God Pan may have made flutes of Arundo Donax

Date:   12/5/2011 5:46:13 PM ( 13 y ago)

NOW THIS IS AN INTERESTING ONE!

http://entheology.com/plants/arundo-donax-giant-reed/



3:34 pm
December 5, 2011

http://curezone.com/blogs/addlog.asp?f=92


The ancient Greeks used the stalks of A. donax to make pipes, and therefore associated the plant with the god Pan. It is not known whether the cult of Pan ever used the plant for its psychoactive properties, but it is interesting to note that the pipes of Pan, made from the reeds, are known both to produce beautiful melodies and to drive people in to a “Panic terror”. This is perhaps a metaphor for the entheogenic experience engendered by this plant. It has also been suggested that A. donax and Peganum harmala were used in combination as part of a sacred Sufi tradition of initiation, and it has therefore been suggested that this mixture is a candidate for being the sacred soma of the Arians.



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PLANTS
Arundo donax – Giant Reed
JANUARY 1, 2002 6:04 PM A. SZOSTEK 0 COMMENTS

FAMILY: Gramineae
GENUS: Arundo
SPECIES: Donax
COMMON NAMES: Arundo cypria, Giant Reed, Brinari (Hindi), Calamus, Cana, Casab (Arabic), Donax, Guna Pipi (Siona, ‘rock reed’), Kalamos (Greek), Nalaka (Sanskrit), Rede of Spayne, Shaq (Chumash), Yuntu (Mapuche)

Arundo donax is a tall perennial reed that forms thickets of up to 7 meters in height rising from rough rhizomes. The leaves are 3-5 cm wide and up to 50 cm in length. The grass can grow up to 10 meters high in tropical areas.

A. donax originated in the Mediterranean region, but has spread throughout the world since ancient times. The easiest way to cultivate it is to plant root segments which have been separated from the main root.

TRADITIONAL USES: From archaeological findings such as flutes made from the stalks of Arundo donax, we understand that the plant was used widely in ancient Egypt for a variety of purposes, from instrument to arrow making. The plant also plays a role in the legend of the Buddha, and so is held sacred to Buddhists. Interestingly enough, the prayer flag poles used by the Huichol in their peyote ceremonies are made from A. donax reeds, as well as the shafts of the arrows used in the peyote hunt. However, it is only very recently that the psychoactive properties of this giant reed have been discovered.

The ancient Greeks used the stalks of A. donax to make pipes, and therefore associated the plant with the god Pan. It is not known whether the cult of Pan ever used the plant for its psychoactive properties, but it is interesting to note that the pipes of Pan, made from the reeds, are known both to produce beautiful melodies and to drive people in to a “Panic terror”. This is perhaps a metaphor for the entheogenic experience engendered by this plant. It has also been suggested that A. donax and Peganum harmala were used in combination as part of a sacred Sufi tradition of initiation, and it has therefore been suggested that this mixture is a candidate for being the sacred soma of the Arians.

TRADITIONAL PREPARATION: The rhizome of A. donax is cleaned, cut into small pieces and macerated in a mixture of equal parts alcohol and water. The resultant residue is very rich in alkaloids, and may be prepared in ways similar to other ayhuasca analogs. The Shipibo of Caimito use the root of the giant reed as an ayahuasca additive, and Peruvian curanderos often set up crosses made from giant reed stalks when preparing San Pedro tea so that the tea will not boil over, as this would bring bad luck.

Since the psychoactive properties of A. donax were only recently discovered, little is known regarding dosages. One individual reported that 50 mg of rhizome extract combined with 3 g of syrian rue seeds did not produce any psychedelic effects. It is also important to keep in mind that very little regarding toxic doses of A. donax is known. Therefore, great care must be taken when working with this plant.

MEDICINAL USE: A. donax rhizome is decocted in Ayurvedic medicine and used as an emollient, a diuretic and to stimulate menstruation.

TRADITIONAL EFFECTS: The rhizome of A. donax contains at least five tryptamines, including N,N-DMT, 5-MeO-DMT and bufotenine. Very little is known about the other alkaloids contained in the plant.

At present, reports regarding using A. donax as part of an ayahuasca analog are not particular encouraging. Several individuals have reported experiencing no psychoactive effects, but instead going through mild but long lasting allergic reactions, which include blurred vision, watery and swollen eyes, conjunctivitis and hives. One individual did report psychedelic effects from this mixture, which included powerful open and closed eye visuals, but described the experience as very difficult, both mentally and physically. It is highly recommended that individuals not experiment with plants that have no history of shamanic or entheogenic usage, as serious side effects and even death may result.

PLANTS OF THE GODS MENTIONS ARUNDO DONAX

http://www.scribd.com/doc/35522979/Plants-of-the-Gods-Their-Sacred-Healing-an...


 

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