Ayahuasca in Peru

Ayahuasca is a traditional ceremonial drink prepared with Amazonian plants, primarily Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis. In Peru, especially in the Amazon region, it has been used for millennia by Indigenous peoples such as the Shipibo, Ashuar, and Awajún for ritual, healing, and spiritual purposes. Ceremonial use is led by healers or shamans called "ayahuasqueros," who possess ancestral knowledge of its preparation and administration. Ceremonies traditionally include sacred chants (icaros) and are performed in specific ritual contexts. Currently, Peru is experiencing a growing spiritual tourism centered on ayahuasca, generating debate about the commercialization of sacred Indigenous practices. The Peruvian government recognizes its traditional use as cultural heritage while regulating its consumption to preserve both ancestral traditions and the safety of participants.