Peganum Harmala - Traditional Uses

Traditional Uses

In Turkey, dried capsules from this plant are strung and hung in homes or vehicles to protect against "the evil eye".

In Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, dried capsules mixed with other ingredients are placed onto red hot charcoal, where they explode with little popping noises, releasing a fragrant smoke that is wafted around the head of those afflicted by or exposed to the gaze of strangers. As this is done, an ancient prayer is recited. This prayer is said by Jews (more specifically, Bukharian Jews and originally coming from ancient Iran and no specific religion) and Muslims as well as by Zoroastrians. This Persian practice dates to pre-Islamic, Zoroastrian times. In Iran, this ritual is sometimes performed in traditional restaurants, where customers are exposed to the eyes of strangers. It is also used in India in the region of Kashmir, where the seeds are ignited in charcoal fire pots to ward off evil on occasions like marriages.

Harmal may have been used as an entheogen in the Middle East in ancient times, and is used as an entheogen in modern Western cultures. It is occasionally used as an analogue of Banisteriopsis caapi to create an ad hoc of a South American religious sacrament known as Ayahuasca, when traditional methods are unavailable. However harmal has distinct aspects from caapi and a unique entheogenic signature. Some scholars identify harmal with the entheogenic haoma of pre-Zoroastrian Persian religions.

A red dye, "Turkey red", from the seeds (but usually obtained from madder) is often used in western Asia to dye carpets. It is also used to dye wool. When the seeds are extracted with water, a yellow fluorescent dye is obtained. If they are extracted with alcohol, a red dye is obtained. The stems, roots and seeds can be used to make inks, stains and tattoos.