Prickly Poppy (Argemone mexicana)
This ethnobotanical enjoys a rich history in ritual and Shamanic practice. Known by the Aztecs as "nourishment of the dead", Prickly Poppy is only recently being rediscovered by modern-day Shamans and spiritual explorers everywhere. All parts of the plant have psychoactive properties, and until recently, only the dried leaves were available for making into a tea, or used in smoking blends.
We now offer the seeds, which are easy to grow in almost any condition and soil, and which are popular for grinding and mixing with your favorite smoking herbs or blends. In addition, during the summer months, we offer the dried latex of the plant, but due to high demand and a very limited supply, it disappears quickly. This is a favorite ethnobotanical here at the shop, and if you are interested in finding out more, there is extensive information in the Argemone mexicana (Prickly Poppy) article found at Entheology.org.
Since we handle so much volume, we not only rotate our stock more than any other online shop, we pride ourselves in aquiring the freshest and most potent Prickly Poppy available. This is one of the plants where we have several suppliers to choose from, and we test every harvest to choose the one highest in alkaloid content. This entheogen is also been used in combination with Tagetes lucida; another plant that has only recently been rediscovered by psychonauts everywhere.
Prickly Poppy Products...
 |
Prickly Poppy (Argemone mexicana) is native to Mexico, Southern and Western United States, and has been naturalized in Brazil, Hindustan, Africa, and other subtropical and tropical places. The leaves alternate, with woody, spine-tipped lobes and whitish wax that rubs off, with flowers that have 4-6, bright yellow petals and many stamens.
The herb and flowers are smoked by natives for its relaxing properties, but please note that smoking anything, even when it's a natural herbal product is dangerous to one's health.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a very prickly, woody herb and will arrive with many stems.
Click here for more info...
|
|
|
 |
Tagetes erecta, Aztec Marigold, is indigenous from Mexico to Guatemala and naturalized in the rest of Central America and the western Andes of South America. In the Oaxaca region of Mexico the Zapotecs used Tagetes as a primary herb in purification rituals. The plant is popular with the Tarahumara Indians of Chihuahua and is used by the modern Huichol Indians in their religious rituals. When smoked, the plant is said to enhance closed-eye visions.
The botanical genus name Tagetes is in reference to a Roman deity, Tages, which was originally an Etruscan god of prophecy. Today Tagetes erecta continues to be a strong smoking herb - especially when blended in equal amounts with Tagetes lucida, Mexican Tarragon, to make a super combination the Aztecs dubbed "Zempaxochitl."
Click here for more info...
|
|
|
|
This product is similar to our Prickly Poppy Resin, but offered in a granulated/powdered form instead. This allows the extract to be mixed with other blends more easily, or allows it to be sprinkled in with a favorite smoking herb to help enhance the effects. It's concentrated to a standardized 12:1 ratio, making it the strongest Prickly Poppy product available, and the easiest one to work with as well.
Click here for more info...
|
|
|
 |
This Argemone Mexicana (Prickly Poppy) incense resin is well-known for its calming qualities around the world. An annual herb with bright yellow sap, it has been used as a smudging herb by the Natives of the western US and parts of Mexico. This incense resin is 10x, and is made with Prickly Poppy dried leaves, stems and flowers.
Extracted from fresh, not dried leaf for maximum potency. It mixes well with Tagetes lucida when burned.
Click here for more info...
|
|
|
 |
The Aztecs use of Prickly Poppy seeds ritualistically is well documented. What is less documented is the fact that they also reportedly smoked the seeds. There is little known about the active consituents of Prickly Poppy though, as information is scarce. The use of this plant was limited to the priests, and as Christian Ratsch stated in 1995; "[Prickly Poppy seeds] may have been utilized for Shamanic journeys into the worlds beyond. This is enticing and exciting for spiritual explorers who want to learn about the place that plants such as this have in Shamanic historical contexts.
Click here for more info...
|
|
|
 |
Tagetes lucida is a beautiful, bright green perennial herb from the Sierra Mandre Mountains of Mexico. It is used by the local Indians recreationally as well as in the kitchen. It has a very mild anise flavor and a sweet taste. In Mexico, it is used as a tea to calm stomachs, relax nerves and to alleviate the symptoms of a hangover.
In ceremonies, the Huichol Indians from the Sierra Madre Mountains reportedly have visions when smoking the herb in combination with the consumption of fermented Tarragon tea, which is prepared the same way Sinicuichi is prepared. Tagetes lucida has been used since pre-Hispanic times and when smoked, is said to produce everything from euphoria to "closed-eye-images" similar to other herbs that were used used for divination.
Click here for more info...
|
|
|
|
