Until recently, we did not offer participation in shamanic diets to the general public. We only did so under special recommendations from a shaman for certain individuals, mostly in cases involving serious illness. In very rare instances, we organized shamanic diets when people were genuinely interested in learning Amazonian medicine.
After analyzing our experience working with people and testing various diet options on myself, I concluded that it could be offered to a broader audience as a general health practice.
The shamanic diet can promote detoxification, weight loss, stress relief, and tension reduction. It can also provide an excellent environment for mastering meditation and other forms of self-education.
I have selected what I consider to be the perfect location for shamanic diets. It is a large, beautiful, and comfortable house surrounded by jungle in the upper Amazon rainforest at the foothills of the Andes. Here, we organize diet processes that combine isolation from all the negative impacts of urban environments while providing all the necessary physical and aesthetic amenities for modern comfort.
On one hand, it’s not too far from civilization. On the other, it is a space of living nature, a jungle with all its inhabitants, which can be seen from the house’s terrace and even fed with fruits. You can enjoy the sounds of birds singing, cicadas buzzing, and rain showers when tropical downpours begin, around the clock. Since the house is built with high quality, there are no problems inside with heat, stuffiness, humidity, mosquitoes, gnats, or other insects and discomforts that many people face when staying in simple huts or shelters in the jungle.
What is a Shamanic Diet?
The shamanic diet consists of several elements.
- First, the person takes a decoction made from one (in rare cases, several) plants individually prescribed by the shaman. This occurs after participating in a shamanic ceremony.
- Second, the person strictly follows a specially designed diet. The shaman indicates which foods to avoid during the diet and which are preferable. Specially trained cooks, knowledgeable in local cuisine, prepare meals tailored to each individual on the diet.
- Third, based on consultation with the shaman and considering the person’s needs, we decide what additional self-restrictions they are willing to accept during the diet.
For example, in some cases, it is beneficial for a person to be disconnected from the world, without internet. In other cases, this may not be necessary. Sometimes it’s simply unrealistic for a person’s situation to be without the internet.
Couples should be aware that there are cases where the shamanic diet requires mandatory abstinence from sex, and we explain why this is necessary. However, there are types of diets where this is not essential. Some diets involve maximum isolation from the outside world, where the person does not even leave their room. But in most cases, it is perfectly fine to go outside and walk in nature, only avoiding urban and crowded spaces.
An important condition for us to accept someone for a shamanic diet is that they must have undergone at least three Ayahuasca ceremonies beforehand. This is crucial for the shaman to get to know the person well—their problems, illnesses, and predispositions. It’s easier to organize when the person visits during one of our open expeditions. However, in some cases, individual ceremonies can be arranged. Rarely, someone might not drink the Ayahuasca brew themselves but still attend the ceremony.
About the Length of the Diets
They can vary in length, starting from one week. This is decided based on the person’s capabilities and the goals they set for themselves. Alternating between a series of Ayahuasca ceremonies, a shamanic diet, and then another series of ceremonies can be very beneficial. After completing the diet, a person can go deeper into their inner world during ceremonies and have a particularly beautiful and valuable experience.
What Differentiates a Genuine Shamanic Diet from Imitations?
Just as with Ayahuasca ceremonies, it is crucial to have a real shaman. Without this, the diet process will not work as it was intended and created within the tradition. This is essential both at the time the plant is prescribed and during the diet itself. The shaman always maintains contact with those on the diet. That’s why preliminary ceremonies are so important. As I have repeatedly written, there are only a few genuine shamans left.
If a person undertakes a special strict shamanic diet to learn the power of the teacher plants of the Amazon, the cost of error is very high. Such diets should never be conducted without the guidance of an authentic shaman. Failure could lead to serious consequences. Traditionally, such diets were always assigned only to prepared individuals.
Today, most «shamanic» centers use «diets» as traps for the egos of esoteric tourists. Complete a month-long or half-year diet, and we’ll call you a shaman’s apprentice or even a shaman. This is deception and pandering to the vanity of people who have no idea what the life and work of a true shaman entail. This approach breeds a vast number of charlatans who then present themselves as shamans worldwide.
Diet for Treating Serious Illnesses
The cost of error or non-compliance with diet rules is also very high when a shaman prescribes a strict diet for treating severe illnesses. Each case is unique. We don’t take on everyone for treatment. In most severe cases, we advise people to seek help in modern medicine. Sometimes, we recommend combining the two types of medicine. For example, many methods of Amazonian medicine have proven very effective in alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and various surgeries.
In Which Other Cases is a Shamanic Diet Effective?
Amazonian medicine is extremely effective for depression and other emotional problems. Ceremonies and diets are very beneficial for people leading active, busy lives, involving decision-making and great responsibility, but which lead to stress buildup. Sometimes, a person needs a break to disconnect from the hustle and bustle, reassess something in their life, reset, and make important decisions.
Many people have already understood the effectiveness of our shamanic expeditions and have become regular visitors to Peru. Many have already become active members of the Odysseia club and our friends.
