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∂an

Cannabis substitutes in Africa

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An interesting article titled "Entheogens of Africa" in Issue 2 Volume 3 of the Dragibus magazine lists a number of plant species that are used as "cannabis substitutes" (i.e. mixed with tobacco and smoked). These species and the parts used are:

Cineraria aspera (?)

Cullen obtusifolia (leaves and stems)

Sutherlandia frutescens (seeds and leaves)

Nenax microphylla (seed)

Apart from the medicinal use of Sutherlandia frutescens (Wikipedia: An infusion made from the leaves is a traditional remedy for fever, chicken pox, flu, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, and stomach and liver problems), there doesn't appear to be much ethnobotanical information online about these plants. Does anyone have any experience with growing or using them?

Cheers,

∂an

Edited by ∂an
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here is a little bit of information, i don't think much more than this has been studied in relation to these plants. i'd be interested to see further investigation

Cineraria aspera
Thunb. [moholu-oa-pela (S)]
The leaves can be smoked for respiratory problems and is said
to be as intoxicating as Cannabis sativa
L.*
(Phillips, 1917; Jacot Guillarmod, 1971)
Cullen obtusifolia
(DC.) C.H. Stirton [!honab (N)]
The leaves and stems are smoked in parts of the Kalahari as a
tobacco and dagga (Cannabis) substitute and have a sedative
activity (Van Wyk & Gericke, 2000).

Sutherlandia frutescens
(L.) R. Br.
[cancer bush]
The seeds and leaves have been smoked by labourers and teen-
agers as a dagga substitute in Namaqualand, and some farmers
have removed it from their land as a result (Van Wyk & Gericke,
2000).
Nenax microphylla
(Sond.) Salter
The seeds of this Karoo shrublet are used by people of the Karoo
as a dagga (Cannabis) substitute (Van Wyk & Gericke, 2000)

http://ethnobotany.co.za/docs/Inventory%20of%20psychoactive%20plants%20Southern%20Africa%20Sobiecki%202002.pdf


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i grow Sutherlandia frutescens., also known as Çancer Bush.

Taken as tea occasionally. No noticeable effects to report (other than lack of cancer :wink: )

Never smoked it, never even contemplated it, never heard of it being used this way till now.

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here is a little bit of information, i don't think much more than this has been studied in relation to these plants. i'd be interested to see further investigation

cool, that looks like the source referenced in the Dragibus article. I will have a read.

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i grow Sutherlandia frutescens., also known as Çancer Bush.

Taken as tea occasionally. No noticeable effects to report (other than lack of cancer :wink: )

Never smoked it, never even contemplated it, never heard of it being used this way till now.

probably for the best, smoking might negate any cancer fighting qualities. any tips on where to get seeds or a plants?

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