Project of Medicinal garden in the Shipibo community of Dinamarca

When one thinks of the Amazonian pharmacopoeia, we imagine a native sinking deep into the forest for a few hours to fetch the medicinal plant in order to heal his family. This is far from the case and it is rarely so. When we visit a traditional medicinal garden we often think that we are in the virgin forest, but it is actually a place of culture where most species have been introduced (trees, lianas, …)

This is the case in Dinamarca where nearly 3000 cuts of Ayahuasca were planted two years ago. Historically, inter-tribal exchanges have greatly eased the transmission of medicinal plants and their presence in the various communities testifies to this practice.

Today it is for the members of the association Isa weni de la Amazonia to perpetuate their heritage by adding a note of modernism, to create a large medicinal garden bringing together their most remarkable plants. This in order to provide local populations and westerners patients with the remedies that are often lacking. Safeguarding species and knowledge is the key word of this initiative that began almost two years ago, when the same association planted 800 cuts of ayahuasca. Today they are growing in one hectare different species like piñon blanco, ayahuasca or planta de la vida. The initial project was 12 hectares when it was launched in 2012 under the leadership of an NGO. Things have changed since then, but their will remains intact. We invite you to watch this video about this medicinal garden.