Ayahuasca Shamans and the Healing Plants of the Amazon Rainforest of Peru – Part 1
The Ayahuasca Shamans
Artidoro Aro Cardenas
We have worked with Maestro Artidoro on our previous Amazon Retreats, and again we were greatly impressed with his knowledge of medicinal and power plants, and his compassion and support for the participants. Although Artidoro is Mestizo he has lived amongst the Ashaninka Indians for many years, and has learned their languages which result in that many of his chants come from a variety of indigenous groups including the Ashaninka, Cashibo, and Capanaua .He has started his own centre near Iquitos.
Javier Arevalo
We have worked with Javier since the late ’90s on our Retreats, we also brought him to the UK for a special Amazonian Medicine camp in 2002. We are greatly impressed and moved by his dedication, and his commitment to the demanding rigours of an Amazonian shaman.It is fair to say that everybody who has worked with Javier has been touched by his kindness, compassion , humour, and spirit.
The Plants
Chiricsanango
Chiric in Quechua, means tickling or itching feeling, or like a nervous cold you feel when afraid. It has many properties, for example fishermen and loggers use it because they spend time in contact with water. Thus they suffer arthritis for which this plant is very effective. Not too much though, because it makes your mouth go numb and can make you giddy. It can also be used in emplasts for the sight and swollen eyes. If you carry things a lot, sweat can trickle into the eyes and irritate. It has the effect of warming up the body physically, and also opens up the heart emotionally.
It can be prepared in water, in aguardiente or