Hordenine

Hordenine (N,N-dimethyltyramine) is a phenylethylamine alkaloid with antibacterial and antibiotic properties. It stimulates the release of norepinephrine in higher animals. It is produced in nature by several varieties of plants in the family Cactaceae and some in Acacia.

Peyote (Lophophora williamsii), San Pedro cactus (Trichocereus pachanoi), and Peruvian Torch cactus (Trichocereus peruvianus) all produce high levels of this compound. These cacti also produce high levels of mescaline and other phenylethylamine compounds.

Cacti in the genus Ariocarpus, Pereskia, and Coryphantha also produce these alkaloids, though not in high concentrations.

". . .it has been shown that hordenine, N, N-Dimethyl-hydroxyphenylethylamine, exhibits an inhibitory action against at least 18 strains of penicillin resistant Staphylococcus bacteria."