Bobinsana - Calliandra angustifolia

General information
This water-loving plant belongs to the Leguminosae (Pea family). It grows from 4 to 6 meter high and is usually found alongside rivers and streams in the Amazon Basin. It can be found in the regions of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia. Bobinsana can also be found alongside streams in the cloud forests and warmer valleys of the Eastern Andean slopes up to 1500 meters in elevation. Bobinsana produces pretty pink to reddish powderpuff-like flowers typical of the Mimosa family to which it belongs. Also the tree produces a usable resinous gum. This plant usually grows between 4 and 6 meters high

Uses
As a tea or tincture it is used for arthritis, rheumatism, minor pains, aches, fevers, uterine disorders and a general energy tonic. Bobinsana is also used for its potent dream inducing effects.
In the Amazon many indigenous peoples use bobinsana for its pain relieving, fever reducing and uterine tonic effects. Traditionally Bobinsana is taken by tincture in aguardiente or a strong tea. All parts of the plant are used for healing. Bobinsana is a well-known “plant teacher” sometimes used in conjunction with a psychedelic amazonian brew called “Ayahuasca”. While bobinsana alone is not hallucinogenic, it is considered a plant teacher and is sometimes added to ayahuasca recipes to help the shaman connect to and learn from the plants. It is also used to produce strong lucid dreaming. Among other benefits Bobinsana is said to open the heart and give space for it to heal from intense grief, loss and sadness.