How to prepare yourself?
Preparing for Your Ayahuasca Ceremony
A Sacred Diet and Health Precautions
Before embarking on your journey with Ayahuasca, it’s essential to prepare your body and mind through a sacred diet. At Naturalia, we honor this traditional preparation to ensure you are fully ready to embrace the medicine. The diet is designed to cleanse and support your body, allowing the medicine to work more effectively. While experts may have varying opinions on the importance of the diet, we strongly recommend starting this process at least 3 to 5 days before your retreat.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods should be avoided before and during your ceremony due to their potential interaction with the sacred medicine. These include
- Stimulants: Caffeine, spices, chili, fats, oil, salt, and sugar.
- Fermented foods: Soy sauce, Miso, Tofu, beer, wine, cheese, and yeast.
- Tyramine-rich foods: Mature avocados, figs, prunes, peanuts, chocolate, and others.
- Alcohol: Avoid alcohol for at least a week before, during, and after the retreat
- Sexual activity: It’s also recommended to refrain from sex or masturbation for several days before and after the retreat.
This diet supports the cleansing process and prepares your body to welcome the medicine with an open heart.
Health Precautions
While Ayahuasca is generally safe for most people, there are certain health conditions that require special attention. To ensure your safety, we advise against drinking Ayahuasca if you:
- Are taking recreational drugs (e.g., Cocaine, héroïne, MDMA, LSD…) – you must stop their consumption at least 1 month before your retreat
- Are taking antidepressants or SSRIs (e.g., Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil) – you must stop these medications at least 2 weeks before your retreat.
- Have a chronic heart condition, severe blood pressure issues, or mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or suicidal tendencies.
- Are currently on or recently finished an antibiotic treatment.
- Suffer from diabetes.
If any of these conditions apply to you, please consult with your doctor and obtain medical approval before joining the ceremony. You will be required to complete a *Medical Questionnaire* prior to the retreat to ensure a safe experience.
Sample Meals for Your Preparation
Here are some meal ideas to help you prepare at home and support your journey:
- *Roasted tomatoes on steamed rice* with garlic and parsley.
- *Pumpkin soup* made with garlic and onion, paired with steamed whey.
- *Roasted potatoes* with rosemary and steamed fish with tomatoes.
- *Steamed chicken* with garlic, carrot, and spinach for a high-protein meal.
- *Poached eggs* on quinoa with garlic and green peas.
- *Lentils slow-cooked* with tomatoes, garlic, carrots, and oregano—perfect for cold days.
We hope this guidance helps you prepare for your journey. If you have any questions or need more information, recipes, or support, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you have a safe and transformative experience.