Tabernaemontana is a genus of 100-110 species of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae (Dogbane family), with a pan-tropical distribution. They are shrubs and small trees growing to 1-15 meter tall. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 3-25 cm long, with milky sap. The flowers are fragrant, 1-5 cm diameter and consist of five pointed petals that mostly grow in clusters out of the calyx. The two symmetrical fruits are divided and marked with fairly visible veins. Because of this, they are easily confused with the testes of a mammal.
Tabernaemontana sananho is native to Northern South America. It has large, attractive, glossy leaves. The flowers are white with a touch of yellow in the center. They have a deep nectar tube with 5 long petals which spiral from the center like ribbons.
This close relative of Gardenias has a powerful fragrance which is many times stronger than Gardenias and other Tabernaemontanas. A single open flower will scent a large commercial greenhouse and will overpower any other fragrance present. One placed outside could be smelled well over 100 yards away. The fragrance is absolutely intoxicating.
Taberneamontana sanango has been for many years a panacea in the uppermost Amazon. In fact, the name sanango in Peru signifies an almost all-purpose medicinal plant. In the area of Leticia, where Colombian, PEruvian, Brazilian and Tikuna influences converge, this shrub is employed as a febrifuge, an emetic, a diuretic, a calmative and for a series of other minor ailments. The species deserves a thorough phytochemical and pharmacological ivestigation with modern, sophisticated scientific methods. The plant is very strongly alkaloidal." From Barbira-Freedman, personnal communication : "Used as an admixture plant to ayahuasca. It can be a great teacher, but it is extremely dangerous -it may cause death- and only the strongest vegetalistas can prepare it". This plant is not for beginners.
The leaves, softened by fire, are applied to relieve rheumatic pains. In Pastaza, taken one week after delivery. “Pulp is used as a gargle for sore throat and colds.” Tikuna mix the latex with water for eye wounds. Jivaro apply the bark juice to toothache. Considered sudorific, tonic; used for colds, obesity, rheumatism, syphilis. Tabernaemontana is a genus of 100-110 species of flowering plants with a pan-tropical distribution in the family Apocynaceae. These plants are shrubs and small trees that grow to 1–15 m tall. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 3–25 cm long, with milky sap; hence they are one of the diverse plant genera commonly known as “milkwood”. The flowers are fragrant, white, 1–5 cm in diameter. Some members of the genus Tabernaemontana are sometimes used as additives to some versions of the entheogenic drink Ayahuasca; the genus is known to contain ibogaine (e.g. in Bëcchëte, T. undulata), conolidine and voacangine (namely in T. africana). T. sananho preparations are used in native medicine to treat eye injuries and as an anxiolytic, and T. heterophylla is used to treat dementia in the elderly. Conolidine may be developed as a new class of painkiller. Caterpillars of the Oleander Hawk-moth (Daphnis nerii) have been found to feed on Pinwheel Flower (T. divaricata).
More info can be found here:
Tabernaemontana sananho is native to Northern South America. It has large, attractive, glossy leaves. The flowers are white with a touch of yellow in the center. They have a deep nectar tube with 5 long petals which spiral from the center like ribbons.
This close relative of Gardenias has a powerful fragrance which is many times stronger than Gardenias and other Tabernaemontanas. A single open flower will scent a large commercial greenhouse and will overpower any other fragrance present. One placed outside could be smelled well over 100 yards away. The fragrance is absolutely intoxicating.
Taberneamontana sanango has been for many years a panacea in the uppermost Amazon. In fact, the name sanango in Peru signifies an almost all-purpose medicinal plant. In the area of Leticia, where Colombian, PEruvian, Brazilian and Tikuna influences converge, this shrub is employed as a febrifuge, an emetic, a diuretic, a calmative and for a series of other minor ailments. The species deserves a thorough phytochemical and pharmacological ivestigation with modern, sophisticated scientific methods. The plant is very strongly alkaloidal." From Barbira-Freedman, personnal communication : "Used as an admixture plant to ayahuasca. It can be a great teacher, but it is extremely dangerous -it may cause death- and only the strongest vegetalistas can prepare it". This plant is not for beginners.
The leaves, softened by fire, are applied to relieve rheumatic pains. In Pastaza, taken one week after delivery. “Pulp is used as a gargle for sore throat and colds.” Tikuna mix the latex with water for eye wounds. Jivaro apply the bark juice to toothache. Considered sudorific, tonic; used for colds, obesity, rheumatism, syphilis. Tabernaemontana is a genus of 100-110 species of flowering plants with a pan-tropical distribution in the family Apocynaceae. These plants are shrubs and small trees that grow to 1–15 m tall. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 3–25 cm long, with milky sap; hence they are one of the diverse plant genera commonly known as “milkwood”. The flowers are fragrant, white, 1–5 cm in diameter. Some members of the genus Tabernaemontana are sometimes used as additives to some versions of the entheogenic drink Ayahuasca; the genus is known to contain ibogaine (e.g. in Bëcchëte, T. undulata), conolidine and voacangine (namely in T. africana). T. sananho preparations are used in native medicine to treat eye injuries and as an anxiolytic, and T. heterophylla is used to treat dementia in the elderly. Conolidine may be developed as a new class of painkiller. Caterpillars of the Oleander Hawk-moth (Daphnis nerii) have been found to feed on Pinwheel Flower (T. divaricata).
More info can be found here:
