All vegetables
Rice, oatmeal & all grains
Beans & lentils
Chicken, fish & egg whites
All nuts
A little natural vegetable oil
Traditionally there are special diets that accompany many spiritual practices throughout the world. Fasting, avoiding and consuming specific foods and many other lifestyle alterations to optimize and create a state in the one that is strictly adhering to such regimes to create within oneself the openness and ability for information, growth, and connection with the proper intent to reach greater levels of awareness and understanding. The traditional diets for the Shamans/Taitas that work with Ayahuasca/Yage spend months in the jungle having minimal or no other human contact and absolutely no sexual contact, only consuming boiled or roasted fish, plantains, rice, and yucca containing no salt, sugar or oil.
Over time of such strict diets and isolation while working in the ceremonies with the Ayahuasca/Yage a whole new world opens up to them and they begin to be taught many things about life, the spirit world and the medicinal plants that can be used to help cure and treat many conditions and diseases. When they return from their long diet they then begin to use their newfound knowledge to help heal on a physical and spiritual energetic level people who need such healing and help.
Wanting the most out of the retreat I recommend cleaning up one’s diet and reducing stimulus of the senses about a month before the retreat so the mind can be in a more receptive, aware and more conscious state to reap the greatest benefit and vision. Ideally, a very strict diet even though not necessary I recommend would benefit you the most. The stricter the diet the more lasting and profound the changes will become, so it is very important to take seriously this work for what it is and prepare mentally and physically for your visit with us.
Here is listed the necessary diet before you travel to Peru and work in the ceremonies with Ayahuasca, and if you choose to further immerse yourself for a richer experience, I recommend a stricter diet over a longer duration before you come.
Absolutely NO PORK two weeks prior to your first ceremony
Street Drugs & Alcohol
Abstinence from all street drugs & alcohol at least 2 weeks prior to your first ceremony. I recommend 4 weeks for a little more time, for your brain, to balance more, before you come, yet 4 weeks is not mandatory, 2 weeks will suffice.
Sexual Contact & Stimulation
Avoid sexual activity with a partner and personal for a minimum of 3 days prior to your first ceremony. I recommend a week or more if possible and absolutely no sexual contact during the time with the sacred medicines.
Medications
Any medicines or supplements that will react negatively with MAOI inhibitors need to be discontinued a minimum of two weeks before having your first ceremony. Because the Ayahuasca/Yage vine contains the plant chemical harmaline, which is an MAOI inhibitor. A list is provided below but I recommend you speak with your doctor and do your diligent research to make sure any medication you need, will not be a potential for harm to yourself while working with the sacred medicine Ayahuasca/Yage.
Restricted Medications
I would still double-check with your doctor if your medication is not on the list. If the drug you are taking is not on this list please check with your doctor if it has a negative reaction with an MAOI inhibitor. If you are taking any of these drugs you must stop taking them at least two weeks before your first ceremony with Ayahuasca/Yage.
**2 to 4 weeks are necessary to be free from such medications to avoid any serious health consequences**
Restricted Herbs
These Herbs Should not be consumed for at least two weeks before your first ceremony.
St. Johns Wort
Velvet Bean
Kava
Ephedra
Ginseng
YohimbeSinicuichi
* All other herbs, if they are not necessary, should be avoided during the time period of the ceremonies.
There are many foods that are cross-reactive with the MAOI inhibitor harmaline that is contained in the Ayahuasca vine. Below will take you to a food list that contains foods to be avoided. This should not be a problem since we will be providing all the meals during your stay while at the lodge. All the foods on this list are cross-reactive with Ayahuasca/Yage and should be avoided at least 24 hours before your first ceremony and not consumed during your stay at the retreat.
The reason to avoid these foods during the retreat is because over ripe fruits and old meats contain tyramines that can have a dangerous reaction with the MAOI Harmaline that is present in the Ayahuasca vine.
