Ayahuasca - Medicinal Herb Info

Scientific Names

Ayahuasca

Psychotria viridis
Banisteriopsis caapi

Common Names

Brew

Caapi

Cipó

Daime

Hoasca

Huasca

La medicina

La Purga

Natem

Santo Daime

Shori

The Tea

Vegetal

The Vine

Uni

Yagé

Parts Usually Used

Ayahuasca is a brew made from the vine (stem) of Banisteriopsis caapi and the leaves of Psychotria viridis.
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Banisteriopsis caapi is a thick, woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest. It is typically combined with the leafy Psychotria viridis shrub to make a decoction. The brew is sacred in many Amazonian traditions and is often prepared over several hours or days by shamans. It plays a central role in traditional healing and spiritual practices across various Indigenous cultures in South America.

Ayahuasca is a reddish-brown drink with a strong smell and bitter taste. Traditionally, a shaman or curandero — an experienced healer who leads Ayahuasca ceremonies — prepares the brew by boiling torn leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub and stalks of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine in water. The Banisteriopsis caapi vine is cleaned and smashed before being boiled to increase the extraction of its medicinal compounds.

When the brew has suffciently reduced, the water is removed and reserved, leaving behind the plant material. This process is repeated until a highly concentrated liquid is produced. Once cooled, the brew is strained to remove impurities.
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Where Found

Ayahuasca is native to the Amazon basin, particularly in Peru, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador. Today, it is also used in spiritual retreats and religious ceremonies worldwide, including in North America and Europe.
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Medicinal Properties

Banisteriopsis caapi vine

Ayahuasca is associated with various medicinal properties, including antidepressant, anxiolytic, anti-addictive, neurogenic, and purgative effects. The active components interact with serotonin receptors and promote neural regeneration.
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Biochemical Information

The brew’s psychoactive effect is primarily due to DMT (from Psychotria viridis), which becomes orally active when combined with β-carbolines (harmine, harmaline, tetrahydroharmine) from Banisteriopsis caapi. These β-carbolines also demonstrate MAO-A inhibitory and serotonin-reuptake inhibiting effects, contributing independently to its therapeutic potential.
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Legends, Myths and Stories

Psychotria viridis

The term “ayahuasca” means “vine of the soul” in Quechua, reflecting its spiritual significance as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Indigenous lore often describes the vine as a sacred teacher or guide, and ceremonies are seen as journeys into higher consciousness.
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Uses

Ayahuasca is used traditionally and contemporarily in a variety of ways, including:

For spiritual cleansing and visions among Amazonian tribes
As a sacrament in Brazilian religious practices (e.g., Santo Daime, União do Vegetal)
In therapeutic settings to help process trauma and addictions
To induce neurogenesis and support brain plasticity

Additionally, various admixture plants are used to modify its effect, including tobacco, Brugmansia, and Ilex guayusa, depending on regional practices and the intent of the ceremony.
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Warning

Ayahuasca may cause serious side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, panic, paranoia, and elevated heart rate. These are often considered part of the “purge” process but can be dangerous in unsupervised or medically unfit individuals.

It can interact fatally with many medications, including SSRIs, MAOIs, and some psychiatric or cardiovascular drugs. It should be avoided by people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, heart conditions, or epilepsy. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should not consume it.

Due to its potent psychoactive effects and legal status in many regions, Ayahuasca should only be used in carefully controlled, knowledgeable, and respectful settings.
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