Plants of the Gods

Plants of the Gods is a richly illustrated, encyclopedic study of psychoactive, i.e. hallucinogenic, plants. It explores the plants’ science – the characteristics and chemistry – as well as the history, culture, and significance of each. For millennia, societies around the world have valued the beneficial qualities of their native flora, and many have revered those plants recognized to have spiritual and psychic effects. This is fascinating ethnobiology, relating botany to religion, folklore, rituals, and art.

Richard Evans Schultes was an eminent ethnobotanist and professor; Albert Hofmann was an internationally renowned pharmacologist. The authors, in scholarly but highly readable text, present detailed botanical information about 91 known hallucinogenic plants; they then go beyond the science into the human story. The book contains hundreds of excellent photos, maps, and illustrations, in both color and black-and-white.

Plants of the Gods is a comprehensive look at unique plants and their place in society. Some societies consider their hallucinogenic flora to be deeply sacred. Other groups recognize the non-spiritual benefits of hallucinogens, especially medicinal. Others consider them too dangerous for humans. This book addresses all those views and presents the science supporting them all.