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Regions
Oceania
Shamanic Traditions
Originating in Eurasia in around 4000BCE, Shamanic traditions soon spread widely to areas such as the Americas, the Pacific and India [105].
Shamanism is often characterised by the use of hallucinogenic plants as part of ritual, a means of accessing "other worlds", or simply as a social activity [105].
Typically, hallucinogenic plants would allow a shaman to contact spirits, both good and bad, in order to question, communicate or negotiate [105].
Sometimes spirits would even be asked to help diagnose an affliction or advise on suitable remedies [105].
Similarities in plant-medicine use across diverse geographical regions
Similarities in the ways specific plants are used across a diverse range of cultures is evidence of primitive human-plant relationships [105].
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has been used as a hot-water extract to treat menstrual problems and to regulate fertitily amongst primitive peoples in all of the following regions [105]: