repeat the experience. No one is going to use these seeds chronically for their psychedelic effect unless they are serious about desiring a meaningful higher vision, in which case the nausea will not seem nearly as objectionable as it would otherwise.
The seeds are fairly large, weighing about 1/10 gram each. Doses of four to ten seeds are common; on a weight-to-weight basis, this makes them about ten times more potent than morning glory seeds and the most potent of the
commonly used natural psychedelics.
*This is in contrast to morning glory seeds.
If vomiting is induced within two hours after ingestion of MG seeds, the trip will be aborted.
The effect is somewhat similar to LSD but without so much intricate detail. It is more similar to LSD than are morning glory seeds, which also contain lysergic acid amide and iso-lysergic acid amide. Wave-form translation of material reality may be achieved with doses of fourteen seeds or so, but the resolution, the clarity of such visions, is less than with LSD. Tripping in the darkness or with eyes closed makes the effect more apparent. The slight difference in the effect of those two kinds of seeds is probably due to differences in the ratio of concentration of the active principles.
The seeds must be chewed or ground before eating as they are quite hard and will not be absorbed into the system if they are simply swallowed. One may wish to soften the ground seeds by first soaking them in water for ten minutes, then eating them with a little honey. If the taste is too unpleasant, they can be taken in gelatin capsules.
I once had some seeds which were over two years old; these required a larger dose to achieve the same effect. Seventeen of the seeds produced an effect about the same as ten seeds when
they were first fresh. Thus, there’s an estimated potency reduction of about 1/3 per year.
People with liver ailments should avoid the use of lysergic acid compounds, as some researchers have found that such substances are acted upon by liver enzymes before they can be excreted from the body. Also, they should not be taken during pregnancy. With regard to any special medical situations, it is always wise to consult your doctor before taking any drug. Large doses can be rather unpleasant and should be avoided, though I know of no case of anyone dying from the use of these seeds.
One should also be aware that it is unlawful to possess lysergic acid or the associated compounds. Possession of the seeds is legal, but grinding them and storing them in capsules would make them illegal.
The plant is rather difficult to grow, requiring loose, rich soil in a warm, shady location.* It is a perennial vine and produces flowers and seedpods in the summer. The flowers are small orange trumpets, modeled after the morning glory. The “petals” surrounding the dried seedpods are not true petals, but a calyx. I have not had much success getting a plant to flower here in Oregon, though it should do well in the sun belt of the southern states. •
Originally this member of the Convolvulacea family came from India, but now it is common to much of the area of Southeast Asia, and is domesticated in the Hawaiian Islands. Sometimes referred to as the peyote of Asia, it is often consumed by the lower classes of people in those areas as a recreational high. So far, I have encountered no reports of historical use of the Argyreia nervosa seeds in spiritual or religious ceremonies, though the Church of the Tree of Life (San Francisco) has declared them a sacramental substance.
Normally the dried seedpods are used as decorative floral arrangements; they are quite attractive and remain well-preserved without care. The small brown pods of less-than-an-inch in diameter usually contain four large fuzz-coated seeds, though some of the pods are occasionally empty, or contain only two or three seeds. A related type of woodrose, Merremia tuberosa (also called A. tuberosa), is very similar, though the concentration of psychoactive principles is somewhat lower.
The white layer of fuzz is a survival mechanism evolved by the plant to aid in water retention during germination. Several years ago, it was thought that this layer of fuzz contained strychnine-like alkaloids, but recent investigations have shown it to be no more toxic then the rest of the seed. Whether the coating is removed or not will make no difference in the psychedelic effect of them.
Eating the seeds should be done on an empty stomach and is usually followed by a period of nausea and loss of appetite. The nausea associated with ingestion of the seeds is of such intensity that they are not generally favored as a hallucinogen. Some claim to reduce the nausea by taking travel sickness pills such as dramamine, but I can’t vouch for their effectiveness. Vomiting is common, but not inevitable. Even if vomiting does occur, it will not lessen the psychedelic effect, since by that time the psychoactive principles (lysergic acid amide and its isomer) have already been absorbed into the bloodstream.* If vomiting is induced, it will make the remainder of the trip much more pleasant.
It would be appropriate to interject a comment on the aspect of nausea here, for Argyreia nervosa is one of the more intense plants in this respect. Although nausea may seem undesirable, we should realize that it is an effective inhibitor against misuse. Those who eat the seeds to have “something to get loaded on” are not likely to want to repeat the experience. No one is going to use these seeds chronically for their psychedelic effect unless they are serious about desiring a meaningful higher vision, in which case the nausea will not seem nearly as objectionable as it would otherwise.
The seeds are fairly large, weighing about 1/10 gram each. Doses of four to ten seeds are common; on a weight-to-weight basis, this makes them about ten times more potent than morning glory seeds and the most potent of the
commonly used natural psychedelics.
*This is in contrast to morning glory seeds.
If vomiting is induced within two hours after ingestion of MG seeds, the trip will be aborted.
The effect is somewhat similar to LSD but without so much intricate detail. It is more similar to LSD than are morning glory seeds, which also contain lysergic acid amide and iso-lysergic acid amide. Wave-form translation of material reality may be achieved with doses of fourteen seeds or so, but the resolution, the clarity of such visions, is less than with LSD. Tripping in the darkness or with eyes closed makes the effect more apparent. The slight difference in the effect of those two kinds of seeds is probably due to differences in the ratio of concentration of the active principles.
The seeds must be chewed or ground before eating as they are quite hard and will not be absorbed into the system if they are simply swallowed. One may wish to soften the ground seeds by first soaking them in water for ten minutes, then eating them with a little honey. If the taste is too unpleasant, they can be taken in gelatin capsules.
I once had some seeds which were over two years old; these required a larger dose to achieve the same effect. Seventeen of the seeds produced an effect about the same as ten seeds when
they were first fresh. Thus, there’s an estimated potency reduction of about 1/3 per year.
People with liver ailments should avoid the use of lysergic acid compounds, as some researchers have found that such substances are acted upon by liver enzymes before they can be excreted from the body. Also, they should not be taken during pregnancy. With regard to any special medical situations, it is always wise to consult your doctor before taking any drug. Large doses can be rather unpleasant and should be avoided, though I know of no case of anyone dying from the use of these seeds.
One should also be aware that it is unlawful to possess lysergic acid or the associated compounds. Possession of the seeds is legal, but grinding them and storing them in capsules would make them illegal.
The plant is rather difficult to grow, requiring loose, rich soil in a warm, shady location.* It is a perennial vine and produces flowers and seedpods in the summer. The flowers are small orange trumpets, modeled after the morning glory. The “petals” surrounding the dried seedpods are not true petals, but a calyx. I have not had much success getting a plant to flower here in Oregon, though it should do well in the sun belt of the southern states. •
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