Sinicuichi (Heimia Salicifolia)

"Plant of the yellow vision" A flowering shrub from Mexico employed by the Aztecs during trance rituals. Native from Mexico to Argentina. Sinicuichi has been called an Auditory hallucinogen. Heimia salicifolia is still used by some Mexican shamans as a tool for divination. The natives hold Sinicuichi to be sacred and endowed with supernatural powers and that it helps them recall vividly the events of many years earlier.

Heimia salicifolia is a shrub with numerous small dark green leaves, and often dozens of tiny bright yellow flowers. Hallucinogenic properties are attributed to Five quinolizidine alkaloids in Hemia salicifolia. The Sinicuichi leaves are used to prepare a tea taken for a wide variety of problems and has been tested and proven to have euphoric, general relaxation and pleasant drowsiness effects. The genus is currently being investigated for its anti-inflammatory properties.

The genus Heimia was named in honor of the German physician Ernst Ludwig Heim (1747-1834). The psychoactive effects were first reported in 1896 by Calderon and described as a yellowing of the vision and altered acoustic perception. This plant typifies an hallucinogen of which the hallucinogenic characteristics are mainly auditory.

It is traditionally prepared by with 10 grams of leaves for about 3 or 4 cupfuls of boiling water.

The plucked leaves are allowed to wilt slightly, are crushed in water, permitted to ferment for a day in the sun, and drunk. Dried herb may be steeped in hot water and allowed to sit in the sun for 1 day before drinking. Less than 10 grams dried herb or equivalent of fresh leaves suggested as starting dose.

Only for botanical and other licit studies.