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by Dale Pendell (Author), Gary Snyder (Foreword by)
Immerse yourself in the fascinating universe of psychoactive plants with Volume 1 of Dale Pendell's celebrated Pharmako trilogy
The bestselling magical fusion of science, poetry, history, and philosophy In this updated paperback edition of the first volume of Dale Pendell's renowned Pharmako trilogy, readers are welcomed on an absorbing journey through the history and applications of psychoactive plants and their synthetic equivalents. Including a new introduction from the author, the book brilliantly merges factual information, historical context, cultural observations, and spiritual insights, all in a voice that is both authoritative and whimsical. Pendell offers in-depth examination of substances including:- Absinthe
- Aqua Vitae
- Beer
- Calea zacatechichi
- Heroin
- Kava kava
- Marijuana
- Nitrous Oxide
- Opium
- Ska Pastora (diviner's sage)
- Tobacco
- Wine
- And more
The examination covers their history, pharmacology, preparation methods, cultural and esoteric connections, and impacts on human consciousness. Pendell presents this study with the sensitivity of a poet, emphasizing not only the concrete facts but also the nuanced implications of each substance's interaction with the human psyche. Enriched with quotations from celebrated writers, the book serves as a captivating literary concoction that blends science, art, and spirituality, transforming a complex subject into a mesmerizing narrative. The blend of poetic and erudite writing in Pendell's style engages the reader's imagination while being firmly anchored in rigorous research and factual data. More than an instructive guide on psychoactive plants and synthetics, Pharmako/Poeia: Plant Powers, Poisons, and Herbcraft is a revealing exploration of the ties between human consciousness and nature's own chemical elixirs. It stands as an indispensable read for those with interest in ethnobotany, herbal medicine, or simply the intriguing interplay between humans and the plant kingdom.
Author Biography
Plant student Dale Pendell established himself as one of the foremost popular exponents of shamanic ethnobotany with his unprecedented Pharmako trilogy. A noted poet, he was the founding editor of the avant-garde magazine Kuksu and a cofounder of the Primitive Arts Institute and has led workshops on ethnobotany and ethnopoetics for the Naropa Institute and the Omega Institute. Pendell was part of the Oracular Madness theme camp at Burning Man for a number of years (his book Inspired Madness: The Gifts of Burning Man was published by Frog Books in 2006). Also an experienced computer scientist, he lives with his wife Laura in California's Sierra foothills.
