Diet & Health Preparation
Preparing Your Body for a Transformative Journey
At Lotus Vine Journeys, our highest intention is to support your healing journey in a way that feels safe, nurturing, and deeply transformative. Physical preparation plays an essential role when working with sacred plant medicines like Ayahuasca, Psilocybin, and Wachuma. We kindly ask you to review our dietary guidelines and health screening, created to help you prepare mindfully and lovingly for this powerful experience
Dietary Preparation: Nurturing Your Body and Spirit
In the days leading up to your retreat, we invite you to honor your body through intentional dietary choices. Following these guidelines helps create an inner environment that is receptive to the medicine’s healing energy and minimizes physical purging during ceremonies. For at least two weeks before and after your retreat, we recommend avoiding certain foods and substances, such as:
Sugar and sweets
Pork and red meat
Aged and smoked fish
Oils and fats (use sparingly)
Dairy products
Fermented foods (e.g., vinegar, sauerkraut, tofu)
Hot peppers
Fizzy drinks, including diet sodas
Caffeine and alcohol
These dietary practices are traditional to plant medicine, helping to purify the body and prepare the spirit. By gently following this discipline, you signal to the plant spirits your commitment to healing and open yourself to the wisdom of the medicine.
A plant-based diet during the Retreat
During your stay, our dedicated kitchen team will lovingly prepare nourishing, predominantly vegan meals (with eggs available for breakfast). These meals are designed to be both delicious and aligned with the essential dietary requirements of Ayahuasca ceremonies, allowing you to feel well-supported as you deepen into your journey.
Additional Preparations for Your Healing Journey
In addition to dietary adjustments, there are other ways to physically and mentally prepare for your retreat:
Avoid recreational drugs (including all forms of cannabis) and most prescription medications, particularly antidepressants and antibiotics. Please inform us about any medications you take when completing the medical questionnaire during booking.
Abstain from sexual activities of any kind, including masturbation, as a way to conserve energy and maintain focused intention for the work with the medicine.
Use natural, unscented toiletries where possible, minimizing synthetic products that may interfere with the energetic sensitivity of the work.
Limit exposure to digital media such as television, radio, and social media in the days leading up to the retreat to foster a calm, open state of mind.
If you are pregnant or have any concerns about medical conditions, please consult with us before booking to discuss the best approach to your healing journey.
Honoring Your Commitment
More than a set of dietary guidelines, this preparation represents a commitment to the transformative journey ahead. It is a loving act of self-care, a way of respecting both yourself and the sacred medicine you will be working with. Following these steps helps create a solid foundation for your relationship with these plant doctors and supports the sacred intention of this healing work. By engaging in this preparation, you are joining a long tradition of those who have walked this path before, ready to release what no longer serves and open to a deeper understanding of self. We are here to support you every step of the way, honoring the courage it takes to step into this journey of healing and transformation.
Medical Guidelines for Ayahuasca
At Lotus Vine Journeys, your safety and well-being are at the heart of everything we do as we guide you through the healing journey with Ayahuasca. While this plant medicine offers profound benefits for many, certain medical conditions and medications can create risks. These guidelines are specific to Ayahuasca ceremonies and do not apply to Wachuma or Psilocybin, which have different safety protocols.
Confidential Health Screening: A Step Toward Safe Healing
In preparation for your retreat, we will send you a confidential medical questionnaire to help identify any health conditions or medications that may interact with Ayahuasca. This allows us to better support your safety and comfort. We kindly ask that you complete this questionnaire honestly and thoughtfully. Certain medications, such as SSRIs, antihypertensives, and some herbal supplements, may need to be adjusted or discontinued in advance under your healthcare provider’s guidance.
Important Medication Restrictions
For your safety, some medications must be paused well before your retreat. Please review the following list carefully, and consult your doctor about any necessary changes:
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Known to cause strong interactions with Ayahuasca, these must be discontinued at least six weeks prior.
Serotonin-affecting medications (e.g., SSRIs): These can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially serious reaction, when combined with Ayahuasca. Any adjustments should be managed by your healthcare provider.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum): This herbal supplement should be avoided two weeks prior to the retreat.
Additional medications to pause include:
Decongestants, allergy medications, and antihistamines
Sedatives, tranquilizers, amphetamines, and diet pills
Asthma inhalers and some blood pressure medications
Health Conditions to Disclose
Please inform us if you have any of the following conditions, as they may make Ayahuasca ceremonies unsafe:
Heart conditions or chronic high blood pressure
History of significant psychological challenges
Pregnancy
Diabetes (due to potential changes in insulin needs with MAOIs)
Avoiding Incompatible Substances
For your safety, please avoid the following substances during your preparation period:
Recreational or illegal drugs (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, opiates)
Central nervous system depressants and antipsychotics
Additional Lifestyle Recommendations
As part of your preparation, we suggest minimizing synthetic soaps, perfumes, and toiletries. A “media fast” from television, radio, and social media can also help create a calm and open mental space, allowing you to arrive in a receptive state.
Commitment to Your Safety and Healing
Following these guidelines reflects your dedication to the healing process and honors the sacred nature of Ayahuasca work. Our team is here to support you with compassionate guidance, ensuring that you feel safe and well-prepared. Completing the pre-retreat questionnaire is a first step toward a safe, transformative experience, and we’re here to answer any questions you may have along the way.