Howard G Charing and Peter Cloudsley join Javier Arevalo (Amazonian Shaman) and Artidoro (Amazonian Shaman) in discussing medicinal & spirit-healing herbs and their use. Visit our website and learn more about Ayahuasca Healings – iowaska ceremony.
Chullachaqui Caspi: Brysonima christianeae
The Amazonian folktale is about a gnome who lives deep in the jungle. Your friend is lost for a while and then appears again. Unbeknownst to you, he’s actually the mischievous Chullachaqui. He takes you deep into forest until it is too dark for you to see. Then he returns and you’re back! The fact that one or both of your feet are larger than the others, or that one is twisted back on itself is how you can identify him.
He is the guardian the Chullachaquicaspi plant, which can be applied directly to wounds to heal deep cuts or haemorrhages. Heavy lifting can damage nerves. Good for joints.
It is also a powerful, teacher plant. This helps you to get in touch with the spirit and guides you when you ‘diet. It will protect and take care of you. Because it grows in sandy soils with no roots, the tree’s roots are large and strong. There are red and white varieties. Both grow in low, damp places. It can help apprentices to recognize which plants are healing, and it can purify the mind of any psychosis. Chulla (Quechua) means twisted foot, and Chaqui the plant. It tastes better when it is prepared in water instead of alcohol.
Bad skin: The bark can be grated and boiled together with water. After that, the body will receive a steambath while being covered with a blanket. It is crucial to remove the bark, but not kill it. This could have serious mystic and spiritual consequences. It is a grounding herb that puts you in touch the inaudible vibrations from the earth.
The resin can also be taken from the trunk of the tree. It can be reduced and used for treating painful wounds. Also, oil can be extracted by boiling the oil over a long period of time.
Chiric Sanango, (Brunfelsia greatiflora).
Chiric is Quechua for “tickling or itching feeling” or the nervous chill you get when you are afraid. It has many useful properties. For example, it is popular among fishermen and loggers because they often come in contact with water. This is how they get arthritis. But not too much as it can make the mouth feel numb and leave you feeling dizzy. It can also serve as an emplast for the sight or swelling of the eyes. It can cause sweat to seep into the eyes from carrying heavy items. It warms the body and opens the heart.
You can prepare it in water, aguardiente or as syrup. It can be cooked or raw. This allows it to penetrate the bones better. It is excellent for severe arthritis, chills and after hernias.
It can be taken in water to be used as a teaching plant. It helps you to open your mind and heart. You become more active and it is recommended to follow up with a good soak. It can cause heat damage to your kidneys so it is not recommended. You can make ointments to massage with the starch. The flowers can be used to make floral baths. Mocapari can be referred to as Ashaninka.
Sachamangua: (Grias peruviana)