Iboga – The Visionary Root of Africa
Scraping Iboga root bark, which is used for treating many ailments including drug addiction
The Bwiticult, a religion followed by the tribes in Gabon, worship Iboga tree as the source of spiritual knowledge. They have been using Iboga in their initiation ceremonies for spiritual or personal development, for hundreds of years, since they believe that Iboga frees the soul to go on a higher dimension, to speak with the spirits of animals and plants.
The root bark of the Iboga plant is consumed in large doses by initiates, under the supervision of the Bwiti father. It induces complex visions and an introspective mindset in which the person often recounts past experiences and sees his true self.
The Healing Power of Iboga
Bwiti women feeding Iboga leaves during ritual
Known for its naturally occurring psychoactive properties, Iboga extracts as well as the purified alkaloid, Ibogaine, are used in treating several conditions like opiate addiction, alcohol abuse, depression and other mental or psychosomatic diseases. Its widely used for drug addiction because of the strong combination of alkaloids that affect many of the neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, so it stops the physical addiction without causing withdrawal symptoms.
However, Ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I-controlled substance in the United States and few other countries like Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Switzerland have banned the sale and possession of Ibogaine.
The documentary above shows the use of Ibogaine in curing physical ailments, opiate addiction, etc. It shows the life of a heroin addict who was cured after a Ibogaine session. Several former addicts, Ibogaine facilitators, and other experts talk about the effectiveness of Iboga for treating a long-time addiction. An interesting film that raises questions about the controversial ban of Ibogaine, is it due to economics or to its hallucinogenic effects?
Another 60-minute video is of TV presenter and expedition leader Bruce Parry who travels to Gabon to understand the connection of the local tribe – Babongo – with Iboga. He lives with them and eventually gets initiated in the Bwiti faith, here’s his account on the exhilarating Iboga experience.
Ancient medicines like Iboga or Ayahuasca is a gateway to higher or altered state of consciousness, above the realms of reality, and it helps us connect with oneself and the spiritual world. Its strange that such enlightening substances are labeled illegal when it can make a significant difference to our lives!
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Tags: Alternative Medicine, Bwiti Tribe, Iboga, Ibogaine, Shamanism
… Aha
~ Something really interesting about Iboga in Daniel Pinchbeck’s “2012 – The Return of Quetzalcoatl” … Must Read !
Here is an excerpt …
“At the beginning of the night-long ordeal, while the tribe drummed and sang around me, I saw, open-eyed, a golem-like figure made of rough tree branches sit down on a bench, cross his legs, and lean forward, observing me curiously. I was later told this was the spirit of Iboga, coming to meet me. Afterward, I watched Scrabble-like letters turn in the air to spell out a curious phrase : “Touchers Teach Too” – one of a series of hints that seemed vaguely prophetic. For much of the night I was taken on a detailed tour of my early life. Many reports of Iboga trips describe such a biographical survey, though nobody knows how a complex alkaloid molecule can unlock such deep doors in the psyche, or how neurochemical reactions can create the palpable sense I had – reported by others as well – of a presence guiding me through the process.”
~ BoOm ~ Shanti ~ _/\_ ~
Hey,
Really mind-boggling how sacred plants like Iboga, Ayahuasca work, and what a difference it can make if more people were aware of it.
I have read about Daniel Pinchbeck’s Iboga experience and its an emotional ride…nt read his book yet…should read more about it! Thank you for posting 