Natural Remedies
Herbal Plant Medicine Preparations of the Amazon
Natural Remedies
Herbal Plant Medicine Preparations of the Amazon
Treating the body naturally...
Traditional Shipibo plant medicine treatments can be classed into two principle fields:
1. natural remedies for treating physical issues; and,
2. shamanic practices that utilize both the physical and energetic healing qualities of Master Plants to treat your whole being – body, mind, heart and spirit.
Here we focus on a variety of natural remedies commonly employed by Shipibo herbal healers (Raomi) to treat physical injuries or improve physical health. Some of these natural remedies may also be prescribed by Shipibo shamans to supplement their shamanic healing treatments such as Master Plant Dieta, Ayahuasca, and healing song Icaros.
During an Ayahuasca Retreat at Caya Shobo you have the opportunity to try Shipibo natural remedies freshly prepared by our in-house natural remedy expert.
“The art of healing comes from nature… The physician must start from nature, with an open mind.”
PARACELSUS
PARACELSUS
Treating the body naturally...
Traditional Shipibo plant medicine treatments can be classed into two principle fields:
1. natural remedies for treating physical issues; and,
2. shamanic practices that utilize both the physical and energetic healing qualities of Master Plants to treat your whole being – body, mind, heart and spirit.
Here we focus on a variety of natural remedies commonly employed by Shipibo herbal healers (to treat physical injuries or improve physical health. Some of these natural remedies may also be prescribed by Shipibo shamans to supplement their shamanic healing treatments such as Master Plant Dieta, Ayahuasca, and healing song Icaros.
During an Ayahuasca Retreat at Caya Shobo you have the opportunity to try Shipibo natural remedies freshly prepared by our in-house natural remedy expert.
Traditional Shipibo natural remedies in the heart of the Amazon
Herbal infusions (agua de tiempo)
Natural remedies to calm and perfume the body
Cotton leaves (hojas de algodon) drying in the sun
Herbal tea infusions with gentle medicinal plants are a common natural remedy in Shipibo traditional medicine. In Peru these teas are commonly called “agua de tiempo” (Sp.), suggesting they are to be drunk slowly throughout the day.
Herbal infusions may be prescribed to treat nervous tension, anxiety, sleeplessness or other similar issues. For example a tea of valerian, chamomile and sensitivo (mimosa) is a great natural remedy to ease insomnia. Or cinnamon (canela) and cotton leaves (hojas de algodon) helps calm nervous tension. Aniseed or lemongrass (hierba luisa) tea can aid with digestive discomfort. A Mucura cold-tea infusion eases cold and flu symptoms.
To supplement your Master Plant Dieta treatment, during your Ayahuasca Retreat you may be prescribed an “agua de tiempo” infusion by our master Shipibo shamans (Onányas). These natural remedy teas provide both physical and energetic healing benefit that supports Dieta practice.
For example a tea of cotton leaves (hojas de algodon) is a natural remedy that is thought to help “sweeten” your emotional heart-space. Or cinnamon (canela) tea may help ease mental habits of preoccupation. The aromas of many herbal plants can be supportive to the energetic clearing and perfuming action of Master Plant Dieta practice.
Herbal infusions (agua de tiempo)
Natural remedies to calm and perfume the body
Cotton leaves (hojas de algodon) drying in the sun
Herbal tea infusions with gentle medicinal plants are a common natural remedy in Shipibo traditional medicine. In Peru these teas are commonly called “agua de tiempo” (Sp.), suggesting they are to be drunk slowly throughout the day.
Herbal infusions may be prescribed to treat nervous tension, anxiety, sleeplessness or other similar issues. For example a tea of valerian, chamomile and sensitivo (mimosa) is a great natural remedy to ease insomnia. Or cinnamon (canela) and cotton leaves (hojas de algodon) helps calm nervous tension. Aniseed or lemongrass (hierba luisa) tea can aid with digestive discomfort. A Mucura cold-tea infusion eases cold and flu symptoms.
To supplement your Master Plant Dieta treatment, during your Ayahuasca Retreat you may be prescribed an “agua de tiempo” infusion by our master Shipibo shamans (Onányas). These natural remedy teas provide both physical and energetic healing benefit that supports Dieta practice.
For example a tea of cotton leaves (hojas de algodon) is a natural remedy that is thought to help “sweeten” your emotional heart-space. Or cinnamon (canela) tea may help ease mental habits of preoccupation. The aromas of many herbal plants can be supportive to the energetic clearing and perfuming action of Master Plant Dieta practice.
Natural Remedies at our Ayahuasca Retreats
Herbal Teas
Repoté & Eye-drops
Repoté sinus flush and clarifying eye-drops are available each morning of your Ayahuasca Retreat if you want a refreshing start to your day.
Vomitivo
Sometimes it is recommended to start your Ayahuasca Retreat with a plant purgative to cleanse toxins and congestion from your body.
My friend Wilder, the alchemist as I call him - took care of me when I wasn’t well, with his incredible knowledge of plants of the region.”
Thomas R
Morning sinus flush (repoté) & clarifying eye drops
An invigorating start to the day
In Shipibo traditional medicine, repoté is a sinus flush made with the juice of mashed, pungent Amazonian plant medicines such as mapacho tobacco, mucura, and ajo sacha. Repoté is an invigorating treatment inhaled through the nostrils to bring alertness and clarity to your mind and strengthen your body and energy for the day.
Clarifying eye drops made from freshly squeezed albahaca leaves (medicinal Amazonian basil) is another Shipibo natural remedy typically administered in the mornings to relieve tiredness of the eyes. This can be especially helpful after a night of Ayahuasca Ceremony. Shipibo shamans sometimes use eye drops made with other plant medicines before Ayahuasca Ceremony to assist in opening their shamanic vision.
Each morning during an Ayahuasca Retreat at Caya Shobo, guests have the opportunity to experience freshly prepared repoté and albaca eye drops. This enlivening morning treatment ends with a flower water rinse applied to the crown of your head to give you a quick energy cleanse.
Morning sinus flush (repoté) & clarifying eye drops
An invigorating start to the day
In Shipibo traditional medicine, repoté is a sinus flush made with the juice of mashed, pungent Amazonian plant medicines such as mapacho tobacco, mucura, and ajo sacha. Repoté is an invigorating treatment inhaled through the nostrils to bring alertness and clarity to your mind and strengthen your body and energy for the day.
Clarifying eye drops made from freshly squeezed albahaca leaves (medicinal Amazonian basil) is another Shipibo natural remedy typically administered in the mornings to relieve tiredness of the eyes. This can be especially helpful after a night of Ayahuasca Ceremony. Shipibo shamans sometimes use eye drops made with other plant medicines before Ayahuasca Ceremony to assist in opening their shamanic vision.
Each morning during an Ayahuasca Retreat at Caya Shobo, guests have the opportunity to experience freshly prepared repoté and albaca eye drops. This enlivening morning treatment ends with a flower water rinse applied to the crown of your head to give you a quick energy cleanse.
Perfuming your energy - beyond physical healing
In Shipibo shamanism, Amazonian plant medicines are used for both physical healing and also to improve your ‘energetic perfume’ (Inin).
Fragrant aromas of certain plants can revitalize your energy, and thereby enhance your physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Flower baths
Soothing tension and cleansing energies
Flower baths are offered 3 times a week at our Ayahuasca Retreats
Flower baths made from the minced leaves and flowers of a variety of medicinal plants serve as an important treatment component of many Shipibo healing programs. This deliciously refreshing natural remedy may be used to treat a wide spectrum of conditions.
Herbal Raomi therapists commonly prepare plant and flower bath preparations with soothing plants to treat headache, calm nervous tension and invoke a general state of relaxation.
Shipibo shamans (Onánya) typically work with flower baths as a supplementary energy cleansing aid that supports other healing treatments, such as Master Plant Dieta practice or Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Shamans may sometimes prescribe a series of flower baths made with very carefully chosen plants to treat specific physical, emotional, psychological or energetic issues. Special flower baths may even be prescribed to treat bad luck!
Flower baths
Soothing tension and cleansing energies
Flower baths made from the minced leaves and flowers of a variety of medicinal plants serve as an important treatment component of many Shipibo healing programs. This deliciously refreshing natural remedy may be used to treat a wide spectrum of conditions.
Herbal Raomi therapists commonly prepare plant and flower bath preparations with soothing plants to treat headache, calm nervous tension and invoke a general state of relaxation.
Shipibo shamans (Onánya) typically work with flower baths as a supplementary energy cleansing aid that supports other healing treatments, such as Master Plant Dieta practice or Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Shamans may sometimes prescribe a series of flower baths made with very carefully chosen plants to treat specific physical, emotional, psychological or energetic issues. Special flower baths may even be prescribed to treat bad luck!
Everything we need for healing resides within the seeds of nature."
Becky, Co-Founder
Plant purgatives (vomitivos)
Intensive cleanse of toxins & energy "blocks"
Guest at Caya Shobo preparing to drink an albahaca vomitivo natural remedy
In Shipibo traditional medicine, plant purgatives (vomitivos) are used as an intensive natural remedy to clear toxins from the stomach, intestines, blood, saliva, brain, and other organs. Vomitivo treatments are made with an extract of non-psychoactive plants such as azucena, albaca, or pinon blanco, and drunk with large quantities of tepid water.
During your Ayahuasca Retreat at Caya Shobo, a vomitivo treatment may be prescribed to clear congestion from your digestive tract. This can also assist in clearing “energetic blocks” and preparing your body for Ayahuasca Ceremony and Dieta practice.
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive plant medicine also known for its purgative function. Shipibo shamans consider the vomiting induced during Ayahuasca Ceremony to be a beneficial cleansing release of both physical and energetic congestion.
Please note that Ayahuasca Preparation is a critically important consideration to ensure your physical safety during an Ayahuasca Retreat.
Plant purgatives (vomitivos)
Intensive cleanse of toxins & energy "blocks"
Guest at Caya Shobo preparing to drink an albahaca vomitivo natural remedy
In Shipibo traditional medicine, plant purgatives (vomitivos) are used as an intensive natural remedy to clear toxins from the stomach, intestines, blood, saliva, brain, and other organs. Vomitivo treatments are made with an extract of non-psychoactive plants such as azucena, albaca, or pinon blanco, and drunk with large quantities of tepid water.
During your Ayahuasca Retreat at Caya Shobo, a vomitivo treatment may be prescribed to clear congestion from your digestive tract. This can also assist in clearing “energetic blocks” and preparing your body for Ayahuasca Ceremony and Dieta practice.
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive plant medicine also known for its purgative function. Shipibo shamans consider the vomiting induced during Ayahuasca Ceremony to be a beneficial cleansing release of both physical and energetic congestion.
Please note that Ayahuasca Preparation is a critically important consideration to ensure your physical safety during an Ayahuasca Retreat.
Learn more about Shipibo healing at a Free Info Session
Our facilitators can answer your questions about Shipibo natural remedies
Topical treatments - salves, poultices, skin washes
Healing & restoring the body's first line of defense
Flowering Shipibo Master Plant piñon colorado
Topical remedies are commonly prepared in traditional Shipibo healing to treat a wide variety of skin issues and musculoskeletal problems. Our in-house natural remedy specialist, Wilder, holds extensive knowledge about the remedial healing properties of many Amazonian plants. He frequently prepares personalized salves, poultices and skin washes to help guests with a chronic or acute conditions.
For example, a skin wash made with a concentrated infusion of soothing and restorative plants such as piñon colorado may be washed over your entire body or applied to a focus area to help alleviate skin-rash. Some plant resins may be applied directly to the skin – such as to heal a pimple, or reduce a wart. Or plant juice extracts may be mixed into a salve or cream that can be rubbed into the skin and used as a natural remedy to treat fungal infections or other irritations.
Plant materials may also be worked into a poultice and bound against the skin to draw poison out of a wound or to aid with healing muscle and ligament strains or bone breaks. These poultices can sometimes be effective at alleviating chronic issues such as arthritic inflammation.
If you have an existing physical condition for which you’d like to try an Amazonian natural remedy, you are welcome to talk with Wilder during your Ayahuasca Retreat at Caya Shobo.
Topical treatments - salves, poultices, skin washes
Healing & restoring the body's first line of defense
Topical remedies are commonly prepared in traditional Shipibo healing to treat a wide variety of skin issues and musculoskeletal problems. Our in-house natural remedy specialist, Wilder, holds extensive knowledge about the remedial healing properties of many Amazonian plants. He frequently prepares personalized salves, poultices and skin washes to help guests with a chronic or acute conditions.
For example, a skin wash made with a concentrated infusion of soothing and restorative plants such as piñon colorado may be washed over your entire body or applied to a focus area to help alleviate skin-rash. Some plant resins may be applied directly to the skin – such as to heal a pimple, or reduce a wart. Or plant juice extracts may be mixed into a salve or cream that can be rubbed into the skin and used as a natural remedy to treat fungal infections or other irritations.
Plant materials may also be worked into a poultice and bound against the skin to draw poison out of a wound or to aid with healing muscle and ligament strains or bone breaks. These poultices can sometimes be effective at alleviating chronic issues such as arthritic inflammation.
If you have an existing physical condition for which you’d like to try an Amazonian natural remedy, you are welcome to talk with Wilder during your Ayahuasca Retreat at Caya Shobo.
Vapor/steam baths
Body, mind, heart and spirit are inextricably interwoven
Preparation of a vapor bath
Vapor or steam baths are a natural remedy used to cleanse energies with the steam or smoke of heated plants. This treatment is particularly suited for respiratory conditions. The head, nose and mouth is held over the steam to inhale it (after checking to ensure it’s not too hot!). Eucalyptus, lemon, quión (medicinal ginger), and matico are some Amazonian plants commonly used in vapor baths to ease cough or lung congestion.
Vapor baths can be used as a natural remedy for the body as well. A common use is as a yoni steam for women’s reproductive concerns. Such specialized vapor bath preparations might contain plants such as malva, ubos, capirona, renaquilla, una de gato and boahuasca.
If you are feeling a little under the weather after your travel to Peru, you are welcome to request a vapor bath during your Ayahuasca Retreat at Caya Shobo. We will be happy to ask our natural remedy expert to administer a special preparation just for you.
Vapor/steam baths
Healing & restoring the body's first line of defense
Preparation of a vapor bath
Vapor or steam baths are a natural remedy used to cleanse energies with the steam or smoke of heated plants. This treatment is particularly suited for respiratory conditions. The head, nose and mouth is held over the steam to inhale it (after checking to ensure it’s not too hot!). Eucalyptus, lemon, quión (medicinal ginger), and matico are some Amazonian plants commonly used in vapor baths to ease cough or lung congestion.
Vapor baths can be used as a natural remedy for the body as well. A common use is as a yoni steam for women’s reproductive concerns. Such specialized vapor bath preparations might contain plants such as malva, ubos, capirona, renaquilla, una de gato and boahuasca.
If you are feeling a little under the weather after your travel to Peru, you are welcome to request a vapor bath during your Ayahuasca Retreat at Caya Shobo. We will be happy to ask our natural remedy expert to administer a special preparation just for you.