What it's like to cook Ayahuasca?

We approach the preparation of Ayahuasca with utmost responsibility and love, honoring the traditions that guide this sacred process. The journey begins with a full moon harvest, a time when the plant's energy is believed to be at its peak. This involves a meticulous search in the mountains, where we respectfully ask for permission from the plant before taking any part of it.

Once the harvesting is complete, the process of preparing the medicine begins. This stage requires careful attention to protect the brew from external energies and involves empowering the medicine through music and singing. It's a demanding process, often taking 2-3 days to complete. Our teachers emphasize that the person cooking the medicine plays a crucial role in infusing it with healing intent. This work is done in solitude and tranquility to ensure the medicine remains pure and potent.

Our journey to mastering the art of cooking Ayahuasca took four years of full-time dedication. This is our sole focus; we don’t have other jobs. Cooking Ayahuasca is a challenging and demanding process, which is why many prefer to buy it premade, especially in larger retreats. While buying premade Ayahuasca is easier, preparing it yourself is deeply rewarding and creates a stronger connection to the medicine.

Unfortunately, fewer people today know how to properly cook Ayahuasca, and this important tradition is at risk of being lost. If you've attended a retreat, ask yourself: Did the person who served you Ayahuasca also harvest, bless, and cook the plants? If the answer is no, then you understand the point we're making.

The journey to learning how to cook Ayahuasca began with a deep focus on understanding the vine itself. In the first two years, we chose to cook only the Ayahuasca vine, without adding any other DMT-containing plants like Chacruna. This approach allowed us to master the various extraction techniques, recipes, and optimal quantities. It was a thorough learning process where we explored different methods, from cooking over wood or gas to experimenting with maceration.

Through this, we came to understand that the healing spirit of Ayahuasca primarily resides in the vine, while Chacruna acts as a filter that helps reveal visions, colors, and patterns during the experience. However, it's possible to embark on a profound journey with just the vine, especially if you have extensive experience with Ayahuasca.

After gaining this foundational knowledge, we were able to harvest the necessary quantities of Chacruna to add to the mixture, creating the full brew known by everybody.

We take pride in crafting our own Ayahuasca, sourced locally, and made with pure intention. Each batch is a testament to the healing power of nature.

Our recipe includes 10 kilograms of freshly cut Ayahuasca vine (red variety) and one kilogram of Chacruna leaves per batch, harvested around 6:00 AM to preserve their properties. After cooking, we press the Chacruna leaves to extract every drop of the liquid within the plant material. Additionally, we add 6 to 10 leaves of Chiric Sanango, which enhances the medicine's ability to support the nervous system, alleviate rheumatism, and address arthritis. This amount is small enough to be considered a microdose of Chiric Sanango in each cup of Ayahuasca, not really the profound effects this plant give. We also include a pinch of Mapacho tobacco, and when available fresh, lemon juice.

Chiric Sanango - Brunfelsia Grandiflora - Grows in different regions of the american continent. (aka ¨Saprissa¨ in Costa Rica)

Chiric Sanango, which means "healing the cold" in Quechua, is a powerful plant traditionally used by indigenous peoples to treat "cold illnesses." These ailments are believed to affect the nervous system and can manifest as autoimmune conditions such as Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Osteoarthritis, and Lyme disease.

When used in a dieta—a traditional plant-based spiritual practice—for at least 21 days, Chiric Sanango is said to offer significant benefits. It can strengthen the nervous system, boost self-confidence, help individuals overcome deep-seated fears, and provide physical and emotional fortitude. Many who have undergone this dieta describe Chiric Sanango as even more potent and challenging than Ayahuasca, particularly in its intense effects during consumption.

This plant's healing properties make it a revered part of indigenous medicine, especially for those dealing with chronic and complex health issues and advanced users of master plants.

Would you like to join us in the sacred process of cooking Ayahuasca?

Which recipes do you know?

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Ayahuasca growing in Costa Rica

We are excited to share the story of a very special Ayahuasca plant that grows here in Costa Rica. This particular species of Banisteriopsis Caapi was introduced in 1983 to a private reserve in Sarapiquí, Heredia, by the renowned ethnobotanist Tim Plowman. Plowman, a student of the famous Richard Evans Schultes (author of The Plants of the Gods), received this plant from a shaman in South America named Don Elias Ávila. Plowman envisioned Costa Rica as a new home for this plant, and over the past 40 years, the ideal weather conditions in Sarapiquí have allowed it to thrive.

The primary forest environment in Sarapiquí provides an excellent habitat for this Ayahuasca, enabling it to develop beautifully. We are fortunate to have access to this plant at Casa de la Luz. Unlike many other Ayahuasqueros who prefer to buy premade brews from Peru or Colombia, we take pride in being the only customers from this private reserve who purchase Ayahuasca for cooking. The Ayahuasca grown in Costa Rica is just as potent as that found in South America, and many find it to be more gentle and enjoyable, making it an excellent option for those looking to explore this powerful medicine.

In addition to this Banisteriopsis Caapi that was brought from Peru, other types of Ayahuasca or related plants grow naturally in Costa Rica, it´s not a casualty that it ended here. This whole family of plants might enable you to make different types of brews, such as Banisteriopsis Muricata (known as “El Ayahuasca de los Brujos”), Virola sp., Psychotria alba, Jurema, and more. These variations contribute to the rich tradition of plant medicine in the region. So when someone says that Ayahuasca traditions are not from Costa Rica, they need to look deeper. Our indigenous people have also used forms of Ayahuasca in the past, though in different ways than in South America, such as for fertility, sexual potency, and mental illness.

We are grateful for your support and look forward to sharing this incredible medicine with you.

What’s your favorite Ayahuasca brew?

The music in Ayahuasca ceremonies

Live music is a powerful complement to an Ayahuasca ceremony, enriching the experience and deepening the connection between the participants and the plant medicine. Musicians play a crucial role, guiding the journey through the vibrations of their songs. This isn’t just about playing music; it’s about creating an intimate bond between the plant and the musician, who tunes into the energy of the moment to adjust the flow and bring forth melodies with dedicated intention. The music serves as a bridge, allowing participants to travel through different emotional and spiritual landscapes, enhancing the overall ceremony.

The type of music played during a ceremony is essential. It should be soft, gentle, and crafted with great care and accuracy, as the senses are heightened during an Ayahuasca experience. Any mistake or discordance can be easily perceived, potentially disrupting the flow of the ceremony. Music can be used to either ease the intensity of the experience or amplify it, depending on the rhythm and instruments used. For example, drumming can bring up the effects, creating a more intense and focused experience.

Interestingly, playing the same music you heard during a ceremony on your stereo at home can sometimes bring back some of the effects of the Ayahuasca experience. This is because the music becomes deeply embedded in your consciousness during the ceremony, acting as a trigger for the memories and emotions associated with that experience.

We encourage you to bring your instruments to the ceremony and join in the music-making. Playing together creates a shared space of creativity and connection, enhancing the healing power of the experience. Whether you're an experienced musician or just enjoy making music, your contribution is welcomed and valued. Sharing music in this way helps to build a sense of community and collective intention, making the ceremony even more special.

What kind of instruments or music are you drawn to during these sacred experiences?

Group ceremonies with Ayahuasca

Ceremonies in large groups are like intricate puzzles, where each participant plays a vital role in creating a harmonious and powerful experience. As people begin to gather in our ceremonial space, the energies present start to interact and balance each other, guided by the wisdom of the plants we use. Medicines like Rapé, made from Nicotiana Rústica tobacco and other herbs, are crucial in this process, helping to align and center everyone involved. The plants work alongside our inner intentions, facilitating deep healing and transformation.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that group dynamics can sometimes be unpredictable. Just like a lottery, the combination of people in a ceremony can vary, and not all groups will naturally blend well together. When the energies aren’t fully compatible, the ceremony may not reach its full potential. That said, our careful selection process helps ensure that most of the time, the group works well together, creating a powerful and profound experience for everyone involved.

Ayahuasca, the centerpiece of our ceremonies, is a plant that connects us on a profound level, enhancing our spiritual journey. Its effects can be further amplified through the use of other plants, various therapies, and artistic expressions. These elements come together to create a holistic healing experience.

We take great joy in offering these group ceremonies once or twice a month at our center. These public events are open to all, providing an opportunity to share music, explore different meditation techniques, and connect with others on a similar spiritual path. The combination of plants, intentions, and the collective energy of the group makes each ceremony a unique and transformative experience.

What are your thoughts on participating in such a group ceremony?

The role of the altar in Ayahuasca ceremonies

The altar is an essential element of any ceremonial space, serving as a focal point that anchors the spiritual energy during rituals and ceremonies. It is a place where sacred and powerful items are carefully arranged to create a connection between the physical and spiritual realms. The objects placed on an altar are not merely decorative; they are chosen for their symbolic significance, energetic properties, and the intentions they carry.

In creating an altar, one might include items that resonate deeply on a personal and spiritual level. These could be stones or crystals known for their healing and protective qualities, gifts from friends or visitors that hold special meaning, and various shamanic tools that have been passed down or acquired through significant experiences. Incense and perfumes are often used to purify the space and invite specific energies, while musical instruments like drums or rattles can help guide the ceremony.

In our tradition, our altar holds a piece of Grandmother Ayahuasca, symbolizing the presence and guidance of the medicine during our ceremonies. Additionally, a crocodile tooth, gifted by a shaman, is placed on our altar as a protective talisman to invoke the potent energy of the medicine.

We also have a little glass jar with sand from the Egypt Pyramids that a visitor gave us, soil and moss from a sacred place in Australia called Eagle Park, and gifts from different friends from bracelets to necklaces all in one place.

Creating an altar is a deeply personal process, and each item on it should be chosen with intention and care.

What elements do you include in your altar, and what do they represent for you?