Joseph Campbell, Oriental Mythology, Penguin Books, 1972. Carlos Castaneda, The Teachings Of Don Juan, Penguin Books 1974. Brugmansia For a long time Brugmansias, were regarded as a subspecies of the genus Datura. Only relatively recently have Botanists classified Brugmansias as a separate genus. However, the phytochemistry of Datura and Brugmansia species and hence their sacred and medicinal uses are very similar indeed.
Culture plants i.e. plants that have played a significant role in the development of human culture.
The success of such operations is archeologically evidenced. The bones of trepanated skulls found at archeological sites in Peru show no signs of infection. Ayahuasca Ayahuasca , a strong hallucinatory brew, usually prepared from Banisteriopsis caapi, a member of the Malpighiaceae, and Psychotria viridis of the Rubiaceae family. Ayahuasca is the most important psychotropic ritual preparation of the Amazon. Frequently other psychoactive plants are added to the basic brew.