B. caapi Pilde is a black bark variety collected in the east bank of the Putumayo river in southern Colombia in the home garden of the Siona Yaiguaje family. When sharing this limited edition of Pilde caapi the family told us many joyful stories including how the Pilde plant is the only recorded yagé from the Chocó region. Its seeds were a gift of gratitude by Emberá people many years ago for the hospitality they received when moving south. The Siona integrated Pilde B. caapi into the local Yagé rituals arguing that Pilde is 10 times stronger than other caapi varieties. In this community, those who used the plant were called ‘Pildicero Jaibanas’. Nowadays only few of those living in the Chocó know about Pilde’s sacred nature.

Also take a look at our bestselling B. caapi Yellow or our variety of B. caapi extract pastes.

Native use

Banisteriopsis caapi is a legendary vine which is also known as the “vine of the souls”. It is the main ingredient in the entheogenic bark beverage called  “ayahuasca” or “yagé” which is prepared, drank and shared by shamans during special ceremonies.  Many indigenous cultures believe that the drink opens up the user to extraordinary perceptions and potentially healing powers.

Banisteriopsis caapi yellow is richly steeped in cultural mythology and indigenous traditional practices. This explains why it is considered worldwide as a unique entheogen that produces a sense of wholesome connection within the user, engendering mystical experiences.

For millennia, this plant has been considered a gift from the gods throughout the Amazon basin. To this day it is still regarded as sacred by many indigenous communities. It is often referred to as a “Master Plant Teacher” by which one could enter a spiritual healing doorway. Many cultures also believe that it facilitates self-awareness, and dream-like visions and that it helps overcome existential challenges.

Habitat

The Banisteriopsis caapi pilde is characterized by its black bark. Its leaves are smaller than those of other Banisteriopsis caapi plants, and its stems are more fragile. This specific kind of Malpighiaceae jungle liana is native to the Chocó region of Colombia.  The plant thrives in humus-rich soils, climbing and embracing other trees in search of sunlight. It can grow up to 40 feet in height! Its leaves are oval-shaped and dark green with a slight silvery appearance. B.caapi prefers to grow on strong trees, and the vine itself becomes thick and woody with age. The flowers are tiny of a white to pinkish color yet are seldom seen in bloom. 

Scientific information

The bark of B. Caapi contains 0.11-0.83% B-carboline alkaloids such as harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine. These components are potent monoamine oxidase-A inhibitors (MAOI) that have been reported to support neurogenesis in the brain. A thorough analysis of this particular kind of Caapi has never been done. 

Many ongoing pharmacology and clinical studies have provided evidence that B. Caapi may have therapeutic applications as an immune modulator, as well as in treating some psychological disorders like alcoholism, substance abuse, and serotonergic deficits.