Ayahuasca & Wachuma Preparation

The Arbol Method

Reserve Your Space

Plant medicine work requires respect, preparation, and responsibility.
At Ruhani Wellness Centre, safety is not an add-on.
It is the foundation of The Arbol Method.

This page explains how we prepare guests physically, emotionally, and psychologically for ayahuasca and wachuma ceremonies in Costa Rica.

Medical & Safety Guidelines

The shamans and facilitators at Ruhani Wellness Centre have years of experience holding sacred gatherings. However, it is critical that you disclose any medical conditions or medications you are taking before attending a retreat. Certain medical conditions and substances are incompatible with Jungle medicine and may pose serious health risks.

  • If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, liver/kidney issues, or psychological disorders, consult your doctor before attending.

  • You must disclose any prescribed medications at the time of booking.

  • You are responsible for your own health and agree to participate at your own risk.

If you are unsure whether your medications or health conditions may interfere with Jungle medicine, please consult a knowledgeable physician.

Why Safety Matters in Sacred Plant Remedies

Plant medicine opens the nervous system.
Without preparation, this can feel overwhelming.

That’s why we focus on:

  • medical screening

  • emotional readiness

  • informed consent

  • structured integration

Safety creates trust.
Trust allows transformation.

Medical & Psychological Screening

Before acceptance, every guest completes:

  • medical intake form

  • mental safety screening

  • one-on-one review

Certain conditions and medications are not compatible with ayahuasca or wachuma.
We are honest about this. Always.

This protects you.
And the group.

Medications & Substances to Avoid

Jungle medicine is an MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor), and certain drugs can cause dangerous or even fatal reactions when combined with it. You must completely stop taking the following substances before your retreat:

🚫 Prescription & Over-the-Counter Medications

  • MAO Inhibitors – Must be discontinued at least four weeks before gathering.

  • SSRIs & Antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Paxil, etc.) – Must be discontinued six weeks prior to avoid serotonin syndrome.

  • Decongestants, Antihistamines & Cold Medications – Including pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, Benadryl, Sudafed, and other allergy medications.

  • Asthma Inhalers – May cause respiratory distress or high blood pressure.

  • Amphetamines (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, etc.) – Must be completely out of your system before the gathering.

  • Opiates & Painkillers – Including codeine, oxycodone, tramadol, and fentanyl.

  • Sleep Medications & Sedatives – Such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan).

  • Blood Pressure Medication – Must be discussed with your doctor before attending.

  • Certain Antibiotics (Linezolid, Zyvox) – Acts as an MAOI and can cause dangerous interactions.

 🚫 Recreational Drugs & Alcohol

  • Cocaine, MDMA (Ecstasy), Amphetamines & Methamphetamines – May cause dangerously high blood pressure and heart complications.

  • Opiates & Heroin – Increases the risk of respiratory depression.

  • Alcohol & Marijuana – Should be avoided at least one week before and after the gathering.

Ayahuasca & Wachuma Dieta Explained

Dieta is not a punishment.
It’s preparation.

The dieta supports:

  • nervous system regulation

  • emotional clarity

  • physical safety

Guests receive clear guidance on:

  • foods to avoid

  • substances to avoid

  • lifestyle adjustments

Dietary Guidelines Before gathering

For at least 21 days before your gathering, it is important to avoid certain foods and substances that may interfere with Jungle medicine’s effects.

🚫 Foods to Avoid

  • Fermented, Aged & Cured Foods – Cheese, soy sauce, miso, kimchi, kombucha.

  • Processed, Preserved & Smoked Meats – Bacon, sausages, pepperoni, dried fish.

  • Excess Salt & Sodium – Avoid heavily salted foods to enhance medicine absorption.

  • Overripe Fruits & Fermented Vegetables – Bananas, avocados, pickles.

  • Caffeine – Reduce or eliminate coffee at least one week before your gathering.

  • Sugar & Artificial Sweeteners – May dull the medicine’s effects.

🌿 Recommended Diet (JUNGLE MEDICINE Dieta)

  • Whole Foods & Fresh Vegetables
    Raw or steamed veggies, leafy greens, root vegetables.

  • Whole Grains Quinoa, millet, brown rice.

  • Lean Proteins Small amounts of fish, eggs, or white meat (if necessary).

  • Raw Nuts & Seeds Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds (unsalted).

  • Plenty of Water & Herbal Teas Stay hydrated and avoid stimulants.

Emotional & Energetic Safety

To fully connect with the medicine’s teachings, it is recommended to abstain from certain activities leading up to the retreat:

  • No sexual activity (including self-pleasure) for at least 7 days before and after.

  • Avoid other plant medicines (including tobacco, cannabis, and psychedelics) before and after.

  • Minimize screen time, social media, and excessive stimulation before your retreat.

Transformation is not just physical.

We emphasize:

  • emotional boundaries

  • group agreements

  • consent and respect

  • grounded facilitation

No pressure.
No performance.
No forcing experiences.

Integration Is Part of Safety

A powerful ceremony without integration can destabilize people.

That’s why The Arbol Method includes:

  • pre-retreat preparation calls

  • post-retreat integration calls

  • nervous system education

Integration keeps transformation safe, slow, and sustainable.

Additional Considerations

  • Pregnant women should NOT participate in Jungle medicine gatherings.

  • If you have a history of mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or psychosis, please notify us in advance.

  • If you are taking hormonal medications, steroids, or other prescription drugs, consult a doctor and inform our team.

Our Responsibility as Facilitators

We do not promise miracles.
We promise presence, structure, and care.

Sacred plant remedies deserve humility.
Transformation is a personal journey.

If something here doesn’t resonate, take what serves your heart and leave the rest with love.

Plant medicine should only be approached with skilled guidance, preparation, and support.

Scarlet macaw mid-flight with outstretched wings against a blurred green background.

Final Preparations & Responsibility

This sacred experience requires your physical, mental, and emotional readiness. By attending the retreat, you acknowledge:

  • You have disclosed all medical conditions and medications truthfully.

  • You take full responsibility for your health and well-being during the retreat.

  • You will follow the dietary and safety guidelines to ensure a smooth experience.

  • You understand the importance of preparation and integration for the best transformational outcome.

If you have any questions, concerns, or specific medical conditions, please contact our team before your retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Ayahuasca can be safe when done in a responsible setting with medical screening, experienced facilitators, proper preparation, and integration support. Safety also depends on your health history and medications. At Ruhani Wellness Centre, we focus on clear screening, preparation guidance, and a structured process through The Arbol Method.

  • Preparation usually includes medical screening, dieta guidance, reducing stimulants and alcohol, setting intentions, and emotional readiness work. We also recommend learning basic grounding tools so your nervous system feels supported. In The Arbol Method, preparation starts before you arrive with structured guidance and pre-retreat calls.

  • Dieta is a preparation plan that supports your body and nervous system before plant medicine work. It often includes simpler foods, avoiding certain substances, and lifestyle adjustments. Dieta matters because it can reduce physical stress, support emotional clarity, and help you enter ceremony with more stability and respect for the medicine.

  • The Arbol Method is a structured healing system, not just a ceremony. It combines preparation, guided plant medicine experiences, and long-term integration support. Most retreats focus on the ceremony itself. We focus on what happens before and after, where real healing occurs.

  • Integration at Ruhani is intentional and guided. Guests receive pre-retreat preparation, post-retreat integration calls, nervous system education, and psychological tools. We don’t leave people alone after ceremony. Integration is built into the process from the beginning.

  • Sacred plants can support trauma healing when approached with structure, safety, and integration. Trauma lives in the nervous system, so proper pacing and support are essential. The Arbol Method combines sacred plant-remedies with psychological awareness to avoid overwhelm and promote stability.

  • Strong emotions are common after plant medicine work. This doesn’t mean something is wrong. Integration support helps you process emotions safely, regulate your nervous system, and understand what is emerging. You are not expected to handle everything alone.

  • Integration is an ongoing process. The most important phase is the weeks immediately following ceremony, which is why The Arbol Method includes structured post-retreat support. Healing unfolds over time as insights are applied to daily life.

  • Yes, when approached with readiness and care. First-time participants benefit greatly from preparation, education, and integration support, which are core parts of The Arbol Method. We move slowly and intentionally.

  • After a retreat, many people feel open, sensitive, or full of insight. This is normal. The key is integration: reflecting on what happened, stabilizing your nervous system, and turning insights into daily actions. At Ruhani, post-retreat support is built into The Arbol Method so you don’t feel alone when you return to real life.

  • Integration helps you translate ceremony into real change. It supports emotional processing, nervous system expansion, healthier choices, and new habits. Without integration, insights can fade and old patterns can return. With integration, your experience becomes something you can live, not just remember.

  • Costa Rica offers strong accessibility, a peaceful natural environment, and an ideal setting for deep inner work. Nature supports regulation, reflection, and grounding. At Ruhani Wellness Centre in Costa Rica, we combine the land’s healing container with structure, safety, and integration through The Arbol Method.

  • No prior experience is required. What matters most is emotional readiness, medical safety, and a willingness to integrate the work. Preparation helps ensure the experience is supportive rather than overwhelming.

  • Ayahuasca often works deeply with emotions, trauma, and subconscious patterns. Wachuma is generally more heart-centered and grounding, often connected to nature and purpose. Each medicine serves different stages of healing and is used intentionally within The Arbol Method.

  • Yes. Many people experience changes in relationships, boundaries, and purpose after plant medicine work. Integration support helps you navigate these changes consciously, so insights lead to healthier choices rather than confusion.

  • The Arbol Method is focused on grounded personal healing and integration, not chasing spiritual highs. Spiritual insight may arise, but the emphasis is on how your experience improves your everyday life.

  • Feeling unsure is normal. Preparation calls are designed to address fears, clarify expectations, and support emotional readiness. Fear often softens when people feel informed and supported.

  • Facilitators create a safe, respectful, and grounded container. They are present, attentive, and trained to support emotional and energetic processes without forcing experiences or interpretations.