San Pedro Cactus
The South American columnar cactus Echinopsis pachanoi, although different in appearance from peyote, has a similar history to its use by indigenous Peruvians. As early as ancient times, the temple of Chavín de Huantar, located high in the central Andes of Peru, has a striking stone sculpture that represents one of the earliest eras of the use of cacti.
It is a deity that combines the characteristics of an eagle and a snake, and he holds in his hand a column-shaped cactus, which undoubtedly represents the San Pedro cactus. Dating back to about 1300 BC (Davis 1983, 368) it predates ancient San Pedro cactus pottery a few years ago. "Ceramic cigarettes" were found at a coastal site north of Lima near Kasma, probably depicting the San Pedro cactus, dating about 3,000 years; Researchers believe these may represent a way for early Native Americans to obtain mescalin-like psychotropic substances (Ostolaza 1995). Other ceramics from the same region and era showcase interesting combinations of jaguars and cacti shapes. The San Pedro cactus itself is an alpine plant that may have been domesticated along the coast by the Nazca and other tribes (Davis 1983368) in the early and mid-period (200 BC to 600 AD).
Like Peyote in Mexico, the Spaniards made great efforts to eradicate the use of the San Pedro cactus, as it was also considered a form of devil worship, but this practice continued in Peru's mestizo culture despite the church's prohibition. This cult slowly blended roman Catholicism with pre-Spanish pre-invasion religious elements, which explains the name of the Echinopsis pachanoi. Many Christians believe in "Holy. Peter "holds the key to heaven; Similarly, the influence of this cactus led to the Peruvian mestizo considering it to be a key to heaven, although they were still on Earth.
Other vernacular names for Echinopsis pachanoi include "huachuma" in the northern Andes, "achuma" in Bolivia, and "aguacolla" and "gigantón" in Ecuador (Schultes and Hofmann 1979, 154–155). Religious rituals involving curandero or shaman have evolved, and cacti are seen as having the ability to communicate with leaders and carry out their commands. The San Pedro cactus activates the inner power of the wizard, enabling man to project inner spiritual power, control the soul, and activate the natural and supernatural energy fields and the important nature of the world" (Schultes and Winkel-man 1995 226-227).
San Pedro cacti are now used primarily for therapeutic purposes, which may include treating alcoholism and even mental malaise. It is also thought to have enormous power in cracking witchcraft and various forms of "bad" dharma. Some people even use it to treat diseases of the stomach, kidneys, liver and blood.
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