Plant Teachers of the Amazon

Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi)

Although ayahuasca is usually mentioned as a drink, its basis is the vine Banisteriopsis caapi, which Shipibo consider a powerful plant teacher…

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Mapacho (Wild Tobacco, Nicotiana rustica)

One of the most important and powerful plants of the Amazon. Mapacho is called 'plant of power': it provides energetic protection, repels evil spirits…

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Noya Rao

Legendary 'tree of light', considered the embodiment of pure goodness and wisdom. Dieta with Noya Rao is one of the most difficult and honorable…

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Bobinsana (Calliandra angustifolia)

Plant of heart and dreams. In dieta, bobinsana opens the heart, helps work through old emotional traumas, gives a sense of love and connection.

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Marosa (Pfaffia iresinoides)

'Little mother', shaman plant. Marosa heals wounded femininity and heart; dieta recommended for traumas related to lack of love…

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Chiric Sanango (Brunfelsia grandiflora)

Powerful shrub, 'cold sanango'. Strict but beneficial teacher: reprogramming nervous system, strengthening willpower and determination.

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Chullachaqui caspi

Tree of the chullachaqui spirit. Dieta opens access to knowledge of many plants; the spirit acts as guide to all plant wisdom.

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Ajo Sacha (Mansoa alliacea)

'Wild garlic'. Cleansing from negativity and giving strength; 'warrior plant' awakening the inner warrior and determination.

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Boa caspi (Cipo boa)

'Snake tree'. Gives spiritual strength and protection, ability to shed the old and renew; energetic shield from negativity.

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Camalonga (Thevetia peruviana)

Reflects negativity; places an invisible filter around a person. Often dieted by healers dealing with others' negativity or 'black magic'.

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Piñón Blanco (Jatropha curcas)

Plant of light, one of the central teachers in curandero dieta. 'Pure white light' – clear contact, direct understanding and communication.

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Piñón Colorado (Jatropha gossypiifolia)

'Red' relative of piñón blanco, more 'fiery' line. Intense cleansing and restoration of strength through the body.

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Ojé (Ficus insipida)

Powerful cleansing dieta, one of the most recognizable 'purgatives' among Shipibo. Expulsion of parasites, digestive tract cleansing.

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Sangre de Grado, Dragon's Blood (Croton lechleri)

Resin 'tree blood' – strong remedy for tissues and inflammation, instant 'sealing' of wound, protection and regeneration.

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Machinga

Purgative line: 'removing a layer' through intense cleansing, after which sensitivity to work with icaros and dietas changes.

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Hierba Luisa (Lemongrass)

Support plant in cleansing protocols: stomach, spasms, general tone and gentle balancing during restrictions.

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Chuchuhuasi (Monteverdia macrocarpa)

Classic 'dieta of strength'. Plant of structure and directness, centering, correcting imbalances, family and intergenerational patterns.

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Uchu Sanango (Tabernaemontana sananho)

Dieta of will and decisions. Strengthens will, teaches righteousness of actions; 'cleansing by fire' then clarity of choice.

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Ushpawasha Sanango (Tabernaemontana undulata)

'Memory of the heart'. Work with emotionally significant memories and their 'metabolization'; dieta of grief and love traumas.

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Mucura (Petiveria alliacea)

Dieta of protection and vigor. Gives strength, raises motivation; protection from witchcraft, work with boundaries.

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Coca (Erythroxylum coca)

Dieta of balance and alignment, 'earthly' in result. Balance, dreaming, wound healing, being built 'on all levels'.

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Padma Rao, Blue Lotus

New layer of practice: isolation, deep 'communication' with teacher plant. Relaxation, grounding, support in deep inner work.

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Toé (Brugmansia spp.)

Visionary dieta of high power. Opens heavy layers of psyche, requires strict guidance; deep visions, high price of error.

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Ayahuma (Couroupita guianensis)

Protective tree, demanding teacher. Protection from evil spirits and witchcraft, work with 'soul loss', women's cycles and pain relief.

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Guanabana (Annona muricata)

'Nourishing spirit of the plant': helps release emotional burdens and return inner peace. Gentle, supportive teacher.

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