Magic plants

Abstract

More than 20,000 of the about 400,000 known vascular plants are known for their medicinal use. A very small number of medicinal plants contain compounds that alter the function of the human mind. Although entering Western culture mostly since the 1960s, "magic" plants have been part of traditional medicine for millennia. Most of these hallucinogens are derived from plants. Interestingly, New World cultures have always been known to employ more magic plants than their counterparts on the Old World, although botanical diversity does not provide a conclusive explanation to this phenomenon. Hallucinogenic plants are traditionally used to induce altered perceptions, and ultimately mystic/religious experiences, and contact to the spirit world. In addition, such plants are often employed in traditional healing, to divine the type of illness and the needed remedy, as well as to put patients at ease to allow for a better diagnosis. The present chapter attempts a very short introduction into the world of "magic plants."