page_title: Ayahuasca
section_title: Traditional brew
hierarchical_section_title: Ayahuasca / Traditional use / Traditional brew
caption_attribution_description: English: ayahuasca y chacruna - cooking I
context_page_description: Ayahuasca is a South American entheogenic brew commonly made out of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, the Psychotria viridis shrub or a substitute, and possibly other ingredients; although, in the West, a chemically similar preparation also known and sold as ayahuasca, but occasionally also known as "pharmahuasca", can be prepared using illicitly manufactured N, N-dimethyltryptamine and a pharmaceutical monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid. The brew is used as a traditional spiritual medicine in ceremonies among the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin.
  B. caapi contains several alkaloids that act as MAOIs, which are required for DMT to be orally active. The other required ingredient is a plant that contains the primary psychoactive, DMT. This is usually the shrub P. viridis, but Diplopterys cabrerana may be used as a substitute. Other plant ingredients often or occasionally used in the production of ayahuasca include Justicia pectoralis, one of the Brugmansia or Datura species, and mapacho.
context_section_description: Traditional ayahuasca brews are usually made with Banisteriopsis caapi as an MAOI, while dimethyltryptamine sources and other admixtures vary from region to region.  There are several varieties of caapi, often known as different "colors", with varying effects, potencies, and uses.
  DMT admixtures:
  Psychotria viridis (Chacruna) – leaves
  Diplopterys cabrerana (Chaliponga, Chagropanga, Banisteriopsis rusbyana) – leaves
  Psychotria carthagenensis (Amyruca) – leaves
  Mimosa tenuiflora (M. hostilis) - Root bark
  Other common admixtures:
  Justicia pectoralis
  Brugmansia (Toé)
  Nicotiana rustica (Mapacho, variety of tobacco)
  Ilex guayusa, a relative of yerba mate
  Common admixtures with their associated ceremonial values and spirits:
  Ayahuma bark: Dead head tree. Provides protection and is used in healing susto (soul loss from spiritual fright or trauma).
  Capirona bark: Provides cleansing and protection. It is noted for its smooth bark, white flowers, and hard wood.
  Chullachaki caspi bark (Brysonima christianeae): Provides cleansing to the physical body. Used to transcend physical body ailments.
  Lopuna blanca bark: Provides protection.
  Punga amarilla bark: Yellow Punga. Provides protection. Used to pull or draw out negative spirits or energies.
  Remo caspi bark: Oar Tree. Used to move dense or dark energies.
  Wyra (huaira) caspi bark (Cedrelinga catanaeformis): Air Tree. Used to create purging, transcend gastro/intestinal ailments, calm the mind, and bring tranquility.
  Shiwawaku bark: Brings purple medicine to the ceremony.
  Uchu sanango: Head of the sanango plants.
  Huacapurana: Giant tree of the Amazon with very hard bark.
caption: Ayahuasca cooking
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