Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Do you have any information on a plant called
QUESTION:
I am looking for information about a plant used by the shamans in the
Amazonian. They use a plant that they call "camalonga" during the
ceremonies and healing sessions they carry out.
The only informatioon I have about the plant is that it belongs to the
Sthrycnos sp., no more. I would like to know the actives principles of the
plant.
ANSWER:
The Strycnos genus is a big one, with more than a dozen toxin-producing species
documented with structurally characterized toxins in the literature. I guess
curare and strychnine would be the two most famous poisons found in members of
this genus. There are similar indole and bisindole toxicants distributed
throughout this genus as well.