.png)
Boutique Plant Medicine Retreats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ayahuasca? Ayahuasca is a sacred, plant-based medicine derived from the Amazon rainforest, crafted through the combination of two primary plants—Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub. This ancient indigenous brew has been traditionally used by various Amazonian tribes for spiritual and healing purposes. The active compounds, such as DMT (dimethyltryptamine), induce powerful hallucinogenic experiences and introspective journeys, characterized by vivid visions, heightened sensory perception, and a profound connection with one's emotions and spirituality.
What are the benefits of plant medicine? Ayahuasca has shown promise as a potential treatment for depression, offering a unique therapeutic approach that goes beyond conventional methods. The brew, derived from Amazonian plants, contains psychoactive compounds that induce profound altered states of consciousness. Many individuals undergoing Ayahuasca ceremonies report experiencing introspective journeys that allow them to confront and process deep-seated emotional traumas. The psychedelic nature of Ayahuasca is believed to stimulate the brain's neural pathways, promoting introspection and self-reflection, ultimately leading to a greater understanding of one's mental and emotional struggles. Participants often describe a sense of spiritual insight, emotional release, and a newfound perspective on life, contributing to a reduction in depressive symptoms and anxiety. Many who have attended ayahuasca retreats describe the experience as a deeply transformative and often report unprecedented and unexpected physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. Ayahuasca is often credited with helping individuals gain clarity and insight into their life purpose, and experience a deep sense of interconnectedness with nature, humanity, and the universe at large. It can also instill a renewed sense of purpose and direction in life, with many people reporting experiencing an inner tranquility and an improved overall sense of well-being. The plant is known to have the potential to transform relationships by fostering emotional openness and love and facilitating the release of accumulated emotions from years past.
What plants do you use during the Sacred Soul retreats? There are a number of sacred, healing plants that indigenous people use for healing and ceremonial purposes, such as Ayahuasca, San Pedro and Peyote. In our retreats we only use Ayahuasca as it is a beautiful plant with remarkable healing powers.
How soon can I see the effects of plant medicine? Some healers believe that the transformative effects of working with plant medicine can begin as soon as you make the decision to embark on this journey, and can unfold for month, years, and even a lifetime afterwards.
Do I need to follow a special diet prior to the retreat? Your preparation can greatly impact your experience. Investing time and energy into your preparation is the first step in forging a good relationship with the spirit of Ayahuasca as it will set a strong foundation for your healing journey. The more you open yourself to receive nature's wisdom, the stronger the bond with this plant teacher can become. Good preparation also helps to integrate the blessings when you return home. The recommended diet for plant medicine retreats is one that is light and healthy. With that in mind the following foods should be avoided: 3 weeks before the retreat: • Pork (Bacon, lard, sausages etc.) • All drugs (cocaine, MDMA, marijuana, amphetamines, etc.) – obligatory for your safety • Pharmaceutical drugs 1 week before the retreat: • Alcohol • Begin cutting on your salt and sugar intake • Red meats • Junk food/canned food/processed food • Sweet carbonated drinks (including diet sodas, energy drinks, non-alcoholic beer) • Dairy products - strong/aged cheeses, large quantities of yoghurt, full fat cow’s milk 4 days before the retreat: • All sexual activity, including pleasuring yourself • Dramatically cut down on added salt & refined sugars (a pinch of salt when cooking is ok but stay away from sugar completely. We suggest using natural, no MSG stock cubes to add flavor to food. • Caffeine & other stimulants • Fermented foods, i.e., miso, sauerkraut, pickled vegetables, soy sauce • Very sweet, acidic and over-ripened (fermenting) fruits - fruits in moderation are ok. • Added spices, including chili and pepper • All dairy products • Ice, ice cream, or ice-cold drinks • Sweets or chocolate • Supplements or superfoods that have a strong energetic effect in the body (ayurvedic or Chinese herbs, medicinal mushrooms, maca, cacao etc.). • Try to avoid high stress situations and conflict
What support do I get during the retreats? Your journey with plant medicine starts the minute you make the decision to join a Sacred Soul retreat. Your experience with us starts with an introductory call. On that call, we discuss what plant medicine is and how the retreats work and answer any questions you may have. If you are a good fit for the retreat, then we will gladly reserve a place for you in one of our upcoming retreats. Prior to the retreat, you should expect the following: -Personalized retreat preparation program -1:1 calls with our team to help you set your intentions -Week by week preparation guide prior to the retreat -A group call with our Shaman who will walk you through the schedule during the retreat, will explain what to expect during the retreat and answer any questions you may have. -Recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner to support you on the diet preparation. -Tips and guides on what to pack and prepare. Support during the retreat: Our retreats are limited to a small number of participants and this gives our healing team to support each guest individually, during the retreat. Our healers will support you not only during the ceremony are there also every day to help you through your journey. Don’t forget that you are not doing this alone! You are together not only with our healers but with the rest of the guests who are going through the same experience as you. From the day you arrive in our retreats, you will feel that you part of a family and you will create bonds and connections that you will bring with you when you return home. Support after the retreat: After the retreat you can expect the following: -Post retreat 1:1 calls with our team to help you integrate your experience. -Group integration calls with our team and the rest of the guests -Post retreat integration guide with plant baths and other tips to help you maximize and integrate your experience. -Membership in our private telegram community where all our guests connect with an support each other.
How do I set my intentions? In the weeks leading up to your retreat, we will work with you on a 1:1 basis to help you explore, set and deepen your intentions. During this time, it is helpful to pay attention to what arises; where and when do you feel frustrated, triggered, or emotionally uncomfortable, for example. Sometimes things that are ready to be worked with and consciously cleared, begin to come to the surface even before you arrive at the retreat. Watching for these emotional triggers or reactions and inquiring into them can bring clarity for what you will be working on. Keeping a journal to record what you discover and to help to organize your thoughts and intentions can also be useful. Take time to think about what you would like to clear, heal, unblock, and what you would like to call in and cultivate within. This journey offers you a great opportunity to connect with your inner-being and explore your creativity. It gives you space and time to do the things that you may not allow time for in your daily life. Think about how you would like to spend your time in your ideal daily life and what you have always been drawn to. The retreat is a great opportunity to plant new seeds within you that have the potential to grow into new facets of your self-expression. Our retreats are limited to a small number of people and this gives us the ability to work with you on a 1:1 basis throughout your journey to help you set your intentions and be well prepared for your journey.
Will I vomit after drinking ayahuasca? People who take Ayahuasca are known to purge. This is the body’s way of releasing the blockages as you go through the cathartic process of ayahuasca. But this is not a process to be feared. The Ayahuasca purge is not like the vomit from a drunk night out nor the same with the physical response to a stomach bug. It is more of a whole body, mind and spirit tidal wave of release. Following a clean eating plan before the retreat as well as before the ceremony, as recommended by our shamans, will mean that your experience is more likely to be more gentle. Following an ayahuasca purging experience you will experience a sense of relief and calmness after being sick, maybe crying or excessive yawning. It’s part of the ceremony that many people go through and leaves you feeling relaxed, empty and ready to accept your personal transformation experience.