Chacruna – The Leaf of Light

While the Ayahuasca vine is often called the “vine of the soul,” its companion plant, Psychotria viridis — known throughout the Amazon as chacruna — is cherished as the leaf of light. At our Ayahuasca retreat center in Tarapoto, Peru, we honor chacruna as a sacred plant that brings clarity, vision, and illumination to the medicine.

 

Scientific Background

Chacruna (Psychotria viridis) is a tropical shrub in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). Native to the Amazon basin, it thrives in humid, shaded environments, often near rivers and streams. The plant is recognized by its glossy green leaves, which contain the naturally occurring molecule dimethyltryptamine (DMT). On its own, chacruna has little effect when consumed. Yet, when combined with the Ayahuasca vine, its active compounds become available, allowing participants to enter visionary states.

 

A Plant of Light and Vision

In Amazonian traditions, chacruna is considered a messenger — a plant that opens the gateway to the world of visions. Where the vine offers grounding and protection, chacruna illuminates the journey, making it possible to “see” the lessons the medicine offers. This light is not only visual but sacred geometry: images, colors, and dreamlike narratives often reflect deeper truths about one’s life, spirit, and connection to nature.

 

Folklore and Cultural Meaning

Shamans describe chacruna as a celestial gift — a plant that connects humans with the wisdom of the forest and the cosmos. Some lineages speak of chacruna as feminine energy, complementing the strength and depth of the vine with radiance, gentleness, and clarity. It is often prepared and offered with prayer, acknowledging its sacred role in balancing the brew.

 

Why Chacruna Matters in Ceremony

Chacruna’s contribution goes beyond visions. It is the plant that translates the teachings of the vine into imagery and experience. Without chacruna, Ayahuasca would remain largely non-visionary, working more subtly on the body and emotions. With it, the medicine communicates in the language of dreams and symbols, guiding participants through profound inner landscapes.

 

Respecting the Plant

Though powerful, chacruna is never used casually in Amazonian traditions. It is always prepared in sacred context and only in combination with the Ayahuasca vine. Outside of this ritual setting, its power is incomplete. Within ceremony, however, it becomes a vital ally, offering illumination on the path of healing and transformation.