Extract from the seeds which contain compounds known as Harmala alkaloids. 1g of extract is equivalent to 10g of seeds. On its own it has been taken for it's mood enhancing properties. Shamans have a long history of using these seeds in combination with other herbs, allowing certain psychoactive substances to cross the blood brain barrier when taken orally. It is an analog to Banisteriopsis caapi, another MAOI inhibiting plant founin a sacred drink known as ayahuasca.

Peganum Harmala is an MAOI inhibitor and has been used alone or in combination with other herbs. Being an MAOI inhibitor makes it dangerous for consumption with foods that have undergone the fermentation process or products containing yeast, bread, beer, wine as this could cause serious toxic complications in the body. The shamans would exercise a very careful diet before using.