What is a ‘dieta’ in the Ayahuasca Tradition?
The Roots of Plant Medicine
The Traditional Plant Dieta
In the indigenous healing traditions of the Western Amazon, ayahuasca forms the core of the practice, yet it is the plant dieta that truly enriches and deepens this spirit healing tradition.
What is a Dieta?
A plant dieta, often seen as the foundation of this tradition, is a sacred commitment between a curandero (or student of curanderismo) and a particular plant spirit. This agreement, or dieta, involves a dedicated period where the person follows specific dietary and behavioral restrictions to strengthen their spiritual connection with the plant.
The dieta may begin at the invitation of the plant spirit itself, often appearing in an ayahuasca ceremony or through a dream. Other times, it’s initiated by a curandero, an apprentice, or at the guidance of a teacher. Through this sacred process, individuals receive wisdom, healing, and guidance, forming a deep, enduring bond with the plant spirit that supports their path in traditional plant medicine.
Defining the Agreement
Before embarking on a plant dieta, the conditions are carefully outlined and agreed upon. A central aspect of this commitment is the duration, which can range from as short as eight days to several months or even years. Throughout this period, the curandero or student dedicates themselves to their highest spiritual development. This is often achieved through abstinence from physical pleasures, such as sex, alcohol, as well as indulgent foods, like those that are sweet, spicy, or rich, as a way to express their dedication. In return, the plant spirits offer teachings, guidance, protection, strength, and sometimes even unique abilities. The dieta is usually conducted in relative isolation, minimizing distractions and avoiding external influences.
One notable feature of the dieta is that its terms can be flexible. For example, while a plant spirit might initially ask for a year-long commitment, the curandero may propose a shorter timeframe, negotiating until a mutually agreeable period is established. Similarly, aspects like dietary restrictions are discussed, though traditional limitations are usually respected. Typically, a dieta entails abstaining from all sexual activity and alcohol, and consuming only a few simple foods. This simplicity sharpens sensitivity to subtle energies and strengthens the bond with the plant spirits, maximizing the dieta’s potential for transformation.
Opening the Dieta:
Demonstrating our Determination
Once the terms of the dieta are established, it is formally initiated, typically by a curandero for their student. This initiation involves a purposeful declaration through icaros sung in an ayahuasca ceremony, marking the start of the dieta. Alongside the curandero’s role, the student also opens the dieta with personal prayers to the plant, strengthening their commitment and connection to the plant spirit.
With the dieta spiritually activated, the physical practices of the dieta begin. The dieter consumes an extract from the dieta plant, which may be prepared as a tea from its leaves, bark, or roots, or as smoke if inhaled through a pipe crafted from the plant itself. Often, mapacho is included in this preparation to create a potent link to the plant’s essence. Dieters are encouraged to mindfully smoke mapacho, ideally using a pipe made from the dieta plant, to further enhance their spiritual bond.
Fasting and Following
During the initial phase, when the plant extract is ingested, the dieter observes a fast of at least two days, sometimes extending longer with limited water intake. After the fast, they transition to a restricted diet per the agreed terms. Some students may follow a more flexible dieta prescribed by their teacher, including staple foods like rice, beans, select vegetables, and bananas, though stricter regimens are available for those who wish to deepen their dedication. Ultimately, it is the dieter’s responsibility to uphold the terms, but when a teacher sets the guidelines, they also offer support to help the student honor their commitment.
Beyond Outward Expressions:
Plant Dietas are Acts of Devotion to Spirits
In a plant dieta, thoughts and emotions hold a greater influence on the process than physical actions, as they reflect our internal landscape. Thoughts of frustration, longing for favorite foods, or inner resistance—such as complaining or doubting—highlight our level of commitment and intention.
Throughout the dieta, participants focus on cultivating a relationship with the plant spirit through quiet contemplation, singing icaros, spending time near the plant, and using mapacho to deepen the connection. Smoking mapacho with purpose invites an exchange with the plant spirit, opening a space for insights to emerge in dreams or meditative states. As dieters tune into subtle sensations from the plant, they create an authentic bond; the sincerity of their focus enhances this connection, making it increasingly powerful.
Building a Lifelong Connection
As the dieta unfolds, this relationship strengthens, evolving into a deep alliance between the dieter and the plant spirit, offering valuable insights, strength, and guidance on the healing path. Although the depth of this bond varies and can require ongoing dedication, a dieta approached with pure intentions and a receptive mind often results in a lasting, beneficial connection. With a lifelong commitment to nurturing this bond, the plant spirit’s influence endures and continues to grow, supporting the dieter well beyond the dieta’s formal end.
Completing the Agreement
Closing a Plant Dieta
When the duration and terms of a plant dieta are completed, it is formally closed, usually within the setting of an ayahuasca ceremony. In this ritual, the dieta is honored as complete, with gratitude expressed to the plant spirit through icaros and heartfelt prayers. This often includes a commitment to respect and apply the insights gained in ways that benefit others.
In certain traditions, a second ceremony follows the next morning, where the dieter performs a special dance and song to show appreciation once more. During this time, the dieter may consume specific foods, like salted hot peppers or fermented corn or yucca, as a gentle reintroduction to a broader diet.
Post-Dieta
Following the dieta’s close, a period known as the post-dieta serves to extend the connection with the plant spirit beyond the formal commitment. While the contractual obligations have ended, the bond with the plant spirit remains, and ongoing respect is essential. During the post-dieta, reintroducing foods such as salt, sugar, and oil is done with mindfulness, appreciating the discipline and sacrifices made without rushing back into former indulgences. This phase is akin to transitioning a deep relationship to a new level—though the formal commitments are over, careless or abrupt actions could weaken the bond. This post-dieta approach allows for a thoughtful, balanced integration, preserving the wisdom and connection cultivated throughout the dieta.
Plant Dieta vs. ‘Ayahuasca Diet’
With the growing popularity of ayahuasca among foreigners and the rise of ayahuasca tourism, a new dietary regimen has emerged, commonly referred to as the “ayahuasca diet.” This diet was developed primarily as a safety measure, designed to prevent adverse reactions during ceremonies. Ayahuasca can have dangerous interactions with certain substances, particularly pharmaceutical drugs, especially SSRIs and other antidepressants. Additionally, some foods, such as dairy, can negatively interact with ayahuasca.
While following the ayahuasca diet can demonstrate personal commitment and is beneficial for preparation, it is distinct from the traditional plant dieta. Unlike the ayahuasca diet, the plant dieta is a foundational spiritual practice in Amazonian plant medicine—a sacred commitment that goes far beyond dietary restrictions, rooted in a profound relationship between the dieter and plant spirits. The traditional dieta is an essential part of the healing science of the Amazon and holds deep spiritual significance.