HERBAL HIGH OF THE MONTH

WILD CUCUMBER

(Echinocystis lobata)

In the early 1960's several people in Ojai, California, began conversing with nonexistent creatures and showing other symptoms of severe hallucination. Later it was learned that they had been nibbling on the seeds of wild cucumbers. This low crawling vine of the melon family can be found growing among thickets along the coastal slopes of California, Washington and Oregon, as well as in many other places throughout the U.S. It has greenish-white flowers and a spiny, green, oblong fruit containing four large seeds.

There is no information available as to the exact chemical nature of the hallucinogens in wild cucumber (possibly lysergic acid amides), but they are most effective when the seed is not quite ripe, around middle or late spring.

One seed should be a good experimental starting dose.

Birds eat the see for food without any harmful results, but since its chemistry is still unknown, best be careful. The trip lasts for eight to ten hours and few side effects have been noted throughout the psychedelic subculture. .......Remember, a peaceful environment is important when using any psychedelic.

...Next Month..KOLA NUTS (Cola nitida)..