Elaeagnus derived harmala powder
Materials
mature Elaeagnus angustifolia bark/rootbark
Distilled H2O
HCl
NaOH (can be substituted with NH4)
Boiling vessel
(atleast 2) Glass or ceramic reaction vessels
Separatory funnel or high capacity syringe
Non-reactive stirrer
Evaporation tray
Process
1. I gathered about 5 lbs worth of young shoots and dead branches from a Russian olive in my backyard. Though leaves and fruits could technically be used, like ayahuasca, I hypothesize that the alkaloids occur in much greater concentrations within the bark. The tree I used was too young for me to be able to strip bark from, unlike older specimens which can donate their old skin just fine. The branches just barely yielded a single active dose, so it definitely seems that mature bark, or root bark if possible, will generate the greatest payout for one's efforts. I consider there to be too many essential oils and fats found in the flowers, leaves,and fruits to merit their use in extraction.
2. Branches were chopped finely(shredded would be preferable) and placed in a 7 quart pot. A solution of water and 10% HCl was poured into the pot to cover plant material, then boiled for 30 minutes. Liquid was filtered and decanted into a separate container, and fresh acidified solution was added to the pot to extract the plant matter another two times.
3. Combined liquid from extracts was then concentrated to 400mL by boiling, pH adjusted to the lowside of 3 with addition of HCl.
4. I didn't have NaOH on hand, so I substituted it with NH4. Shot glass volumes were slowly stirred into solution until alkaloid precipitation was clearly visible. This was let to settle.
5. As soon as you want, liquid is separated from precipitate to be discarded into second reaction vessel.
6a. Add distilled H2O to precipitate, stir, discard liquid to the previous second reaction vessel. Repeat this step until the precipitate washes run clear.
6b. Allow discarded solution to settle for 12 hours to turn up additional precipitate, and discard liquid. The spent liquid may be saved to repeat the settling process again and again until no more alkaloids precipitate.
7. Add about 50mL of 10% HCl solution to the precipitate to convert the freebase harmalas to a hydrochloride salt, readily dissolving into the liquid. Dilute solution with an additional 150mL distilled H2O, and allow all particulates to settle. Separate and save liquid, remaining solids can be disposed of.
8. NH4 slowly stirred into liquid until precipitation becomes apparent. Do not overbasify. This solution should be allowed to settle for at least 12 hours.
9. Precipitate should be clearly separated within the solution at this point, discard cloudy liquid to second reaction vessel. 200mL water is added to wash the precipitate, the process mirroring steps 6a & 6b. Repeat until solution's pH measure 7-8.
10. Separate precipitate from liquid, and spread out in evaporation tray in front of a fan, until dry. My extract turned out reddish-tan, lightening with age.
Yields should be weighed with a milligram scale, for accuracy.
I only came out with 200mg, just enough to feel the harmala alkaloids effect me. My bioassay was enough to give me a newfound respect for a tree that is so often looked upon by land managers with disdain. This right here is an Ayahuasca analogue that grows abundantly across America.
I have not yet tried this extract in combination with DMT, but its effects suggest that it will work marvelously.
I plan on repeating the process with mature bark, next time, as well as use NaOH instead of NH4. I performed this particular extraction way back in April and failed to photodocument it, but keep an eye out for an updated tek complete with photos, whenever I get around to sourcing some thick bark from my neighbors.