The Yagé Complex: Vines Used in the Ayahuasca Brew

This talk explores the evolutionary, geographic, and cultural origins of the plant technology commonly known as ayahuasca. Drawing on Neil Logan’s article for Microcosms: Sacred Plants of the Americas, the presentation examines the taxonomy, morphology, traditional lore, and ongoing debates surrounding different varieties of Banisteriopsis caapi. Neil will delve into the ethnobotanical and ecological contexts of the yagé complex, including hazardous look-alikes and best practices for ethical cultivation. A must for those interested in sacred plant use, indigenous knowledge systems, and sustainable stewardship.