Lopophora williamsii

[Chris1140]

Yes, I agree it is interesting. I have read a bit about the uses of plants in indigenous cultures.

[pavel]

Possession of this species is illegal in the U.S.--unless you are a member of the Native American Church and are an ethnic Native American.

That is incorrect, Chris. It is perfectly legal to own in the US -- I know several cacti/succulent enthusiasts who have this in their collections. They did a LOT of checking into that very question before they did so. The illegality is using peyote -- unless you are "a member of the Native American Church and are an ethnic Native American". Also, while I can't swear to it, I believe it is also illegal to harvest peyote from the wild ... unless again you are ethnic Native American/member of the NAC.

From what I understand, some of the side effects of using peyote are far less than pleasant.

[Chris1140]

Thanks for the clarification. I, too, have heard it has unpleasant side effects such as vomiting.

[catttan]

Nice cactus but bad reputation Ian. If you happen to go on one of those trips I hope you bring back an 'ekor' number or better still 2 (private Malaysian joke) - so we can be millionaires and buy all the orchids we want.

[catasetum-ian]

Nice cactus but bad reputation Ian. If you happen to go on one of those trips I hope you bring back an 'ekor' number or better still 2 (private Malaysian joke) - so we can be millionaires and buy all the orchids we want.

if they haven't mentioned about the ill side effects i might try to go on such 'trips'....... =D hahahahaha. just joking, better not to take anything that mess with your neurons

[Chris1140]

Took a quick look on google for psychotropic orchids. Onc. ceboletta aka Onc. longifolium was used as a substitute for peyote by native Central and South Americans. Vanda roxburghii is used for medicinal purposes in Ayurvedic medicine in India. In Europe, a drink called "Salep" is made from the tuberous roots of Orchis mascula and Orchis militaris. The drink is used as food, not medicine. This is an interesting topic, IMO.

[catasetum-ian]

Took a quick look on google for psychotropic orchids. Onc. ceboletta aka Onc. longifolium was used as a substitute for peyote by native Central and South Americans. Vanda roxburghii is used for medicinal purposes in Ayurvedic medicine in India. In Europe, a drink called "Salep" is made from the tuberous roots of Orchis mascula and Orchis militaris. The drink is used as food, not medicine. This is an interesting topic, IMO.

haha,,,,,the title of this thread ought to be change to psychotropic plants and usage,,,,haha
thanks for the additional info.
as for the salep, other than making drinks and as far as i recall correctly, it is a type of flour obtained from certain type of orchids. it is used to produce a type of treats, in Turkey if i am not mistaken. forgot the name of the treats. white in color, very 'doughy' in texture as i recall in the tv program that the person who is making it is twisting and turning the large clump of dough over and over again. at first glance, it seems like a large clump of soft nougat to me.

[max]

This is a very interesting topic. As a matter a fact I live in the Rio Grand Valley and I am very familiar this cactus although I have never consumed it I have injoyed seeing it in the wild. It is a nice specimen that you have there. Maybe you could get seeds from it and in a few years have some more nice specimen.

[siaogu]

The stems of Dendrobium officinale has been in chinese medicine as a immune system enhancer.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Cactus plants are all so unique. I like this one. Cool.

cheers,
BD