Iboga

Tabernanthe iboga, called iboga, is an evergreen rainforest shrub of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, native to Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo. It is cultivated across Central Africa for use in traditional medicine and rituals. It usually grows to about two metres, and may reach ten metres as a small tree. Its yellow-fleshed roots contain indole alkaloids, most notably ibogaine, which is concentrated in the bark of the root. The root material is bitter and numbs the mouth and skin. Wikipedia says the iboga tree is central to the Bwiti spiritual practices of West-Central Africa, mainly Gabon, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo, where the roots or bark are used in various ceremonies and taken in massive doses by initiates. The article says exporting iboga from Gabon has been illegal since a 1994 cultural protection law.