PLANT TEACHERS
AMAZON

The Indians of the Amazon do not have and never have had pharmacies. Their medicines grow in the jungle. But before discovering which of the plants heal wounds, which strengthens the immune system, and which is deadly, shamans have gone the long way of trial and error.

Over the millennium, they have discovered that many plants not only have a medical effect but also give new knowledge, help you look at yourself and the world around you differently, promote mental liberation and fill you with energy.

Such plants were nicknamed maestro. The most famous of them are Ojé, Uchu Sanango, Toe, Ajo Sacha and of course Ayahuasca. They teach at the cellular level, expanding consciousness. Illumination comes in dreams and visions.

Interacting with teacher plants is not easy. It is necessary to observe ancient rituals, a special diet and strictly follow the recommendations of an experienced shaman. Only then will the maestros grant access to ancient secret knowledge.

DEDICATION IN
HEALERS

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Interaction with teacher plants is detailed in Vegetalism, a system of ancient Amazonian beliefs. To learn from and heal with plants, it is enough to learn 2 main vegetative tenets.

First, each plant-teacher has its own spirit, its own genius. Interacting with the student at the cellular, genetic and spiritual levels, he helps to get rid of ailments and endows with the wisdom of nature. Curandero (as the Amazonian Indians call the healer) can guide the spirit of the "maestro" with the help of icaro - special ritual songs.

Second, there is no outside healing. The body is able to independently get rid of ailments and recover, but only in favorable conditions. Toxins and stress block this possibility. And that's why many teacher plants are powerful detoxifiers. Moreover, detoxification in vegetalism is usually understood more broadly than in classical medicine.

"Maestro" cleanses not only the body, but also the soul. Shamans believe that teacher plants, if interacting with them within the framework of canonical rituals, are capable of erasing entire levels of karma, purifying and protecting the body from negative energy, and even exorcising evil spirits. The subtleties of the ceremonies are known only to the curandero and are passed down from generation to generation.

CONDUCTING
INTEGRATIONS

An Ayahuasca ceremony experience without integration makes no sense. Therefore, you personally will be integrated by the most experienced mentor - Dr. Scott

It is the healer who, depending on your tasks (treatment or training), decides which plant-teachers are best to interact with and which diet to follow before the ceremony. Contrary to stereotypes, not only ayahuasca requires special training. To get knowledge and strength from plants, you will have to respect the traditions of the Amazon.

Scientists have studied several types of "maestro" and confirmed their effectiveness, for example, in the treatment of clinical depression and drug addiction. But in general, official science prefers not to notice the practice of shamans. They are not described in scientific journals or certified. You interact with teacher plants at your own risk.

Also, remember that the plant teacher retreat is not a miracle pill. Treatment with a maestro may require long-term adherence to the curandero's prescriptions. These include advice on diet and herbal remedies.

Below are only those teacher plants with which we were lucky enough to interact. This is not a complete list of Amazonian "maestros", and we do not pretend to be an exhaustive description of their properties. The photos were taken by us in the jungle, where the vegetalist retreats take place.

WHAT IS
AYAHUASCA?

We have collected the maximum information about "ayahuasca" so that you can fully familiarize yourself with this drink, both from the scientific and spiritual sides.

This shrub, which grows up to 5 m in height and blooms almost all year round, has many names: Chiric Sanango, Manaka, Chiricaspi, Kiss-me-quick, Brunfelsia large-flowered. And even more healing properties. With its help, Quechua treats the effects of snakebites, colds, yellow fever, arthritis, rheumatism and sexually transmitted diseases (for example, syphilis).

Almost all of the above is due to the scopoletin contained in Chiric Sanango. This organic compound has proven anti-inflammatory, antifungal, analgesic, antibacterial and antispasmodic properties, and also prevents cell mutations, that is, prevents the development of cancerous tumors.

But shamans also appreciate large-flowered brunfelsia for its ability to "open the heart", relieve oppressive emotions, diagnose diseases and point out plants that can cure them. Since ancient times, Quechua have been drinking a decoction of this plant to gain wisdom, clarity of thinking, an inexhaustible supply of energy, and also to expel evil spirits and before the hunt, for good luck.

Such properties of Chiric Sanango are probably due to a complex combination of organic compounds, including ibogaine, voacangin, scopolamine, manasin, esculetin, brunfelsamidine and saponins. Some shamans add this plant to Ayahuasca.

The fruits of this tree, reaching a height of 40 m, did not gain popularity: from Latin, the name "Ficus insipida" is translated as "tasteless fig". In the jungle, only monkeys and bakers (animals resembling wild boars) eat them. But the milky juice from the trunk of the "wild fig" is widely used in South American folk medicine (primarily as an anthelmintic agent) and in shamanic rituals.

In amata (another name for this plant) deep symbolism is hidden. At the beginning of its life, it is a climbing vine. It sticks to another tree, strangles it and eventually kills it. Then Ficus insipida itself becomes a tree, but it still remains cunning. Its milky juice, despite its healing properties, is toxic. Overdose can be fatal.

The Maya used the bast (underbark) of this tree to write books, of which only 4 codes have survived. Today, shamans see Ojé dieting as preparation for interacting with other plant teachers.

The Sekoy people call this bonsai "baĩ su'u" and, before going hunting, smears the juice of its fruits on the noses of their dogs. In their opinion, Uchu Sanango - aka Lobo Sanango and Abuelo Sanango - sharpens the sense of smell. Traditional medicine of the Amazon has found "Grandfather Sanango" and other uses: it is used as an antipyretic, diuretic, emetic and healing agent. But its uniqueness, of course, is not in this.

Uchu Sanango is one of the curandero's main assistants. It cleanses and protects the body from negative energies, for example, during the ritual of driving out evil spirits. For an ordinary person, "Grandpa Sanango" relieves physical and mental ailments, gives emotional balance, increases muscle strength and improves memory. The effect persists even after the end of the diet, and is achieved through visions, dreams and insights.

Another amazing feature of this "maestro" is the healing of addictions: tobacco, alcohol and even drug addiction. This is possible thanks to deep cleansing at the cellular and mental levels.

"Wild garlic" (this is how Aja Sacha is translated from the Quechua language) has a pronounced garlic taste and smell, but surprisingly no kinship with the garlic we are used to (Allium Sativum). The Indians use it to fight fever, fever and headache, as well as to strengthen the immune system and purify the blood.

But Ajo Sacha reveals its true potential only in the hands of an experienced curandero. It is believed that "wild garlic" expels evil spirits, cleanses the body, consciousness and subconsciousness, and also increases determination, strengthens the will and sharpens the mind. That is why the Indians use the roots and leaves of this "maestro" before hunting.

Usually shamans use Ajo Sacha as an aid. For example, add to ayahuasca. But training can take place without the help of other "maestros". So, to interact with "wild garlic" is advised during periods of severe life turmoil. With a pure soul, it is easier to make the right choice.

Shipibo-Conibo Indian healers use every part of this moisture-loving tree. Root - for cancer of the uterus, for blood purification and as a contraceptive. Bark - for edema (even with pulmonary edema), arthritis and rheumatism. Leaves and feather-like flowers - with the omission of internal organs (especially the pelvic organs) and as an aphrodisiac.

Shamans value Kori-Sacha (another name for this "maestro", also known as Capabo, Koprupi, Semein, Cigana, Yacu, Chipero, Quinilla Blanca and Yopoyo) for colorful dreams and visions that teach subtle perception of nature, constancy, empathy and enhance ability to concentrate.

The spirit of this plant often appears in the form of an old man who calms the mind and heart. Scientists explain this effect by the fact that it contains harmala alkaloids - the same as the "perfume vine" Banisteriopsis caapi. Some shamans add it to ayahuasca or recommend the use of Bobinsana teas and tinctures as part of their diet before the ceremony.

Chakruna does not have two Latin names. It was the Quechua Indians who gave two different plants - psychotria green and chalipong - one name. They are not related, but both contain tryptamines and above all the "spirit molecule" DMT. That is why chakruna leaves are an essential ingredient in Ayahuasca.

The "everyday" use of chakruna is very limited. Indians drink it before hunting to see the animals lurking in the jungle, and believe that it cleanses the intestines and relieves migraines. Shamans, however, argue that the ritual, which is accompanied by the use of a decoction of chakruna, allows you to protect yourself from witchcraft and look into the future.

It is generally accepted that ayahuasca is a decoction of the "perfume vine" Banisteriopsis caapi. But chakruna does not play an auxiliary role in it. A significant part of the visual effects (primarily visions) and sudden insights are precisely her merit. In Quechua, chaqruy means to mix. It is true that one rarely interacts with chakruna "in private."

This small (up to 1 m high) shrub, also called Anamu, Apacin and Guine, has enormous medical potential. Its roots have proven antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. It is also a powerful antioxidant used to treat and prevent cancerous tumors.

Unlike many other "maestros", the action of Mucura has been studied in some detail by modern science. Thus, an experiment on rats showed that interaction with this plant stimulates brain activity, enhancing the ability to learn, as well as short-term and long-term memory.

Shamans are convinced that Petiveria alliacea has another important property: the spirit of this "maestro" relieves anxiety, helps to overcome depression and subtly teaches self-esteem.

Like Ajo Sacha, Anamu has a pronounced garlic smell due to its high sulfur content.

It is strongly discouraged to interact with teacher plants on your own, not under the supervision of an experienced shaman. But in the case of Toe, it's also deadly. Even a minor overdose of seeds and leaves of "angel pipes" (as the locals call Brugmansia suaveolens) is almost guaranteed to be fatal.

Of the more benign symptoms, it is worth noting dry mouth, tachycardia, confusion and muscle paralysis, including the ciliary muscle of the eye, which is fraught with inability to focus the gaze. Curandero use Toe only when all other remedies are powerless. For example, in the terminal stages of incurable diseases.

Due to the high content of scopalamin, hyoscyamine and atripine, Brugmansia suaveolens is a powerful hallucinogen. Interacting with this "maestro", the student loses the sense of reality. His visions are extremely realistic. There are cases when a person, being in a somnambulistic state, found his way through the jungle in complete darkness.

This vine got its name (Uña de Gato, or Cat's Claw) because of the characteristic shape of the thorns. Modern medicine of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon considers it to be an effective immunomodulator, as well as the main medicine for herpes and systemic candidiasis.

For the Incas, this plant was sacred and even more versatile. All viral infections, colds, arthritis, skin diseases and low blood pressure were treated with the help of Uña de Gato. In addition, Uncaria tormentoso has been used to accelerate wound healing.

Shamans are convinced that interacting with this "maestro" gives the jaguar strength and also removes physical and mental imbalances. Modern science also did not stay away from Cat's Claw. Studies show that this plant is able to repair cells after chemotherapy and significantly slow down the development of cancerous tumors.

This vine is considered the main "maestro" for couples going through difficult periods in a relationship. It braids the tree so tightly (but, unlike Ficus insipida, does not kill it) that it becomes one with it. Therefore, botanists for many decades mistakenly considered it a tree, not a vine.

It is this all-consuming and all-forgiving unity that this "maestro" teaches. He gives the relationship harmony on three levels at once: physical, mental and spiritual. And besides, it eliminates the problems of the reproductive system, in particular, it helps to get pregnant.

The Shipibo-Conibo Indians use Renaquilla for more mundane purposes - to treat fractures, bruises, hernias, prolapses, and as an anti-inflammatory agent.