The Tree Dieta: A Journey into Transformation and Connection

In the early summer of 2013, after an amazing week in the jungle doing 5 ayahuasca ceremonies and about 3 months of integration, I decided to book another journey for January 2014. I travelled with a friend to Peru and we shared our intentions for our respective journeys. My friend casually mentioned that not only was she doing ayahuasca but she was also doing the tree dieta. After a lot of questions and some hesitation, I decided to see if I could be cleared for the tree dieta. Upon arrival to the retreat center, I asked the maestro if I could participate in tree dieta. Once again, he scanned me up and down, look right through me, and with a knowing grin, he said, “Yes, you are ready for a dieta.” I was super excited for the experience; however, in my gut, I felt a deep sense of dread and foreboding. The expression, “Ignorance is bliss” immediately came to mind. Little did I know.

The tree dieta began on Sunday afternoon, two hours before the first ayahuasca ceremony. Only seven of us were called to do this dieta journey. We gathered around Don Alberto and watched as he blessed and called in the spirits for the “tea”. The “tea” was made up of six different tree barks: Lopuna Blanca, Ayahuma, Wyra Caspi, Punga Amarilla, Huacapurana, and Capirona. All of these trees are found in the Amazon jungle and these trees are filled with powerful yet subtle healing properties.

Don Alberto poured a glass of “tea”, called in the medicines for my spirit, and handed it to me. It was pleasant tasting and I drank it all down. About 45 minutes later, I begin to notice a shift in my perception. I experienced double vision and immediately, I had to go to the bathroom. When I came back to the maloca (ceremony room), I went up to an assistant and shared my experience. The assistant was dismissive of my observations. Not to be deterred from getting some much-needed validation, I went to another assistant and she immediately gave me reassurance and comfort. I was sensitive to the trees and it was normal to feel *something*. As time went on, my whole being began to shift. I wasn’t exactly “tripping balls” but I wasn’t exactly "not tripping balls" either.

As we settled into our places to prepare for the first ayahuasca ceremony of the week, I was full on mareación. It was so strange but when the ayahuasca was being carried into the maloca, I could tell that it was “hot” and I knew without words that I would not be drinking any that evening. My ceremony was a deep journey into the medicine space without a single drop of the ayahuasca! Something powerful was happening to say the least.

The next day the food part of the dieta began in earnest. We had a very restricted diet: farina, hard boiled eggs, and plantains for breakfast; every other day we had either chicken or a nasty tasting, bone filled fish along with farina and plantains for lunch. There was no salt, no spices, no oils, and no sugar. By day two, I began to lose interest in food. The dieters ate together and on the days when the chicken was served, we devoured everything, sucking on the marrow of the chicken bones. It was very primal and it was a special bonding moment for the dieters.

Other parts of the dieta included no bathing with soap, using deodorant, or toothpaste. If we wanted to get clean, we could jump into the pond or take a cold shower. I opted for the cold shower but I always felt like Pig Pen: a stinky, earthy, dirty human with a funky smelling towel that never quite dried. In addition, we were required to have limited contact with other non-dieters; and no physical touch unless it was from an assistant or maestro. Sticking only with the other dieters was a wise move as we did not notice the stench of our unbathed selves. Either that or we were too weak and polite to mention otherwise.

Our days were spent lounging in the hammocks, conserving energy; or taking a super slow walk to the pond. The rhythm of jungle days and nights became the backdrop for a very grounded but light-filled journey into the world of trees. Trees are alive, communicating their stories and messages. IYKYK.

Every late afternoon, two hours before ceremony, we would go into the maloca and receive our “tea”. As the week progressed, I began to notice how the “tea” was starting to ferment and the taste was becoming bitter. I drank my "tea" but it was becoming wretched and the foamy ferment was messing with my mind. Midway through the week, Don Alberto sang into my “tea” instead of whistling. Ever alert to subtle changes, I drank my “tea” and things started shifting again. Between not using body care products and eating a very limited diet, I was beginning to unravel patterns within my mind, body, and spirit. Was I human? Was I tree? Did it even matter?

I did eventually participate in the ayahuasca ceremonies after two days acclimating to the “tea”. I found that the ayahuasca was “softer” and would “wrap around” the roots of my being. I began to notice that I was the jungle and the jungle was me. Everything was super clear and rooted as my sense of self became entwined with tree roots while my physical self was being covered in protective tree bark.

On Saturday morning, the seven dieters met in the food hall to end our dieta journey. Don Alberto took a teaspoon of salt and whistled an icaro into the life-giving salt for each of us. When the blessed salt touched my tongue, my whole body came alive. I immediately grabbed my towel and body care products and went to take a cold but truly cleansing shower. Never in a million years would I have ever guessed that soap and water could be so amazing and refreshing. After I cleaned up, I went back to the food hall and made myself a cup of instant coffee with boxed milk. I felt so alive and grateful for that coffee. Breakfast was served and while I was starving for everything, I found I had little appetite for anything beyond scrambled eggs and some fresh buffalo mozzarella.

I learned so much about myself and about plant medicine from the tree dieta. I love ayahuasca...AND, the tree dieta was truly transformative in a way that I can barely describe in words. The first 24 months after the dieta was very intense as my integration started with a breakdown followed by several breakthroughs...but that is another story all together.

In January 2024, it will be 10 years since the tree dieta. I know deep within my being, I am still integrating and still interacting with the trees. I am connected to the trees in ways that I am not even aware. In a heartbeat, I would do it again. If you are interested in doing ayahuasca or a dieta, I recommend Casa Del Maestro.

If you are interested in plant medicine integration services, please contact me.

Dianne Hamda

Last evening of the dieta