A NEW MEXICAN PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG 
FROM THE MINT FAMILY’? 
BY 
R. Gorpon Wasson* 
For a number of years we have been exploring the high- 
lands of southern Mexico in a study of the role played 
by hallucinogenic mushrooms in the religious life of the 
Indians. We began by visiting the Sierra Mazateca in 
19538, in the northernmost part of the state of Oaxaca, 
returning there in 1955 and every year thereafter through 
1962. At anearly date we learned of a psychotropic plant 
that the Mazatecs consume when mushrooms are not 
available. But as we and our collaborator Roger Heim 
were concentrating on the difficult task of locating and 
identifying the various species of hallucinogenic mush- 
rooms, we had to neglect for some time this plant that 
the Indians employ as a less desirable substitute. In 1960 
and 1961, we brought back specimens and submitted 
them for determination to Schultes and to Epling. All 
of the specimens available proved to be unsatisfactory 
for specific identification. Finally, in September and 
October of 1962, satisfactory herbarium material reached 
us, when we were in San José ‘Tenango, on which Dr. 
Epling could base his specific description. ‘Tenango, at 
'Submitted for publication October 24, 1962. 
* Research Fellow, Botanical Museum of Harvard University. 
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