Iboga (Tabernanthe Iboga, T. Iboga)
Iboga is a perennial shrub that is native to Central West Africa. It originated in the South of Gabon where it was first discovered by the Bobongo Pygmies. In the areas where the plant grows naturally the root bark is ingested by many different tribes for various pharmacological or traditional purposes. The tradition and skills of working with the Iboga plant is called the Bwiti. The Bwiti is a spiritual practice of different tribes who have mastered working with Iboga over the last 1000 years.
Traditionally in the Central West Africa, Iboga has been used for healing various illness', such as infertility and it is commonly used in ritualistic ceremonies, including; 'initiations', a coming of age ceremony for adolescents. Recently, Iboga has been declared Gabons national treasure. Since making its way to the Western world in the last 60 years through migration and inter-racial marriage iboga has become known for it's incredible anti-addictive properties (Ending withdrawal and cravings).... It has also been being used for; detoxification (cellular detox and body cleansing), Intellectual introspection into psychological and emotional concerns (Psycho-Spiritual Exploration), Anti-herpes, Treatment of Hepatitis A,B,C, Treatment of Infertility in women and erectile difficulties in men, Treatment of 'Fibromyalgia', Treatment of Lupus and mental illness.
The Main Extracts (Alkaloids) of Iboga Root Bark, Iboga Total Alkaloid (TA) and Ibogaine (Ibogaine HCL) are predominantly used in the western world for substance detox because of their anti-addictive and anti-withdrawal properties. The alkaloids tend to absorb quickly into the blood stream and are beneficial for quickly ending withdrawal. Also, the extracted alkaloids are easier to measure a 'dose'. A technique used by non-spiritual providers prior to administering treatment to a patient.