How is caffeine used shamanically?

[TheSt0rm]

I want to know how to use caffeine sources shamanically. What is the shamanic use of coffee and what is the ritual use of coffee/caffeine substances?

 

[fairbanks]

In the amazon there are many tribes who use Guayusa every day in the morning right after they wake up to help them remember and reintegrate their dreams. Some tribes also use it before going to bed or taking ayahuasca to help their lucidity in dream time. Guayusa contains one of the highest amounts of caffeine out of any plant in the world. It also has a higher antioxidant content than green tea, so it's very healthy. Finally, it contains theobromine and l-theanine to balance out the high amount of caffeine making it a calming boost rather than that of jittery coffee.

You can purchase sustainably harvested guayusa on the internet

Please keep mention of suppliers to the suppliers subforum.

 

[Whatisreal]

Hey! I was going to suggest looking into Ilex Guayusa as well.

 

[Auxin]

Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) might be more appropriate for most here, as its north americas equivalent.
Unfortunately I dont think its sold.

The roasted leaves were boiled into a strong intensely caffeinated brew drunk for deliberations, important meetings, and ritual purification which might involve induced vomiting.

Ironically yesterday I ordered seeds for fall planting :lol:

 

[Parshvik Chintan]

Ilex vomitoria

now THAT is an unappealing name for a species.

 

[Dragibus]

I. vomitoria is believed to be the ingredient in 'Black Drink'. Like Auxin described, but it was also used as a coffee or tea substitue. From wikipedia:

The black drink or white drink was a type of ritual beverage brewed by Native Americans in the Southeastern United States such as the Muscogee ássi. It is thought to have been prepared from the roasted leaves and stems of Ilex vomitoria (commonly known as Yaupon Holly) native to the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, though it may also have been a concoction of other roots and herbs. Yaupon beverages, which have caffeine, were often used as a substitute for coffee and tea by colonists under the name cassine or cassina, the latter term derived from the Timucua name for I. vomitoria. The black drink may also have had emetic properties.

Prior to the 19th century, the black drink was consumed during the daily deliberations of the village councils and at all other important council meetings. Caddo, Muscogee, Cherokee, Choctaw and others indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands drank it for purification

I. vomitoria is also sold as an ornamental shrub in the southeast. Available at the big box stores and nurseries around here.

 

[TheSt0rm]

I love all the hollies. I've experimented with all 3 major caffeinated varieties in their raw form, ie not heat treated. I prefer them that way. I even chewed some of the yaupon leaves. It tastes like guayusa but it has a distinct property that is more heating or neutral than the guayusa which is more cooling.

Yaupon is not sold but I did get a sample to try of fresh and sun dried leaves.

I'm asking about their shamanic uses because I want to see if I can limit my caffeine intake to just using them shamanically rather than as a habit with no reason/purpose at all, especially if it leads to health consequences.

 

[fairbanks]

If you go to the outer banks of north carolina I'm pretty sure they still sell yaupon. It grows pretty benevolent and wild out there.

As far as shamanic vs habitual use. I've never had a caffeine problem but I've never felt an urge to make a habit out of my guayusa use. For me the buzz isn't really that intense like that of coffee or soda and I feel like that's the reason those caffeine sources are so addictive. You get the big rush and the big crash, kind of a trap. I haven't felt a crash since drinking guayusa and it doesn't ever feel like I'm hopped up.

 

[TheSt0rm]

Yea, I think the same is true of all addictive substances. If they lead to a crash, or if they're consumed in immoderate amounts such that the body cannot handle it, or if they're consumed improperly ie abused.. then it can lead an addiction since.. it leaves a person in a weaker state than before yet the high is still pleasurable. I believe though that if you have the right diet, and prefer the raw forms of caffeinated plants then it would have less of the negative effects, if any.

As for guayusa, yea Im not as addictive with guayusa but mainly because of the very mild taste compared to yerba mate. With yerba mate, it really feels like I'm drinking a beer, or something. I like the harsher, or the more bitter flavors.

As for with guayusa.. I will still feel like having it but mainly for the caffeine and not for the flavor as with yerba mate.

Yaupon seems to have a flavor somewhat stronger than guayusa yet the taste is almost the same. Like I said guayusa has more cooling properties while the yaupon seems to have more heating or neutral properties and it's those properties which also impart it's unique flavor.