Sexual healing with Amazonian plant teachers: a heuristic inquiry of women's spiritual–erotic awakenings
Sexual & Relationship Therapy January 2, 2014 Yalila Espinoza 14 citations
Interviews with seven North American women who participated in ayahuasca ceremonies and plant diets within the Shipibo vegetalista tradition of Peru revealed that sexual trauma was healed through energetic purification and openings on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Core themes from the analysis included 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. The practice of vegetalismo holds lessons for guiding women's sexual and spiritual lives and possibly for future plant-facilitated psychotherapy for women who have experienced sexual trauma.