{"title":"Christian Rätsch","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChristian Rätsch\u003c\/strong\u003e explores the fascinating intersection of nature, culture, and consciousness through his detailed studies of psychoactive and medicinal plants. His works offer a profound look into the botanical world, revealing the complex roles these plants play in human history, health, and spirituality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a focus on \u003cem\u003escientific insight\u003c\/em\u003e and ethnobotanical knowledge, Rätsch’s books serve as essential guides for readers interested in health, wellness, and the natural sciences. Expect thoughtful, well-researched texts that deepen understanding of the plants that have shaped traditional healing and human experience.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"plants-of-the-gods-by-christian-ratsch-9780892819799","title":"Plants of the Gods","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorld-renowned anthropologist and ethnopharmacologist Christian Rätsch provides the latest scientific updates to this classic work on psychoactive flora by two eminent researchers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNumerous new and rare colour photographs complement the completely revised and updated text. The book explores the uses of hallucinogenic plants in shamanic rituals throughout the world. It is cross-referenced by plant, illness, preparation, season of collection, and chemical constituents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first edition sold 33,000 copies. Three scientific titans join forces to completely revise the classic text on the ritual uses of psychoactive plants. They provide a fascinating testimony of these \u003cem\u003eplants of the gods\u003c\/em\u003e, tracing their uses throughout the world and their significance in shaping culture and history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the traditions of every culture, plants have been highly valued for their nourishing, healing, and transformative properties. The most powerful of those plants, which are known to transport the human mind into other dimensions of consciousness, have always been regarded as sacred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors detail the uses of hallucinogens in sacred shamanic rites while providing lucid explanations of the biochemistry of these plants and the cultural prayers, songs, and dances associated with them. The text is lavishly illustrated with 400 rare photographs of plants, people, ceremonies, and art related to the ritual use of the world's sacred psychoactive flora.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46516017823980,"sku":"9780892819799","price":69.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/24094043482505.jpg?v=1748912780"},{"product_id":"the-encyclopedia-of-psychoactive-plants-by-christian-ratsch-9780892819782","title":"The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe discusses their ritual and medicinal usage, cultural artefacts made from these plants, and works of art that either represent or have been inspired by them. The author begins with 168 of the most well-known psychoactives—such as cannabis, datura, and papaver—then presents 133 lesser-known substances. Additionally, he covers plants known as \"legal highs,\" plants known only from mythological contexts and literature, and plant products that include substances such as ayahuasca, incense, and soma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe text is lavishly illustrated with 800 colour photographs—many of which are from the author's extensive fieldwork around the world—showing the people, ceremonies, and art related to the ritual use of the world's sacred psychoactives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46632205222124,"sku":"9780892819782","price":192.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/24093873482505.jpg?v=1751993323"},{"product_id":"the-encyclopedia-of-aphrodisiacs-by-christian-ratsch-9781594771699","title":"The Encyclopedia of Aphrodisiacs","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe culmination of more than 30 years of cultural, anthropological, and scientific research, this encyclopaedia examines the botany, pharmacology, history, preparation, dosage, and practical use of more than 400 erotically stimulating substances from antiquity to the present day. From plants and animals that enhance fertility and virility, like celery, snails, or oysters, to substances that induce arousal, like ephedra, opium, or cannabis, the encyclopaedia is richly illustrated with more than 800 colour photographs—many of which are from the authors' extensive fieldwork around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExploring individual, medicinal, and ritual use through historic and contemporary artwork, personal accounts, and literature as well as Ayurvedic, tantric, shamanic, and European folklore practices and recent pharmacological research, the authors look at the revolving cycle of acceptance and condemnation of aphrodisiacs, the qualities that incur the label of \"aphrodisiac,\" the role of mind and setting, and the different ways aphrodisiacs stimulate desire—either physically, through the senses and vital organs, or mentally, through heightened awareness and altered consciousness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis comprehensive guide reveals these \"remedies of the love goddess\" as holy remedies whose proper use can help re-establish harmony with oneself, one's partner, and the universe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Encyclopedia of Aphrodisiacs\u003c\/em\u003e details the use, preparation, and dosage of more than 400 plant, animal, mineral, and synthetic substances, both common and exotic, as well as their botany, science, and legal status. It explores the historical and present use of aphrodisiacs and their role in sexual practices, culture, and art. The book is richly illustrated throughout with more than 800 colour photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"An elegant, unsentimental, and extraordinary book. From photographs of African fertility dances to full Tantrik instructions, from French phallic ancient stone monuments to a discussion of pheromones, this is the best of its kind I’ve seen. Highly recommended.\" – Yellow Silk\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47599416574188,"sku":"9781594771699","price":225.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/83db5ecd8c185bab92340f88ac357aad.jpg?v=1778043257"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/christian-ratsch.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}