Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) is the name of a vine that grows in the Amazon and contains harmalas, a group of alkaloids used to treat a wide range of illnesses, including digestive, cardiovascular, and nervous system issues. Harmalas, also act similarly to anti-depressants without the long-term side effects. The medicine made from Ayahuasca most commonly also contains the plant chacruna (Psychotria Viridis), which includes the famous psychedelic molecule DMT. Combining these two plants creates a medicine that heals all aspects of the human system, including the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical bodies.
The Shipibo understand plants as ancient spiritual masters who can, when appropriately consumed, form relationships with the patient. Ayahuasca heals us and expands our awareness of life within and outside ourselves. Plant medicine can have profound positive implications on our well-being and the trajectory of our lives. Ayahuasca is known as the "vine of the soul" and opens us to the world of plants and beyond. We should understand that we are not just drinking liquid medicine. Instead, we are inviting the spirit of Ayahuasca into us so that we may form a relationship with her that will last forever.
Ayahuasca is used by our shamans to connect to the world of plant medicine. In the ceremony, Ayahuasca gives them access to all the plants that they have dieted in order to help the healing process within you. Ceremonies at the center typically last between four and six hours and we hold them 4 times a week. It is not necessary for you to drink Ayahuasca to receive healing. The shamans do their work on you regardless. If you have little to no experience drinking Ayahuasca, we always recommend starting with a small amount in order to feel out the experience before diving into larger doses.
Treatments
Many do not know that amazonian medicinal plants can heal bones, tissue, muscle, and joints while working on emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies. A few issues we treat here are digestive, autoimmune, bone health, emotional abuse, physical abuse, nervous system disorders, skin, addiction, urinary infections, and migraines. We also can treat more severe illnesses such as cancer with the proper amount of time. We understand that it may seem a stretch that plant medicine can heal something as serious as cancer. However, when the body is in the right state for regeneration, with the proper diet and the aid of emotional healing combined with love and kindness, we believe in our science. This type of therapy requires that you, as the patient, participate in your healing. For those seeking an education in plant medicine or needing to heal serious health issues, we offer long-stay (3 months or more) apprenticeship/healing programs. Prices are negotiable for long-term patients.
We offer many treatments that might be unknown to you. Shown here to the right, Maestra Angela is preparing liquid rapé (rapeh), a mixture of the stems from the Mucura (Petiveria alliacea) plant and amazonian tobacco, known as mapacho (Nicotiana Rustica). Rapé is administered through the nose and is used primarily as an anti-bacterial treatment to relieve nasal congestion and infection. The tobacco in this medicine also centers a person’s mind, bringing a sense of calm, and relieving anxiety. Mucura is also used in our vapor baths shown on the left. A vapor bath is a combination of specific plants that, when used as a sauna, can remove negative energies as well as protect your body from them as well. Maestra Angela may prescribe multiple vapor saunas depending on the ailments you are facing, whether it be spiritual attacks, joint/muscular pain, skin problems, congestion, and other viral infections.
Mapacho (nicotiana rustica) is natural and wild-growing tobacco found in the Amazon Basin. It is said that the ancient Shipibo shamans found Mapacho before they found Mother Ayahuasca and that it led them to her. As the faithful companion to Ayahuasca medicine, Mapacho has a variety of uses and is always available for our patients to use as needed. It can be used to clean out and ward off negative energies and emotions in the moment or as a daily practice. In the ceremony, it can be used to help connect you to the spirit of Ayahuasca.
Shamans use it as a vehicle to transport intention and energy for whomever they are working within the moment. Usually, an Icaro is bestowed upon the Mapacho before lighting it. The smoke is never inhaled into the lungs or blown through the nose but instead smoked like a cigar. The smoke is then blown into the air or a person directly- onto the top of the head, into the hands, over the front and back of the torso, and over the shoulders.
Plant vapor has been used for thousands of years as a way to absorb the protective and healing qualities of plants. Here we have many plants combine including Ajo Sacha, Toé, Mucura, Ayahuma, Rudia, and Piñon Negro.
Master Plant Teacher Dieting
At Marosa we offer you the opportunity to participate in the foundation of amazonian plant medicine known as “Dieta” and is the main scientific tradition of of learning and healing. Dieting is the process of committing to a specific plant(s) or tree(s) for a set amount of time to absorb them into your system. Typically, a plant/tree is made into a drinkable liquid that will be taken in 1 to 3 doses over your stay. However, some plants can be bathed with as well like the fruit of the ayahuma tree shown to the right. Your “dieta” will be a time of deep introspection and connection to the chosen plant/tree and nature. Maestra Angela will prescribe the appropriate food during this process. Some of the foods that are not permitted during dieting are salt, red meat, pork, acidic fruits like lemons and limes, fats, sugar, and processed foods. Keeping the food portion extremely simple and clean will allow the intelligence of the plant/tree to integrate with your body and mind. This is how shamans gain the knowledge to heal others and you will be able to participate in the same experience for your healing, life, and the gaining of wisdom. It is with joy and love that we offer this beautiful and ancient science to you.
Each plant offers its own specific attributes and gifts to offer us if we are willing to surrender ourselves. Plants can teach us medicine, healing techniques such as Icaros, enhance our dreams, help us find our highest purpose. They can enhance our creative abilities such as teaching us how to paint. Dieting can also lead us to profound levels of spiritual, emotional, and spiritual healing.
Diets have levels to them ranging from beginner to advanced. Beginner diets are offered to patients who are staying between 11 days and 3 weeks. Intermediate and advanced plants are offered to patients staying for a month or longer. Some diets require either a semi or fully isolated state. It is always in your benefit to spend as much time connecting to nature without distractions as possible to gain the maximum amount of connection to these beautiful plants. During the dieting process, abstaining from all sexual activity is a requirement. Dieting can be a bit difficult to understand at first, but as you get comfortable with the process, you will start to engage with it fully all on your own. The Noya Rao tree is here to the right.
The benefits of dieting are:
mental clarity
increased energy
enhancement of the dream state
removal of energetic blockages
physical, emotional, spiritual healing
enhanced creativity
Icaros (vibrational medicine)
knowledge of medicine
finding your highest purpose
undiscovered connections to nature and the universe
premonition and insight
enhanced intuition
Some of the plants we offer:
Ajo Sacha
Marosa
Piñon Blanco
Huayusa
Bobinsana
Renaco
Renquillo
Chiric Sanango
Chihuahaco
Chuchuwasi
Noya Rao
Ayahuma
Huarya Caspi