Kanna (Sceletium tortuosm) is a low-growing succulent that’s native to countries within Southern Africa. Other common names in field guides and literature include Channa and Kougoed. Like kratom leaves or the controversial Areca nut, Kanna is chewed to produce a mild, mood-boosting, euphoric high.| Herbs of Life and Death
Areca nuts, also known as betel nuts, are fruits produced on the Areca palm tree (Areca catechu). The nuts are treated like chewing tobacco and are chewed for a mild sedative and relaxing effect.| Herbs of Life and Death
Sleepy grass (Achnatherum robustum), is a perennial grass native to the US. Not to be confused with ‘shy’ grass (the plant that is sensitive to touch and folds its leaves when poked), which is also occasionally known as sleepy grass. As the name suggests, sleepy grass contains some powerful active compounds…| Herbs of Life and Death
Native to tropical regions throughout the world, smilax (Smilax), is a large genus of trailing vine plants. Many species produce edible berries, shoots, and roots which are used in traditional medicines. But one of their most well-known uses is within herbal soft drinks known as Sarsaparilla, Sarsi, and Baba Roots.| Herbs of Life and Death
Native to the tropical forests of southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea, kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant that’s highly valued by some and highly controversial to others. It has a rich history of use within many cultures that span the islands and countries of its native habitat, including Brunei, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia.| Herbs of Life and Death
For such a small, unassuming plant, peyote can pack a strong psychoactive punch. Found on the dry, elevated slopes of mountain scrubland in Mexico and Southern America, the peyote cacti (Lophophora williamsii) has a rich history of use in many Native American groups. With strong hallucinogenic effects, it has been used not only as an entheogen but also as a herbal medicine.| Herbs of Life and Death
Morning glory refers to a wide family of plants with showy flowers and trailing vines. There are roughly 60 genera, with 1600+ species. A great number of the species, including the Mexican morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor), Hawaiian baby woodrose (Argyreia nervosa) and Christmasvine (Ipomoea corymbosa), have psychedelic effects that are likened to LSD.| Herbs of Life and Death
Named for the hook-shaped spines on its seed pod, devil’s claw plants may sound insidious, but they may harbor soothing medical potential. The genus (Harpagophytum) contains two species, Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri, both of which have the common name ‘devil’s claw’.| Herbs of Life and Death
As the name suggests, bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) is a member of the infamously toxic nightshade family (Solanaceae). It also contains other notably poisonous plants like Carolina horsenettle and the well-known deadly nightshade. However, the family also contains fruits that we’re all familiar with, like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants.| Herbs of Life and Death
Death camas (or deathcamas) is a plant species that can give American foragers looking for wild onions a particularly hard time. The leaves have striking similarities to wild onions, and while they may not have the telltale scent of alliums, they can still be accidentally harvested if found growing near other wild onions.| Herbs of Life and Death