Rapè
Rapè (pronounced Ha’peh) is a shamanic snuff made from fermented tobacco that’s combined with a tree ash and other various plants, seeds, oils, etc. Rapè is used to “ground and center” us before we send our prayers, and to prepare us physically/mentally/spiritually for receiving Kambo or other sacred medicines. It can also be used during the Kambo ceremony to help one get past certain blockages, and aid in the purging process.
While Rapé is often made of several Amazonian plants, the core of most Rapé is the tobacco species Nicotiana rustica. This Amazonian tobacco, also known as Mapacho, is used extensively in tribal rituals. The tobacco also amplifies our intention, so it is a very powerful prayer tool.
The tribes consider Rapé an important and sacred medicine and take great care while producing it. It’s handmade in small batches from natural ingredients collected from the Jungle; the ingredients are sun-dried, then pounded, sieved repeatedly until the right consistency is reached. The process of making Rapé is both time consuming and labor intensive but done with great care. The tribes usually sing and pray throughout the production of their Rapé.
Traditionally, Rapé is administered with a “Tepi” pipe made from bamboo or bone. The pipe requires another person, who will blow the snuff from the Tepi into each nostril of the person receiving it. There are also self-serving pipes called “Kuripe” pipes. Rapé immediately focuses the mind, stops the chattering, and opens the freed mind for your directed intentions.
Rapé is said to help with releasing emotional, physical, and spiritual illnesses and eases negativity and confusion. Rapé aids in detoxifying the body by cleaning out excess mucus, toxins, and bacteria, thereby assisting in fighting related colds. It’s said to help realign and open the chakras, and also help to decalcify the pineal gland.
Some reported benefits of using Rapé include:
- A sharpened, more focused mind
- Provides a lasting calming, grounding effect on the emotions
- Clears a person or space of distractions, or bad energies
- Detox of both the body/mind, and clears one’s energetic field
- Aids with clear and purposed intention setting
- Clears sinuses of mucus and bacteria, thereby helping to combat colds and respiratory ailments
Sananga
Sananga is made from the root of the medicinal plant, Tabernaemontana Undulata, which grows in the Amazon Rainforest. It’s used directly in the eyes in the form of liquid drops.
When applied to the eyes, Sananga is reported by tribes to have the effect of their sight having greater texture and dimension (making it easier for the hunters to spot animals during their hunts). The duration of positive effects on vision are reported to vary from hours, to more long-term, lasting days. Vision becomes much sharper and colors appear more vibrant. In addition to visual enhancement, there is also an increase in energy.
Upon application, the eyes sting for about 3-5 minutes (in varying degrees, depending on the physical/spiritual work needed in each individual). The spirit of this plant corrects energy imbalances, bringing our soul into harmony with nature, expanding our third eye , and improving our ocular physiology. It has been reported that when regularly used, this extract can improve conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, near/far-sightedness, and other ocular disorders. It may also be considered for treating sinusitis, conjunctivitis, eye infections, headaches, and migraines.
Sangre de Grado (Dragon’s Blood)
The Sangre de Grado ( from the Croton lechleri latex Tree) is a tall, narrow tree with a unique mushroom type canopy that grows primarily in the Upper Amazon region of Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Croton lechleri is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, that is native to northwestern South America. It’s commonly known as sangre de grado (Peruvian Spanish) or sangre de drago (Ecuadorian Spanish), both of which translate to “Dragon’s Blood”.
The latex liquid of the tree has medicinal properties, and is used by indigenous people as a type of “liquid bandage”. It’s applied directly to seal wounds, and it dries to form a protective skin-like barrier. Dragon’s Blood also exhibits antibacterial qualities to aid in preventing infection.
Dragons Blood is applied to the “gates” (burn locations) upon conclusion of the Kambo ceremony. Dragon’s Blood protects the burns by covering it with an antibacterial layer, and aids in acceleration of healing. It can aid in healing wounds significantly faster than if nothing at all was used. When Dragon’s Blood dries, it completely covers and closes the wound. Taspine is the active alkaloid found in Dragon’s Blood that’s responsible for the accelerated healing and antibacterial effects.
