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YAGÉ DIET/MEDICAL INFO

On the day of the ceremony, you are recommended to fast. This will help the body more easily absorb the medicine and reduce your chance of purging. There will be some fruit available in the morning, but no food after 10 am.

Please refrain from any sexual activity for at least 1 week before and after.

If you are a woman and you are on your moon cycle, you are NOT allowed to drink.

The Secoya tradition does not allow women who are on their moon to drink, as the moon cycle is already a great deal of purification, and mixing it with a yajé ceremony only exacerbates these energies. There is also a chance that it can cause hemorrhaging.

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Foods to avoid eating (2 weeks before and after)

Alcohol

Cheese/dairy

Fried/heavy foods

Canned/old foods

Fermented foods

Refined sugar

Spicy foods

Mushrooms

Garlic

Pork

Marijuana

*It is best to eat fresh vegetables, fruits, baked fish, and chicken.

These substances can be dangerous when combined with Yagé.

If you are taking any of the listed substances, you must be off them for at least 4-6 weeks before and after:

Please consult your doctor if you are taking any of these and find the appropriate way to wean off them safely:

- MAOI's (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)

- SSRI’s (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

- Antidepressants (IE: Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Luvox, Oleptro)

- Antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine)

- Appetite suppressants (diet pills)

- Medication for asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing problems

- Antihistamines

- CNS, or Central Nervous System depressants (IE: Xanax, Ativan, etc)

- Antipsychotics

- Barbiturates

- Medication for colds, sinus problems, hay fever, or allergies (IE: Actifed DM, Benadryl, Benylin, Chlor-Trimeton, Compoz, Bromarest-DM or -DX, Dimetane-DX cough syrup, Dristan Cold & Flu, Phenergan with Dextromethorphan, Robitussin-DM, Vicks Formula 44-D, several Tylenol cold and any drugs containing "Tuss" in its name)

This website goes into much more detail:

http://www.ayahuasca.com/science/foods-and-meds-to-avoid-with-maois/

These substances are VERY dangerous and can be FATAL when combined with Yagé.

We do NOT allow anyone to participate if they are currently using any of these substances:

- Cocaine

- Amphetamines (meth-, dex-, amphetamine)

- Ephedrine

- MDMA (Ecstasy)

- MDA, MDEA, PMA

- Opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine, and opium)

- Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Other Medical Conditions

Epilepsy/Seizures If you or an immediate family member has a history of epilepsy and/or seizures, you MUST inform us prior to drinking. Use of yajé, if not properly managed and monitored, can induce a seizure if you have a prior family history of epilepsy.

Diabetes People with diabetes have extra risks involved with the consumption of yajé. The use of the MAOIs present in yajé can alter blood sugar levels through hypoglycemic effects. MAOIs may change the amount of insulin or oral antidiabetic medication that you need. People with severe and unstable diabetes should not take Yagé because of this risk.

Heart/Cardiovascular Conditions If you have any chronic heart condition or high blood pressure it is not advisable to participate in the drinking of Yagé. The use of Yagé can elevate blood pressure and can pose a serious and/or fatal risk to those with serious heart conditions or high blood pressure.

Liver and Kidney Conditions The use of Yagé can be stressful for the liver and kidneys. The liver and the kidneys play essential roles in the metabolism of exogenous and endogenous chemicals. Yagé contains harmine and related alkaloids, which act as inhibitors of monoamine oxidase. This inhibition activity occurs in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. If a participant has various monoamines still present in their system from the diet, environmental exposure, medical condition, or use of pharmaceutical or illicit drugs, these would accumulate in the presence of an MAOI and would add further stress for the liver and kidneys.

Hypothyroidism If you have a hypothyroidism condition, it is generally safe to partake in the use of yagé; however, you MUST inform me of your condition, You also may continue using your hypothyroid medication (synthetic hormones, such as Synthroid) during the ceremony without complication.

Retreat Packing List

Below is a list of things you will want to have with you for our adventure down in Ecuador. Some things that we will have for everyone to use are: Foam sleeping pads, hammocks, blankets, and mosquito nets.

So things you want to bring with you.

Towel (quick dry is best).
Sunglasses (especially for boat rides)
Sun hat.
Rain poncho.
1-liter bottle for water
At least one pair of lightweight pants and long sleeves are nice for protection from the bugs.
Headlamp preferably with a red light setting
Summer clothes with at least 4-5 changes of underwear and 3 pairs of socks.
Biodegradable soap. For bathing and laundry.
Swimsuit.
Sandals.
Travel Insurance (recommended)(www.worldnomads.com)

In case you are planning on staying also in the Highlands:

Hiking shoes.
At least one layer for the highlands (hoodie, pants, etc)
Lightweight sleeping pad and Travel pillow (in case you chose for camping)

Some suggestions to bring:

A tent - If you want to have a place to call your bedroom. We have some, please ask us with time to be sure are available for you.
Sunscreen.
Mosquito repellent (highly suggest deet or picardin as natural stuff doesn’t really work down there) The mosquitos are not to bad where we are staying but if we do some hikes could be worst.
Electrolyte packets (emerginC).
Camera.
Rubber Boots. You can get it in Lago Agrio for $10 the day we meet.
Musical instruments or any kind of instrument you use in the skills you will like to share (Massage, Acupuncture, Handcrafting,...).
Mosquito net for your hammock if you chose.
Snacks
Some gift ideas are below:
Organic Tobacco pouches with extra papers for the elders.
Organic Coconut oil. It is extremely expensive in Ecuador and the best oil for them to cook with.
Extra headlamps
Solar lamps.
Fabric for making dresses and tunics
Beads, jewelry-making supplies.
Art supplies, coloring books, basic english workbooks