Pharmako/Dynamis : Stimulating Plants, Potions, and Herbcraft

by Pendell, Dale

• ISBN13: 9781562791254
• ISBN10: 1562791257
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-10-01
• Publisher: Mercury House

Summary

"Dale Pendell reactivates the ancient connection between the bardic poet and the shaman."-Terence McKenna In Pharmako/Dynamis, Dale Pendell continues his exploration of psychoactive plants begun in Pharmako/Poeia. Pharmacognosy is the study of the composition, production, use, and history of drugs of natural origin. Pendell covers these topics and more in this volume, charting a voyage around the world of plant teachers. Through poetry, chemistry, and a generous sprinkling of arcane lore, Pendell weaves and twists the many threads of tradition into a singularly bewitching brew. Pendell's voyage is a true circumnavigation. It divulges what Gary Synder called "dangerous knowledge" that is a formidable weapon against "even more dangerous ignorance." Dale Pendell is a poet, software engineer, and longtime student of ethnobotany. His poetry has appeared in many journals, and he was the founding editor of KUKSU: Journal of Backcountry Writing. He has led workshops on ethnobotany and ethnopoetics for the Naropa Institute and the Botanical Preservation Corps.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
PLANT ALLIES a poet's guide
On the Nature of Poison	3	(4)
Nigredo: A Turn of Darkening	7	(4)
EXCITANTIA provokers and agitators
Speed Limits	11	(80)
Coffee: Coffea arabica	15	(30)
Tea: Thea sinensis	45	(28)
Chocolate I: Theobroma cacao	73	(18)
Plant Wars	91	(34)
Chocolate II: Theobroma cacao	93	(15)
The Black Drink: Ilex spp., Guarana	108	(8)
Kola: Cola nitida	116	(3)
Betel: Areca catechu	119	(6)
Hecate's Garden	125	(24)
Ma Huang, Ephedra spp.	127	(15)
Khat: Catha edulis amphetamine	142	(7)
Speed Freaking	149	(29)
Coca: Erythroxylum coca	156	(22)
Stealing from Tomorrow	178	(7)
Wandering and the Vision Quest	185	(12)
EMPATHOGENICA mammalian raptures
Cleansing the Temple	197	(2)
Nutmeg Reveries	199	(7)
Flipping and Raving	206	(21)
Myristica fragrans MDMA, Ecstasy GHB	221	(6)
The Gift	227	(1)
Dream Stutters	228	(5)
References	233	(38)
Credits	271	(6)
Index	277