ABSTRACT
The family Myristicaceae consists of approximately 16 genera and 380 species of tropical rain forest trees, which are in field collection, recognized easily by making a cut in the bark from which will exude a blood-like sap. Myristicaceae have attracted a great deal of interest since they produce indole alkaloids, which might hold potential for the treatment of depression and other central nervous system diseases. In the Pacific Rim, approximately 20 species of plants classified within the family Myristicaceae are medicinal. N,N-dimethyl tryptamine, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl tryptamine, 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline have been identified with Virola sebifera, which is used by South American shamans to cause hallucination. Other interesting principles from Myristicaceae are phenyla-cylphenols and phenylpropanoids.
