The primary vine used in traditional ayahuasca brews. Contains powerful beta-carboline MAO inhibitors that allow DMT from other plants to become orally active.
ECOLOGY & HABITAT
Large woody liana native to the Amazon basin rainforest.
Distribution
BrazilPeruColombiaEcuadorBolivia
INDIGENOUS NAMES
The names this organism has been given by the cultures that have lived alongside it. Each carries an entire relationship — what is sacred is never simply translated.
- AyahuascaQuechua · Pan-Amazonian"Vine of souls / vine of the dead"
- YagéKichwa · Colombian and Ecuadorian Amazon
- CaapiTupi–Guaraní · Brazilian Amazon
- NatemShuar · Shuar
- Nixi paeHantxa Kuin · Cashinahua / Huni Kuin
TRADITIONAL USE
- Central to hundreds of indigenous Amazonian cultures for healing, divination, and spiritual work
CULTURAL CONTEXT
Considered a master plant teacher by many indigenous groups. The vine itself is seen as having its own spirit and consciousness.
GALLERY
2 images
REFERENCES
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- McKenna 1998
- Luna 1986
- Traditional knowledge
