Virgin Seed (Ipomoea corymbosa and Ipomoea tricolor) among Mixtec, Nahuas, and Mazatec of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Puebla (Mexico)

Two endemic Mexican plants of the Convolvulaceae family, Ipomoea corymbosa and Ipomoea tricolor, have been used since ancient times as entheogens to communicate with gods and in divination-healing and public rituals. Nahuas, Mixtecs, and Mazatecs in central Mexico still use these "Virgin seeds" (morning glories) to determine the origin of a disease or conflict and how to achieve a cure or solution. The seeds may be used for healing without a ritual specialist; the diagnosis comes through visions in which multiple speaking subjects guide the person, revealing the problem's history and the ritual solutions needed. This information is understood as divine, enabling self-healing or guidance by a specialist.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Two endemic plants of Mexico from the Convolvulaceae family, Ipomoea corymbosa and Ipomoea tricolor, are entheogens known since ancient times for their properties of promoting communication with the gods and use in divination-healing processes and public rituals. The Nahuas, Mixtecs and Mazatecs of central Mexico still use these entheogenic “Virgin seeds” known as “Morning glories” in English, for the same purposes, to determine the origin of a disease or a conflict and how to achieve a cure or solution. The Virgin seed may be used for healing purposes without a ritual specialist presiding. The diagnosis is made through what is revealed by the “Virgin seeds” who show the person the cause. These images provide an understanding of the history of the problem, and then the ritual solutions, what must be done to heal. Visions reveal the origin of the problem with an entheogenic consciousness experienced as multiple speaking subjects, that serve as a guide, orienting the person as to what needs to be done. This information is understood as from a divine source, exemplifying the meaning of “entheogen”, and providing the information necessary for self-healing, either by the patient who directs their own healing, or by the ritual specialist who guides the process.