For anyone who wishes to heal or learn from plants, one can undertake a dieta with a chosen plant. This is a powerful way to connect with the plant’s consciousness and spirit. You will learn that, just like us, no plant is the same and all have their own unique strengths and gifts. Master plant dietas are a traditional practice in the Amazon, particularly among indigenous tribes like the Shipibo-Conibo, Mestizo and Ashaninka. If anyone wishes to embark on the path as a curandera or curandero, they must diet plants to heal and learn for life.
A dieta is a commitment to a set period during which one purifies oneself mentally, physically, and spiritually while adhering to restrictions regarding the foods consumed, social activities, sexual activity, and substances like alcohol or drugs. During the dieta, the dieter is typically to drink a homemade tea of the plant around 2-3 times per day—sometimes more, sometimes less. The variation depends on the potency or toxicity of the plant being ingested; healing and learning can only take place through the ingestion of the plant. Dietas can be done at home, around family, friends, while working, etc.—this is called a social dieta. Alternatively, they can be done traditionally in isolation, in the Amazonian jungle, or in a quiet, secluded natural spot. In both types of diets, a curandera or curandero will facilitate the connection between the individual by bringing his or her intention and calling the plant spirit in through prayer and song. They will guide you and your master plant, ensuring a safe container throughout.
Once the dieta is opened, you are expected to complete it for the duration intended at the beginning. If the dieta is broken or finished early, the healing or learning may be lost. In most cases, dietas are opened during an ayahuasca ceremony, where a connection with the plant spirit is initiated; however, this is not essential. When planning to diet, the plant may be chosen by the individual or by a curandero or curandera. It is advisable to seek guidance from the healer, as they will have attained much knowledge having dieted many plants and will be able to sense what would be good for you at the time. The length of the dieta depends on the plant being dieted and the reason behind it. Generally, a dieta will be longer when the purpose is for learning. For example, Ayahuma requires a minimum dieta length of three months for learning, while for healing, it can be a minimum of seven days or more. Social dietas are usually longer as the dieter is not completely isolated and may take longer to establish a connection with the plant, through which healing and wisdom can begin to be shared. With any kind of dieta, a commitment to personal discipline is vital.
Benefits:
Many positive outcomes can arise during a dieta. The plants not only heal and realign your body, mind, and soul, but they also reveal to you the root causes of your suffering. The plants guide you through your life, helping you recognize where you can and need to step into your power. Light will be shed on your shadows, and the choice to be kind and loving to all those parts of yourself will come to the forefront. You will realize that you have choices, and the plants can instill the confidence and courage needed to make them. Ultimately, it is up to you whether you wish to heal or learn. One of the biggest teachings I received was that my heart was my super power, and that I can accept everything as it is and everyone as they are. Love is the most potent force, and it is only through love that we may prosper. To love fully, I must forgive fully, and that begins with myself.
Plants can teach you in your dreams, when your mind is quiet and you are completely receptive to their messages. If you are in full surrender and trust with the plant, it opens you more to receive messages any time of the day aswell. Creative energies often flow during a dieta, leading you to write poems or songs about yourself, your life, or the plant. It is also through dieting that one may be gifted songs that come directly from the plant. These songs are called Icaros and are used for various purposes, such as calling the plant spirit into ceremony, healing, protection, and expressing gratitude. Entering and completing a dieta is akin to beginning a lifelong relationship with that specific plant. They will be a forever supportive friend, and you will likely develop immense appreciation for the transformative journey they guide you through. Many of us lose or forget who we are beyond all the conditioning and trauma in our lives, and the plants are great doctors and teachers that can show us directly, revealing our true selves.
With each dieta undertaken, a new level of awareness is attained in knowing who you are and how you can give more to yourself and others. As you take care of yourself, you also care for the earth and everything living upon it. During the dieta, you will learn that just like the plant, you need the right environment to grow and thrive. You will recognize the importance of everything you consume and the impact they have on your physical, spiritual, and mental well-being. Through the removal of things such as sex, sugar, alcohol, drugs, caffeine, and watching television, you may discover addictions, heal those addictions, or simply feel lighter and healthier for having stopped some habits. Dieting may be physically challenging due to the absence of your usual foods, but your body, mind, and spirit will be cleansed. The space created will be felt, the light will be visible, and you will be filled with an indescribable spiritual strength that will empower you to make beneficial changes in your life.
Ultimately, the plants will reveal to you what you need in your life, and it is up to you to integrate that knowledge. The plants can provide guidance and healing, but if you don’t make the necessary changes to take care of your mental, physical, and spiritual health, you will keep getting sick. Every single relationship we have must be nurtured, with the first and foremost being the one we have with ourselves. Blockages obstructing our understanding of what is and what is possible are dissolved, leading to a newfound sense of freedom. Perceptions shift, revealing that we are separate from nothing. The plants illuminate our hearts, our fears, and delve deep in with us, reminding us of our power.
Musts:
To unite with and receive all the great healing, wisdom, and qualities from any plant when dieting, it is most important that the dieter enters and remains with a deeply set intention, an open mind and a willingness to be as still as the plant – rooted to receive and understand. You must be committed as you would be in a new marriage with the love of your life and respect for the plant and the unfolding process is essential; patience is a part of this. Many benefits continue to manifest months or even years after the dieta has finished. Understand that a dieta is not merely about adhering to protocols but about the energy and time you devote to yourself and the plant—living each day with appreciation through prayer, meditation, song, poetry, drawing, etc. If you don’t invest the effort to get to know them, then you will never know them. The reciprocity of openness is vital for any healthy relationship (nobody can walk through a closed door). When this is present, you can genuinely receive each other’s gifts (qualities—healing, love, trust, etc.). Paying attention is vital for all relationships. Both plants and people flourish when they are recognized and acknowledged.
Typical restrictions:
There are numerous ways to diet, and you will find that many different retreat centers have varying restrictions that may differ for certain plants or trees. It is important to respect and follow the guidelines of whichever curandero or curandera you choose as your guide. Always trust your intuition after receiving information from each place or healer to ascertain whether it feels right for you. It’s advisable to explore and converse with a few different centers before making a decision. In all diets, pork, red meat, alcohol, drugs, sexual activity—including masturbation—salt, sugar, spices, other master plants, oil, refined sugars, iced drinks, fizzy drinks, and caffeine are strictly prohibited. For dietas, it is recommended not to use any products on the skin such as shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, perfume, sun protection, etc. It is also preferable not to shave or cut your hair while on a dieta. Natural alternatives like essential oils and agua florida can replace deodorant, and it is better to use soap only when washing your hands after using the toilet. Any chemicals on the skin can hinder the connection with the plant and act as a barrier.
Typical foods consumed during dietas include chicken, fish, potatoes, rice, quinoa, eggs, green plantains, yucca, lentils, most vegetables and beans. In some places, certain curanderos/curanderas may allow specific leafy greens, fruits, and a little olive or coconut oil. Some places may require fasting, sometimes from food and water for a set period. Limiting social interactions is essential for fostering a deeper connection with the plant being dieted, and complete isolation is necessary for certain plants or trees. The more space provided for the plant, the more it can give in return.
For social diets (dieting at home while maintaining a normal life—work, etc.), the restrictions remain largely the same. However, if you cannot completely isolate yourself socially due to work and family commitments, that is acceptable. It is recommended to diet for a longer period to fully meet your plant ally—ideally, at least two weeks to one month—and, of course, to spend as much time alone as possible. While on a social diet, you will be challenged to navigate your usual home life involving work and family while trying to build a strong, loving relationship with your plant. As the plant nurtures you, you must nurture the plant. The plants will present tests and challenges along your path as a way to evaluate your commitment and to teach you. These tests and challenges may arise in dreams, daily tasks, or interactions with colleagues, friends, or partners. The plants like to see how rooted and focused you are and how differently you treat yourself and others during this powerful transformative experience. Your priority must be yourself and the plant with which you are merging consciousness. Pay attention to everything and journal daily. There will be many aspects to integrate and teachings coming up even after your dieta.
In preparation for your diet it is good to be organised so you don’t have to go out into busy places unless necessary; i.e. get all the food shopping you will need and refrain from going to usual social activities like clubbing etc.
With isolated diets, you will be encouraged not to speak to anyone other than your plant. This provides a profound opportunity to connect deeply with your plant. Being completely free from distractions such as phones, emails, work, and everyday life allows for a more intense yet rewarding dieta, especially in the jungle amidst beautiful wildlife, tropical plants, and sacred silence. You can truly reconnect with Mother Earth and all that surrounds you. A big part to understand is that the more you surrender and put into the process the more that you will receive.
Choosing to do a dieta can be life changing! I hope this information helps and I am always happy to answer any questions one may have.
One love x
