AYAHUASCA
VINE OF DEATH
Ancient Healing in a Modern World
What is Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is a sacred psychedelic brew that has been used for centuries throughout the Amazon region of South America. No one knows for certain just how long its use has been practiced, but there have been artifacts discovered that suggest its use dating back to 2000 B.C. Ayahuasca was discovered by the Western world in the mid-19th century and has captivated ethnographers, chemists, botanists, and pharmacologists because of its unique properties and healing potential.
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Ayahuasca is made by combining two plants, the vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and a DMT (dimethyltryptamine)—containing plant (Charcruna or Choliponga). The plant materials are boiled together over low heat for about 36 hours. The pharmacology of ayahuasca is extremely complex. If each plant were to be consumed individually, there would be no effect but the specific combination of plants allows the body to absorb and process the brew to induce a visionary state.
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Because of the immense biodiversity in the Amazon with thousands upon thousands of species of plants, it is still unclear how the indigenous people knew which two to use. Many claim they were given the knowledge by the plants themselves. This mystery only adds to the awe and wonder of ayahuasca.
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Traditional Ceremonial Use
Traditionally, ayahuasca is used under the guidance of an ayahuasquero (or shaman) in a ceremonial setting to cure spiritual and physical disease. In the Western world, it has been building a name for itself as an increasingly popular tool for treating depression, anxiety, addictions and PTSD. It has been featured on many prominent television and news programs such as BBC, CNN, HBO’s VICE and Newsweek and the message is clear: Ayahuasca has incredible potential. Ancient cultures already knew this, as Ayahuasca has been used for centuries by indigenous tribes across the Amazon basin, each with their own traditions and rituals.
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The Peruvian traditions, particularly those of the Shipibo and Mestizo shamans, emphasize intricate Icaros (sacred songs) sung during ceremonies to guide participants through their experiences and the importance of Dietas to gain the skills necessary for protection and defense in ceremonies. Peruvian traditional also utilize sacred tobacco, Mapacho, in the ceremonies. Shipibo shamans often use intricate patterns and geometric designs to represent their spiritual visions, which are believed to hold healing energy. Mestizo shamans, blending indigenous and European influences, have developed a slightly unique style of working with ayahuasca with variations in Icaros and ritual.
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In Brazil, ayahuasca has been incorporated into syncretic religious traditions such as Santo Daime and União do Vegetal, which combine Christian beliefs with indigenous shamanic practices. These groups hold structured ceremonies where ayahuasca is consumed in a ritualistic setting, often accompanied by prayer and hymns. The Yawanawá tribe, an indigenous group from the Acre region of Brazil, has a deep spiritual connection with ayahuasca, which they call Uni. For centuries, they have used ayahuasca in sacred rituals for healing, vision quests, and connecting with ancestral spirits. The Yawanawá shamans, or pajés, undergo intense training, including long periods of isolation and strict plant dietas, to learn the spiritual wisdom of the medicine.
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In Colombia, ayahuasca is traditionally known as Yagé and is used by indigenous tribes such as the Inga, Cofán, Siona, and Kamentsá for spiritual guidance, healing, and community rituals. Colombian shamans, often called Taitas, are highly respected elders who have trained for years to work with Yagé and its powerful teachings. Their ceremonies emphasize purification, connection to nature, and ancestral wisdom, often incorporating chanting, prayer, and the use of sacred tobacco (Ambil and Mambe) to enhance the experience. The traditions surrounding Yagé are deeply rooted in respect, discipline, and the belief that the medicine reveals profound truths and healing for those who approach it with an open heart.
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The Ayahuasca Experience
The experience is highly personal and can vary not only from person to person but also from one ceremony to another. Some individuals experience powerful visual journeys, while others may not have visions at all. However, common themes often emerge, such as communication with nature, encounters with animals, deities, and spirits. The spirit of ayahuasca is widely regarded as feminine, divine, and motherly—both nurturing and wise.
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An ayahuasca journey can be profoundly beautiful and euphoric, bringing feelings of love, interconnectedness, and deep healing. Yet, it can also be challenging, leading individuals to confront unresolved fears, trauma, and buried emotions. These difficult moments, often described as a "purge," are believed to be an essential part of the medicine's cleansing process, helping to release energetic and emotional blockages. Ayahuasca reveals truth in all its forms—both in the external world and within the deepest layers of the self. While facing these truths can be uncomfortable and even painful, it is through this process of surrender and self-exploration that real growth and transformation occur.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Ayahuasca can radically change an individual's perception of reality. Most people report the experience to be intense, profound and spiritual. Ayahuasca allows you to ‘wake up’, leaving behind old ideologies, and creates a feeling of oneness with all of life. Many users report experiencing vivid and elaborate visions that lead to profound revelations. These revelations can be anything, but are often related to the essence of life: who we are, where we came from, why we are here, how we interact with other life (both humans and nature) and how it is all connected. Some even report gaining access to other dimensions and interacting with spirits. Ayahuasca as a plant teacher reveals itself differently to everyone, but almost all users report it as being one of the most positive and profound experiences of their lives.
PHYSICAL EFFECTS
Ayahuasca requires that your follow a diet in preparation for the experience. The first concern is medications which could have a negative interaction with the MAOIs in ayahuasca. Always disclose any medication you may be taking to ensure safety. Each center will have different guidelines and level of adherence to the traditional ayahuasca diet : no salt, no red meat, no dairy, no sugar, no sex. Despite if you follow the dieta or not, Ayahuasca consumption comes with a purging process that is considered an essential part of the experience. The physical purge comes in the form of vomiting and diarrhea. The intensity of the purge varies on an individual basis but the purpose is the same for all: cleansing and purification. The purge represents the release of negative energies and a cleansing of the body, mind and spirit.
THE AYAHUASCA DIET
A SIMPLE APPROACH
To prepare for an ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica, it's important to follow traditional dietary guidelines. However, with so much conflicting information online, it can be overwhelming. To simplify things, stick to whole foods, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and avoid red meat, dairy, and spicy foods.
OUR BREW
CRAFTED WITH CARE
Ayahuasca brew is made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine alone or in combination with other plants. The active hallucinogenic properties of ayahuasca become active when a DMT containing plant is combined with the ayahuasca vine which contains MAOIs. Our medicine is made using high quality plants at the right level of maturity for maximum effect.
SAFETY
THOROUGH SCREENING
Ayahausca is generally considered very safe, however there are certain prescription medications that counterindications with the MAOIs found in ayahuasca. Always disclose all medications to the ayahuasca provider prior to participation in ceremonies. Refer to our safety page for more information on possible medicinal interactions.
