Ayahuma – Couroupita guianensis

Ayahuma is a type of evergreen tree that grows up to 100 feet high.  Its flowers are orange, scarlet and pink in color, and form large bunches measuring up to 10 feet in length. They produce large spherical and woody fruits ranging from 15 to 24 cm in diameter, which is why the english name for this plant is the cannonball tree.  Each of these fruits, or cannonballs, contains up to 200 or 300 seeds apiece.  This tree is considered a maestro plant, as its spirit enjoys teaching and the plant itself has incredible medicinal properties. The spirit is typically male and works well with other power plants like ayahuasca.

The flowers, leaves, bark and fruit flesh are used medicinally. Ayahuma possesses antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic and analgesic qualities. The bark is used to cure colds and stomach aches. The juice made from the leaves is used to cure skin diseases and for treating malaria. The inside of the fruit can disinfect wounds and young leaves ease toothache.  It is common for curanderos to diet with this powerful tree in order to strengthen their spirits and protect them from dark or negative entities.