About Entada rheedei Spreng.
Entada rheedei Spreng., commonly known as African dream herb or snuff box sea bean, and called cacoon vine in Jamaica, is a large woody liana (climber) belonging to the Mimosoideae subfamily of the Mimosa clade. This vine can reach lengths of up to 120 meters (390 feet). Its seeds have a thick, durable seed coat that lets them survive long periods of immersion in seawater. The seeds grow inside a pod that can be up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) long. In terms of distribution and habitat, Entada rheedei grows on river and estuary banks and in swamp forest, and its seeds are commonly found washed up on east and southern African beaches. Because its seeds are easily dispersed by sea, the species is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical areas excluding the Americas: this includes tropical Africa, South Africa, tropical Asia, and Queensland, Australia. In African traditional medicine, Entada rheedei is used to induce vivid dreams, which are believed to allow communication with the spirit world. To get this effect, the inner soft tissue of the seed can either be eaten directly, or chopped, dried, mixed with other herbs such as tobacco, and smoked just before sleep. The plant is also used as a topical ointment to treat jaundice, toothache, ulcers, and muscular-skeletal problems. Its seeds are collected and used to make jewelry, and carried as good-luck charms.
