Imphepho - Helichrysum odoratissimum
   |
Imphepho is a strongly aromatic, much-branched perennial herb with small silvery leaves and small yellow flower heads. Imphepho has many uses throughout history, all of them of great interest. Most-often, it is simply burned as ritual incense to invoke the goodwill of the ancestors. Since Africans believe that ancestors make contact with them through their dreams, they inhale the smoke due to its sedative, relaxing nature, helping them to reach the lucid dreams that are so crucial to their culture.
One of the more interesting historical uses of this plant is on a related note: It's used by healers in KwaZulu-Natal as a smoking blend, either on its own or mixed with a few dashes of Shamanic Tobacco, to induce trances. The inahlation of the smoke in the room can help facilitate this, but direct inhalation in the form of an herbal smoke is what catapults them to their trance states far more easily.
Imphepho (Helichrysum odoratissimum) is classified as a visionary herb, dreaming herb, and a sedative.
|
