As a rule, the shaman conducts the ceremony for several people. This is a ritual, usually lasting several hours, and after that participants leave the place of ceremony. Retreats with plants are another ancient practice of the aborigines inhabited the Amazonia. Ayahuasca of course is the most famous plant used in retreat. But this practice is much broader. There are many shamanistic and healing plants that are not used in ceremonies, but which are incredibly effective in retreat.

In Peru, traditionally retreats with plants are called “dietas estrictas” or “dietas fuertes” – strict diets, or “sama” in the Quechua dialect. The expression “dietar plantas” – plants diets, is widely used. For some people in the Amazonian region, the tradition of plants diet is so important that it is an indispensable stage of initiation into adulthood.

Plant diets we call “retreats”, because this term is more common and understandable for English-speaking people. However, the basis of retreats is the customs that have been tested by many generations of the native population of Peru, which allow achieving the most effective interaction with plants.

Retreat, or plant diet, involves isolation, physical relaxation, a nutritional and sexual diet, and regular doses of plants over a period of time.

Diet in Peruvian traditions is different from the medical sense of diet in our society. It not only helps to expel nutrients that are not compatible with plants, but also makes the body and consciousness more “penetrable” for the Spirit of the plant.

A certain period of time is required for the plant to show up and carry out the work necessary for a person. Depending on goals and needs of a person, it may take from a week to several months. During this time, processes of purification, healing, physical and mental recovery is going on. A person involves in an increasingly deeper contact with a plant and becomes susceptible to the knowledge that the Spirit reveals to him.

Our long experience of working with plants shows that retreat with ayahuasca is the most effective way to achieve really deep changes. Concerning other, more demanding plants, such as Chiric Sanango and Camalonga, retreat is the only safe and effective way of deep interaction.

Ayahuasca – effects on the body. What is cleaning?

Retreat Space

Ayahuasca experience in Peru – retreat review