The Medicines
The plant medicines provide connection.
They connect you with yourself beyond the thinking mind and the five senses.
The medicines are like a mirror. They present a reflection of your life to you, through a symbolic language that is unique to your own psyche, enabling you to see the "bigger picture" and the tiny dots of your life woven together.
You may feel reconnected to a more expanded sense of who you are. The plant medicines often bring an unfolding of awareness as well as heightened creative states.
This reconnection with yourself is then reflected in the collective. You may notice that you start to have an increase in serendipitous encounters, almost effortlessly drawing you, at the right time and place, to the exact people, information or resources you're looking for, thus facilitating change. We believe experiences with the plant medicines are invaluable for the next level of living.
Wachuma
Wachuma is a type of cactus that grows in the Andes. It is also known as San Pedro. Our wachuma medicine is prepared from individually selected cacti, chosen by genetics, as well as their energetic qualities. The wachuma is prepared fresh for each retreat. It takes a number of days to prepare and has been perfected by Maxwell, who is pleased to share the wisdom he has gained through many years of experience.
Wachuma is predominantly a somatic medicine. It awakens the seeker's awareness of the body, heart and feeling. It's also very much a "be here now" medicine, encouraging the seeker to be present in the moment. Many describe the feeling that wachuma reveals a greater sense of connection, that everything is singing, dancing and breathing together and that we are part of it all.
Our wachuma is significantly more potent than what is usually found. The selection of our cacti based on genetics, specimen health, and plant preparation allows the medicine to contain more life force energy, providing a more profound experience. We call it next level medicine.
Ayahuasca
Known as "the vine of souls," ayahuasca is a brew made of two Amazonian jungle plants that work together to create the overall entheogenic experience. One plant contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and the other contains a monoamine oxidaze inhibiter (MAOI), which allows the DMT to take effect and avoid being quickly broken down by the body. It has been used for millennia by natives for physical, psychological and spiritual healing and awakening.
There is often a purging effect of the ayahuasca brew and many people report feeling the purge on more than the physical level of vomiting and occasional diarrhea. It can also bring about a tremendous release of stuck emotions and stagnant energy.
Ayahuasca takes people into the depths of their being, facing their deepest pain and fears and can also launch the seeker into a sense of cosmic consciousness where answers and solutions are revealed. Many people report a sense of rebirth following an ayahuasca ceremony. It can provide valuable insight into the nature of oneself and the world.
Cacao
Teobroma cacao (food of the gods) is pure chocolate that we use ceremonially. Known as a grandmother spirit, cacao has been used by shamanic cultures in the Americas. Its energy is gentle and loving. It also helps with releasing repression psychosomatically, allowing you to move through what your heart wants to work on without the usual fight or self-judgment. We prepare a ceremonial cacao tea an hour before the ayahuasca ceremonies. The cacao helps to create a warmer and more gentle experience with ayahuasca, which can otherwise be sometimes quite harsh. Essentially, cacao opens the heart more for the experience while wrapping it in a gentle grandmotherly hug. Cacao brings the vibration of love. It is a creativity facilitator and increases focus during the ayahuasca ceremony. We have found that it's possible to go deeper into the heart-centered experience with ceremonial cacao beforehand. Ceremonial cacao can also be used before yoga, meditation, and dance.
Sapo
Also known as kambo or frog medicine, sapo is a poisonous secretion from a leaf frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor). Used in small doses, it's also a powerful medicine that Western science is already documenting. Some people refer to sapo as nature's vaccine. The sapo secretion contains peptides that act as opiod receptor agonists, activating the neuronal receptors they attach to. Mimicking the effects of naturally-occurring endorphins, they bind to the opiate receptor sites and and provide pain relief. The frog venom causes a detoxification of the body, often inducing purging. In the short-term it sharpens the senses and in the long-term it creates immune boosting effects. The natives use it before hunting. It's known to remove what the indigenous people call panema (bad luck). During the sapo ceremony the participants each spit onto part of a stick containing the frog venom. They are then mixed together so that the medicine contains the DNA code of the recipient and knows what their particular body needs. Three small holes are burned with a thin stick into the arm of the recipient. The mixture of saliva and sapo is then applied to the open skin. The effects begin almost immediately and usually last less than an hour.
Coca
Coca leaves have been used for its medicinal properties for several thousands of years in the Andes. Along with containing many vitamins and minerals, coca leaves also contain many beneficial alkaloids. It is helpful for altitude sickness and acclimation to the elevation in the Andes mountains.
Coca is a mild stimulant and decreases hunger, thirst, pain and fatigue. It is also used as an analgesic for headaches.
In the Andean cosmology, coca leaves are used as an offering to the Apus (mountain spirits), Inti (sun) and Pachamama (Mother Earth) as well as in divination. The kintu (3 coca leaves together) is a very sacred symbol in the Andes.
These medicines are not recreational and need to be treated with the respect they deserve. Making the decision to embark on this level of personal development is not to be underestimated. This is a serious committment and only recommended for those who truly wish to discover a deeper and more profound awareness of their inner world and the world around them.
If you are taking or have recently taken pharmaceutical medications or other drugs, it is vital that you disclose this information with us. There are certain pharmaceutical drugs that are not at all compatible with the plant medicine. This is for your safety and wellbeing. We value your privacy and will not disclose your medical details with anyone else.
Our medicines are prepared on site by very experienced individuals who take great care and pride in their work. Western standards of Quality Assurance are applied in the preparation to ensure consistency and safety.
Western science is starting to catch up to the ancient wisdom of these medicines through studies on visionary plants, yet there is still so much more to be discovered. To find out more check out The Science page.