From: rcain@netcom.com (Robert Cain)
Newsgroups: alt.drugs
Subject: Re: San Pedro (Trichocereus pachonoi)
Date: 14 Apr 92 05:10:43 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

Quoting from ..of the jungle's catalog:

> Trichercereus spp of Ethnopharmocologic Interest
> Each of these hardy Trichocereus species are excellent as grafting stock
> for smaller slower low-growing cacti.  These are also the 'best' types in
> terms of their known properties for ethnopharmcological specimen collectors.
> Trichocereus are the fastest growing cacti, very easy from seed. Within 12
> to 18 months quantities of vigorous stock can be raised to sizes which are
> the equivelent of beginning by vegetative cuttings, but in far less space
> and at considerable savings.  Researchers should note that genetic variation
> between seedling individuals will give rise to interesting new characteristics
> (ie. rate of growth, hardiness, bioactivity) unobtainable from cloned
> populations or cuttings.
> 
> T. bridgesii (slender, columnar, fast)
> T. macrogonus (huge, columnar)
> T. peruvianus (very fast, huge, columnar)
> T. peruvianus var. trujilloensis (new variety!)
> T. santiaguensis (tall, wide, columnar)
> T. scopolicola (similar to peruvianus, choice)
> T. smrzianus (dwarf, clumping, red flowered)
> T. spachianaus (graceful, columnar)
> T. terscheckii (gigantic, broad, columnar)
> T. validus (dwarf, clumping, pink flowered)
> T. werdermannianus (tall, columnar)
>  select one of avove Trichicereus seeds 100/$5

Following that is complete growing instructions.

On the next page under a beautiful etching:

> Trichocereus pachanoi 'San Pedro Cactus'
> 
> San Pedro is a large columnar cactus of unusually rapid growth (12-18"/yr)
> and is tolerant of a broad range of conditions.  It is especially popular
> as a specimen because of it's near lack of spines and its lovely, hypnotic,
> huge 10" night-blooming fowers which fill the air with their heavenly, quite
> unforgettable fragrence.  Prefers rich, drained, composted soil, abundant
> watering and full sun. Tolerant of frost. Does well indoors in pots. Easy
> to cultivate. We ship this hardy species year-round. Healthy, well rooted
> 6"-10" specimens in vigorous growth.  $15 per plant.

There are several other ethnopharmacological cacti listed, some containing
DMT, some phenylethylamine alkaloids and one called 'Cawe' which I think
we know about.

These folks are not in the drug business, they are a serious source of
ethnobotanicals and ethnopharmacologicals for research purposes.

From another research source:

> The sacrement has been prepared in various traditional ways since ancient
> times, typically involving a one pound section, 6-12" long of a 3" diameter
> stalk.  Long strips were sometimes sliced to consume raw and fresh since the
> 'medicinal/spiritual' virtues lie in the 1/2 in. deep skin of the cactus.
> Most frequently, however, folk healers follow ancient tradition by preparing
> an intoxicating drink called cimora, utilizing the entire section.
> 
> Short lengths of stem are finely chopped and simmered in several quarts of
> water for two to three hours.  This extract is strained and set aside. The
> process is repeated with half the amount of water for one hour more. The
> resulting two extracts are then combined and boiled down to a potent cactus
> concentrate.

Nowhere can I find how much of that to ingest.  Time for some intrepid
tripping methinks.  If I had a house, it would have the prettiest cactus
garden for a front yard. ;-)

Peace,

Bob

-- 
Bob Cain    rcain@netcom.com   408-358-2007

"There are some strings.  They're just not attached."
                                                    Victoria Roberts
Newsgroups: alt.drugs