CHUCHUHUASI
The bark of resilience and the roots of strength
ANCESTRAL MEDICINE FOR HEALING, VITALITY, AND PROTECTION
CHUCHUHUASI:
Chuchuhuasi (Maytenus krukovii) is a powerful tree native to the Peruvian Amazon, revered for its deep healing properties and protective spirit. Traditionally used to strengthen the body, dispel cold and dampness, and realign vital energies, this sacred bark has long been part of Amazonian healing practices. More than a physical remedy, Chuchuhuasi is a grounding teacher—anchoring energy, restoring balance, and helping the body remember its strength.
Among Indigenous healers, Chuchuhuasi is often worked with to address deep fatigue, chronic pain, and spiritual depletion. Its essence is seen as both fierce and nurturing: a masculine spirit that protects, fortifies, and awakens the inner warrior.
PLANT PROFILE: MAYTENUS KRUKOVII EXPLAINED
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Scientific name: Maytenus krukovii
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Common names: Chuchuhuasi, Chuchuhuasha, Chuchuasi
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Family: Celastraceae (bittersweet family)
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Plant type: Large canopy tree
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Height: Up to 30 meters
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Habitat: Lowland rainforests of the western Amazon, especially Peru
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Bark & leaves: Thick reddish-brown bark with bitter compounds; small elliptical leaves
Note: The bark is the primary medicinal part, used in decoctions, tinctures, or dietas. It contains alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids that contribute to its anti-inflammatory and tonic effects.
WHERE CHUCHUHUASI GROWS:
SACRED TREES OF THE WESTERN AMAZON
Chuchuhuasi is native to the Peruvian Amazon and thrives in the tropical forests of Ucayali, Loreto, and Madre de Dios. It grows in moist, well-drained soils and often towers above other trees in the jungle canopy. This majestic presence mirrors its energetic role—as a protector, a stabilizer, and a force of restoration.
Though it can also be found in parts of Brazil and Ecuador, it is in Peru that Chuchuhuasi is most deeply integrated into traditional medicine, ceremonial dietas, and jungle pharmacopoeias.
TRADITIONAL USE IN PERU:
CHUCHUHUASI AS A GROUNDING HEALER
At Madre Selva, Chuchuhuasi is used in alignment with the Cocama/mestizo healing tradition, guided by experienced maestros like Moisés, who honor its grounding and protective spirit within traditional dieta frameworks.
In Peruvian plant medicine traditions, Chuchuhuasi is used both as a physical tonic and a spiritual protector. Its bark is commonly brewed into strong decoctions or soaked in alcohol to make tinctures that relieve pain, boost immunity, and invigorate the system.
At Madre Selva, Chuchuhuasi is offered in master plant dietas to help participants:
• Rebuild strength after illness, exhaustion, or trauma
• Ground the nervous system and release tension
• Support musculoskeletal health and flexibility
• Cultivate inner resilience and boundaries
Chuchuhuasi’s spirit is often described as firm yet steady—an energetic tree that brings people back into their bodies, helps restore core alignment, and supports focused transformation.
DISCOVER OUR DIETA RETREATS IN THE AMAZON
Immerse yourself in nature, connect with sacred plants, and restore balance in Madre Selva’s protected forest
ENERGETIC AND PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF CHUCHUHUASI
Though widely known for its anti-inflammatory effects, Chuchuhuasi also works on subtler energetic levels—clearing fatigue, emotional heaviness, and energetic “cold” from the system.
Physical and medicinal effects:
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Reduces inflammation and joint pain
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Alleviates arthritis, rheumatism, and back pain
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Strengthens the immune and endocrine systems
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Aids in muscle recovery and flexibility
Energetic and emotional effects:
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Grounds scattered energy and rebuilds vitality
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Helps release emotional exhaustion and psychic fatigue
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Restores willpower and inner strength
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Supports spiritual boundaries and resilience
Scientific note: Studies have found Chuchuhuasi contains triterpenes and sesquiterpenes with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and adaptogenic effects, though more clinical research is needed.
PREPARATION AND CEREMONIAL USE
In dieta and traditional healing contexts, Chuchuhuasi bark is boiled over long hours to extract its medicine. In some settings, it is also prepared as a tincture or applied externally. In our retreats, it is most often worked with through dieta—ingested in small amounts over multiple days, in silence and isolation.
Preparation guidelines:
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Bark is shaved or chopped into small pieces
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Slow decoction over fire with intention and care
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May be combined with alcohol for topical or tonic use
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In dieta, ingested in controlled, minimal doses
Ceremonial use is accompanied by specific restrictions and protocols, including fasting, isolation, and abstinence from strong stimulation, to allow deep communion with the plant spirit.
INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH THIS PROTECTOR PLANT?
Join a traditional dieta in Peru and experience the depth of Chuchuhuasi in ceremonial context.
SYMBOLISM AND SPIRITUAL PRESENCE OF CHUCHUHUASI
Chuchuhuasi is often visualized as a tree guardian—its presence vast, upright, and unshakable. In visionary space, it may appear as a dark-barked elder or protective masculine spirit, offering shelter and strength during periods of deep inner work.
Its energetic role is to:
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Protect the body and energy field during plant dieta
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Help the soul re-root after shock or trauma
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Awaken deep cellular memory of strength and dignity
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Teach through silence, grounding, and resilience
Chuchuhuasi is not loud in its teachings—it works slowly, deeply, and with resolve. It brings participants into deeper connection with their own backbone, both physically and metaphorically.
ETHICAL HARVESTING AND RECIPROCITY
With increased global interest in Amazonian plant medicine, the sustainability of Chuchuhuasi must be protected. At Madre Selva, we work only with Peruvian community growers and ethically harvested bark to ensure regeneration and respect for the ecosystem.
Our commitment includes:
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Harvesting from mature trees only
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Never clear-cutting or damaging root systems
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Supporting reforestation and community stewardship
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Offering Chuchuhuasi only in respectful, traditional contexts
THE CENTERS SIGNATURE
MASTER PLANT RETREATS
ON REQUEST
Ignite your inner fire with this week-long retreat. Through three Ayahuasca ceremonies, cleansing plant medicines, flower baths, and shamanic workshops, you'll connect with your inner strength, clarity, and purpose. Perfect for those seeking a powerful yet focused introduction to plant medicine in a sacred jungle setting.
8-DAY MEDICINE & ART RETREAT
Apply for our 8-day Art & Ayahuasca Immersion – a transformative creative retreat, guided by a heart-led team, in the sacred setting of our center! We offer a program that transforms visions into art, supported by the healing wisdom of jungle medicines.
3 ayahuasca ceremonies, 1 cleanse vomotivo, Flower plant baths, Integration circles, Private consultations & 6 painting workshops.
ON REQUEST
Achieve harmony and alignment in this transformative retreat. With five Ayahuasca ceremonies, master plant dieta, and shamanic teachings, you'll uncover deeper layers of your spiritual journey. Integration workshops, visionary art, and sacred rituals guide you toward balance and personal growth.
Dive into profound transformation with this comprehensive program. Seven Ayahuasca ceremonies, a personalized master plant dieta, cleansing rituals, and shamanic coaching empower you to unlock your highest potential. Experience deep healing, alignment, and connection to your life's purpose in a supportive jungle environment.
1-2 MONTHS: THE MASTER PATH
Embark on a powerful 1-2 month Ayahuasca retreat, designed for those ready to experience deep healing and self-discovery. Under the guidance of an experienced team, you will journey through purification, awakening, and spiritual growth. This transformative experience invites you to reconnect with your essence, shed the past, and unlock the wisdom within. Step onto The Master Path and emerge reborn.
