Can you Drink Ayahuasca During your Period?
Are you curious about whether you can drink Ayahuasca on your period? This is a question many women have as they prepare for their journey with this powerful plant medicine. Ayahuasca ceremonies are deeply transformative, but periods have their own set of physical and emotional dynamics. In this article, we’ll explore the considerations and cultural perspectives, and outline our approach to drinking Ayahuasca on your period. Key takeaways Our position: At our retreat center, we allow women on their periods to drink Ayahuasca. There are some extra guidelines around this such as starting with a smaller dose. Practical Preparations: If you decide to join a ceremony during your period, prioritize comfort and warmth. Bring extra blankets, wear loose clothing, and consider herbal teas like raspberry leaf for uterine support. Open communication with facilitators ensures you receive the appropriate guidance and support. Diverse Traditions and Beliefs: Different shamans have different views on participating while on your period. Understanding these can help you make an informed decision that respects both traditional beliefs and your personal needs. Table of Contents Ayahuasca and menstruation Deciding to participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony can bring up many personal questions, especially when it comes to natural body processes like menstruation. It’s a sensitive issue; some spiritual leaders and shamans advise against drinking Ayahuasca while menstruating, based on long-standing traditions, while others see no problem and welcome everyone. This mixed guidance can make things confusing. You might wonder: “Should I go if I’m on my period? What could happen if I do?” These questions are important not only for your physical health but also for fitting in smoothly with the group and respecting the ceremony’s traditions. When facing this decision, it’s essential to gather as much information as possible and consider everyone involved in the ceremony. Understanding both the traditional reasons behind these guidelines and the experiences of other women can help you make a choice that feels right. Remember, the decision to participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony during menstruation should be made with care, respecting both the old ways and your personal well-being, ensuring that your experience is respectful and meaningful for everyone involved. Must read blog What to expect in your Ayahuasca ceremony Different approaches to women participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony on their period The practices surrounding a woman on her period participating in Ayahuasca ceremonies can vary significantly, not just from culture to culture, but even among individuals within the same community. This diversity in practice highlights how personal and subjective these traditions can be. For instance, in some settings, she might be asked not to participate at all, while in others, special accommodations are made, such as providing a designated area away from the main ceremony space. The reasoning behind these different approaches often stems from a belief held by some that menstruation can obscure the visions of other participants, though opinions on this can widely differ. Individual viewpoints on women drinking Ayahuasca on their period For example, Mama Concha is known for her preference that women on their periods do not join her ceremonies. On the flip side, Taita Miguel takes a more inclusive approach. During a pre-ceremony discussion, when a participant brought up Mama Concha’s advice against drinking Ayahuasca while menstruating, Taita Miguel acknowledged the validity of that perspective for Mama Concha’s ceremonies but was quick to point out that his ceremonies operate under different beliefs. Similarly, another shaman named Juan once hosted a ceremony where he asked a woman on her period to not go near the altar, aiming to respect certain traditional beliefs. Contrastingly, Sergio, another respected shaman, challenges these norms. After a ceremony that included a participant on her period, he asked others if they felt any difference in their experience, using this as a teachable moment to suggest that much of the concern might be rooted in superstition. These varied examples underline the importance of respecting each medicine giver’s practices and the cultural nuances they bring to their ceremonies. For participants, being aware of these differences and engaging in open dialogue with the ceremony leaders can ensure that everyone’s journey with Ayahuasca is respected and fulfilling, harmonizing personal needs with communal and cultural expectations. Understanding cultural beliefs about menstruation and Ayahuasca ceremonies A belief in not mixing medicines The beliefs surrounding menstruation and participation in Ayahuasca ceremonies are deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual frameworks of indigenous communities. Many cultures regard each phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle as spiritually significant, viewing it as a time for women to reflect on the past month’s stresses and challenges, which can potentially lead to heightened emotional states. Some traditions consider this introspective process as a natural medicinal period, suggesting that the profound personal insights and emotional cleansing it provides may eliminate the need for other spiritual medicines like Ayahuasca during this time. A belief reflecting patriarchal views Some suggest that these traditions may also reflect outdated gender norms, influenced by patriarchal values. Historically, women’s roles and rights were restricted in many societies, including indigenous ones, which could have shaped various cultural practices. For example, the restriction against women participating in ceremonies during menstruation might have been initially promoted by men who labeled women as emotionally unstable during their periods. This could have been a tactic to encourage women to focus on self-care, to prevent them from “contaminating” the communal experience, thus perpetuating a narrative that served to maintain control under the pretence of cultural tradition. This conversation highlights the importance of continuously evaluating our practices to ensure they remain respectful and inclusive, balancing traditional wisdom with a modern understanding of gender equality. How menstruation affects your Ayahuasca ceremony For women considering participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony during their menstrual period, it’s important to set realistic expectations and prepare for the experience, which can differ significantly from their usual menstrual cycle. First, it’s not uncommon for some women to experience an increased level of bleeding when they drink Ayahuasca during menstruation. This can
