Native to the arid coastal mountains of Chile, Lobelia tupa is a striking red-flowered

plant deeply woven into the cultural and spiritual practices of the Mapuche people.

Known locally as tupa, tabaco del diablo (devil’s tobacco), or tra-tra, this plant has

been used for centuries in ceremonial contexts, healing rituals, and as a potent

psychoactive agent though its effects and risks place it in a category distinct from

more commonly discussed entheogens.

Unlike classic psychedelics such as psilocybin or ayahuasca, Lobelia tupa contains

lobeline and other pyridine alkaloids, which act as nicotine-like stimulants and

respiratory agonists. When smoked or prepared as a ceremonial drink, it can induce

altered states characterized by euphoria, visual enhancements, and sometimes

visions, but also dizziness, nausea, and in higher doses, vomiting or respiratory

distress. Its traditional use among Mapuche machis (healers) included ritual

purification, communication with spirits, and treating illnesses such as asthma and

pain a practice requiring deep knowledge and careful dosing.

The plant is often compared to tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) in its ceremonial role,

though its effects are notably stronger and more physically intense. For the

Mapuche, it is not a substance for casual or individual use but a sacred medium

reserved for specific rituals and guided experiences.

Modern interest in Lobelia tupa remains limited, in part due to its geographic

specificity and the guarded nature of Mapuche traditional knowledge. Additionally, its

potential toxicity at higher doses demands respect and caution. Unlike gentler plant

teachers, Lobelia tupa does not offer easy wisdom; its lessons are often earned

through physical and sensory intensity.

This plant underscores an important theme in ethnobotany: that powerful

psychoactives exist within intricate cultural and ecological contexts. Lobelia tupa is

not simply a “natural high” but a being with history, purpose, and power one that

reminds us that some of the world’s most profound plant medicines are also among

its most demanding.