Curare by Gregor Dys, Nils Panda

Indigenous populations of the Americas, Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Egyptian high priests, Celtic Druid gardens, and medieval monastic medicine, many cultural examples are known about the gathering, identification, cultivation, and use of plants, as well as fungi and animals, to alleviate or cure disease.

Every plant produces an arsenal of major and minor compounds and many can be attributed evolutionary advantages in warding off pests.
Medicinal drugs commonly used range from the ginger rhizome to the flower of the Hawaiian wood rose to plant precursors for anticancer drugs in the leaves of mistletoe.

For the systematic incorporation of the plant world of the former colonial territories of South America into the scientific system of the european occupants, Alexander von Humboldt and Aimée Bonpland are certainly two examples of world-renowned naturalists who, among numerous discoveries, were also acquainted with the arrow poison curare (presumably from 'uraure' ; liquid that can kill a bird).
Used in hunting, medicine and rituals, the knowledge of the herbal preparation was transmitted in detail and differentiated from generation to generation in the most diverse indigenous populations and applied in a rich cultural context.

After studying indigenous practices for the preparation of the arrow poison, following Paracelsus' guiding principle ("The dose makes the poison"), the ingredients of curare plants could be used in Western medicine and continue to be guiding principles in anesthesia today.
Appreciation or even a reward of the rich indigenous treasure of knowledge and their natural resources remains unheard of until today.

Pharmacists by trade, Nils Panda and Gregor Dys combine their musical approaches to draw on the tropes of exploration, experimentation and exploitation.

As non-profit artist collective, we’ve decided to donate all of our proceed to Friends Of Nature Germany to support a healthy biodiversity.

spenden.bund.net/naturschutz/?wc=24493

re:natura is a non-profit artist collective, music label and experimental laboratory with a clear, shared vision.

With a focus on topics of biodiversity, we explore animals, plants, landscapes and natural phenomena. In the critical tradition of naturalists, we compose, publish, perform and convey experimental musics that are concerned with the specifics of life.

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