Read to Know About Iboga A Healing Plant from Gabon

In industrialized countries, micro-dosing psychedelic chemicals like Psilocybin and LSD for many reasons is becoming more frequent. Micro-dosing is widely thought to be safe, however, a new player has lately joined the team. People are starting to try Iboga and also its active constituent Ibogaine all around the world.

Tabernanthe iboga actually is a shrub in the family of Apocynaceae, native to Central African countries, whose root bark can be historically used as a sacrament and for microdosing ibogaine in initiatory ceremonies.

The main alkaloid ibogaine, as well as 11 additional iboga alkaloids, are found in the root bark. Ibogaine has been most extensively studied among the iboga alkaloids. Other alkaloids in the plant are thought to have medicinal qualities as well.

The alkaloid ibogaine is found in various plant species, including Taberntanthe iboga, Tabernaemontana, Voacanga iboga, and Tabernanthe Manii. Among the several plants described, Tabernanthe iboga is usually the most frequently used. 

Although ibogaine obtained from Voacanga iboga, is a more sustainable source and is increasingly available, the majority of ibogaine utilized by treatment providers originates from Tabernanthe iboga.

Iboga has been found to reduce the severity of disorders of substance use, eliminate the withdrawal state associated with opiate use, and decrease the compulsive need (craving) to use a wide range of drugs. 

The experience of iboga can aid in a thorough examination of one’s personal past and current position, as well as changes in behavior and one’s perceived function in society.

So what an Iboga is, and how will it work?

The evergreen rainforest shrub Tabernanthe Iboga is native to Cameroon, Congo, Angola, and Gabon. Although T. Iboga is quite well-known, and also T. Manii is used. Gabon is home to at least 7 officially recognized species, with more likely to be discovered.

After its first year, the plant, which can grow to be 1 or 2 meters tall and up to a maximum of 10 meters tall at maturity, can produce bright orange color inedible fruit. The Gabonese Mbiri and Bwiti traditions are most commonly employed for healing and activities.

Spiritual and initiation ceremonies are the emphases of Bwiti. Mbiri, its sibling tradition, is more healing-oriented.

Bwiti rose to prominence around the turn of this century when French colonialism brought the coastal Bantu tribe in touch with the upland Pygmy. As a result of the ensuing violence, the Pygmies decided on sharing their iboga technique with the Bantu hoping to defuse tensions.

Iboga is taken from the mature plant’s root for microdosing ibogaine. The roots’ bitter inner bark has a high concentration of therapeutic alkaloids, including ibogaine. Plants that are at least 3 years old are preferred, however, they should be harvested.

Harvesting entails either uprooting the entire plant or a laborious procedure of removing root bark and stunting the shrub’s growth. Recent worries about the shrub’s ecological effect and sustainability have arisen as a result of its growing global appeal, harvesting practices, and the influence of climate change.

The price of the plant now has skyrocketed, and due to scarcity, several rituals have substituted palm spirits for the root.

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Earnest Dunaway

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