[Aztlan] ACHIOTE AS AN HALLUCINOGENIC HELPER

[michael ruggeri]

Listeros,



After doing research on Achiote as an hallucingenic substance, I  
found this direct reference in an article on Caral. And as I tried to  
find other direct references, I found sites that described the  
addition of Achiote with other substances to make Ayahuasca, a  
powerful hallucinogen in the Andes. The Achiote apparently helped the  
body purge itself during hallucinogenic rituals thus aiding the process.

Mike Ruggeri



"Much attention was paid to ritual actions, at that for establishing  
communication with gods they played the flutes made of condor bones  
and different hallucinogenic agents. Achiote was one of these agents.  
This plant is still used for the selva aboriginals to dye leather and  
make pictures on it. With the help of achiote the ancient shamans  
used to fall into a trance. Very often in ancient Caral along with  
pounded coca leaves they mixed the powder of cal – to intensify the  
effect. Till now ordinary Indians chew coca leaves mixed with that  
powder."
http://www.tiwy.com/pais/peru/caral/eng.phtml