View source for Harmal

{{About|a plant|a town in Lebanon|Hermel}}
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Harmal
| image = Peganum harmala1.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Harmal (''Peganum harmala'') flower
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Nitrariaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Peganum]]''
| species = '''''P. harmala'''''
| binomial = ''Peganum harmala''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

[[Image:Peganum harmala0.jpg|thumb|left|Harmal seed capsules]]
'''Harmal''' (''Peganum harmala'') is a [[plant]] of the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Nitrariaceae]], native from the eastern [[Mediterranean]] region east to [[India]]. It is also sometimes known as Syrian Rue, a confusing name as it is not related to [[rue]] (''Ruta'', family Rutaceae).

In the [[United States]] ''Peganum harmala'' grows as an invasive exotic in [[Arizona]], [[California]], [[Montana]], [[New Mexico]], [[Nevada]], [[Oregon]], [[Texas]] and [[Washington]].<ref>[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PEHA USDA]</ref>

==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 notorious South American mixture of [[phyto-indoles]] including [[Dimethyltryptamine|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 language|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 also an [[abortifacient]].<ref name="nook">[http://www.thenook.org/archives/tek/06332ott.html www.thenook.org]</ref>

==Alkaloids==
[[Image:Harmaline.png|thumb|right|175px|Harmaline, the main alkaloid of ''Peganum harmala'']]

The active [[alkaloid]]s of Harmal [[seed]]s are the [[MAOI]] ('''M'''ono'''A'''mine '''O'''xidase '''I'''nhibitor) compounds [[harmine]], [[harmaline]], and [[tetrahydroharmine]] (collectively known as [[harmala alkaloid]]s).  Harmaline is a "reversible inhibitor of MAO-A ([[RIMA]])."<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=2c2K-epbCDQC&pg=PA237&lpg=PA237&dq=harmaline+antidepressant&source=web&ots=IrcpVr4R_H&sig=5FvlysKKEN7Hb4_YjfgoZM8rsTg Edward J. Massaro, Handbook of Neurotoxicology]</ref>  The seeds contain about 2-6% alkaloids, most of which is harmaline.<ref>[http://www.amazing-nature.com/-i-43.html www.amazing-nature.com]</ref>
[[Image:Vasicine.png|thumb|left|150px|Vasicine]]
*[[Vasicine]]<ref name="nook">.</ref> 
*[[Vasicinone]]<ref name="nook">.</ref> 

{{Commons|Peganum harmala}}

==External links==
*[http://www.erowid.org/plants/syrian_rue/syrian_rue.shtml Erowid Syrian Rue Vault]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Entheogens]]
[[Category:Herbal and fungal hallucinogens]]
[[Category:Monoamine oxidase inhibitors]]
[[Category:Psychedelic tryptamine carriers]]
[[Category:Sapindales]]
[[Category:Ayahuasca]]

[[ar:حرمل]]
[[de:Steppenraute]]
[[fa:اسفند_(گیاه)]]
[[pl:Poganek rutowaty]]
[[es:Peganum harmala]]


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