Medicine for the Soul | Plant Spirit Medicine of the Amazon

Article first published in Sacred Hoop Magazine Issue 41 2003.

In the Amazonian tradition working with planta maestras (teacher plants) is known as the Diet. The working can be seen as a conscious body of actions to incorporate the plant spirit into one’s own consciousness. From this incorporation or union, the plant spirit informs and teaches the maestro or apprentice. They learn the magical chants (icaros) which invoke the power of the plant, how to use the plant for healing purposes, and how to strengthen the dieter both psychologically and physically. The purpose of the diet is to prepare the body and nervous system for the powerful knowledge and expansion of consciousness given by teacher plants.

In the Amazonian tradition working with planta maestras (teacher plants) is known as the Diet. The working can be seen as a conscious body of actions to incorporate the plant spirit into one’s own consciousness. From this incorporation or union, the plant spirit informs and teaches the maestro or apprentice. They learn the magical chants (icaros) which invoke the power of the plant, how to use the plant for healing purposes, and how to strengthen the dieter both psychologically and physically. The purpose of the diet is to prepare the body and nervous system for the powerful knowledge and expansion of consciousness given by teacher plants.