Tabernaemontana undulata

Amazonian shrub from which the eye-drop preparation sananga is made. The root and inner bark are pressed and the resulting liquid is dripped into the eyes — a practice in active use among several Amazonian peoples including the Matsés, Yawanawá, and Kaxinawá, particularly as a hunter's eye-medicine. Pharmacologically related to Tabernanthe iboga: the genus contains numerous indole alkaloids including ibogaine analogues.

Lowland Amazonian forest understory shrub.

The names this organism has been given by the cultures that have lived alongside it. Each carries an entire relationship — what is sacred is never simply translated.

• becchete
  Matsés
• sananga
  Portuguese (Amazonian)

• Hunter's eye-drop used to sharpen vision and intuition (Matsés, Yawanawá, Kaxinawá)
• Ceremonial cleansing — applied before ayahuasca or other rituals