Ancestral Medicines: A Path to Healing and Connection
The Shanenawa have turned to sacred medicinal plants as powerful allies in healing and spiritual growth. These natural medicines have long been used to treat not only physical conditions, but also emotional and energetic imbalances, opening doors to deeper self-understanding and transformation.
In our retreats, held in partnership with Indigenous communities, we work with a variety of traditional medicines, each rooted in ancient wisdom:
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Ayahuasca (Uni) – A visionary tea from the Amazon, used in deep healing and spiritual discovery.
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Hapé (Rapé) – A finely ground herbal snuff, traditionally used for cleansing, grounding, and focus.
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Kambo: It is frog medicine, used to combat certain types of diseases, stress and the search for spiritual well-being.
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Herbal Baths: A selected group of plants and roots, aimed at cleansing the body and mind.
Each of these medicines offers a unique path inward — inviting participants to reconnect with themselves, with nature, and with the sacred intelligence that guides all life.
AYAHUASCA
THE VINE OF THE SOUL
Ayahuasca is a sacred Amazonian medicine made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine combined with the leaves of the Psychotria viridis plant (Chacruna). Utilized for centuries by Indigenous healers of the rainforest, this ancient medicine is known for its ability to open profound pathways to physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
The Ceremony: What You May Experience
Guided by experienced shamans, the Ayahuasca ceremony is a sacred ritual where participants are supported through a deeply transformative journey. Traditional healing songs (Pakari) with natural instruments are used to hold and protect the ceremonial space.
Participants may experience:
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Emotional release through crying, vomiting (la purga), or body tremors
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Vivid visions and spiritual insights
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Deep connection to inner truths, past experiences, and personal purpose
Every ceremony is unique and meets each person where they are in their healing process. Ayahuasca is more than a plant — it is a spiritual teacher. Through its powerful effects, many report a realignment of the body, heart, and spirit. It helps dissolve emotional blocks, release stored trauma, and provide clarity where there once was confusion. For those seeking renewal, purpose, or deep healing, Ayahuasca offers a gateway to transformation.
Ayahuasca is a complementary path for healing for challenges as:
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Addiction (to substances or behavioral patterns)
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Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress
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Emotional wounds and limiting beliefs
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Certain physical conditions (such as autoimmune disorders or neurological issues)
While Ayahuasca is not a cure-all, when approached with respect and proper guidance, it can be a profound catalyst for change.
SACRED
MEDICINE
OF RAPÉ
Among the Shanenawa, Rapé is much more than a traditional snuff, it is a sacred medicine used in ceremonies to bring clarity, grounding, and deep spiritual connection. Made from a blend of finely powdered sacred plants and tobacco, Rapé is blown into the nostrils using a special pipe, creating a powerful moment of introspection and energetic alignment. This practice is deeply spiritual, helping to clear negative energies and connect with the wisdom of the forest.
Participants may experience:
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Rapé ceremony is a powerful and grounding experience.
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A sense of pressure, emotional release, or purging.
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Feeling a deep sense of peace and clarity afterwards.
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A deep conection with nature and land.
Rapé offers a powerful way to clear the mind, balance the body, and connect with your inner self. This sacred medicine, used for generations by the Shanenawa, helps release negative energies, sharpen focus, and open the heart to deeper healing and spiritual awareness.
It's a profound tool for grounding and reconnecting with nature’s wisdom.
Kambo:
The Frog Vaccine
Kambô is a powerful natural medicine used by various Indigenous peoples of the Amazon, especially for cleansing and strengthening the body, mind, and spirit. It is made from the secretion of the Phyllomedusa bicolor frog, carefully collected without harming the animal. Traditionally, tribes like the Shanenawa use Kambô in rituals known as “the frog vaccine,” believed to boost immunity, clear negative energies, and bring balance to one’s life. The secretion is applied to small burns on the skin, allowing the medicine to enter the body and work deeply.
Participants may experience:
A Kambô session is intense and deeply purifying.
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After the application, participants usually feel a rapid physical reaction, which may include a warm flush, increased heart rate, sweating, and nausea.
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This is part of the cleansing process, which often leads to vomiting or other forms of detox. The entire experience typically lasts 20 to 40 minutes.
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Afterward, many people report a profound sense of clarity, lightness, physical vitality, and emotional release.
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The effects can last for days or even weeks, making Kambô a popular ritual for those seeking energetic and physical reset.
Kambô is not a hallucinogen — it’s a powerful physical and energetic medicine. People seek it for its ability to detoxify the body, strengthen the immune system, and remove emotional and energetic blockages. Traditionally, it is used by hunters in the Amazon to sharpen their senses and boost endurance. Today, many visitors choose to work with Kambô to reconnect with nature, reset their health, and experience an authentic Indigenous healing practice. It’s a deeply transformative experience when approached with respect and intention.
Herbal Baths
Herbal baths are a deeply rooted tradition among many Indigenous communities of the Amazon. These baths use a combination of carefully selected plants, leaves, barks, and flowers — all harvested with intention from the surrounding rainforest. Each herb carries its own energy and healing properties, chosen based on the purpose of the bath: protection, cleansing, attraction, grounding, or emotional healing. These sacred baths are more than just a moment of relaxation — they are a spiritual ritual that aligns body, mind, and spirit with the energy of the forest.
Participants may experience:
During an herbal bath ceremony, visitors are guided by Indigenous healers who prepare the plant infusion and bless the process with prayers and traditional chants.
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The bath may be poured over the body or used as a soak, often in a quiet, natural setting.
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Participants typically experience a deep sense of peace, emotional release, and energetic renewal.
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The aroma of the fresh plants, the sound of the forest, and the sacred intentions behind the ritual create a powerful connection to nature and one’s inner self.
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Many leave the bath feeling lighter, more centered, and spiritually refreshed.
Herbal baths offer a gentle yet profound way to cleanse negative energies, restore balance, and connect with the healing power of the Amazon. Whether you're seeking emotional healing, protection, or simply a moment of spiritual clarity, this tradition allows you to receive the wisdom of the forest through its sacred plants. Participating in a herbal bath is also a beautiful way to learn from Indigenous knowledge and experience the Amazon’s medicine in a respectful and immersive way — an unforgettable highlight of your journey.