Aguaí rattle

The aguaí seed ( Thevetia peruviana ), a tree native to the Amazon, also known as Napoleon's Hat, Electric Chestnut, Snake Knot and Jesus' Heart. It is used by the native peoples of the Amazon as an amulet during hunting. In addition to making the hunt more effective, the sound of the seeds hitting each other is said to actually drive snakes and other venomous animals away.

Aguaí is a name of origin in the Tupi language and means rattle or rattlesnake. This name was given by the indigenous people, as there were some associations between the seeds and the rattlesnake:

– The seed has the property of warding off snakes, including the rattlesnake.

– The Indians used Aguaí to treat snake bites.

– Aguaí seeds are used in rattles, imitating the sound of the rattlesnake, which were used by pajés or shamans to help cure diseases in healing rituals.

Instinctively the seeds were used in these rattles, as they also emit a good radiation of energy that help in a faster recovery and rebalance of the treated organism. That is why the indigenous name Aguaí was also adopted to popularly designate this plant with many powers.