Sinicuichi

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Sinicuichi

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Lythraceae
Genus:	Heimia

Species

Heimia myrtifolia
Heimia salicifolia

Sinicuichi (Heimia), also known as Sun Opener or Shrubby Yellowcrest, is a genus of two or three species of shrubs in the family Lythraceae, native to the Americas, from northern Argentina north to the southernmost United States (southern Texas). The leaves are 2-5 cm long and 1 cm broad, entire, and variably arranged alternate, opposite or whorled on the stems. The flowers are 3-4 cm diameter, with yellow, purple or blue petals. Sinicuichi has a long history of use for its psychoactive properties. It is reported to have been used by the Aztecs and is still used today, both for divination and as a recreational drug.

1 Species
2 History & Uses
3 Cultivation
4 Law
5 References
6 External Links

[edit] Species

Heimia myrtifolia is a shrub growing to 1 m tall.
Heimia salicifolia is a shrub growing to 3 m tall.

[edit] History & Uses

Dried Sinicuichi leaves

It is believed that Sinicuichi was used by the Aztecs of Central Mexico. It has been identified as one of the flowers on the Aztec statue of Xochipilli. The placement of Sinicuichi with the other entheogens on the statue suggests that it was used by the Aztecs for its psychoactive properties.

Sinicuichi contains hallucinogens, the active chemical constituents including cryogenine, a possibly psychoactive alkaloid, and lythrine, a diuretic alkaloid. It has been called an "auditory hallucinogen", affecting sound perception, although this is anecdotal and isn't experienced by the majority of users. Among Native American groups in Mexico, the plucked leaves are allowed to wilt slightly, are crushed in water (or liquefied in blender), permitted to ferment for a day in the sun, and drunk.

Sinicuichi has a history of use among the aztec priesthood, and other meso-american cultures. It is one of the many aztec entheogens, others of which are psilocybin mushrooms, the seeds of the Morning Glory vine, Datura Inoxia, and Tobacco.

Overindulgence has been reported to cause golden-yellow tinge to vision on following day. Continued immoderate use may also hamper memory. Other effects include muscle fatigue and general malaise after ingestion.

[edit] Cultivation

Seeds of H. salicifolia

The species make attractive ornamental plants, flowering in late summer. Although only growing as a shrub in subtropical climates, it can also be grown as a herbaceous perennial in colder areas where the above-ground growth is killed by winter cold.

The plants produce very many tiny seeds which are easily cultivated. The seeds should be sown thinly across the top of fine, packed soil. Both species perfer well-drained soil with a good supply of water. The seedlings should be watered by a fine mist or with bottom watering to avoid washing them off to the side of the pot. They should be kept out of intense sunlight until they form the first real leaves. It may be necessary to spread the seedlings out in their initial pots to avoid over-crowding. The seedlings should be moved to at least an inch apart once they are large enough to handle. Be aware that small seedlings of this species often have relatively large root structures. A plant less than a quarter-inch tall may have roots up to two inches deep. ^[1]

[edit] Law

Sinicuichi is an unscheduled substance in the United States, meaning that it is completely legal to grow and sell. However, Louisiana State Act 159 makes the substance illegal to grow, cultivate, harvest or sell in that state.^[2]

Tennessee proposed a bill that would have made many "hallucinogenic" plants, including Heimia salicifolia (Sinicuichi), illegal when "intended for human consumption," but the law was changed to only ban salvia divinorum. ^[3]