Master Plant Dietas and Ayahuasca Ceremonies in Peru’s Sacred Valley

Ayahuasca is a decoction prepared from the bark and stems of a vine from the Banisteriopsis genus and a powerful natural psychotropic substance, DMT (from the chacruna leaf, Psychotria viridis).
The term ayahuasca comes from Quechua and is formed from the combination of aya and huaska, which is commonly translated as “vine of the spirits,” “vine of the dead,” or “vine of the souls.”

It is often said that ayahuasca can heal various psychological, emotional, and even physical ailments. However, in my view, this is a false belief. Ayahuasca does not heal; rather, it opens vision. It allows us to “see,” but it does not cure. The Indigenous peoples of the Peruvian Amazon understand this well, particularly the Shipibo-Konibo (Ucayali and Loreto regions), who traditionally heal themselves through what they call the “diet.” Those who are ill traditionally go to a shaman, who prescribes plants to be “dieted” in order to treat ailments that are both physical and non-physical. This is why we recommend the practice of the “diet” in our center, so that therapeutic care can be optimal.

The ritual takes place at night, in darkness. Each participant takes their place on a mattress on the floor. A pillow, blankets, toilet paper, and a bucket for vomiting are provided for each participant.

The healer’s role is to guide both the dietas and the ayahuasca rituals. In both cases, her work is primarily informed by intuition and heightened sensitivity, which she has developed throughout her apprenticeship. These abilities enable her to rapidly identify the issues that require attention.