Dietas

Dieta is the Spanish word for diet, however, when used in the context of Amazonian herbalist traditions that also deal with more powerful and often reality-altering and visionary varieties of plants known as plantas maestras or teacher-plants, it means much more than that. It describes dietary and behavioral regimens that allow one to move most safely and effectively into working relationships with such plants. These relationships can bring about profound transformations, and the Dietas are designed to best facilitate them.

The Dietas originated as a plant-based practice for developing attunement to the currents of spirit that surround the material world. The Dietas are part of broader systems of human-plant relationships that characterize many of the indigenous people of Amazonia. As the Amazon basin is populated by a high concentration of plants whose constituents are “active” medicinally, and hem for thousands of years, the Dieta tradition is very well developed.

During Dietas sugar, salt, spices, certain red meats (especially pork), acidic fruits, fermented foods, alcohol, and stimulants are avoided, as well as well as any sexual activity or stimulation from the outside world. It is a time for meditation and introspection in order to strengthen our connection with the natural world. A combination of healing plants and teacher plants are used in a ritualistic structure that inspires self-discipline. Dietas are designed for the individual as far as use of specific plants is concerned; part of them addresses emotional, psychological and spiritual issues, including the use of the planta maestra Ayahuasca with its visionary qualities and part of them are plants for physical ailments or weaknesses (although body and soul are fully connected, different types of focused assistance are important). During Dietas isolation and introspection are necessary to take full advantage of the process.

Dietas act therapeutically in a variety of ways; they modify states of consciousness and purify the body and soul, they stimulate the immune system, they help directly through their active ingredients for a variety of ailments, they focus and fortify intention and provide access to communication with nature and an ancestral body of knowledge. Some of the plants used are Ajosacha, Bachuja, Bobinsana, Bolaquiro, Chiric Sanango, Chuchuhuasha, Huayra Caspi, Mokura, Nina Caspi, Renaquillo, Uchu Sanango, Uchpahuasha Sanango, Uña de gato, Yacu Sisa and, of course, Ayahusca.

TierraMítica will be offering several programs of custom designed Dietas according to the health requirements of each participant together with special, organic alimentation. Dietas do not necessarily use Ayahuasca and it is the choice of each person where they wish to target their diet, although usually three or four ceremonies are included in the Dieta in order to purge, cleanse and take better advantage of the opening achieved through other medicine. We do not need to wait to take advantage of the gifts nature has freely provided for us.