The peyote experience
can lead one to a new understanding of the inner world as it affects outer
reality. This perception becomes a source of inspiration and revelation.
Each person brings their own personal history, expectations, and makeup
to their sacramental communion. Likewise, each individual experiences what
they are ready to receive. In this way every peyote journey is exactly
fashioned to the needs of the communicant.
Peyote is not always a flight into normally unseen mystical realities. Depending on one's particular stage of life, information is sometimes received concerning very basic, if not mundane, aspects of daily life which might need closer reflection or modification. Accordingly, we believe Divine, rather than human intervention, to be the most healing opportunity for growth. Direct connection to our Source (whatever one believes that to be), and not dogma, is the medicine which truly quenches spiritual thirst.
Peyote will not change our lives or habits for us, but it may allow a greater view of how we might beneficially help ourselves. At The Peyote Foundation, we each have our own personal areas of life which the medicine seems to point out to our hearts.
One inspiration which we
hold in common is the spiritual responsibility to caretake peyote in a
respectful way. We believe that caring for the living peyote plant in this
manner is a spiritual devotion in and of itself. This is an act which requires
devotion and patience. The daily rewards of having these mandala-like plants
in one's presence brings an obvious blessing to the heart and mind. It
is not so much then, the consumption of peyote from which we derive benefit,
but also, the appreciation and awareness of what the plant and its growth
cycle is that provides a daily source of inspiration.
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Several Indian groups use the juices of different Cactus to cleanse the skin and as an anti-bacterial agent. For millennia the Huichol have rubbed the juice of the crushed Peyote into wounds to prevent infection and promote healing. It has been shown that hordinine shows an inhibitory action against at least 18 strains of penicillin resistant Staphylococcus bacteria.
Many Indians use Peyote to maintain good health as well as ritually. Folkloric medicine has used Peyote to treat influenza, arthritis (rubbed on the skin for painful joints), consumption, diabetes, intestinal disorders, snake and scorpion bites and Datura poisoning. The Tarahumara have been known to consume small quantities of Peyote to combat hunger, thirst and exhaustion while on a long hunt. After eating Peyote, they have been rumored to have been able to run after a deer for days without food, water or rest.
Woman of the Menomini tribe carry a basket of Peyote to be used for child-birth, earaches, or to be inspired to weave intricate spiral patterns. In fact in many Indian languages, their word for medicine is the same as for Peyote, so great is the healing power of this plant.
At least one Indian group is known to use the juice of Peyote on the scalp, and as a hair tonic.
After witnessing its effectiveness on the Indians, nineteenth century physicians soon became aware of Peyotes healing gift. An Aug. 22, 1896 Medical record reported that the " effect of the drug was little less than marvelous." It was recommended for color-blindness, as an anti-spasmatic, for general nervousness and insomnia. It was also prescribed for maladies such as asthma and "softening of the brain".
Peyote has also been reported to help poor eyesight and even blindness. It has been shown to help near-sightednessand astigmatism.
Peyote is prescribed in current times as an emetic (induces vomiting), as a cardiac stimulant, and as a narcotic (reduces or alleviates pain).
The Seri Indians of the Sonora desert are known to use the juice of the Saguaro Cactus to combat rheumatism.
In more modern times, researchers at the University of Arizona isolated a water soluble, crystalline substance from Peyote that exhibited " antibiotic activity against a wide spectrum of bacteria". They named it peyocactin.
Pellotine, an alkaloid present
in several genus of Cacti, has been marketed commercially as a sedative
in 1920's Germany.
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Recommended Reading: Mount, G. (Ed.), The Peyote Book: A Study of Native Medicine, Sweetlight Books, 1988.
Pinkson, T.S., Flowers of Wiricuta: A Gringo's Journey to Shamanic Power, Wakan Press, 1995.
d'Azevedo, W., Straight With the Medicine, Heyday Books, 1978.
Myerhoff, B., Peyote Hunt: The Sacred Journey of the Huichol Indians, Cornell Univ. Press, 1974.
The Peyote Way Church of God, "The Sacred Record", Newsletter of the Church, Box 7x, Rt 1, Willcox, Az. 85643.