Jungle Remedies

From a Western perspective, tobacco is considered a dangerous and addictive vice. However, tobacco is considered a master plant teacher in the Amazon — often used to heal physical and spiritual ailments.

Using rapé powder can have a number of benefits, for instance, it can:

• Help with mental illness and even aid in addiction treatment.
• Provide a sense of calm that when used on a regular basis can lead to an overall change in mood. It, therefore, helps relieve depression.
• Restore the sinuses and respiratory system by removing blockages from the breathing pathway.
• Clears your chakras (energy points) by detoxing you both physically and spiritually.
• Prepares you for intense experiences like ayahuasca and mushrooms ceremonies by removing bad vibes to help you find your true intention.
• Gives an overall sense of clarity to think and focus better.

When working with rapé, side effects should be expected. The tribes call these reactions “cleaning.” This includes symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea. Not everyone will experience these effects, but it’s best to be prepared. From a Western perspective, tobacco snuff, or “smokeless tobacco,” does contain carcinogens. Traditionally rapé is used ceremonially, and like many indigenous perspectives on plant medicine, there’s wisdom in this approach. Ceremonial use prevents people from being able to abuse the plant and establishes a level of respect for the plant and how it should be used.

Tradition states that having someone blow you rapé means they are putting their life force into you, so choose someone you trust. Rapé is often given outside for spiritual and practical reasons — such as a connection to nature, grounding, clear negative energy or spirit entities. The person giving or “blowing” rapé will sit across from the receiver. The blower will choose the appropriate amount based on the person’s experience level, the strength of the rapé, and intentions.