Banisteriopsis caapi Vine, the legendary "Vine of Souls", is native to the Amazonian rainforest.
This forest liana is the basis of an important native drink, ceremonially consumed in the the Amazon basin and by isolated tribes in Colombian
and Ecuadorean Andes.
Thousands of indigenous people of the region use Banisteriopsis caapi vine in sacred religious and healing ceremonies, as part of their traditional religions.
Banisteriopsis caapi vine is the main ingredient in Ayahuasca (Yage, Yaje), a sacred medicine used for millennia in order to enter the sacred supernatural world, to heal, divine, and worship.
We sell Red Vine B. Caapi, which is bought directly from Natives in the Amazon jungle under fair trade policies. The vine is already powdered, to save you the bother. Peruvian b. caapi is said to be the best!
The use of Ayahuasca and other plant teachers for visionary experiences as well as for healing purposes appears to be ancient. According to tradition, Banisteriopsis caapi vine contains a sentient intelligence - with vast knowledge - which reveals guidance; the proper steps to follow in case of emotional or psychological problems, and even remedies that may be used for healing.
Our vine is from Peru where it is prized as among the most important of all shamanic tools.
Banisteriopsis caapi, often refered to as Yage, constitutes the common base ingredient of Ayahuasca tea. B.caapi contains beta-carbolines that exhibit sedative, hypnotic, anti-depressant, monoamine oxidase inhibiting, and occassionally entheogenic activity. Ayahuasca is a synergystic potion, and is traditionally married with another plant. Typically it is mixed with a tryptamine carrying plant. The foliage of Psychotria viridis – Chacruna (also available from this site) is the principle admixture of Ayahuasca potions employed throughout Peru and Brazil. The combination of Yage vine with Chacruna is sometimes known as a marriage of power and light . This marriage is necessary to unlock the shamanic mareacion and its visionary mythological vistas. Without marriage, the Yage vine alone is a purifier, a purgative, a physical medicine and anti-depressant but generally not a visionary catalyst.
Tribesmen would use around 25-30g of B. Caapi and 25-30g of Psychotri Viridis/Chaliponga.
MOAIs can be very dangerous, especially if consumed in conjunction with certain foods or drugs. For more information, please visit the Erowid MAOI vault at www.erowid.com
