Harmal

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Harmal (Peganum harmala) is a plant of the family Nitrariaceae, native from the eastern Mediterranean region east to India. It is also known as Syrian Rue, an innacurate name, since it is not in the rue (Ruta, Rutaceae) family.

It is a perennial plant which grows to about 0.8 m tall.

In the United States Peganum harmala grows as an invasive exotic in Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

Common names:

African rue
Harmal peganum
Harmal shrub
Harmel
Isband
Ozallaik
Peganum
Steppenraute
Syrian rue

Traditional uses

It has been used as an entheogen in the Middle East, and in modern Western culture, it is often used as an analogue of Banisteriopsis caapi to create an ad-hoc Ayahuasca, the South American mixture of phytoindoles including DMT with β-carbolines. Syrian Rue however has distinct aspects from caapi and a unique entheogenic signature.

In Turkey dried capsules from this plant are strung and hung in homes or vehicles to protect against "the evil eye".

In Iran, dried capsules (known in Persian as اسپند espænd or اسفنددانه esfænd-dāneh) - mixed with other ingredients - are burnt so as to produce a light, distinctly scented smoke or incense. It is used as an air as well as mind purifier - perhaps linked to its entheogenic properties - and mostly as a charm against "the evil eye". This Persian practice dates to pre-Islamic, Zoroastrian times. Peganum harmala is used as incense by dropping the seeds onto red hot charcoal.

Peganum harmala is also an abortifacient.

Peganum harmala has "antibacterial activity. It is somewhat effective against protozoans including malaria. It is given in a decoction for laryngitis.

The "root is applied to kill lice" and when burned, the seeds kill insects. It is used as an anthelmintic (to expel parasitic worms).

Traditionally it is also used as an analgesic and antiinflammatory agent.

Alkaloids

The active alkaloids of Harmal seeds are the MAOI-A (Mono Amine Oxidase Inhibitor) compounds:

Harmane, 0.16%

Harmine, 1.84%

The coatings of the seeds are said to contain large amounts of harmine.

(collectively known as harmala alkaloids).

Harmaline is a "reversible inhibitor of MAO-A (RIMA). The seeds contain about 2-6% alkaloids, most of which is harmaline. The stems of the plant contain about 0.36% alkaloids and the leaves contain about 0.52%.

Anticancer

Peganum harmala as well as harmine exhibit cytotoxicity with regards to HL60 and K562 leukemia cell lines. Ground Peganum harmala seeds have been used occasionally to treat skin cancer and subcutaneous cancers traditionally in Morrocco. Seed extracts also show effectiveness against various tumor cell lines both in vitro and in vivo.

External links

References