What are Sacred Plant Medicines?
History
Throughout the centuries, plants have been used in different cultures and religions as a medicine and consciousness-expanding agents (entheogens). The term entheogen means freely translated 'God in or among us'.
For example, in the South American regions around the Amazon, very special Medicinal plants are used. A drink, tea, is made from the vine plant Banisteriopsis Caapi / Muricata. The drink made from this plant alone is called Ayahuasca!This drink is called in the cultures around the Amazon the mother of all medicines or "The Medicine" and has on itself already an entheogenic effect. The term entheogenic means freely translated 'God in or among us'. The Medicine is ritually used in ceremonies to come into contact with the divine and deeper layers of our consciousness. Only later did the different cultures around the Amazon add other plants (the Light) to this Medicine. Previously, the term hallucinogenic substances were used, but this is not correct and moreover, this term has a strongly negative connotation, as it is associated with drugs ~Fericgla.) In the Amazon it has been used for centuries for its mind-expanding effect. The Medicinal drinks have a purifying and healing effect on the physical level and on the psychological level they clean up the emotional and psychological ballast that we build up in our lives. A common name is Ayahuasca, the name Ayahuasca comes from two words from the Indian Quecha culture. Aya means "spirit of soul" and Huasca "vine" (revering to the Banisteriopsis Caapi plant). Ayahuasca is also called "vine of the death" or "vine of the soul". Other names are Yagé, Nixi Pae, Daime, Natem and more.
There are many more types of entheogenic plant medications to be found. In the Middle East (Vedic traditions and ancient Persia) a drink called Soma was used, the exact content of which is not entirely known but it is certain that it contained a psycho active substance. The Greeks used for initiation rituals in the Mysteries of Eleusis a drink called Kykeon with psycho active properties. In the Middle and South American ancient cultures (Incas, Aztecs) psychoactive plants were also used in ritual setting such as Ololiuqui, Teonanácatl (Magic Mushroom) and various cacti such as Peyote and San Pedro. Psylocibe Mushrooms were, and still are (a.o. Truffles), also used in Europe (probably since prehistoric times) and Asia. The vine of Banisteriopsis Caapi is nowadays sometimes combined with Truffles. The name is then Psilohuasca.
Composition of the Plant Medicines
Traditionally, drinks were made from the "vine of the soul" or Banisteriopsis Caapi alone. Later it was combined with other plant materials. For centuries it has been used for its physical and mental healing and cleansing qualities. This Plant Medicine has strongly mind changing and expanding qualities. There are also drinks with other plant compositions that have the same effect. The plant Medicine from Master healing plants is in most casse a combination of at one side a plant with an MAOI inhibitor "The Force" and at the other side plant(s) with "The Light". Syrian Rue and Jurema for example have about the same effect as the Amazon Plant Medicine. Amazon Plant Medicine, is said to have more of a jungle vibe. And for example the combi of Syrian Rue and Jurema or Rainbow Tree has a stronger therepeutic effect.
How the Plant Medicines Works
The Medicine that is consumed during a ceremony can therefore be a combination of different plant materials. For example, the Banisteriopsis Caapi and the Syrian rue (Peganum Harmala) contain MAOI inhibitors (RIMA) in the form of Harmala alkaloids (Harmine, Harmaline and Tetrahydroharmine). These are in themselves consciousness-expanding, cleansing and healing substances. MAO-inhibitors ensure that molecules originating from other plant material are not broken down in the body. These molecules can have a changing and expanding quality of consciousness. One of the molecules shows a strong similarity with Melatonin & Serotinin (a naturally present neurotransmitter in the human brain). The molecule also fits perfectly on certain receptors in the human brain and it seems as if these receptors are made to allow this particular special molecule (also called "The Spirit Molecule") in the human brain to do its work. It is suspected that this molecule is also produced by the human body during dreams, birth, death and deep meditative states. This special molecule occurs in nature in thousands of life forms. By combining the MAO-inhibiting plants with the mind-expanding containing plants, the inner senses are activated so that the attention is turned inwards. This is also called an inner journey. Doors open that normally remain closed, you travel to the deepest layers of your Soul. Gates to other dimensions open. In addition, we work with other sacred Plant Medicines such as Copal, Mapacho, Rapé & Sananga.
During these inner journeys one obtains insights about themselves, others and the universe as a whole. Unhealthy and/or unprocessed experiences (traumas) can thus emerge from the subconscious mind into consciousness to be experienced but this time from an observing position. This brings awareness to the unprocessed / unhealed experiences. These experiences can be transformed, healed and processed in this way. One can free their self from the physical and emotional blockades that they have been struggling for a long time that are the cause of all sorts of complaints (Depression, Burn Out, Chronic pain, Fear, etc.). The processes in which a participant ends up on a journey with sacred plants can be pretty intense. That is why at Ayakasha we give a lot of attention for good and loving personal (therapeutic) support during and after the experience. A good preliminary interview and the sharing of experiences with each other are also very important for us as supervisors and for the integration of the process of the participants.
Many experience a connection with the higher self, a connection with the source from which everything originates (Akasha Chronicles, Akasha Field) - a sense of unification with everything. This proces and experience alone can be very healing for the first time, or again after a long time, because emotions such as pure love and an intense joy are experienced. In this way mystical and spiritual experiences can be gained. Whatever happens during a journey with the medicine plants, eventually Sacred Plant Medicine's will take care of you and have a healing and transforming effect. She will give you what you can handle and need to heal and grow, and to become who you really are again.
In the West there is a growing interest in drinking Plant Medicine. However, it is necessary and therefore strongly recommended that this is done under professional and expert guidance! Not everywhere where Plant Medicine is offered is the guidance good enough. There should always be a personal screening before being allowed to partake in a ritual. So: Think before you drink!
