The Amazons Sacred Pharmacy

The Amazon’s Sacred Pharmacy
Where nature remembers and we return to who we truly are

I’ll never forget the moment our plane dipped below the clouds on its final descent into Iquitos. My forehead rested against the cool window, eyes wide as the endless green of the rainforest unfolded below me—an emerald ocean of mystery and life. Something ancient stirred in my soul. I couldn’t look away. That vast, breathing jungle seemed to whisper, “Welcome home.” And for the first time in what felt like years, I realized just how disconnected I had become.

City life had worn me thin. The endless grind, the fluorescent lights, the carefully curated versions of connection that never quite filled the void. I was untethered—both from the Earth and from myself. But somewhere deep in that jungle, I sensed the remedy I didn’t even know I was seeking: a heavy dose of wild, unfiltered nature. Not just to heal—but to remember.

A Living Pharmacy

Hidden beneath the dense canopy of the Amazon lies the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet—a sacred pharmacy where every leaf, bark, root, and vine holds the potential for profound healing. For thousands of years, indigenous tribes have lived in deep communion with this forest, learning its language, listening to its wisdom, and working in partnership with its plants to heal not only the body, but the spirit.

Their knowledge is not written in books, but carried in songs, dreams, and ceremony—passed down from elder to apprentice in an unbroken chain of reverence. And now, as more people in the West seek alternatives to sterile systems and soul-numbing medications, eyes are turning to this ancient, living apothecary.

But this isn’t a trend.
It’s a tradition.
And it must be met with the utmost respect.

The Sacred Plants

During my time in the Amazon, I sat with many of the forest’s most revered master plants. Each with a spirit, a voice, a lesson to teach:

Ayahuasca – The Grandmother. A sacred vine that peels back the veil and invites us into communion with our deepest truths. She heals through vision, purges illusion, and brings light to the darkest places of our psyche.

Kambo – The Frog Medicine. Harvested with reverence from the Phyllomedusa bicolor, this secretion is applied in ceremony to cleanse the body, clear energetic blockages, and strengthen the immune system. It is not a gentle teacher, but a fiercely loving one.

Bobinsana – The heart opener. A delicate pink flower that enhances dreams, softens emotional wounds, and gently reawakens joy.

Chuchuhuasi – The protector. Known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, this mighty tree is often used for energy, strength, and resilience.

These are not “supplements.” They are spirits. Teachers. And when approached with humility and intention, they can help us remember who we are beneath the noise of the world.

My Time with the Matsés

Of all my journeys, my training with the Matsés tribe remains etched in my bones as a moment that will forever change the direction of my life. It was, without exaggeration, one of the most demanding and transformative times.

I lived in the rainforest. Slept to the sounds of insects and ancient songs. Walked at night beneath moonlit trees with torch in hand, the jungle watching, alive. I sat in dieta, days on end with only the simplest foods, in solitude, as the plants began to speak in dreams and sensations. And all the while, I was guided by the Matsés elders—true wisdom keepers who embody a kind of strength and gentleness that feels nearly extinct in our modern world.

In their world, nothing is separate. The trees are relatives. The animals are teachers. The plants are allies. And healing is not about fixing—it’s about remembering our place in the great web of life.

Reweaving the Threads

When I returned from the jungle, I knew I couldn’t simply slip back into the rhythm of my old life. Something had shifted. I had been rewoven. And where once there were frayed edges, there was now a sense of wholeness—a sacred stitching together of self and spirit.

Our lives are like tapestries—torn, stained, unraveling in places. But we hold the needle. We hold the thread. And the plants, if we let them, will guide our hands in the mending.

This is not easy work. It takes courage to meet yourself honestly. To sit in the discomfort. To trust the process. But what emerges on the other side is nothing short of miraculous: a life lived with intention. A heart awakened to joy. A body reconnected to the Earth.

Walking the Path with Respect

As Amazonian plant medicine becomes more visible in the global consciousness, it is vital that we walk this path ethically. This is sacred ground, and it must be honored. I find the following guidlines are helping me stay focused and in alignment -

• Honor Indigenous Knowledge – These practices come from cultures that have safeguarded them for generations. Acknowledge this. Learn from them.

• Choose Responsible Guides – Work with facilitators who have trained in traditional ways and who approach the medicine with humility.

• Support Indigenous Communities – Attend indigenous-led retreats, contribute to conservation efforts, and purchase from ethical, sustainable sources.

• Reject Appropriation – This is not a trend. It is not festival fashion or a psychedelic weekend getaway. It is a living spiritual lineage.

• Give Back – Reciprocity is sacred. If you receive healing, ask how you can offer something in return.

A Living Prayer

Working with Amazonian plant medicine is more than a healing modality—it is a living prayer. A bridge back to the Earth, to spirit, and to the truth of who we are. It is not for the faint of heart, but for those ready to meet themselves fully, to bow deeply to life, and to walk the path with reverence.

If you hear the call—listen.

If you feel the pull—follow it with care.

And if you’re already walking the path—thank you for doing so with humility and grace.

May we continue to protect what is sacred. May we remember the old ways. May we become the bridge between worlds.

Until we meet again…

Aho.

- Joshua Scarpuzzi

Founder / Kambo Practitioner / Medicine Guide

After returning from his trip, Josh opened up the "Matses Handmade" section of our online shop which features handmade items made by the men and woman of the Matses tribe. 100% of what you pay for these items goes directly to the Matses artisans, and funds new projects building infrastructure and resources in their communities. Do to recent illegal mining and drilling, their land and resources are at risk. Forced to seek help from the world beyond their tribal lands, tribe leaders are now seeking assistance to build the necessary infrastructure that provides their people with clean water, food, and protection from outsiders aimed at taking advantage of their invaluable resources. If you feel called to make an impact beyond purchasing these items, we invite you to reach out and inquire into ongoing conservation projects that need additional funding.