Yopo

Yopo

Yopo is a visionary seed used by various tribes in South America. Archaeological evidence dates from its use more than 4000 years ago. This medicine is protected by the indigenous tribes of Yanomami, Sikuani and Piaroa and is used for spiritual and healing purposes.

All medicinal plants have an elemental nature, and the elemental nature of yopo is air, or the heavenly realms, due to the nature in which it is administered. Yopo is inhaled through the nose to produce vision (pint). Tribes take this medicine for insight and guidance on what is needed individually for their own healing, for the healing of their community, or for a patient they are healing.

The Yopo tree, Anadenanthera peregrine, survives best in the dry tropics. The dark brown leather pods grow to 35 cm and contain a very flat reddish brown seed 1-2 cm wide. The dried seeds are lightly roasted and then ground into a fine powder that is mixed with a natural alkalizing powdered peel and ground banana leaves. The alkalinity of the soil husk helps activate the psychoactive alkaloids found in the seeds of the Yopo tree.

Tobacco is inhaled or blown through an applicator (traditionally made of bone or bamboo) during a ritual ceremony. Yopo contains a combination of DMT, bufotenin and psychoactive compounds 5-MeO-DMT and produces a profound sensory experience.

After a brief initial period of discomfort, the pinta (sacred vision) begin to appear. The yopo brings clarity, guidance, healing, and deep spiritual openings.

The medicine of yopo, similar to yagé, travels to our origin and offers us consultations with the spirits of nature.

The Yopo medicine ceremony is offered as a therapy in our 10-day retreats at Finca Ambiwasi. Through the years, we have discovered that it is an incredibly powerful and healing medicine that allows our spiritual work to go deeper.