Field Report, Part 2: Ayahuasca Vine Harvesting on the Rio Tamaya in the Peruvian Amazon

By Chris Kilham
In this ABC exclusive, Medicine Hunter Chris Kilham provides a first-hand account of the state of ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) harvesting along the Rio Tamaya in the Peruvian Amazon. In June 2018, Kilham and a small team traveled along the river and interviewed local traders, harvesters, and others to assess the situation. Although the supply of ayahuasca vine appears to be meeting local demand, he explains, ayahuasca’s increasing popularity outside of Peru will likely compound the pressure on wild populations of the vine. Read more >>

Moxie, 'An Acquired Taste,' Acquired by Coca-Cola

By Connor Yearsley
The Coca-Cola Company will acquire Moxie, one of the oldest soda brands in the United States, whose unusual, sweet-bitter flavor is attributed mostly to the presence of gentian (Gentiana spp.) root extract. The acquisition may spark new interest in the soda, which originally was introduced in the late 1800s as a medicinal tonic. To the relief of Moxie lovers, Coca-Cola says it has no plans to change the soda’s taste, which reportedly polarizes drinkers. This article briefly explores the interesting history of this American classic. Read more >>

Food as Medicine: Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum; F. tataricum, Polygonaceae)

By Jenny Perez and Hannah Bauman
Contrary to its name, buckwheat is not a member of the cereal grain family (Poaceae) but rather a member of the knotweed family (Polygonaceae). Rich in protein, polyphenols, and minerals, buckwheat is considered a pseudocereal due to its physical and chemical similarities to wheat. The gluten-free “grain” has been used traditionally to treat hypertension and ulcers, and modern scientific research is investigating its potential use in type 2 diabetes and for cardiovascular and oral health. Read more >>

'Belém +30' Joint Conference Honors Alliance Between Indigenous Peoples and Science

By Roberto Regensteiner, Elaine Elisabetsky, PhD, and Steven King, PhD
In August 2018, the 16th Congress of the International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE) was held in conjunction with the 12th Brazilian Symposium on Ethnobiology and Ethnoecology in Belém, the capital of Pará in northern Brazil. Contributing authors Roberto Regensteiner, Elaine Elisabetsky, and Steven King report on this joint conference that marked the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of Belem, a groundbreaking document created during the inaugural ISE congress that outlined the importance of indigenous knowledge to the scientific community. Read more >>