lugdun

This species seems to belong to pluteus genera (by its general form and above all by its rotted wood substract) but I am not sure 100% cause I don't see any pink coloration on mature gills on the photo. If you have seen any slight pink coloration on the mature gills, this species is well a pluteus but to determine the precise species a little more research is necessary.

As for as I am concerned, valeriana roots are completely harmless for liver and benevolent by its sedative and tranquilizing properties for the spirit. Don't spread misinformations please! The fear concerning the in vitro mutagenic valepotriates compounds has been pooved to be completely unwarranted for several reasons ... I encourage you to make a serious research, it takes times to build its own opinion. It's a herb used since a very very long times with a good reputation and any reported harmful effects, it's already a reason to not denegrate it. Overdose is very difficult to obtain and then the ill symptoms are reversible Kava is also harmless contrarily its recent bad reputation started by bad and biased scientific articles. [ 25. January 2004, 02:01: Message edited by: lugdun ]

Auxin, I understand what you mean. Sorry for my impatience Thelema. Cordially [ 03. January 2004, 04:36: Message edited by: lugdun ]

Ah I have forgot, I would want to suggest you that there are any other means to validate scientifically the truth of your experience that you reveal (early or late) the botanical name of your Salvia sp because most people, if whole in this forum, can't verify if your dry leaves you send by mail to your generous guinea pigs, are not laced with salvinorin. In the past you have revealed us that Salvia buchananii possess effects similar to S. splendens but much stronger and I tend to believe you. Then I toss you a call, give us the name of your species to allow us to verify in great number, and that would add credibility in your discover. Thanks [ 03. January 2004, 02:29: Message edited by: lugdun ]

Hie Thelema, It's really a GREAT NEWS (if it's true): a finally new real hallucinogenic Salvia sp after S. divinorum! (?). But why don't you want to reveal its exact botanical identity ?? If your experiment was truly entheogenic, then it should not have place about doubts concerning the activity of your plant, but oddly you feel the need to ensure you by verifying with other people, while concealing the identity of your plant which greatly bothers me, I am afraid to conclude that your experience is either weak (not intensely hallucinogenic) or it's a joke for new year. You seem nevertheless very enthusiastic by your discover, then I wait for to see. [ 03. January 2004, 04:15: Message edited by: lugdun ]

A lot of factors can lead to failures with calea eperiments. Firstly dreams recalls are very subjective experiences, not always easy to quantify, and often difficult to assess the intensity in a scientific way. The strain of Calea zacatechichi (Chontal name: Thlepelakano) you obtain seems of prime importance, only one "chemical-type" seems endowed with the seeked oneirogenic activity regard to Chontal who use it to obtain divinatory messages from dreams. It's very difficult if not impossible (if you are not an expert or a Chontal) to distinguish the good variety from the inactives. You must stumble on the good seller who provides the good variety. It depends also on your own sensibility to receive and appreciate the subtle oneirogenic effects. Preparation: you must NOT boil the dry leaves, NO decoction but only an infusion (to extract the water-soluble active principles), the infusion is very bitter, not for the squeamish people.

Thanks very much for the informative article. I love kava effects but really I can't bear the taste. I have tried an ethanol extract certified to 30% kavalactones, but perhaps a more traditional methods is the solution, the ideal would be to have got fresh roots, much more powerfull when correctly prepared than dried roots. Here is an excellent article about kava and its medicinal properties, and amongst others interesting things the molecular structure of the piperidine alkaloid pipermethysticine, discovered originally in leaves but revealed absent in roots. Kava

A few answers for the problem of nitrate accumulation in plants. It's true that Salvia reflexa in polluted environment could hoard excessive, then harmful levels of nitrate. (1) Facilitate uptake of nitrate by plant Use of high nitrogenous fertilisers Stockyards Low soil S and Mo, and, (2) reduce the ability of plant reductases to reduce nitrate to ammonia Drought, dry periods where sufficient moisture at night for nitrate uptake During day wilting reduces reductase activity Eventually nitrate accumulates Cloudiness, certain herbicides also reduce plant reductases

An internet research led me to the following interesting text: Madagascar periwinkle's traditional use (Vinca rosea) as a treatment for diabetes has led to extensive investigation into its properties. Vincristine and vinblastine are powerful anticancer agents, and are two of the most important medicinal compounds found in plants in the last 40 years. Vincristine is a standard treatment for Hodgkin's disease, and vinblastine for childhood leukemia. Although extracts from Madagascar periwinkle have been shown to lower blood sugar levels, simple preparations of the whole plant may not be effective. Madagascar periwinkle (Vinca rosea) contains over 70 different indole alkaloids, including vinblastine, vincristine, alstonine, ajmalicine, leurocristine, and reserpine. Lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor) was called "sorcerers violet" by the French, in reference to its use in charms and love potions. Europeans also believed that periwinkle had the power to exorcise evil spirits.

-> PERIWINKLE (Vinca spp.); entire plant; plant contains hallucinogens An other ineptitude of this resolutely bad document (this example is once again very inaccurate and vague: what species is it, Vinca minor or major, no one of this two species possess hallucinogenic active priciples !!! ). Vinca minor is a very famous medicinal plant which is the source of the indole alkaloid vincamine , very beneficial to brain working.

In this document I read Tribulus terrestris posseses toxic level of nitrate!!! I recall that Tribulus terrestris is one of the best and highly esteemed medicinal plant in ayurvedic phytotherapy. This document is obviously a duster.