MABE AND AMBIL: SACRED AMAZONIAN PLANT MEDICINES FOR HEALING AND CLARITY

/ Plant Medicine, Spiritual Healing / By Aloee Wellness

For centuries, the vast and mysterious Amazon rainforest has been home to an extraordinary biodiversity of plants and animals and a profound tradition of spiritual and healing practices. Among the most revered and sacred of these powerful botanicals are mambe and ambil. Two powerful and sacred plant medicines that have been passed down through generations of indigenous tribes. Both are far more than natural remedies. They are vessels for profound transformation, allowing individuals to tap into higher states of consciousness, emotional clarity, and physical endurance.

What Is Mambe (Ypadú)?

Mambe, also known as Ypadú or Mambé, is a traditional plant medicine made from toasted coca leaves and the ash of various plants. This unrefined, unconcentrated powder is an essential part of the ceremonial and medicinal practices of indigenous tribes in the Northwest Amazon, particularly in areas like Colombia, Peru, and Brazil.

The process of making Mambe is a sacred one. Coca leaves, which are traditionally harvested from the coca plant, are toasted over an open flame to release their potent properties. Afterward, they are ground into a fine powder. The addition of ash from various plants—typically from Achira or seashells—enhances the effects of the coca leaves, creating a unique and powerful Amazonian plant medicine.

Mambe is traditionally consumed by chewing it with a leaf or mixing it with water to make a tea. It has long been used for both its physical and spiritual benefits. It helps individuals connect with the spirit world, boost energy, and promote clarity and focus. Moreover, it is a fundamental element of Amazonian healing rituals and is deeply tied to the cultural practices of the indigenous communities who have used it for centuries.

What Are The Benefits Of Mambe (Ypadú)?

Mambe boasts a wide range of benefits, with research backing its effects on endurance, oxygenation, and metabolism. Meanwhile, centuries of traditional use celebrate its power to enhance mental clarity, focus, and overall well-being.

1. Mental Clarity And Focus

Mambe is known for its ability to sharpen the mind and enhance cognitive function. The alkaloids in the coca leaves stimulate the brain, increasing alertness and helping the user maintain clarity of thought. This makes it especially useful in ceremonial contexts where mental concentration is essential.

• How it works. The combination of coca leaves and plant ash increases circulation to the brain. This helps to boost cognitive performance and promote mental clarity.

2. Increased Physical Energy

One of the most notable benefits of Mambe is its ability to provide sustained energy and endurance. Even better, without the crash that can often come from synthetic stimulants. In traditional cultures, it is used during long journeys, physical labor, and ceremonies where the body requires continuous stamina.

• How it works: Mambe provides a gradual release of energy, helping the body stay active for long periods without overstimulation.

3. Emotional Balance And Upliftment

Mambe is known for its ability to promote a sense of emotional balance, reducing anxiety and promoting a positive mood. The alkaloids in the coca plant have calming effects on the nervous system. This help users manage stress, anxiety, and emotional blockages.

• How it works. Mambe helps stabilize the nervous system, promoting a sense of well-being and emotional clarity. This makes it a powerful tool for those seeking to work through emotional difficulties in a healing setting.

4. Spiritual Clarity And Visionary Experiences

For centuries, Mambe has been used by shamans and healers to facilitate deep spiritual experiences and visionary states. It is often used in ayahuasca ceremonies, where it helps participants access heightened states of awareness and intuitive insights.

• How it works. By increasing mental clarity and promoting emotional balance, Mambe opens the door to deeper spiritual exploration and connection to the spirit world. An effect that resembles that of other powerful botanical remedies. Among these is Sananga, whose drops are known for their ability to promote emotional release and sharpen spiritual insight.

5. Physical Detoxification

The combination of coca leaves and plant ash has detoxifying effects on the body. It eliminates impurities and promotes overall well-being. This cleansing effect is particularly beneficial in the context of plant medicine ceremonies, where the body and mind need to be purified before deeper healing can take place.

• How it works. The alkalizing properties of the plant ash help to balance the body’s pH levels. This promotes detoxification and enhances the body’s ability to absorb the beneficial properties of other plant medicines.

How To Use Mambe (Ypadú)

Mambe can be consumed in several different ways, depending on the desired effect and the ceremonial context.

1. Chewing

Traditionally, Mambe is consumed by placing a small amount of powder in the mouth and chewing it along with a leaf. This method allows for the gradual absorption of the active compounds in the coca leaves, providing a sustained and mild effect.

2. Mambe Tea

Another common method of consuming Mambe is by mixing it with warm water to make a tea. This method is gentler than chewing and provides a more relaxed experience, allowing for longer, sustained effects without intense stimulation.

3. Ceremonial Use

Mambe is often used in plant medicine ceremonies alongside other sacred plants like Ayahuasca or Mapacho (sacred tobacco). In these contexts, it helps the participants stay focused and clear-minded while facilitating spiritual exploration and emotional healing.

Now that we’ve explored the properties and benefits of Mambe, let’s dive into the benefits of ambil, another powerful Amazonian plant medicine with deep roots in spiritual traditions.

Discovering Ambil: Benefits, Uses, And Its Role In Spiritual Healing

What Is Ambil?

Ambil is a thick, earthy paste traditionally crafted by Amazonian shamans through the burning of plants, most commonly Cecropiaand Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica), to extract their ash. This is then mixed with water and other active ingredients, such as minerals like calcium oxides, to create a potent paste, often referred to as the “blood of tobacco”. The resulting paste is not only used for its mental and spiritual benefits but also for its practical uses in everyday life.

Ambil is generally applied directly to the gums for quicker absorption. However, it can also be used topically on cuts, wounds, or insect bites, promoting rapid healing due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

The Key Benefits Of Ambil

1. Spiritual Grounding And Chakra Realignment

One of the most significant benefits of Ambil is its ability to realign the body’s energy centers, particularly the throat chakra. The paste helps open and cleanse the throat chakra, which is associated with communication, truth, and self-expression. By activating this chakra, Ambil promotes honest, intentional, and sincere conversations. Individuals are able to express themselves more clearly and authentically during spiritual practices, prayer, or meditation. Additionally, the grounding effects of Ambil are essential for emotional balance. It stabilizes energy, reducing feelings of stress or anxiety and allowing individuals to remain centered in challenging situations. This makes it an ideal tool for emotional healing and personal transformation, helping to clear blockages and enhance self-awareness.

2. Connection With The Divine Masculine

Ambil is traditionally believed to connect the user to the divine masculine or Father Spirit within. The paste is thought to open a pathway to the Creator, facilitating the sending of prayers to the heavens. This connection to the masculine energy is especially potent for those working on healing paternal wounds or ancestral karma related to their fathers. In particular, the act of consuming or applying Ambil is seen as a way to honor and restore balance within the paternal lineage, and to heal emotional wounds that may have been passed down through generations.

3. Promoting Insight And Clarity

During ceremonies or prayer, Ambil helps promote clarity of thought and insight. It aids in accessing deeper levels of consciousness, allowing for profound reflection and inner growth. When consumed in ceremonial contexts, Ambil facilitates a stronger dialogue to the self, the Earth, and the spirit world, helping to uncover hidden truths and new insights on one’s spiritual path.

4. Healing And Physical Benefits

The topical uses of Ambil should not be underestimated. Applied directly to cuts, wounds, or bug bites, the paste supports quick healing due to its natural antiseptic properties. It also helps reduce inflammation and soothe irritation, making it a valuable ally in both ceremonial and practical contexts. This dual-purpose nature — both as a healing paste and spiritual tool — enhances its importance in indigenous traditions.

How To Consume Ambil

Ambil is typically consumed by placing a small amount of the paste on the gums or inside the mouth, where it is absorbed into the system. This method allows for the rapid activation of the paste’s medicinal properties, providing a swift connection to its healing benefits. Additionally, it is often used during meditation, prayer, or ceremonial practices to enhance focus, clarity, and spiritual connection.

For those who prefer a more physical application, this powerful Amazonian plant medicine can be applied directly to cuts, bruises, or insect bites. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties make it a powerful ally for quick healing and skin care. However, it is essential to use ambil with respect and under the guidance of an experienced practitioner, especially for those unfamiliar with its effects.

Should You Consume Mambe And Ambil Together?

While Mambe and Ambil are both sacred plant medicines that come from similar Amazonian traditions, they have distinct roles and can work together synergistically.

• Mambe for Focus and Clarity: Mambe is primarily a mental stimulant, boosting clarity and energy, making it ideal for moments when heightened awareness is needed during ceremonies or meditation.

• Ambil for Grounding and Calm: On the other hand, Ambil is more grounding and calming, balancing emotional energy and providing a sense of stability during intense experiences. It is also a heavier plant medicine that may take longer to integrate.

When consumed together, the mental clarity from Mambe and the emotional grounding from Ambil can create a synergistic effect that allows you to dive deeper into spiritual work, promoting both mental and emotional balance. Mambe may sharpen your focus while Ambil helps you stay grounded, leading to more profound insights and an enhanced connection to the spirit world.

However, it’s important to remember that the effects of these plant medicines can vary depending on the individual. Even though, unlike Ayahuasca, both Mambe and Ambil are non-psychedelic and do not induce visionary experiences, the effects they induce can still be powerful. Their combination should be approached with respect, as the experiences can promote deep healing, emotional balance, and spiritual clarity. For this reason, it is always recommended to seek guidance from a trusted spiritual leader or shaman experienced in using these sacred plant medicines. Their wisdom can help ensure the correct usage, dosage, and integration of both Mambe and Ambil in a way that supports your healing and growth

Hape

Hape, or rapé, is pronounced ‘haa-pay’ in English.  This plant medicine is a very sacred herbal snuff, made by the indigenous tribes of the Amazon, with Tobacco and varying Amazonian healing plants, leaves, trees, and seeds from native lands. Hapé is applied through the nostrils using an applicator (Kuripe or Tepi) in prayer, meditation, and ceremony. It is used for deep connection to the plants,  animal kingdoms and all of Mother Nature. This healing snuff has the ability to cleanse the mind, purify the thoughts, bring clarity, spiritual alignment, and clear negativity and heaviness from the body, mind, & soul. This plant medicine takes days to make and is a very labor intensive process made in a ceremonial way with chants, song, and prayer.

We are honored to be the leader in the ethical sourcing of Hapé.  Traditional peoples have used this medicine for millennia to connect more deeply to Nature. With great care, we are working directly with indigenous tribes to integrate this ancient plant wisdom into a modern spiritual practice.

Our goal is to educate you and provide the necessary resources from which to cultivate a sacred relationship with Hapé and with Tobacco. Tobacco is an extremely powerful plant and these artisanal jungle tobaccos do still have nicotine in them, which can become addictive. Hapé should always be worked with in a ceremonial setting, with prayer and intention. Hapé should never be used habitually, socially, or recreationally. Thank you for respecting the plants and this ancient tradition.

Benefits of Hapé

- Purifies and cleanses the sinuses and respiratory tract. Can help heal sinus issues and reduce mucus.

- Supports the digestive system, moves the bowels

- Offers energetic protection that comes from connecting with the tobacco plant, an ally for strength, clarity, and focus.

- Connects you to the Earth, is grounding, centering.

- Clears negativity and stills the mind

YAGE’ -AYAHUASCA

The ritual of Yagé is more than a mere tradition; it’s a profound spiritual journey entwined with the fabric of indigenous Colombian culture. For centuries, the indigenous tribes have revered Yagé, known elsewhere as Ayahuasca, as a bridge to spiritual enlightenment.

It’s a mystical brew crafted from potent plants, taken during ceremonies led by an experienced Taita, or healer, like Abuelo Avelino of the Cofan tribe. These ceremonies often take place in a Maloka, a traditional hut that sets the stage for this unique experience. This is where the magic unfolds, where people seek clarity, healing, and a deeper connection to the world around them.

The journey into understanding Yagé isn’t just about the drink itself; it’s about embracing the culture and wisdom passed down through generations. The blend of prayers, songs, and spiritual guidance creates an atmosphere that draws one in, inviting participants to explore the depths of our consciousness in harmony with the natural world.

An increasing number of people are turning to the brew for its potential to heal depression, addiction, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many people who have taken ayahuasca claim that the experience led to positive, long -term, life altering changes.

This may be due to the effects of ayahuasca on the neurological system. A study in 57 people demonstrated that depression and stress were significantly decreased after the ayahuasca ceremony and these changes persisted for 4 weeks. Likewise, convergent thinking improved post-ayahuasca ceremony until the 4 weeks follow-up. Satisfaction with life and several aspects of mindfulness increased the day after the ceremony, and where present 4 weeks later. Changes in affect, satisfaction with life, and mindfulness were significantly correlated to the level of ego dissolution experienced during the ayahuasca ceremony. Participants reported the spiritual experience induced by the substance reduced or completely eliminated their fear of death.

While ayahuasca has been used as a healing agent in traditional rituals for thousands of years, it wasn’t until western science studied the substance and addiction treatment trials were initiated. World renowned addiction expert and western-trained psychotherapist Gabor Mate believes that addiction is a direct result of coping mechanisms developed in early childhood to deal with stress, abuse, or trauma. He believes in the power of ayahuasca as a treatment for the underlying psychological distress experienced by people facing addiction.

“No matter what a person is addicted to—whether it’s eating, shopping, sex, drugs— each addicted person harbors a deep pain, which they may or may not be in touch with. The plant removes the self-created barriers to get in touch with the source of that pain, so you realize what you’ve been running from all of your life.” –Gabor Maté

Ayahuasca is a brew made from the leaves of the Psychotria Viridis shrub along with the stalks of the Banisteriopsis Caapi vine. Psychotria Viridis contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychedelic substance that occurs naturally in the plant. When combined, people who have taken Ayahuasca report having mystical experiences and spiritual revelations regarding their purpose on earth, the true nature of the universe, and deep insight into their “higher self.” This is viewed by many as a spiritual awakening and what is often described as a near death experience or rebirth. It is often reported that individuals feel they gain access to higher spiritual dimensions and make a deep connection with the universe. However, every experience is completely unique to the individual. It is a very mystical experience that may take you on trip within. The plant will show you exactly what you need to see, and you will feel exactly what you need to, therefore every experience is perfect as it is.