A shrub or extensive liana in tropical forests. The bark is usually chocolate-brown and smooth. Leaves are opposite, oval-shaped, green, marginally entire, 8-18 cm long, 3.5-8 cm wide, upper surface glaborous. The inflorescence is axillary or terminal cymose panicles. Flowers are 12-14 mm in diameter 2.5-3 mm long, 1.5 mm wide with pink petals, 5-7 mm long, 4-5 mm wide and 10 stamens. The fruit is a samara nut, 5 mm long. This liana is maily propagated vegetatively because it rarely blossoms and sets seed. The fan-like shaped seeds are green when fresh, but turn brown with age.

Antibacterial, antifeedant, antileishmanic, antimalarial, aphrodisiac, bradycardic, bronchospasmogenic, cardiovascular, convulsant, CNS Stimulant, cytotoxic, desmutagenic, emetic, euphoric, hallucinogen, hyperkinetic, laxative, phototoxic, protisticide, psychotropic, respiradepressant, spinodepressant, telepathic, tremorigenic, uteroactive, vermifuge (Ayahuasca)

Ayahuasca Vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) Information

5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, N-methyltryptamine (bark); harmaline (seed); harmalol (plant)

A drink (infusion or decoction) made from the plant known as "Ayahuasca", is used medicinally for many disease conditions including amebiasis, bacterial infections, bronchosis, constipation, encephalosis, hypokinesis, impotence, leishmaniasis, lethargy, malaria, myosis, obesity, paralysis, Parkinson’s disease, spasms, trypanosomiasis and worm trouble.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 684, CRC Press July 2002.