Amanita muscaria, Fly Agaric Mushrooms
Amanita muscaria is probably the oldest known entheogen used by man, although the shamanic use of the Amanita muscaria or as its also known Fly Agaric in Siberia was discovered only in the eighteenth century, it has been suggested that Amanita muscaria use is rooted in the Stone Age and that it was used throughout Europe.
Our Amanita muscaria mushroom caps also known as Fly Agaric Mushrooms are carefully graded to secure their quality. Amanita muscaria mushrooms have been used from at least 400 BC by Shamans in order to enter a clairvoyant trance state and mobilize their shamanic powers of healing.
Fly Agaric Mushrooms have been used all over the world from Mexico to Siberia to Eastern Asia and have been identified as the ancient Soma drink referred to in ancient Hindu scriptures. The most ancient texts of the Hindu religion are the four books of the Vedas and a collection of hymns known as Rig Veda which is possibly the worlds oldest religious text that is still in use. The Rig Veda along with the Sama Veda tells of a ritual consumption of the psychoactive drink called Soma.
In 1957 R. Gordon Wasson printed an article in Life magazine about his introduction to a tradition in Oaxaca, Mexico that used psychoactive mushrooms for ritualistic, shamanic and spiritual purpose. This incited an interest to research other mushroom based religions in other parts of the world and in 1966 he identified the Soma of the ancient Hindu with Amanita muscaria. The main arguments were that Soma is clearly a plant mentioned in the Vedas which had no leaves, roots or branches. There are also Vedic synonyms for Soma which suggests Amanita muscaria mushrooms. It is also described as tawny and urine is also mentioned in connection with Soma. Traditional Soma practices in some parts of Siberia include the ingestion of fresh urine which had been passed by someone who has eaten Amanita muscaria mushrooms. The psychoactive effects of the mushroom were still in the passed urine and could therefore be recycled for a second use. It is also possible to drink rainwater that has collected in Fly Agaric caps when they are in the goblet stage (in which the caps are turned upward). This is essentially a cold-water extract, and it has distinct psychoactive effects. This naturally occurring extract has been called "dwarves wine"
Even today this illusive mushroom has found itself embedded in such stories like Alice in wonderland and in other fairy tail books. With such a rich and often mysterious history these mushrooms are an important part of any ethnobotanical collection.
INFORMATION PROVIDED ON OUR WEBSITE IS FOR BOTANICAL/CULTURAL RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY! ANY REFERANCES ABOUT THE USE OR EFFECTS OF THESE NATURAL HEALING HERBS IS BASED ON TRADITIONAL USE OR SHAMANIC PRACTICES. ALL PRODUCTS ARE SOLD FOR ETHNOBOTANICAL RESEARCH (NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION)!!! |
