"In spite of the richness of the Brazilian biodiversity," notes a recent study, "no phytomedicines have been developed from this flora with the purpose of being used in psychiatric treatments."
The authors conducted two years of fieldwork among the Kraho indigenous people of Brazil employing anthropological and botanical methods. "Seven local shamans were interviewed and they indicated 98 formulas, consisting of 45 plant species that appear to have psychoactive properties and were used in 25 different treatments. Some of the psychoactive properties were "prevention of madness", "stimulant effect", "tranquilizing effect", "prevention of tremors", "longer sleeping period", "open mind" and "induction of sleep"."
"The treatment of psychological/psychiatric disorders based on the plants used by the Kraho Indians is very rich," the authors conclude. "It is also observed among other Brazilian indigenous groups. Future phytochemical and pharmacological studies on these plants may develop new medicines to treat psychiatric disorders."
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