Admixtures are any number of plant ingredients that are added to traditional ayahuasca at the discretion of the curandero who is making the ayahuasca brew. Beside b. caapi and p. viridis, a curandero may add one or more other plant species to the ayahuasca mix in order to achieve a specific formulation, according to the treatment objective for which the ayahuasca is being prepared. Admixtures may also refer to plant ingredients which are used in ceremony, or in other healing practices of native peoples of the Amazon. Vapor baths, for example, may be prepared using plant species to infuse vapors with healing properties.
It is important to note that, as with any plant medicine and any medicine of any kind, ayahuasca and its admixtures are handled and the brew is produced in the hands of highly knowledgeable and experienced native curanderos who understand the relationship between each ingredient they use.
Ayahuasca is most known as a sacred brew made from two main plants: the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the chacruna or chacropanga leaves (Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana).
In some traditions, experienced healers may also add other plants to the brew or to the overall healing process. These additional plants are often called admixtures.
At Aya Healing Retreats, we understand ayahuasca as a living medicine that works on many levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Admixture plants are part of a broader relationship with the plants of the forest, guided by trained Shipibo healers who have spent many years studying with these medicines.
This article offers a simple, educational overview of ayahuasca admixtures and how they can be used in a safe and respectful way.
Ayahuasca admixtures are plants that may be added to the ayahuasca brew or used alongside ceremonies to support the healing process.
Some important points:
They are not random ingredients.
Each plant has its own spirit, energy and traditional uses.
The choice to use an admixture is made by a trained healer, not by guests.
In many cases, the core brew (vine + leaf) is already complete and no extra plants are needed.
Different Amazonian traditions have different approaches. Some lineages prefer a very simple brew with no admixtures at all. Others work with specific plants for specific intentions, always with care and respect.
From a holistic perspective, admixture plants can help to:
Support emotional release and inner clarity
Deepen connection to the heart and to nature
Offer protection and grounding during ceremony
Work on specific patterns, fears or blockages
Complement plant diets or other healing processes
For the healers, these plants are not just “ingredients”. They are allies that they have studied for many years, often through traditional dietas – periods of retreat, fasting and deep communion with a specific plant.
Because of this, admixtures are always used with intention. The healer listens to the person, to the group and to the plants, and decides what is appropriate in that moment.
Below are a few examples of plants that are sometimes used as admixtures or as part of a wider healing process in the Amazon. This is only for educational purposes and does not include recipes, doses or instructions for use.
Bobinsana is often associated with the heart. In traditional contexts, it is known for inviting softness, compassion and a deeper connection to one’s feelings. Many people experience it as a gentle, loving presence that supports emotional healing and connection to nature.
Ajo sacha has a strong, cleansing energy. Traditionally, it is used for protection and to clear heavy or stagnant energies. Healers may work with ajo sacha to support people who feel blocked, drained or weighed down by emotional or energetic burdens.
Chiric sanango is considered a powerful teacher plant. In some traditions it is used in diets to build strength, courage and resilience. Its energy can feel intense, so it is always handled with great care and only under the guidance of experienced healers.
Mapacho is a sacred tobacco used in many ceremonies. It is often smoked or blown as smoke in prayers, songs and blessings, rather than added directly to the cup of ayahuasca.
Healers may use mapacho to:
Protect and cleanse the energy field
Seal visions and insights
Offer prayers to the plant spirits
When it comes to ayahuasca admixtures, the healer’s role is central.
A trained Shipibo curandero or curandera:
Knows each plant through long study and direct experience
Understands how plants interact with each other and with different people
Decides when it is better to keep the brew very simple
Chooses plants based on the needs of each person and group
Holds the ceremonial space through icaros (healing songs), tobacco, perfumes and prayers
Guests do not choose their own admixtures. Instead, they are invited to relax, trust and receive what is most appropriate for their process, within clear safety guidelines.
Working with ayahuasca and any admixture plants requires great respect. At Aya Healing Retreats, safety is our main priority. Some key points:
We do not encourage the unsupervised use of ayahuasca or any other plant medicine.
We follow careful screening and health questionnaires before accepting guests.
We ask guests to follow specific dietary and medication guidelines, as some substances can interact in dangerous ways with ayahuasca and other plants.
We maintain a safe ceremonial container with experienced facilitators and Shipibo healers.
Ayahuasca and its admixtures are not a quick fix or a magic cure. They are part of a deep and often challenging path of self-knowledge and healing. It is important to come with humility, patience and an open heart.
At Aya Healing Retreats, our work with admixture plants is guided by Shipibo tradition and by many years of collaboration with our healers.
In practice, this means:
The core brew used in ceremonies is prepared by our Shipibo healers with great care and prayer.
Admixture plants may be included or not, depending on the healer’s guidance and on what is appropriate for the group.
Some plants are worked with through traditional diets or additional treatments, not necessarily inside the ayahuasca cup.
You will always receive clear explanations and support before, during and after ceremony.
If you feel genuinely called to work with these medicines and want to take the next step in a safe and supported way, you have two paths: you can speak with us first, or go straight to exploring our retreats and dates.
