bitter-grass
Tabernanthe iboga · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Sparse (78 studies) · ★★☆☆☆
bitter-grass, scientifically known as Tabernaemontana iboga, is a perennial shrub native to Central Africa. Renowned for its potent psychoactive alkaloids, particularly ibogaine, this plant holds profound spiritual significance in Bwiti traditions. Beyond ritual use, it is increasingly studied for its unique potential in treating addiction and neurological disorders.
Names
Common Names
- bitter-grass
- eboka
- iboga
- ibogo
- leaf-of-God
- sacredwood
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Tabernanthe bocca
- Tabernanthe pubescens
- Iboga vateriana
- Tabernanthe tenuiflora
- Tabernanthe albiflora
- Iboga
- Tabernanthe subsessilis
- Tabernanthe mannii
German:
- Iboga
French:
- Iboga
- Eboga
- bois amer
- bois sacré
- dibughi
- eraga
- éboga
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Tabernanthe ibogaSynonyms
- Iboga vateriana
- Tabernanthe mannii
- Tabernanthe pubescens
- Tabernanthe subsessilis
- Tabernanthe tenuiflora
- Tabernanthe albiflora
- Tabernanthe bocca
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Tabernaemontana.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Tabernanthe | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily found throughout the West-Central Tropical Africa region. Its natural habitat extends across the borders of the Central African Republic and Cameroon. Additionally, the species can be located within the lush landscapes of Congo. It is also known to grow within the territory of Gabon. Finally, its distribution includes the specific area of Cabinda.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cabinda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Tabernanthe iboga, is a shrub native to Central Africa that is primarily valued for its highly potent chemical properties found within its structure. While various parts of the plant may be studied, the most significant and pharmacologically active component is the root bark. This root bark contains high concentrations of ibogaine and other indole alkaloids, which are the primary constituents used in traditional ceremonies and scientific research for their psychoactive and medicinal effects.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| root | Natural product letters (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Tabernanthe iboga has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include IBOGAINE, Tabernanthine, Epiibogamine, Ibochine, Ibogaline.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| IBOGAINE | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tabernanthine | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epiibogamine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ibochine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ibogaline | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ibogamine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Iboluteine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ibophyllidine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Iboxygaine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Iboxyphylline | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
IBOGAINE
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Tabernanthine
- Dr. Duke
- Comptes rendus hebdomadaires des seances de l'Academie des sciences. Serie D: Sciences naturelles
Epiibogamine
- Dr. Duke
Ibochine
- Dr. Duke
Ibogaline
- Dr. Duke
Ibogamine
- Dr. Duke
Iboluteine
- Dr. Duke
Ibophyllidine
- Dr. Duke
Iboxygaine
- Dr. Duke
Iboxyphylline
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Tabernanthe iboga has 54 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Psychotropic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antialzheimeran?, Antibacterial.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Psychotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiHIV | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antialzheimeran? | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticariogenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinesterase | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Tabernanthe iboga has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include alcohol intake, alcoholism.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| alcohol intake | Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alcoholism | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Root bark | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark of the root | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root bark | Natural product letters (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |