In 1987, it was legalized in
Brazil, a beverage that had been forbidden for many
years because it was supposed to be hallucinogen and
so, considered as a drug.
Nevertheless, this beverage, known and used for
centuries for health uses, was never taken seriously.
Since the beginning, human beings have used plants in
their search of a superior knowledge, and probably were
plants who gave men consciousness to display all his
potential, giving birth to homo sapiens.
In the same way that we read in the Holy Bible that a
forbidden fruit opened Adam and Eve eyes, we could well
point they were plants which first made changes in human
beings minds.
Our ancestors used every resource available in their
homelands not only for medicinal purposes but also as a
way to interact with the world and their gods.
Nowadays, these are called "entiogenous" which means
"God inside us", and are mostly plants that let us have
a full, vital experience and with remarkable results in
our behavior and the way we live our surrounding world.
Nevertheless there exists an infinite number of
"entiogenous" and not all are available and can be used
freely by everyone; this products have to be carefully
supervised by professionals or by experts in their use.
In many countries, these products should be only
prescribe by doctors or are forbidden.
The original word to name this
beverage, is "Ayahuasca"
a quechua -native Peruvian language- word that means "rope that links the world of
the dead with the world of the living". This language is
very extended in South America: Peru, Ecuador,
Colombia, part of the Brazilian Amazon, Bolivia, north
of Argentina, and north of Chile. That is, the ancient
territory of the Inca Empire.
In more recent years, it has been
known as "Santo Daime"
which means "to give sanctity" and has more relation with
Portuguese spoken in Brazil, but both names are correct
to named it.
This beverage is produced by a mixture of various plants
and where a liana or vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) plays a
principal role.
Many think that the beverage is obtained just boiling
this vine and the resultant juice is Ayahuasca, but this
is not true. The vine by itself doesn’t produces any
effect. Nevertheless, it contains a very powerful
inhibitor of the monoxidase that combined with other
vegetables which probably contains DMT (dimetiltriptamina)
produces the known entiogenous effects.
There are 90 different plant species that contains DMT
and some have this effects. Others could be used in
combination to produce Ayahuasca.
Those who use this beverage in rituals to heel their
spiritual and medical illness have different sensations;
such as cold, heat, sweat etc. This has a lot to do with
the vegetables used in the preparation. Active synthetic
components are forbidden everywhere, but no South
America country forbids the use of Ayahuasca in its
natural state or prepared according to ancient and
traditional recipes.
Is very common to find "curanderos" (healers
or witch doctors) that treat
sickness only with Ayahuasca and are known as
"ayahuasqueros" due to their skills in the preparation
and use of this beverage that contributes to physical
and spiritual health.
This means that Ayahuasca is considered a sacred and
therapeutically beverage; an important goal, considering
human beings in its context and not as a organism that
only responds to external stimulus.
The use of entiongenous has been extended from South
America to Europe through its religious movements which
openly and without restrictions practice their religion
known as Church of Santo Daime. They are known as "daimistas".
Also towards north, in California, USA, there exist
plantations of this vine to produce Ayahuasca.
The different countries that consume Ayahuasca give
different names according to their own languages. It is
prepared for different uses and is administer according
to different ages, objectives, purposes etc. This means
that a "chaman or shaman" takes it for far-sighted, dream
interpretations, etc. An older person to make its life
more full and productive. To youngster, it is use to
make them stronger and to prepared their personalities
so that they do not undermined their future development.
It is also remarkable the different cultural trends that
there exists and which are strongly against the use of
Santo Daime or Ayahuasca because they considered that
they are related with religious or syncretism sects that
try to separate from reality those persons who get in
their discipline. Besides, they argue facts that must
alert authorities; but actually the problem is not the
product itself but the misuse of it, just as alcohol
introduce by Europeans in America during conquest.
Anything could be used for different uses according to
those who used it. The fact is that Ayahuasca is not
forbidden and its use only in certain places.
Santo Daime or Ayahuasca is used to catalyzed de process
of spiritual growth with therapeutical benefits to
correct behavior and physical illness caused by
different way of seeing the world. It unifies, oriental
believes with Christianity. From orient it takes the
knowledge to unify individual soul with universe, karma,
reincarnation, meditation etc. While from Christianity
takes charity, forgiveness, generosity, love and
Christian conduct with oneself and fellow men.
The use of Ayahuasca is everyday more extended in many parts
of the world and has a lot to do with a change in the
evolution of human beings and the contemporary culture
that is radically changing lately.
Anybody interested to know more about this beverage, can
contact through the web in many different pages
specialized on the theme or visiting the nearest church
were this ritual is held.
For more information about travels and lodging,
participate in an Ayahuasca session, and have a deep and
special experience, you can
contact with Go2Peru
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