Turn your phone side ways for best viewing!
Alepidea amatymbica(A. natalensis;) Oneirogen
Iqwili, An African Ethnobotanical
Deuteronomy 18 KJV: "10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee."
Nicknames: Iqwili;
Classification: Oneirogen; Endangered Species; [ Please only buy the seeds, and share them! ]
Plant Family: Apiaceae;[1] Genus: Alepidea;[1] Species: A. amatymbica;[1] | Synonyms: A. natalensis;[2]
Ethnobotany: I have to start off by warning people, that this plant was used in African witchcraft(shamanism).[4] It's important to know that shamanism and witchcraft are the same thing, so don't be fooled into thinking that it is innocent by the down-played presentation style that's used to seduce you. Iqwili or Alepidea amatymbica, as the scientific name goes, is a rare ethnobotanical from Africa, that shamans there used as an oneirogen, and for the occult practice of necromancy and divination.[4](See Exodus 20:3,4; Deuteronomy 18) Having said all of that, I will still delve into the science behind its pharmacology down the page, and we can discuss potential non-occult applications of this specimen. Medicinally, the plant is used as an: antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, anti-HIV, and diuretic agent.[8] Scientific studies confirm these medicinal properties that folk healers discover ages ago. It's also been traditionally used for: colds, coughs, sore throat, influenza, asthma, and abdominal cramps.[9] Further more, folk healers also used it for: malaria, diarrhea, chest complaints, and to heal wounds, and for folks suffering with asthma and rheumatism.[9]
Natural Habitat: Africa;[1] "The plant generally grows on stream banks, drainage lines, and forest margins of Northern and Southern Drakensberg Mountains of the Eastern Cape Province, Lesotho, Kwazulu Natal, Swaziland, Mpumalanga, and Northern Province extending towards Zimbabwe"[9] | When cultivating Iqwili(A. amatymbica) at home, try to recreate the conditions that the plant thrives in in its native habitat.
Mixes well with: I have not personally used this plant, but can offer some suggestions based off of its pharmacology, and traditional use. In my experience, Oneirogens tend to synergize with nootropics, like Mucuna pruriens(Cowage), Gotu Kola, Lemon Balm, etc.
OG Observations: I'm very interested in what the science says about plants like Alepidea amatymbica, that have been utilized by the occult. I am a Christian, and believe that both the occult is real, and Jesus. I've been there, and have seen it for myself. The fact of the matter is, that certain plants(and/or drugs), do produce effects which seem to enhance the human sixth sense. What the shamans and occult have said about these plants, modern science is just now starting to find real scientific evidence for. Over my years of studies, I've learned that certain plants effect the brain wave states of the human mind.[3] They can work to either increase or decrease Alpha brain-wave states.[3] It's these altered brain wave states that I hypothesize is what allows the practitioners to better "hear in the spirit", so to speak. I believe that the teachings associated with witchcraft tools(including plants) ARE what's the most dangerous. There are certain ethnobotanicals which can be used in a non-occult fashion, that also has a history of use by the occult. Witches use everything from fennel, to Chamomile. Just don't make anything an idol, and avoid the snares of "magical thinking", as well as idolatry. God is God, nothing else.
How Indigenous Cultures Gave Birth To The Modern Pharmaceutical Industry Ethnobotany is the study of the cultural, or indigenous use of plants.[5][6][7] The plants that the ethnobotanist study (like A. amatymbica), are called "ethnobotanicals". Ethnobotany is a real academic field of study. It generally embraces the religious use of plants, which ties in with occult practices listed in Deuteronomy 18.[5][6][7] It's the Ethnobotanist whose research goes on to assist phytochemist in the laboratory with finding out which ethnobotanical specimens to study for research.[5][6][7] Ethnobotany, and the ethnobotanical industry, are critical in the future discovery of new medicine, and for scientific medical research, as well as the mass production of medicines.[5][6][7] Some ethnobotanicals are illegal(Cannabis, Khat), and some are barely legal(while they produce controlled substances, they theirself are not illegal[Mimosa, Morning Glory Seeds, Etc). Those specific ethnos, go on to supply illegal drug manufacturing and distribution operations.
Phytochemicals: dehydro-16-kaurene-19-oic acid, ent-16-kauren-19-oic acid, wedelia seco-kaurenolide, 313-acetoxy, phenolic acid, and rosmarinic acid;[8] It also produces the expected and common: phenol, flavonoids, and alkaloids.[8] Also found in A. amatymbica is the miraculous Proanthocyanidin, as well as saponins;[8] Other phytochemicals found in A. amatymbics include: wedelia seco-kaurenolide, and 313-acetoxy, and somethig called Kaurene derivatives.[9] Each one of these phytochemical components, has a wide range of medicinal properties. This is a recurring pattern in nature. You can look each individual component up on PubChem, which is also known as the National Library Of Medicine, an online electronic academic database of credible scientific literature on insane numbers of pharmacologically active phytochemical components of various ethnobotanicals.
Pharmacological / Medicinal Properties: It's important to know that even if you were able to identify Alepieda amatymbica in the wild, there's no guarantee that it is in fact A. amatymbica, specifically.. Also note that closely related relatives are almost always very similar in effect and chemical makeup. Numerous strains of Amatymbica species have been studied in the laboratory. This plant reminds me a lot of the Eryngium genus.. Being that it produces numerous species with practically the same properties and phytochemical makeup..(sorta like Cannabis!) Keeping this in mind: Two strains of Amatymbica have been studied in the lab ( in a specific study that I am citing here ).[2] A natalensis, and A. amatymbica were both tested for their potential anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and genotoxicity tests, with positive results!.[2] Ethanol extracts were prepared for this experiment, as well as water extracts.[2] The water extracts(tea) of A. natalensis rhizomes produced high activity against four bacterial strains: Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli(E.coli), Klebsiella pneumoniaea, and Staphylococcus aureus.[2] Extracts of A. amatymbica rhizomes demonstrated the best activity out of all of them against Bacillus subtilis.[2] A. natalensis leaf extracts displayed the highest anti-fungal activity out of all the extracts tested.[2]
Final Tip: I want to quote an academic source on this one: "There is a need to scientifically validate the claim that wild species of medicinal plants are more potent than the cultivated plants."[8] Keep this in mind... Plants that come back yearly(Perennial), will be better as the years go by.. For example, Echinacea is more potent on the second year, than the first. Wild perennials that have been around for decades, or possibly even hundreds of years, are going to far exceed that which you get from homegrown. It's not that your homegrown won't be any good, just that it won't be as good as wild harvested. Never harvest more than 30% of any wild patch of medicinal plant that you find, that's an old Native American rule my friend shared with me many years ago.
Related Ethnobotanicals:
Buy Iqwili
Academic citations:
[2] Mulaudzi, R. B., et al. "Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and genotoxicity activity of Alepidea amatymbica and Alepidea natalensis (Apiaceae)." South African Journal of Botany 75.3 (2009): 584-587.
[3] Kometer, Michael, et al. "Psilocybin-induced spiritual experiences and insightfulness are associated with synchronization of neuronal oscillations." Psychopharmacology 232 (2015): 3663-3676.
[4] Sobiecki, J. F. "A review of plants used in divination in southern Africa and their psychoactive effects." Southern African Humanities 20.2 (2008): 333-351.
[8] Mangoale, Ramatsobane Maureen, and Anthony Jide Afolayan. "Comparative phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of wild and cultivated Alepidea amatymbica Eckl & Zeyh." BioMed research international 2020.1 (2020): 5808624.
[9] Wintola, O. A., and A. J. Afolayan. "Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh.: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology." Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014.1 (2014): 284517.
[5] Richard Evans Schultes, and Albert Hoffman. Plants of the Gods : Their Sacred, Healing and Hallucinogenic Powers. Rochester, Vt, Healing Arts, 1979.
[6] Tyler, Varro E, et al. Pharmacognosy. 1988.
[7] Balick, Michael J., and Paul Alan Cox. Plants, People, and Culture : The Science of Ethnobotany. New York, Garland Science, 2020.
Encyclopedia Sources:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alepidea
Other resources:
M.A.P.S. Ethnobotanical Studies By Scholars
PubChem - pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov