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PLEASE NOTE:
"Poisonous" does not mean deadly. Some manifestations of toxicity are subtle. The dose, as always, determines if a plant is safe source of nutrients or a toxic hazard.

Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions

Simple keyword search (one or two words only)

 


BRIEF: Do you have any information on a plant called


QUESTION:
I am looking for information about a plant used by the shamans in the Amazonian. They use a plant that they call "camalonga" during the ceremonies and healing sessions they carry out. The only informatioon I have about the plant is that it belongs to the Sthrycnos sp., no more. I would like to know the actives principles of the plant.

ANSWER:

The Strycnos genus is a big one, with more than a dozen toxin-producing species documented with structurally characterized toxins in the literature. I guess curare and strychnine would be the two most famous poisons found in members of this genus. There are similar indole and bisindole toxicants distributed throughout this genus as well.