Integration -

After Your Diet

While working with Amazon plant medicines can be catalytic, it is the work after your diet that requires the most attention. The pathway of working with Amazon medicine for healing and knowledge is lifelong. Too few people take integration seriously even though it most formative part of the work. Not giving attention to this critical phase in your healing work can set you back.

The time after your diet can be transformative. In the right setting, it can be a period of deep reflection where we meditate on what we have learned in the context of our every day lives. Set time and space aside to continue with your post diet for at least a month. An ideal environment would be in solitude in nature but for most of us, we don’t have this luxury and our home and working environments are often very different from the rainforest. If we live in cities, returning home it can be jarring so it is important to think about the environment you will return to in your trip planning.

Beneficial Habits

It’s important to keep grounded in these times and protect your personal space. Good habits such as eating well at regular intervals, exercising, manual work, fresh air, sunlight, good sleep, yoga, walking, and time spent in nature are very beneficial. If you have a beneficial mind/body practice this would be a great time to focus on it. Activities that positively channel your energies are also supportive: journalling, cooking, woodwork, painting (any creative practice), cleaning, etc. Sauna and other water therapies can be extremely beneficial as they are both relaxing and detoxifying. In addition, it is recommended to curate your space to be peaceful and free from noise and distraction. Be mindful of the time your spend with media/internet as this can sometimes negatively interfere with your peace of mind.

Integration Support

Seeking community can be very beneficial in these times but keep in mind that you are in a sensitized state and can be vulnerable to others’ influence and energy. Usually after working with Amazonian plants, the psyche is very open and can be susceptible to influence. It is importance to have a plan for what you will do in the following months when you return home and what your support system will be. It is very important to surround yourself with supportive and non-judgemental people as we are sensitive to the influence of others. Even in the Ayahuasca community, there are strongly opinionated people who can influence you (not always for the best). If you find yourself confused or anxious after your retreat, we can help you find the right support. It is important to your process to seek help when you need it. Fortunately, now there are trained people such as psychotherapists who are dedicated to helping you on your path and understand the challenges and problems of the modern world. We would be happy to connect you with an experienced certified psychotherapist or integration specialist at any point in your journey

Take Care of Yourself

It is also essential that you visit with your doctor and/or naturopath when you return home. There is always the danger of picking up infections and illnesses in any foreign country but travels south of the Equator are particularly risky. It is not uncommon for travellers to pick up parasitic infections that may present themselves after returning home. Also, you can become depleted in vital nutrients after working with plant medicines. Working with any strong plant remedy can tax certain organs and systems of the body, particularly the liver, kidneys, and gut. An integrated approach to healing involves working with the best of all modalities and resources.

Integration Retreats

If you have the time and resources, even better is to reserve an integration retreat with one of our partners. This is the best way to ensure the success of your diet. With an integration retreat, you can benefit with the right diet, a supportive environment in nature, and continued connection with your healers while enjoying plenty of opportunities for deeper exploration and learning of the rich culture and traditions of the region.