interesting thread at Mycotopia, extracting chacruna and mimosa with rum and water:
http://www.forums.mycotopia.net/showthread.php?t=890 (http://www.forums.mycotopia.net/showthread.php?t=890)
This was referenced over at aya.com too...
It's an interesting post, but the poster is basically easting the leaf powder. First, it's not too clear that the alcohol is even doing anything. Secondly, there is no ethnobotonical data on eating the leaves to these species, so it shouldn't just be assumed to be safe (ring a bell, anyone? Kava, maybe?).
Interesting post, but some caution is warranted.
I believe alcohol is on the list of things not to consume while on MAOIs, along with anything fermented. Sounds like a bad idea to me (without having read the thread you refer to.)
I agree, caution warranted.
I've eaten some chacruna leaves w/o problems, so I am not too worried about that. Actually, long boils of chacruna leaves prolly get everything contained in the leaves, to some degree. The tannins in the tea are a little much, but no one seems to be poisoned by them (the leaves that is). But phalanx's post begs the question, if a short alcohol soak seems to work, what if we just soaked powdered leaf in plain water for a few hours, and drank? Or phosphoric water? Perhaps excess water extractions are not necessary? I'll give it a try soon.
Let us know how it works....