When traveling in Guatemala, a local remarked about florifundia, “It’s like a beautiful woman. It lures you in, and though one taste can be sweet, more can be deadly.” Indeed, florifundia—also known as angel’s trumpet—is a hallucinogen that can be extremely dangerous in high doses. Also known as toé in the Amazon, only the most experienced shamans may administer it. It is an evergreen shrub that reaches 23 feet in height. The leaves, flower stalks, fruit, and young shoots are covered in a velvety, white down. The five-pointed flowers are strongly fragrant at night, are trumpet-shaped, and point down. In bud state, they are yellow. Upon first opening, they are white. They are pink in maturity.
WHERE IT CAN BE FOUND:
Central America, South America, Spain, and India
PROPERTIES AND USE:
Febrifuge, antiparasitic, analgesic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, decongestant. Used for arthritis, ulcers, backache, sore muscles, rheumatism, skin diseases, sciatica, dandruff, insomnia.
TRADITIONAL PREPARATION:
For insomnia, place a flower under or on top of your pillow. For backaches, sore muscles, and rheumatism, make a poultice with the leaves, and apply directly to the affected area. For inflammation, add 1 leaf to a cool bath.
