Description
Tsunu ash for rapé powder | Platycyamus regnellii | #14
This is Tsunu ash rapé (Platycyamus regnellii) powder made from the sacred Tsunu tree bark. It was prepared by an indigenous Shaman who lives in the Acre state in Brazil. The Tsunu ash rapé powder is a basic ingredient in its pure form for rapé making or adding to existing rapés.
Platycyamus regnellii is a deciduous tree of the Fabaceae family with a dense, globose crown. It can grow 10 – 20 meters tall. The trunk can be 40 – 60cm in diameter. The tree is fast-growing, beautiful when in bloom, and can be planted as a pioneer species for restoring woodland.
What is Rapé?
Rapé, pronounced ‘ha-pey’ in Portuguese, is a traditional snuff used by various indigenous tribes of South America. Predominantly tribal people from Brazil and Peru. Rapé blends contain a ground mixture of plants, tree bark, seeds, and ash. The fine powder is blown into each nostril through a bone or bamboo pipe called a ‘Tepi’ or ‘Kuripe’. The Tepi applicator is a long blow pipe that connects the nostril of the receiver to the mouth of the person that administers the snuff. The Kuripe is for self-application. The V-shaped applicator connects the nostril to the mouth allowing the snuff to be self-blown into the nose.
Each tribe has its own rapé formula and usually, it is women who gather the ingredients. The selection, mixture, and grinding process are regarded as a ritual only to be performed by a reputable healer. The snuff is typically made in small batches according to the specific needs of the person being treated or the ceremony’s occasion.
The use of Rapé aims to restore our connection to nature and a sense of grounding. It clears mental fog and confusion eliminating negative thought patterns. These powerful snuffs bring about physical and spiritual wellness.
Read more:
Step by step guide to using Rapé.
What is Rapé – Waking Herbs blog
