Papaver somniferum, also called as Opium Poppy, has a history of cultivation in the ancient civilizations of Persia, Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Opium Poppy has also been called by other names, for example the Sacred Anchor Of Life, the Hand Of God, Milk Of Paradise, and Destroyer Of Grief. In the 8th century the plant was widely cultivated and consumed in India and China, and all over mid-Asia.

Opium poppy flower are beautiful and used to grace gardens world-wide. They are often used in dried flower arrangements. Poppy seeds are used in cooking for example bagels, bialys, muffins and cakes.

As the name says, Opium Poppy pods contain opium. The opium is lacerating the immature opium poppy seed pods. Opium contains up to twelve percent of morphine which can be refined for example to create very addicting drug heroin.

In the United States opium poppy is listed as a schedule Schedule 2 controlled substance.

Sacred Tobacco, Nicotiana rustica, is a not the same tobacco used in cigarette products today. Instead it used to be one the most well known plants in the America.

All of the American tribes were using tobacco for ceremonies and healing purposes. It was also used as a gift to the spirits. Indians called this sacred tobacco by the name Mapacho.

In a religious setting Sacred Tobacco was used to make a connection between humans and spiritual world. This is the herb you have seen the Indian chiefs to smoke as a symbol for peace.

Nicotiana rustica was also used in Ayahuasca ceremonies, although the smoke of sacred tobacco was not always inhaled. Nicotiana rustica contains twenty times more nicotine than the modern alternatives.

As the plant grows well also in a colder environment it has been cultivated for example in Russia.

Myrrh is resin-like material which is usually made of sap from several different trees. The plant that is most often used for making myrrh is a spiny tree Commiphora myrrha, which grows native in Africa and Arabian peninsula.

Myrhh incense

When myrrh is burned as incense it has various meanings including purifying the area, creating peace and lifting vibrations. Myrhh is also used to help meditation. It is usually burned together with some other resinous incense.

Traditionally myrhh was used to treat various illnesses and to improve circulation. Nowadays myrhh is for example added to mouthwashes and toothpastes to prevent gum diseases. It is also used in some liniments and healing salves.

Copal resin is got from Copaifera trees. The resin is traditionally used as an incense by ancient cultures. It has often been a part of love and purification related incenses.

Sometimes Copal is also used to make jewelry. Even nowadays Copal incense is used by in Mexico and Central America as a quite popular incense.

If you are going to buy copal resin it is usually available in yellow and white versions. Yellow being the more expensive choice.

Nelumbo nucifera, known by the names sacred lotus, bean of India, and Indian lotus, is a flower that must not be mixed with water lily also called as lotus. The seeds of Sacred Lotus are very long-lasting, they may remain viable for many years. In China 1300 years old seeds had survived in a dry lake bed.

Lotus has been a symbol of purity in Asias since the ancient times, which may have something to do with the effects it has when ingested. Traditionally Nelumbo nucifera is used by smoking or making it into tea.

Sacred Lotus contains neferin, nuciferine, lotusine, and demethyl coclaurine. Nuciferine is the active compound that is responsible for producing a happy feeling in the whole body. Sacred Lotus seeds and extracts are available to buy in many online shops.