From Root to Recovery: Harnessing the Healing Properties of Plant Herbs for Trauma Relief

I once heard that there are two types of medicines: intelligent and non-intelligent. You take non-intelligent medicine with a specific, predetermined outcome in mind; it is usually synthetic. If you get a headache, take an aspirin, knowing it will take the ache away. If indigestion strikes, taking an antacid often soothes your discomfort.

Intelligent medicine is nothing short of magic. Knowing what will happen once you drink the liquid is virtually impossible. And after you do, it’s impossible to shake the feeling that you have been touched by an intelligent representative of the natural world.

The substance I am referring to is the plant medicine ayahuasca. Ayahuasca is a brew made from two plants that have been used for centuries by indigenous cultures for therapeutic and spiritual purposes.

One is a vine, and the other is a plant with a powerful psychedelic compound called DMT.

The term “psychedelics” comes from ancient Greek. “Psyche” means “mind,” and “deloun” means “to make visible” or “to reveal.” A psychedelic substance is like a tool that opens the door to exploring your thoughts and feelings from a new angle, giving you fresh insights and understandings.

The experience with ayahuasca is often described as an exploration of one’s consciousness. It can bring about a range of effects, vivid visuals, profound sensory experiences, and a heightened sense of self-awareness. It is, generally, extremely intense.

Ayahuasca is highly purgative. During treatments, the bucket at your feet becomes your most precious possession; you find yourself taking your bucket wherever you go. It is almost comical to watch grown adults stumbling around in the dark, holding on to a bucket full of vomit as if it holds the secrets of their universe, and maybe it does.

Science gives a rational explanation for this phenomenon. The purging occurs due to the ayahuasca’s influence on the area of the brain stem that controls the urge to throw up. The medicine acts on serotonin receptors in that area of the brain and the gut, causing vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

During the treatments, vomiting seems to come as strongly and suddenly as a tornado. Being in the ceremony is akin to being in the middle of a storm. You might feel drops falling on your face and observe the black clouds on the horizon. Yet, nothing prepares you for the funnel-shaped cloud that emerges, reaching the ground with 300 mph winds.

This type of vomiting feels nothing like a normal puke. The purge feels like the tornado suddenly and forcefully enters your stomach and spins there, destroying perceptions, emotions, and past experiences.

Each cup has an objective; this tornado liquefies all that is necessary to clear the path for insights and healing to come. With irreverent force from the root of your being, this tornado turns into a volcano, erupting out of your mouth with sounds that can be heard as far as the stars.

Science can’t explain why you often know the specific thoughts or emotions you are purging when you go through that violent process. You can almost see them take shape in the bucket; sometimes, they do.

It’s quite common for people to have concerns about the possibility of vomiting during an ayahuasca treatment. However, it’s important to recognize that while this aspect can be challenging, there are significant benefits to the overall experience. It’s also worth noting that other aspects of the ayahuasca journey hold greater importance.

Purging is considered a part of the healing process in ayahuasca ceremonies. It releases physical and emotional toxins from the body, symbolizing a cleansing of both the physical and spiritual self. Although it can be uncomfortable, many people report feeling a sense of relief and lightness afterward.

Embracing the entire experience with an open mind and a willingness to confront discomfort can lead to significant positive changes and a deeper understanding of yourself and the world.

It’s completely understandable to have reservations and fears about delving deep into one’s own stories and embarking on a journey of self-discovery.

You might wonder: What if I uncover painful memories or emotions I can’t handle? What if I open up old wounds I’ve worked hard to bury? What if I don’t like what I find? These are valid concerns, and it’s essential to honor and acknowledge them.

However, refusing to treat a wound doesn’t make it disappear; it continues to hurt and fester and may even lead to systemic problems that impact all aspects of life. Like a physical wound, emotional and psychological wounds demand your attention and care.

The fear is often rooted in a lack of information and understanding about the process or the potential effects of healing treatments, including psychedelics.

It’s natural to feel hesitant about exploring unknown territory, especially if you need to be fully aware of what to expect or how the process works.

In my book Hidden Memories: Discover What’s Blocking You from Life and Love, you will find valuable tips and insights that shed light on the healing process, the effects of psychedelics, and what to anticipate during treatments.

In addition to the positive aspects, this book also includes valuable warnings and recommendations to ensure you are well-informed about potential risks and challenges.

I discuss how traumatic memories are stored differently in the brain compared to regular memories and how the brain often hides those memories from conscious awareness.

The book’s backbone is a journey through my life’s dramatic transformation. Catalyzed by recovering hidden memories of childhood trauma with the help of psychedelics. Each treatment was crucial in bringing beautiful shades of colors into my life and illuminating my path. They were the keys that helped me unlock the doors to my mind and heart.

Remember that your path of self-discovery is entirely your own. Whether you take small steps or leap into the depths with the help of healing substances, always be gentle with yourself and honor your unique process.