Banisteriopsis caapi is a giant jungle vine of the Malphigiaceae family that is native to the Amazonian jungle. This long woody vine with many branches can reach a height of 40 feet. It’s round, green leaves are pointy at the end while its flowers, which rarely emerge in the tropics, have small white or pink petals.
Traditionally the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, commonly known as Ayahuasca, has been used in ritual context throughout the Amazonian rainforest and is known as “the great teacher” and the “vine of the soul” in the Quechuan language.
Shamans of the Amazon claim that they can achieve altered states of consciousness just by using this plant alone. Considered a ‘Master Plant Teacher’, there are approximately 70+ tribes who have traditionally used this vine for various purposes, including healing, spiritual sight, foretelling the future, divination and is responsible for the breadth of botanical knowledge held by these tribes peoples.