Encyclopedia of ayahuasca and amazonian shamanizm

The book is an extensive encyclopedia of the ceremonial traditions of Amazonian peoples connected to the use of ayahuasca and teacher plants. It examines the history of the brew from the pre Columbian era to modern scientific interest, the botanical characteristics of six varieties of Banisteriopsis caapi and related admixture plants, the biochemistry of dimethyltryptamine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pharmacological interactions and contraindications, and the legal status of ayahuasca in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other countries. Separate sections explore the preparatory diet, the structure of ceremonies, the role of the curandero shaman, ritual healing songs known as icaros, the concept of the three worlds in Quechua cosmology, individual teacher plants such as mapacho, bobinsana, chiric sanango, huachuma, and others, as well as the integration of post ceremonial experiences. The book also references research into therapeutic applications for addiction, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder.

The book is intended for specialists in ethnobotany, anthropology, psychotherapy, and integrative medicine, as well as informed readers interested in the traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon. It is distributed strictly for cultural, anthropological, and educational purposes, as emphasized in the author’s disclaimer. The work is based on the author’s personal experience working with Quechua shamans, a review of scientific research, and ethnographic sources.