The San Pedro Cactus (Equinopsis pachanoi): Ancestral and Modern Therapeutic Uses in Peru
Fanny Charrasse, Alfredo Narváez
June 16, 2025 DOI: 10.1163/9789004729759_013 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Population | Curanderos in the Túcume district of northern Peru |
| Interventions | San Pedro cactus tobacco perfumes perfumed waters |
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Cactus Genealogy Ecology |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Describes the ritual use of San Pedro cactus by curanderos in Túcume, involving a healing altar, night-time ceremonies with tobacco and perfumes, and cleansing rituals for diagnoses of sorcery. |
Abstract
We describe the curanderos of the Túcume district, a land of farmers and territory of the Pyramids of Túcume, one of the most important archaeological monuments on the north coast of Peru. The use of the San Pedro cactus (Equinopsis species) as an entheogenic agent is guided by a specialist, a curandero or “master healer”, who directs a complex ritual around a healing “altar”. This “altar” is variable but shares common elements of balancing ancient indigenous and Catholic sources of power. This use of San Pedro is structured in a common ceremonial and ritual elements through which this ancient tradition is expressed across northern Peru. The night-time ceremony involves taking the San Pedro together with tobacco and liberal amounts of perfumes used liberally to stimulate the senses. The curandero whistles, sings and plays rattles to moderate the effects and call upon spiritual forces. The diagnoses are often of sorcery and the remedies are a variety of cleansing rituals performed with the help of the assistants. The cleansings are focused on powerful aromatic fragrances exemplified in the post-session integration florecimiento that uses the scents and the energy from the blowing of perfumed waters on the patient by the curandero to assure health, good luck in work, and love. This transfer of energy through the scent and the breath provides a revitalization and experience of cleansing.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on mescaline, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peyote as Earth Medicine: Examining How Symbolic Meanings Shape Experiences With Psychedelics People who use peyote in religious ceremonies | 2023 | Photo-ethnography | |
| The Use of Peyote as Treatment for Alcoholism within the NAC Community: Reflections on a Study | 2011 | Interview | |
| Psychedelic trip sitting, dosages and intensities: Supplementing clinical studies with anecdotal reports Posts from online psychedelic forums (The Shroomery and DMT Nexus) on trip sitting | 2024 | Qualitative study with Delphi-style expert panel review | n = 660 |
| Hitting the Reset Button: Ceremonial Use of Peyote and Experiences of Personal Change People who attended peyote ceremonies in rural Northcentral Alabama | 2024 | Photo-ethnography | |
| The Trouble With Psychedelic Cacti: Conflicting Meanings of San Pedro and Peyote | 2025 | Autoethnography |