Ayahuasca
Traditional use
Traditional use
---------------

[thumb\|right\|Ayahuasca cooking in the [Loreto](/wiki/Loreto_Province "Loreto Province") region of [Peru](/wiki/Peru "Peru")](/wiki/File:Aya-cooking.jpg "Aya-cooking.jpg")
[thumb\|right\|Ayahuasca being prepared in [Ecuador](/wiki/Ecuador "Ecuador")](/wiki/File:Ayahuasca_preparation.JPG "Ayahuasca preparation.JPG")

The uses of ayahuasca in traditional societies in [South America](/wiki/South_America "South America") vary greatly. Some cultures do use it for shamanic purposes, but in other cases, it is consumed socially among friends, in order to learn more about the natural environment, and even in order to visit friends and family who are far away.

Nonetheless, people who work with ayahuasca in non\-traditional contexts often align themselves with the philosophies and cosmologies associated with ayahuasca [shamanism](/wiki/Shamanism "Shamanism"), as practiced among [Indigenous peoples](/wiki/Indigenous_people "Indigenous people") like the [Urarina](/wiki/Urarina "Urarina") of the [Peruvian Amazon](/wiki/Peruvian_Amazon "Peruvian Amazon"). Dietary taboos are often associated with the use of ayahuasca, although these seem to be specific to the culture around [Iquitos](/wiki/Iquitos "Iquitos"), [Peru](/wiki/Peru "Peru"), a major center of ayahuasca tourism. Ayahuasca retreats or *healing centers* can also be found in the [Sacred Valley](/wiki/Sacred_Valley "Sacred Valley") of Peru, in areas such as [Cusco](/wiki/Cusco "Cusco") and [Urubamba](/wiki/Urubamba%2C_Peru "Urubamba, Peru"), where similar dietary preparations can be observed. These retreats often employ members of the [Shipibo\-Konibo](/wiki/Shipibo-Conibo "Shipibo-Conibo") tribe, an indigenous community native to the Peruvian Amazon.

In the rainforest, these taboos tend towards the purification of one's self—abstaining from spicy and heavily seasoned foods, excess fat, salt, caffeine, acidic foods (such as citrus) and sex before, after, or during a ceremony. A diet low in [foods containing tyramine](/wiki/Tyramine%23Occurrence "Tyramine#Occurrence") has been recommended, as the speculative interaction of [tyramine](/wiki/Tyramine "Tyramine") and [MAOIs](/wiki/Monoamine_oxidase_inhibitor "Monoamine oxidase inhibitor") could lead to a [hypertensive crisis](/wiki/Hypertensive_crisis "Hypertensive crisis"); however, evidence indicates that [harmala alkaloids](/wiki/Harmala_alkaloids "Harmala alkaloids") act only on [MAO\-A](/wiki/Monoamine_oxidase_A "Monoamine oxidase A"), in a reversible way similar to [moclobemide](/wiki/Moclobemide "Moclobemide") (an antidepressant that does not require dietary restrictions). Dietary restrictions are not used by the highly urban Brazilian ayahuasca church [União do Vegetal](/wiki/Uni%C3%A3o_do_Vegetal "União do Vegetal"), suggesting the risk is much lower than perceived and probably non\-existent.

### Ceremony and the role of shamans

[Shamans](/wiki/Shamanism "Shamanism"), [curanderos](/wiki/Curandero "Curandero") and experienced users of ayahuasca advise against consuming ayahuasca when not in the presence of one or several well\-trained shamans.

In some areas, there are purported *brujos* (Spanish for "[witches](/wiki/Witch "Witch")") who masquerade as real shamans and who entice tourists to drink ayahuasca in their presence. Shamans believe one of the purposes for this is to steal one's energy and/or power, of which they believe every person has a limited stockpile.

The shamans lead the ceremonial consumption of the ayahuasca beverage, in a rite that typically takes place over the entire night. During the ceremony, the effect of the drink lasts for hours. Prior to the ceremony, participants are instructed to abstain from spicy foods, red meat and sex. The ceremony is usually accompanied with [purging](/wiki/Vomiting "Vomiting") which include vomiting and diarrhea, which is believed to release built\-up emotions and [negative energy](/wiki/Energy_%28esotericism%29 "Energy (esotericism)").

### Shipibo\-Konibo and their relation to Ayahuasca

It is believed that the Shipibo\-Konibo are among the earliest practitioners of Ayahuasca ceremonies, with their connection to the brew and ceremonies surrounding it dating back centuries, perhaps a millennium.

Some members of the Shipibo community have taken to the media to express their views on Ayahuasca entering the mainstream, with some calling it "the [commercialization](/wiki/Commercialization "Commercialization") of ayahuasca." Some of them have even expressed their worry regarding the increased popularity, saying "the contemporary 'ayahuasca ceremony' may be understood as a substitute for former [cosmogonical](/wiki/Cosmogony "Cosmogony") [rituals](/wiki/Ritual "Ritual") that are nowadays not performed anymore."

### Icaros

The Shipibo have their own language, called [Shipibo](/wiki/Shipibo_language "Shipibo language"), a [Panoan language](/wiki/Panoan_languages "Panoan languages") spoken by approximately 26,000 people in Peru and Brazil. This language is commonly sung by the shaman in the form of a chant, called an [Icaro](/wiki/Icaro "Icaro"), during the Ayahuasca ritual as a way to establish a "balance of energy" during the ritual to help protect and guide the user during their experience.

### Traditional brew

[thumb \| right \| *B. caapi* [inflorescence](/wiki/Inflorescence "Inflorescence")](/wiki/File:Ayahuasca_%28Banisteriopsis_caapi%29_en_floraci%C3%B3n.jpg "Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) en floración.jpg")

Traditional ayahuasca brews are usually made with *[Banisteriopsis caapi](/wiki/Banisteriopsis_caapi "Banisteriopsis caapi")* as an [MAOI](/wiki/MAOI "MAOI"), while [dimethyltryptamine](/wiki/Dimethyltryptamine "Dimethyltryptamine") sources and other admixtures vary from region to region. There are several [varieties of caapi](/wiki/Banisteriopsis_caapi%23Types_of_vine "Banisteriopsis caapi#Types of vine"), often known as different "colors", with varying effects, potencies, and uses.

DMT admixtures:
* *[Psychotria viridis](/wiki/Psychotria_viridis "Psychotria viridis")* (Chacruna)[Rätsch, Christian](/wiki/Christian_R%C3%A4tsch%23Bibliography "Christian Rätsch#Bibliography") (2005\), pp. 704\-708\. The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications. Rochester, Vermont: Park Street Press, 1998\.  – leaves
* *[Psychotria carthagenensis](/wiki/Psychotria_carthagenensis "Psychotria carthagenensis")* (Amyruca) – leaves
* *[Diplopterys cabrerana](/wiki/Diplopterys_cabrerana "Diplopterys cabrerana")* (Chaliponga, Chagropanga, *Banisteriopsis rusbyana*) – leaves
* *[Mimosa tenuiflora](/wiki/Mimosa_tenuiflora "Mimosa tenuiflora")* (*M. hostilis*) \- root bark

Other common admixtures:
* *[Justicia pectoralis](/wiki/Justicia_pectoralis "Justicia pectoralis")*
* *[Brugmansia](/wiki/Brugmansia "Brugmansia") sp.* (Toé)
* [Opuntia](/wiki/Opuntia "Opuntia") *sp*.
* [Epiphyllum](/wiki/Epiphyllum "Epiphyllum") *sp.*
* [Cyperus](/wiki/Cyperus "Cyperus") *sp.*
* *[Nicotiana rustica](/wiki/Nicotiana_rustica "Nicotiana rustica")* (Mapacho, variety of tobacco)
* *[Ilex guayusa](/wiki/Ilex_guayusa "Ilex guayusa")*, a relative of [yerba mate](/wiki/Yerba_mate "Yerba mate")
* *[Lygodium venustum](/wiki/Lygodium_venustum "Lygodium venustum")*, (Tchai del monte)
* *[Phrygilanthus eugenioides](/wiki/Phrygilanthus_eugenioides "Phrygilanthus eugenioides")* and [Clusia](/wiki/Clusia "Clusia") *sp* (both called Miya)
* *[Lomariopsis japurensis](/wiki/Lomariopsis_japurensis "Lomariopsis japurensis")* (Shoka)

Common admixtures with their associated ceremonial values and spirits:

* **[Ayahuma](/wiki/Ayahuma "Ayahuma") bark**: Cannon Ball tree. Provides protection and is used in healing susto (soul loss from spiritual fright or trauma).
* **[Capirona](/wiki/Capirona "Capirona") bark**: Provides cleansing, balance and protection. It is noted for its smooth bark, white flowers, and hard wood.
* **[Chullachaki caspi](/wiki/Chullachaki_caspi "Chullachaki caspi") bark** (*[Brysonima christianeae](/wiki/Brysonima_christianeae "Brysonima christianeae")*): Provides cleansing to the physical body. Used to transcend physical body ailments.
* **[Lopuna blanca](/wiki/Lopuna_blanca "Lopuna blanca") bark**: Provides protection.
* **[Punga amarilla](/wiki/Punga_amarilla "Punga amarilla") bark**: Yellow Punga. Provides protection. Used to pull or draw out negative spirits or energies.
* **[Remo caspi](/wiki/Remo_caspi "Remo caspi") bark**: Oar Tree. Used to move dense or dark energies.
* **Wyra (huaira) caspi bark** (*[Cedrelinga catanaeformis](/wiki/Cedrelinga_catanaeformis "Cedrelinga catanaeformis")*): Air Tree. Used to create purging, transcend gastro/intestinal ailments, calm the mind, and bring tranquility.
* **[Shiwawaku](/wiki/Shiwawaku "Shiwawaku") bark**: Brings purple medicine to the ceremony.
* **[Uchu sanango](/wiki/Uchu_sanango "Uchu sanango")**: Head of the sanango plants.
* **[Huacapurana](/wiki/Huacapurana "Huacapurana")**: Giant tree of the Amazon with very hard bark.
* **Bobinsana ([Calliandra angustifolia](/wiki/Calliandra_angustifolia "Calliandra angustifolia"))**: Mermaid Spirit. Provides major heart chakra opening, healing of emotions and relationships.

How can these medicinal or spiritual plants be used for personal benefit without harming others or the environment?