A Look at some Stimulating Ethnobotanicals in the Ilex genus

[Teotzlcoatl]

All quotes are from wiki.

No it is DEF. not related to Strychnos nux-vomica.

Look at genus names, not species names for relations.

[southeast-isher]

I drink Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensis) after friends brought some back from South America - i love the effects of this drink - and was wondering is there anyone out there growing it on a non commericla basis? Would it grow in Europe?

[southeast-isher]

I am now very interested in trying some Guayusa. I see Runa sell it in bags in the US now but it is hard for me to get in the UK.

[southeast-isher]

Re: the vomit sounding name.

Native Americans used the leaves and stems to brew a tea, commonly thought to be called asi or black drink for male-only purification and unity rituals. The ceremony included vomiting, and Europeans incorrectly believed that it was Ilex vomitoria that caused it (hence the Latin name). The active ingredient is actually caffeine, and the vomiting was either learned or as a result of the great quantities in which they drank the beverage coupled with fasting.[3][8] Others believe the Europeans improperly assumed the black drink to be the tea made from Ilex vomitoria when it was likely an entirely different drink made from various roots and herbs and did have emetic properties.

[southeast-isher]

Really cool video on the subject by this guy:

http://youtu.be/ombJKBPx5NQ