In North-eastern Brazil, this plant is called 'Jurema', a common flowering Leguminous tree. Most of them are American, although some occur in Africa and Asia. Jurema is native only to the dry regions of eastern Brazil.

Jurema has been used as an spiritual sacrament since time immemorial. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centrury, Vinho da Jurema was reported several times. Later, its use was thought to be extinct. It evidently went underground, although truely indigenous tribes using jurema probably also became extinct as its use has later only been reported among 'mixed' populations. In 1964 Mimosa hostilis was identified as the source of Jurema.

The mimosa tree has a vast natural range stretching from northeast Brazil through Central America and into Mexico, where our suppliers harvest it. The area where they collect has no possibility of over-harvesting. There exists a diverse quantity and we selectively pick specimens for collection. The roots are dug from beside the tree, cut off and then washed. They are then peeled, chopped and allowed to dry out. The soil where they grow is very dry, hard, rocky, and is incredibly difficult to dig! The trees live in full, hot sunshine all year round in an area with little rainfall. The flowers of mimosa hostilis are small white puffballs with a delicate fragrance. The trees are the size and shape of a moderate apple tree, and are very old. Whenever a root is cut, a new tree sprouts from the remaining piece of root left in the earth. This is an indication that this is not a destructive harvesting, rather it is encouraging fresh propagation.

Mimosa hostilis root bark(1 ounce) - $12.99

Mimosa hostilis seeds (10 seeds) - $7.99