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Sexual healing with Amazonian plant teachers: a heuristic inquiry of women's spiritual–erotic awakenings

Yalila Espinoza

Sexual & Relationship Therapy January 2, 2014 DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2013.861060 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 7
Population North American women who participated in ayahuasca ceremonies and plant diets within the Shipibo vegetalista tradition of Peru
Interventions ayahuasca ceremonies plant diets
Topics Ayahuasca
Keywords Reproductive health Psychotherapist Mental health
Citations 14
Key findings Sexual trauma was healed through energetic purification and openings on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.

Abstract

AbstractThis article explores how women's sexual/spiritual lives were transformed with sacred Amazonian plant teachers (i.e. plants believed to have spirits that communicate with humans). The research was guided by the belief that the practice of vegetalismo (a South American healing tradition that uses plant teachers for healing) holds important lessons for guiding women's sexual/spiritual lives and possibly for future plant-facilitated psychotherapy for women who have experienced sexual trauma. A heuristic research methodology was utilized involving interviews with seven North American women who participated in ayahuasca ceremonies and plant diets within the Shipibo vegetalista tradition of Peru. The findings highlighted that sexual trauma was healed through energetic purification and openings on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. The core themes identified from the data analysis were: purification and support for reproductive health, increased sensory awareness, transforming relationship with self, empowered decision-making, enhanced intimacy with others, increased cognitive awareness, connecting with subtle energies, and connecting with God.Keywords: femalemedical therapysexual psychology Additional informationNotes on contributorsYalila EspinozaYalila Espinoza is an intimacy counselor, who received a PhD in East–West psychology and spiritual counseling training from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. She offers individual counseling and group workshops focused on sexual initiations in the USA & Canada. Yalila is committed to holistic and embodied presence that is grounded in a symbolic and sensual co-creation with all living beings. She can be reached at yalila@yalila.com/www.yalila.com.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The antipodes Of the mind Indigenous people, shamans, members of different religious sects using Ayahuasca, and... 2002 Qualitative study
Drug Tourism or Spiritual Healing? Ayahuasca Seekers in Amazonia Westerners participating in an ayahuasca retreat in Amazonia 2005 Qualitative study
Therapeutic Effects of Ritual Ayahuasca Use in the Treatment of Substance Dependence—Qualitative Results Therapists, expert researchers, and individuals who underwent ayahuasca-assisted... 2014 Qualitative study n = 29
Nourishing the Spirit: Exploratory Research on Ayahuasca Experiences along the Continuum of Recovery from Eating Disorders Individuals previously diagnosed with an eating disorder 2017 Qualitative study n = 16
Exploring ayahuasca‐assisted therapy for addiction: A qualitative analysis of preliminary findings among an Indigenous community in Canada Indigenous adults in Canada who participated in ayahuasca-assisted ceremonial retreats 2019 Qualitative study n = 11

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