Ayahuasca Recipes
2005
Originally published in The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants
Citation: Rätsch C. Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants. Park Street Press. 2005. pg. 703-08.
In the past, methods for preparing ayahuasca were well-protected secrets of the shamans. Only they knew the ingenious recipes. Only they knew which plants to use, where to find the lianas and herbs, which protective spirits needed to be invoked, and how to prepare the brew.
Banisteriopsis caapi stems are the basis for all ayahuasca recipes. To prepare ayahuasca, manageable-size stems of this liana must be boiled, after which chacruna leaves (Psychotria viridis) are added. The mixture is allowed to sit on the fire until a black, thick, horrible-tasting liquid results. The drink should never be prepared in aluminum pots, as it will corrode the aluminum and may in some cases produce inedible aluminum salts. Although cold-water extracts of Banesteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis will also produce the desired effects, they are only rarely made.
In the recipes of the Amazonian Indians, the liana itself is typically the main ingredient. Tests of different samples have found 20 to 40 mg, 144 to 158 mg, and even 401 mg of β-carbolines as well as 25 to 36 mg of N,N-DMT per dose. The ayahuasca prepared by the urban mestizos contains consistently higher concentrations of alkaloids (especially N,N-DMT) than are found in the Indian preparations. The highest concentrations are said to be found in the preparations of Barquinha Santo Daime church (Luis Eduarda Luna, pers. comm., 1996).
Indigenous ayahuasca preparations exhibit considerable variation. Numerous plant admixtures can be used to induce psychoactive effects, and stimulating or medicinal drinks can also be produced. An Ecuadorian preparation of Banisteriopsis caapi and Ilex guayusa is purported to be a strong purgative. Recipes that cause delirium often contain tobacco and angel's trumpets (Brugmansia). Experienced ayahuasca shamans posses a vast wealth of knowledge about the effects of many plants and may utilize more than one hundred different admixtures in order to achieve the effects they desire.
These traditional preparations are often devoid of N,N-DMT. However, it is precisely those drinks that do contain high concentrations of DMT and that do produce visionary effects that have exerted such a powerful attraction on legions of Western ethnobotanists, psychedelic cognoscenti, artists, New Age tourists, and seekers of the esoteric (Leginger 1981; McKenna 1989; McKenna and McKenna 1994; Perkins 1995). For most outsiders, experiences with Amazonian ayahuasca have tended to be rather disappointing (McKenna 1993). Westerners seeking "highs" or healing experiences are often duped by the pranks of curanderos or self-proclaimed shamans. As early as 1953, William Burroughs reported "...I had been conned by medicine men" (Burroughs and Ginsberg 1963, 15). But there are also examples of more positive experiences (Pinkson 1993; Wolf 1992).
Banisteriopsis caapi stems are the basis for all ayahuasca recipes. To prepare ayahuasca, manageable-size stems of this liana must be boiled, after which chacruna leaves (Psychotria viridis) are added. The mixture is allowed to sit on the fire until a black, thick, horrible-tasting liquid results. The drink should never be prepared in aluminum pots, as it will corrode the aluminum and may in some cases produce inedible aluminum salts. Although cold-water extracts of Banesteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis will also produce the desired effects, they are only rarely made.
In the recipes of the Amazonian Indians, the liana itself is typically the main ingredient. Tests of different samples have found 20 to 40 mg, 144 to 158 mg, and even 401 mg of β-carbolines as well as 25 to 36 mg of N,N-DMT per dose. The ayahuasca prepared by the urban mestizos contains consistently higher concentrations of alkaloids (especially N,N-DMT) than are found in the Indian preparations. The highest concentrations are said to be found in the preparations of Barquinha Santo Daime church (Luis Eduarda Luna, pers. comm., 1996).
Natema Recipe of the Shuar
The Shuar shamans (uwishin) split a 1- to 2- meter-long piece of Banisteriopsis caapi stem into small strips. They place the strips in a pot along with several liters of water. They then add leaves of Diplopterys cabrerana, a Herrania species, Ilex guayusa, Heliconia stricta, and an unidentified Malphighiacea known as mukuyasku. The resulting mixture is boiled until most of the water has evaporated and a syrupy fluid remains (Bennett 1992, 486). The Kamsá, Inga, and Secoya make similar preparations (Bristol 1965, 207 ff.).Ecuadorian Recipe
The bark of the Banisteriopsis caapi liana is peeled off and placed beneath a certain tree in the forest. The bare stems are then split into four to six strips and boiled together with fresh or dried Psychotria viridis leaves. A piece of liana approximately 180 cm long and forty Psychotria leaves represent a single dosage, although a piece of stem just 40 cm long and 3 cm thick is also said to be sufficient. In general, the less vine that is used, the easier the ayahuasca is on the stomach. Preparation of the União do Vegetal (UDV), Brasil
Pieces from Banisteriopsis caapi vine are pounded, mixed with leaves from Psychotria viridis, and boiled for 10 to 12 hours in rust-free steel pots until all that remains is a thick liquid with globules of fat on the surface that shimmer in all colors of the spectrum.Recipe of the Shipibo of San Francisco/Yarinachocha
A fresh piece of Banisteriopsis caapi bark is boiled together with a fresh handful of chacruna leaves (Psychotria viridis) and a flor de toé (Brugmansia suavolens flower) until a thick liquid decoction is produced. This preparation is said to have especially strong effects and to produce many visions. Indigenous ayahuasca preparations exhibit considerable variation. Numerous plant admixtures can be used to induce psychoactive effects, and stimulating or medicinal drinks can also be produced. An Ecuadorian preparation of Banisteriopsis caapi and Ilex guayusa is purported to be a strong purgative. Recipes that cause delirium often contain tobacco and angel's trumpets (Brugmansia). Experienced ayahuasca shamans posses a vast wealth of knowledge about the effects of many plants and may utilize more than one hundred different admixtures in order to achieve the effects they desire.
These traditional preparations are often devoid of N,N-DMT. However, it is precisely those drinks that do contain high concentrations of DMT and that do produce visionary effects that have exerted such a powerful attraction on legions of Western ethnobotanists, psychedelic cognoscenti, artists, New Age tourists, and seekers of the esoteric (Leginger 1981; McKenna 1989; McKenna and McKenna 1994; Perkins 1995). For most outsiders, experiences with Amazonian ayahuasca have tended to be rather disappointing (McKenna 1993). Westerners seeking "highs" or healing experiences are often duped by the pranks of curanderos or self-proclaimed shamans. As early as 1953, William Burroughs reported "...I had been conned by medicine men" (Burroughs and Ginsberg 1963, 15). But there are also examples of more positive experiences (Pinkson 1993; Wolf 1992).
Traditional Ayahausca Admixtures
(from Ayala Flores and Lewis 1978; Bennett 1992; Bianchi and Samorini 1993; Faust and Bianchi 1996, Luna 1984b, 1986; Ott 1993, 269 ff., Ott 1995, Pinkley 1969; Schultes 1972; modified and expanded). | Botanical Name | Common Name | Active Constituents |
| ACANTHACEAE Teliostachys lanceolata var. Crispa Nees | toé negro | |
| AMARANTHACAEA Alternantha lehmannii Hieronymus | picurullana quina, borrachera | |
| Irisene sp. Pfaffa iresinoides | marosa | |
| APOCYNACEAE Himatanthus sucuuba (Spruce) Woodson | bellaco-caspi, sucuuba, platanote | fulvoplumieron |
| Malouetia tamaquarina (Aubl.) DC. | cuchura-caspi, chicle | indole alkaloids conessine, dihydrokurchessine, kurchessine, tetramethylholarhimine |
| Mandevilla scabra Schumann | ||
| Prestonia amazonica (Benth.) Macbride [syn. Haemadyction amazonicum] | yajé; | Older texts claim that Prestonia contains N,N-DMT; this information is unfortunately incorrect. The common name yajé; probably refers solely to the fact that the plant is used as an ayahuasca admixture (Schultes and Raffauf 1960). |
| Tabernaemontana sananho Ruíz et Pav. | tzicta | |
| Tabernaemontana sp. | uchu-sanango | alkaloids |
| Thevetia sp. | cabalonga blanca | cardiac glycosides |
| AQUIFOLIACEAE lex guayusa Loes, | guayusa, wais | caffeine |
| ARACEAE Montrichardia aborescens Schott | ryay balsa, camotillo | |
| BIGNONIACEAE Mansoa alliacea (Lam.) A. Gentry | ajo sacha | |
| Tabebuia heteropoda (DC.) Sandwith | ||
| Tabebuia incana A. Gentry | clavohuasca | |
| Tabebuia sp. | ||
| Tynanthas panurensis (Burman) Sandwith | clavohuasca | |
| BOMBACACEAE Cavanillesia hylogeiton Ulbrich | puca lupuna, embirana | |
| Cavanillesia umbellate Ruíz et Pav. | lupuna, kapok, ceiba | |
| Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. | ||
| Chorisia insignis H.B.K. | lopuna, yuchán, palo borracho | resin |
| Chorisia speciosa St.-Hil | samohú, ceiba | |
| Quararibea sp. | ishpingo | (see espingo) |
| BORAGINACEAE Tournefortia angustiflora Ruíz et Pav. | ||
| CACATACEAE Epiphyllum sp. | pokere, wamapanako | |
| Opuntia sp. | thai | mescaline |
| CARYOCARACEAE Anthodiscus pilosus Ducke | ||
| CELASTRACEAE Maytenus ebenifolia Reiss. | chuchuhuasi | |
| Maytenus laevis Reiss. | chuchuasca | caffeine (?) |
| CLUSIACEAE Tovomita sp. | chullachaqui caspi | |
| CONVOLVULACEAE Ipomoea carnea (cf. Ipomoea spp.) | oé; | ergot alkaloids |
| CYCLANTHACEA Carludovia divergens Ducke | tamshi | |
| CYPERACEAE Cyperus digitus Roxb. | chicorro | |
| yperus prolixus H.B.K. | ||
| Cyperus spp. | piripiri | ergot alkaloids |
| DRYOPTERIDACEAE Lomariopsis japurensis (Martius) J. Sm. | shoka, dsuiitetetseperi | |
| ERYTHROXYLACEAE Erythroxylum coca var. ipadú Plowman | ipadú | cocaine |
| EUPHORBIACEAE Alchornea castaneifolia (Wild.) Just. (cf. Alchornea spp.) | hiporuru | alkaloids (?) |
| Croton sp. (?) | tipu, tipuru | morphine |
| Euphorbia sp. | ai curo | |
| Hura crepitans L. | catahua, assacu | piscidides, lectins |
| GNETACEAE Gnetum nodiflorum Brongn. | tap-kam', hoo-roo', itua | |
| GRAMINEAE Arundo donax | carrizo | tryptamines, DMT |
| GUTTIFERAE Clusia sp. | miya, tara | |
| HELICONIACEAE Heliconia stricta Huber | ||
| Heliconia sp. | winchu | |
| LABIATAE Ocimum micranthum Willd. | pichana, abaca | essential oil |
| LECYTHIDACEAE Couroupita guianensis Aubl. | ayahuma | indole alkaloids (couroupitine A, B), stigmasterol, campesterol |
| LEGUMINOSAE Bauhinia guianensis Aubl. | ||
| Caesalpinia echinata Lam. | cumaseba | |
| Calliandra angustifolia Spruce ex Benth. | bobinsana, quinilla blanca, chipero | alkaloids (harmane) |
| Calliandra petandra (cf. Calliandra anomala) | harmane, DMT (?) | |
| Campsiandra laurifolia Benth. | huacapurana | |
| Cedrelinga catenaeformis Ducke | huairacaspi, cedrorana | |
| Erythrina fusca Lour. | amasisa, gachica | erythraline, erythramine, erythratine |
| Erythrina glauca Willd. | amasisa | |
| Erythrina poeppigiana (Walpers) Cook (cf. Erythrina spp.) | amaciza, oropel | alkaloids |
| Pithecellobium laetum Benth. | remo caspi, pashaquillo, shimbillo | alkaloids |
| Sclerobium setiferum Ducke | palisangre, palisanto | |
| Vouacapoua americana Aubl. | huacapo, hucapù | |
| LORANTHACEAE Phrygilanthus eugenioides (L.) H.B.K. | miya, ho-ho-ho | |
| Phrygilanthus eugenioides var. robustus Galz. | ||
| Phtirusa pyrifolia (H.B.K.) Eichler | suelda con suelda | |
| MALPIGHIACEAE Banisteriopsis rusbyana (Niedenzu) Morton | oco-yagé; | DMT, β-carbolines |
| Diplopterys cabrerana (Cuatr.) Gates | yaco-ayahuasca, yajé;, yaji | DMT |
| Diplopterys involuta (Turcz.) Niedenzu [syn. Mezia includens (Benth.) Cuatr.] | ||
| Mascagnia psilophylla var. antifebrilis Niedenzu [syn. Cabi paraensis (Juss.) Griseb., syn. Callaeum antifebrile (Grisb.) Johnson] | ||
| Stygmaphyllon fulgens (Lam.) Jussieu | ki-ria, kairia | |
| MARANTHACEAE Calathea veitchiana Veitch ex Hook. Fil. | pulma | |
| MELIACEAE Trichilia tocacheana C. DC. | lupuna | latex |
| MENISPERMACEAE Abuta grandifolia (Martius) Sandwith | abuta, trompetero, sanango | palmatine |
| MORACEAE Coussapoa tessmannii Mildbread | renaco | |
| Ficus insipida Willd. | renaco, hojé;, huito, bamba | |
| Ficus ruiziana Standl. | ||
| Ficus sp. | ||
| MYRISTICACEAE Virola surinamensis (Roland) Warb. | caupuri, cumala blanca | neolignans |
| Virola spp. | cumala | DMT |
| NYMPHAEACEAE Cabomba aquatica Aubl. | mureru, murere | |
| PHYTOLACCACEAE Petiveria alliacea L. | muckra, mucura, chanviro | coumarins (nineteen), isoarboriol, trithiolan, trithiolaniacine |
| PIPERACEAE Peperomia sp. | tsemtsem | essential oil |
| Piper sp. | essential oil | |
| POLYGONACEAE Triplaris surinamensis Chamisso | tangarana | |
| Triplaris surinamensis var. chamissoana Meissner | tangarana | |
| PONTEDERIACEAE Pontederia cordata L. | amarrón borrachero | |
| RUBIACEAE Calycophyllum spruceanum (Benth.) Hook. Fil. | vapirona negro | |
| Capirona decorticans Spruce | capirona negro, kashi muna | |
| Guetarda ferox Standl. | garabata | |
| Psychotria carthaginensis Jacq. | yagé;-chacruna, rami appani, sameruca | DMT |
| Psychotria carthaginensis Jacq. | yagé;-chacruna, rami appani, sameruca | DMT |
| Psychotria psychotriaefolia (Seem.) Standl. | chacruna | DMT |
| Psychotria viridis Ruíz et Pav. | chacruna | |
| Psychotria spp. | batsikawa, kawa kui, nai kawa, pishikawa, rami appane | |
| Rudgea refifolia Standl. | ||
| Sabicea amazonensis Wernham | chà-dê-kê-na, kana, koti-kana-ma | |
| Uncaria guianensis (Aubl.) Gmelin | garabata | indoles: angustine, isohynchrophylline, rhynchophylline-N-ozide, dihyrocorynantheine hirsutine, hirsutein |
| Uncaria tomentosa (?) | una de gato | indole alkaloids |
| SAPINDACEAE Paullinia yoco Schultes et Killip (cf. Paullinia spp.) | yoco | caffeine |
| SCHIZAEACEAE Lygodium venustum Swartz | tchai del monte, rami | |
| SCHROPHULARIACEAE Scoparia dulcis L. | amellin, triterpenes. 6-methoxybenzoxo-zolinone | |
| SOLONACEAE Brugmansia insignis | toa-toe, sacha-toe, danta borrachera | tropane alkaloids |
| Brugmansia suaveolens | (flor de) toe. Tsuak, borrachero, floripondio | tropane alkaloids |
| Brunfelsia chiricaspi Plowman | chiricaspi, chiricsanango | scopoletin |
| Brunfelsia grandiflora d. Don | chiricaspi, chiricsanango | scopoletin |
| Brunfelsia grandiflora sp. schultesii Plowman (cf. Brunfelsia spp.) | sanango, chiricsanango | scopoletin |
| Capsicum sp. | catsi, aji | capsaicin |
| Iochroma fuchsioides (H.B.K.) Miers | Borrachero, guatillo, paguando, campanitas | alkaloids (tropane derivatives) |
| Juanulloa ochracea Cuatre | ayahuasca, bi-ti-ka-oo-k, na-ka-te-pê | parquine (?) |
| Markea formicarium Dammer | ree-ko-pa | scopoletin (?) |
| Nicotiana rustica L. | tabaco | nicotine |
| Nicotiana tobacum L. | mapacho | nicotine |
| STERCULIACEAE Herrania sp. | kushibiap | alkaloids (?) |
| VERBENACEAE Cornutia odorata (P. et Endlicher) Poeppig Vitex triflora vehl. | shunguarana, ulape, tal, tahuari, taruma | |
| VIOLACEAE Rinorea viridiflora Rusby | chacruna, amanga, capinuri, ayahuasca | |
References #
- Ayala Flores F, Lewis WH. "Al Ayahuasca y el Curandero Shipibo-Conibo del Ucayali (Perú)". America Indigena. 1978;46(1):147-61.
- Bennett BC. "Hallucinogenic Plants of the Shuar and Related Indigenous Groups in Amazonian Ecuador and Peru". Brittonia. 1992;44:483-93.
- Bianchi A, Samorini G. "Plants in Association With Ayahuasca". Yearbook for Ethnomedicine and the Study of Consciousness. 1993;2:21-42.
- Bristol ML. Sibundoy Ethnobotany. PhD diss. Harvard University. 1965.
- Burroughs W, Ginsberg A. The Yage Letters. City Lights Books. 1963.
- Faust and Bianchi, 1996 [(?) no reference source provided in Rätsch's book]
- Leginger T. Urwald: Eine Reise zu den Schamanen des Amazonas. Triokont-dianus. 1981.
- Luna LE. "The Healing Practices of a Peruvian Shaman". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1984;11(2):123-33.
- Luna LE. Vegetalismo: Shamanism Among the Mestizo Population of the Peruvian Amazon. Almqvist und Wiskell International. 1986.
- McKenna TK. Wahre Halluznationen. Sphinx. 1989.
- McKenna TK. "Bei den Ayahuasqueros". In Das Tor zu Inneren Raumen, ed. C. Rätsch, 105-39. Verlag Bruno Martin. 1993.
- McKenna DJ, McKenna TK. The Invisible Lanscape; Mind, Hallucinogens, and the I Ching. HarperSanFrancisco. 1994.
- Ott J. Pharmacotheon. Natural Products Co. 1993.
- Ott J. "Ayahuasca; Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Human Pharmacology". Integration. 1995;5:73-97.
- Perkins J. Und der Traum Wird Welt: Schamanische Impulse zur Aussohnung mit der Natur. Integral Volkar-Magnum. 1995.
- Pinkley HV. "Plant Admixtures to Ayahuasca, the South American Hallucinogenic Drink". Lloydia 1969;32(3):305-14.
- Pinkson T. "Amazonian Shamanism: The Ayahuasca Experience". Psychedelic Monographs and Essays. 1993;6:12-19.
- Schultes RE. "De Plantis Toxicariis e Mundo Novo Tropicale Commentationes X: New Data on the Malpighiaceous Narcotics of South America". Botanical Museum Leaflets. 1972.23(3):137-147.
- Wolf FA. The Eagle's Quest.A Touchstone Book (Simon & Schuster). 1992.