Bobinsana (Calliandra angustifolia)

[ohayoco]

I have some leaves of this plant. I'd be grateful if anyone who has experience with it could give me a rundown, specifically on dosages and preparations.

I'm primarily interested in its use as an ayawaska admixture, but I'm also interested in its use on its own.

My 'desk research' so far will follow.

 

[ohayoco]

The chemical constituents in bobinsana are not well documented. It is believed to contain harmala alkaloids, amino acids, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and sterols. Two studies reports the presence of several pipecolic acids.

Historical

This plant has been well known for centuries as a powerful healing plant. Traditionally a decoction of the bark is used. Indigenous people from Rio Pastaza use this plant, when they have to swim a river or fight. People of the Peruvian Amazon also grate the bark into baths.
Bobinsana is used by the Indians as an adjunctive ingredient in various Ayahuasca recipes in the Amazon, sometimes interchangeably with Chacruna. It is considered a "plant teacher" and is sometimes added to Ayahuasca recipes to help the shamans connect to and learn from the plants on a spiritual level.

Calliandra angustifolia Spruce ex Bentham [Leguminosae] Ott 1994 and Bianchi & Samorini 1993 and McKenna et al. 1986 cited Luna 1984b. McKenna et al. 1986 cited López Guillen & De Cornelio 1974b and Luna 1984b. Ott was told by a Shuar ayahuascero that Calliandra bark was added to ayahuasca interchangeably with chacruna; p. 31 in Ott 1994 See also Schultes & Raffauf 1990. Used as admixture by Mestizos in Iquitos region. Luna 1984b citing Soukop 1970. Said to be cultivated for purely ornamental purposes by the Kofán. Schultes 1983c.

TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES

In the Amazon, the Indians of the Rio Pastaza consider bobinsana to be a stimulant. They prepare a decoction of the roots to take for strength and energy. The Shipibo-Conibo Indians in the Ucayali area of Peru call the tree semein and prepare a bark tincture for rheumatism, arthritis, colds, uterine disorders, and edema (or water retention). The indigenous people and tribes in the Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon prepare a bark tincture (with aguardiente) for bone pain, arthritis, rheumatism, and colds. They also grate the bark into baths to increase resistance to sickness and to resist the cold and chills.

Bobinsana is also used by the Indians as an adjunctive ingredient in various ayahuasca recipes in the Amazon. Ayahuasca is a phytochemically-rich combination of plants brewed by Indian shamans to connect to the spirit world. Through a series of reactions among chemicals from several plants working together, a hallucinogenic plant extract is created. While bobinsana is not itself a hallucinogen, it is considered a "plant teacher" and is sometimes added to ayahuasca recipes to help the shamans connect to and learn from the plants on a spiritual level.

In Peruvian herbal medicine systems a decoction of the bark is prepared and it is considered to be anti-rheumatic, contraceptive, tonic, stimulant, and depurative. A bark decoction is also used for dyspnea (shortness of breath). A decoction of the roots is recommended for uterine cancer and as a depurative (blood cleanser) as well. A decoction of the entire plant (leaves, stem, twigs, flowers) is prepared as a decoction as a general energizing tonic.
...
Contraindications: Bobinsana is traditionally used as a contraceptive in Peru. While there is no research to confirm this possible action, those seeking to get pregnant should probably avoid this plant.

I've checked the aya forums but found nothing of consequence on it.

 

[Nydex]

Well, time to revive this thread which unfortunately doesn't seem to have taken off in the first place. I've obtained some dried bobinsana whole leaves and want to start working with this plant spirit in a therapeutic and healing way. The vast majority of the mentions of bobinsana on the Nexus seem to refer to it as an ayahuasca admixture, which is not my intent. I want to work only with it for a bit of time and see how it affects my energy. I'm not interested in the big purging cleanse, but a gradual and gentle relationship with the spirit which may or may not build up to a purge at some point.

In that sense, can anyone that has any first- or second-hand experience with this plant share any insights in terms of dosage, method of preparation, frequency of use, and any other elements in the process of effectively working with it? I'd be very grateful.

I'd be especially grateful to @CosmicLion if he were to join this conversation, as I noticed in late 2018 in this thread he said:

It is one of my favorite plants of all time...

Love and light to all

 

[Transform]

All I have is a few small branches of Calliandra haematocephala, which I've not yet got around to trying for several years. Well, about a decade

 

[ommani]

I have a large amount of Bobinsana leaves that I bought after having some positive experiences with Bobinsana tincture in the past.

I don’t relate to Bobinsana as a purgative, and haven’t seen much about it being used that way, aside from being used as an Ayahuasca admixture.

I like adding Bobinsana to my daytime teas. A little bit goes a long way. Over one tsp of leaves, or so, starts to feel mind altering, so I only add a little bit to each cup of tea - usually 1/8-1/4 tsp per cup.

I might have 4-6 cups of tea over the course of the morning and afternoon, so the total amount of Bobinsana never gets too high. The reason I drink so many cups of tea is because of my high sensitivity to caffeine, which I offset by drinking multiple cups of light tea.

I find Bobinsana to be relaxing and uplifting. It also seems to facilitate verbal communication and social confidence.

On the other hand, I have gotten the sense that my propensity to experience anger seems to possibly get heightened with Bobinsana in my system, but it’s hard to parse out what’s happening there, and it could be unrelated.

 

[Nydex]

I have a large amount of Bobinsana leaves that I bought after having some positive experiences with Bobinsana tincture in the past.

I don’t relate to Bobinsana as a purgative, and haven’t seen much about it being used that way, aside from being used as an Ayahuasca admixture.

I like adding Bobinsana to my daytime teas. A little bit goes a long way. Over one tsp of leaves, or so, starts to feel mind altering, so I only add a little bit to each cup of tea - usually 1/8-1/4 tsp per cup.

I might have 4-6 cups of tea over the course of the morning and afternoon, so the total amount of Bobinsana never gets too high. The reason I drink so many cups of tea is because of my high sensitivity to caffeine, which I offset by drinking multiple cups of light tea.

I find Bobinsana to be relaxing and uplifting. It also seems to facilitate verbal communication and social confidence.

On the other hand, I have gotten the sense that my propensity to experience anger seems to possibly get heightened with Bobinsana in my system, but it’s hard to parse out what’s happening there, and it could be unrelated.

Thank you for sharing your process with it

At what temperature do you steep the leaves along with the rest of your tea? And have you noticed issues with sleep when consuming the tea not long before bed, if you've ever done it?

Quite peculiar, what you said about anger. Some indigenous people associate Bobinasana with opening of the heart. Could there be a link between this, and some pent up anger you might be carrying around subconsciously that finds an outlet under the effects of this plant?

 

[northape]

I only use bobinsana as an ayahuasca admix. From what I've read, it has many health benefits and seems to bring a compassionate vibe to the journey.
I don't know about heart-opening, but teas with bobinsana tend to be more emotional, perhaps. Where did you hear that it could be purgative?
Mapacho and the vine are quite purgative in nature, but bobinsana and ajo sacha are fine. Ajo sacha is a good digestive aid and a very protective plant.

It's interesting how bobinsana would work by itself. All the best with your experiment.

 

[Nydex]

I only use bobinsana as an ayahuasca admix. From what I've read, it has many health benefits and seems to bring a compassionate vibe to the journey.
I don't know about heart-opening, but teas with bobinsana tend to be more emotional, perhaps. Where did you hear that it could be purgative?
Mapacho and the vine are quite purgative in nature, but bobinsana and ajo sacha are fine. Ajo sacha is a good digestive aid and a very protective plant.

It's interesting how bobinsana would work by itself. All the best with your experiment.

Thanks for chiming in, north! I base the purgative aspect of bobinsana on hearsay from my time in Peru, where some people were talking about bobinsana being part of their pre-Aya diet which had purges. However, the emetic properties might have been contributed by another plant in the diet entirely, so don't quote me on its relation to bobinsana specifically.

I'll definitely try it out on its own, combined with the occasional Rapeh to ground myself and clear the energy blockages. I'll update this thread with my findings.

 

[northape]

Thanks for chiming in, north! I base the purgative aspect of bobinsana on hearsay from my time in Peru, where some people were talking about bobinsana being part of their pre-Aya diet which had purges. However, the emetic properties might have been contributed by another plant in the diet entirely, so don't quote me on its relation to bobinsana specifically.

Oh, I see. I myself never felt any purgative vibes from bobinsana. I drank it by itself a few times, but that was ages ago. From what I remember, it was just like a herbal tea.

I'll definitely try it out on its own, combined with the occasional Rapeh to ground myself and clear the energy blockages. I'll update this thread with my findings.

Sounds good. I'm very interested in your findings myself.

 

[Transform]

For reference:

Science paper - Calliandra pentandra (tetrahydroharmine)

"I have recently learned of analysis of an Ayahuasca brew that had used the plant Calliandra pentandra as a component, instead of the usual Psychotria viridis." […] "Calliandra pentandra has good amounts of THH in the leaves, and it is used as an add mixture by some groups like the Shuar in...

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