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A Classification of Banisteriopsis Species
Used in Ayahuasca Preparations

1. Banisteriopsis caapi

Numerous types of ayahuasca vine are recognized by shamans and curanderos in the Peruvian Amazon.  Most of these shamanic "species" are botanically indistinguishable from Banisteriopsis caapi but may have many local names according the lineage and purpose of the shamanic practitioner.

The following list of names those most commonly reported in scores of interviews and apprenticeships of various durations with traditional vegetalistas, ayahuasqueros, and curanderos of other disciplines in Departamento Loreto, Peru from 1995 to present.

ayahuasca cielo or ayahuasca amarilla
~ heaven (sky) ayahuasca or yellow ayahuasca ~ This is the type of ayahuasca most commonly used in contemporary mestizo curanderismo in Amazonian Perú where it is widely cultivated.  It is a relatively gentle but powerful healing plant capable of vivid and highly transformative visions.  Cielo Ayahuasca is considered to be the best type of ayahuasca for initiation.

ayahuasca trueno or ayahuasca negra
~ thunder ayahuasca or black ayahuasca ~

This type of ayahuasca provokes especially strong purge and physical shaking which can be overwhelming. Ayahuasca trueno should be taken only by those experienced with the medicine.

  ayahuasca india or ayahuasca negra
~ Indian ayahuasca or black ayahuasca ~

This type of ayahuasca is harvested exclusively from the 'monte'(old-growth unflooded white sand rainforest.  It is not cultivated.  It is a powerful variety widely used by pre-columbian indigenous people.

ayahuasca blanca - white ayahuasca

This type of ayahuasca is used primarily in magic, both white (benevolent) and red ( = black or harmful)

ayahuasca colorada - red ayahuasca

This is a very strong shamanic medicine taken almost exclusively by shamans themselves to facilitate healing of others.

The use of colors to describe these types of ayahuasca may be based on the nature and character
of the visionary experiences as well as the physical color of the plant.

Native Classification of Ayahuasca Types
Based on Effects and Symbolism
(from Junquera, 1989)

Classification of the Meaning - Effect - Symbolism

Harakmbet Indians

1. Boyanhe Green (unripe): produces visions of hunting, fishing, searching for property, migrations, visions, etc.

2. Sisi Flesh of ancestors: visions of heaven, here understood as the universe of the past to the present.

3. Kemeti Flesh of the tapir: signs which aim at recreating the mythical universe.

4. Mbakoi Bird: pictures with vivid colors. Birds are considered the ideal beings for undertaking shamanic journeys.

5. Wakeregn White: white images which show the journey to Seronhai, a place where the dead stay. In this place, it is possible to speak with the Tonemei-Kindah (the first harakmbet)

6. Benkuja Blue: impressive images. This agent is only utilized by shamans after the fourth or fifth session, as its effects are permanent.

7. Yari Huangana (animal or place): vivid and colorful images. A strong agent producing delusions which should be used with caution, as it can lead to complete unconsciousness from which it is not permitted to return.

8. Nembuya Little Forest: quickly points out those animals which the shaman requires to journey to the various zones of the universe.

9. Bihihi Laziness: Produces images of the mythical universe.

10. Keren Thunder.

11. Pet-pet Jaguar: This agent leads to the land of the jaguar, where the medicine men receive magical clothes which enable them to transform themselves.

12. Benkuje Wookpecker: The leaves of this agent contain a spirit who chops apart the illness and inaugurates the healing process.

13. Anidoyak Drawing: forms an image in the body of the sick person if there is a possibility of a cure. The image remains in the body of the person after the cure so that he or she does not become ill again.

14. Wenekey Yellow bird: This agent elicits yellowish colors and speeds up or slows down movement.

15. Takature Exotic spirit: enables the shamans assistant to creep into him, so that he may see what the shaman does in order to remain in trance.

16. Soeti Monkey: This agent is a beverage of flour and herbs which make it possivle for the shaman to spring from tree to tree during the night without getting injured.

17. Waksik Fish: (Myletes): Allows the shaman to dive under water and thereby acquire knowledge about this area which can aid him in his activities.

18. Tigrillo Tigrillo: Is used during hunting ceremonies or for similar purposes during the medicine man ritual.

19. Yahenko To knock on the earth: The spirits disappear under the earth and arrive in the realm of the Toto in order to render them ineffective.

20. Ebahote See far: The shaman uses this to see from the heavens where magical medicines which can heal illness can be purchased.

21. Etuhehen Roll together: The assistants take extracts of this plant in order to disguise themselves in a little forest where they wait for evil spirits, so that they can inform the shaman how to render these evils harmless.

22. Ehehurik Smell: The smells of this agent are vital for victory.

be sure to visit our
online reference library
of with excellent selected articles about plant spirit shamanism, ayahuasca, huachuma, and other sacred
medicine plants of Peru

and follow these links to other good websites with information about Amazonian shamanism, ethnobotany, ayahuasca, plant healing, and related topics.

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