Voacanga Africana is an African tree, which grows up to 30 feet tall with glossy foliage. The roots and the seeds of this tree contain different compounds which also includes a very small percentage of Ibogaine. To be very precise, its roots and seeds contain iboga alkaloids, and have been used in Western Africa as a poison, stimulant, aphrodisiac and ceremonial psychedelic.
The number of compounds contain in Voacanga Africana usually have certain pharmaceutical uses. One such compound of pharmaceutical interest is voacangine a common antecedent in the semi-synthesis of the anti-addiction medication ibogaine. Because of the little percentage of ibogaine contained in Voacanga Africana, it doesnt have much medical effect. Other alkaloids including caronaridine as well as voacangine of the plant may have weak anti-addictive effect in their own right.
In other words, Voacanga Africana can be considered as one of the well guarded secrets of the African Magic Healers. With little knowledge about the uses of the plant, it is held high esteem for ritual as well as visionary purposes.
voacanga africana Magicians used the seeds of the plant for gaining visions and the roots for stimulating during the hunts that often last for hours. However, a high dose can cause strong hallucenogic effect. Around 10 percent of indole alkaloids is found in the seeds of the plant, and 2 percent in the bark. The latex from the tree is used as a rubber adulterant. Moreover, the tree is also used against infectious diseases by Diola in Africa. It has also been reported that the tree is also used for analgesic purposes and for the treatment of mental disorders.
From the last few years, the Voacanga africana Stapf which is an African Apocyanaceous plant has been under active investigation. The latex produced from the tree is used as an analgesic and the seeds for the visionary purposes. When we consider about the root of Voacanga Africana, its closely related to both Tabernanthe and Tabernaemontana. Furthermore, Tabernanthe iboga (Apocynacea) ibogaine is the most significant hallucinogen.
Ibogaine that is found in Voacanga Africana tree is also a highly powerful compound. It has been reported that it completely eliminates the withdrawal symptoms from addiction as well as get rid of the desire for using addictive drugs, primarily the opiates. Furthermore, the compound is also fully effective in amphetamine, crack, and cocaine as well as nicotine addiction. Tabernanthe Iboga tree is also one such tree used for extracting Ibogaine. The concentration of the Ibogaine in this tree is much higher in comparison to Voacanga Africana tree. As far as the usage of this tree is concerned, it is used for an entheogenic experience or addiction treatment. However, Tabernan is only found in the small region of Africa, and it is also illegal.
