Plant Intoxicants

Von Bibra's Die narkotischen Genußmittal und der Mensch, first published in 1855 and first translated into English in 1994, is one of the earliest works of enthnobotanical scholarship. With a biographical foreword by Martin Haseneier and technical notes by Jonathan Ott, Plant Intoxicants examines the cultivation, preparation, and consumption of 17 different plants, including Amanita muscaria, opium, hashish, coca, and datura.

Witness the author's lively style in this passage from the chapter on Amanita muscaria:

"One large mushroom is sufficient for a pleasant, one-day intoxication, but the effect is increased when water is drunk afterwards. Like opium or hashish, the fly agaric stimulates the imagination. The effect first appears, however, after one or two hours. At that point the drinkers lie down on their backs, sing, and conjure up visions of love, happiness, wealth, and prestige. They also reportedly imagine themselves to be fat and stout, a desirable condition, it seems, for those nations. Shamans are said to move into a fully prophetic state. The brew causes some persons to become particularly lively and others dull and sluggish. The fly agaric seems to act differently on different persons, the same as alcoholic drinks. This is not quite the same case with opium or hashish. The most absurd things occur at fly agaric feasts. Musical talents sing constantly, some people chatter, laugh, and tell their secrets to everybody, whereas others behave as if they were under the influence of hashish. Their concept of space disappears, and they make big leaps to step over a blade of grass or other small objects. Often muscular strength is particularly increased. Langdorf, among others, mentions the case of a man under the influence of a fly agaric intoxication carried a bag weighing 120 pounds fifteen miles."

Though most of hte plants discussed are not entheogens, readers will enjoy von Bibra's mix of anecdotes and scientific evidence. Ott's notes are as usual enlightening and give added depth to the text.