Peruvian Mapacho Masos: Tradition, Spirituality, and the Importance of Caution

Peruvian Mapacho Masos are deeply intertwined with the spiritual and cultural practices of indigenous Amazonian communities. Made from tightly wrapped and fermented Nicotiana Rustica leaves, these masos represent not just a powerful Tabaco product, but a tool of significant spiritual importance.

Traditional Use and Significance

Mapacho Tabaco has been used for thousands of years by indigenous tribes in the Amazon and Andes for various ceremonial and healing purposes. It plays a crucial role in shamanic practices, where it is believed to connect the physical and spiritual worlds. Shamans use the smoke from Mapacho during rituals to cleanse, protect, and provide spiritual insight. The smoke is thought to form a protective barrier, keeping negative energies and spirits at bay, which is why Mapacho is frequently used in combination with other sacred plants like Ayahuasca.

In addition to its use in smoking rituals, Mapacho is often consumed in liquid form. The preparation involves soaking the leaves in water to create a concentrated brew. This liquid is then either inhaled through the nose or consumed as a tea, each method carrying its own set of traditional benefits. Inhaling the liquid is said to cleanse the body and mind, promoting clarity and focus, while drinking it induces strong purging and detoxification, which is seen as a way to rid the body of toxins and negative energies.

Mapacho and Its Potential in Rapé Blends

While Mapacho is traditionally not used in Brazilian Rapé preparations, where potent varieties like Moi, Sabia, and Arapiraca are more commonly employed, it is nonetheless a suitable choice for creating homemade Rapé blends. Mapacho's unique strength and robust flavor make it an excellent base for Rapé, particularly when combined with ashes such as Parika or Tsunu. When mixed in a 1:1 ratio, the resulting blend can offer a powerful and grounding experience, harnessing the deep, earthy qualities of Mapacho while enhancing the spiritual and physical effects with the balancing properties of the ashes. This combination can create a potent Rapé that is both cleansing and clarifying, suitable for those who seek a strong and effective snuff for spiritual work.

The Practice of Mapacho Drinking and Its Risks

The practice of drinking Mapacho tea is a powerful ritual often used to foster strength, mental clarity, and deep physical and spiritual cleansing. However, this practice is not without significant risks. Mapacho, due to its extremely high nicotine content, is much stronger than the Tabaco used in commercial products, and consuming it in the form of tea can be dangerous if not done correctly.

Warnings from Practitioners: Experienced practitioners, such as tabaqueros and shamans, strongly advise against experimenting with Mapacho drinking without proper guidance. The ritual of drinking Mapacho tea is an intense and potentially hazardous experience that should only be undertaken with the supervision of a knowledgeable and experienced shaman. Misjudging the dosage or failing to follow the necessary preparatory and post-ceremony protocols can lead to severe physical reactions, including lethal effects, depending on an individual’s sensitivity and the amount consumed.

This caution is emphasized due to the potent nature of Nicotiana Rustica, which contains nicotine levels up to 20 times higher than common Tabaco. The tea is traditionally used to induce vomiting as a means of purification, but without proper control, it can cause overwhelming toxicity.

Modern Relevance and Ethical Considerations

In recent years, Mapacho has gained popularity outside its traditional context, particularly in spiritual retreats and healing ceremonies around the world. However, this widespread use has raised ethical concerns regarding cultural appropriation and the potential dangers of using such a powerful plant medicine without the proper respect, understanding, and guidance.

Mapacho Masos remain a potent and sacred tool in traditional Amazonian medicine. Whether used in smoking, snuff, or liquid form, it is essential to approach this plant with deep respect and awareness of its power, always prioritizing safety and tradition over experimentation.

Customer feedback:

"...Beautifull product, beautifull spirit. Very effective in clearing your energysystem and calming the mind. A very nice taste, which may vary a bit from roll to roll. Very potent too, which may vary aswell from roll to roll but overall very intense and clearing. When smoked in a pipe it leaves a very pure and potent smell and cleares the space in no time. I make tea from it for snorting, so no Rapé. First I cut a chunk of one to two centimeters from the roll, fill up a large cup with springwater and let it boil. I unravel the chunk of Mapacho in the meantime so there are loose bits and put it in the cup. Then pour over the hot water, first a little bit and mix it, adding a little more while mixing just untill all the leaves are fully swollen with water and are mostly covered with water. It’s a slow proces and takes up to ten minutes to finish. The amount of water is quite critical, too little makes the medicine too strong, too much too weak. If the vapors still priccle the nose when inhaling, the brew should be fine. Then I cover the cup up and put it on a heater to keep the heat a couple of hours longer in the cup, in my experience this adds to a stronger final product. Let it sit for at least three hours before it’s ready. I only remove the leaves after two or three days so it can mature a bit more..."

See here how to make powder from raw Tabaco.

See here how to blend your own Rapé.

You can read more about the use and history, and the significance of this Tabaco on the Mapacho Facebook page.

Other names: Mapacho masos, Nicotiana rustica, Rustica

​In addition to Ayahuasca rituals that are combined with Tabaco snuffs, there are even shamans that specialised in Tabaco healing, called tobaqueros (Jauregui et al. 2011). When used in shamanic rituals, Tabaco is assumed to protect, cleanse and re-align energies, thereby bringing profound clarity and healing (Jauregui et al. 2011). Furthermore, South American shamans, commonly use Tabaco smoke to blow it over the person to be healed with the intention to bring their energies into equilibrium and clean out all negativity and anxiety (i.e. ‘sopladas’ – the healing energy of blowing) (Jauregui et al. 2011). Thus, Tabaco in the shamanistic culture has a potent function of cleansing, bringing clarity and focus, and for allowing strong visualisations.

Nicotiana Rustica is extremely potent, containing up to 20 times higher levels of nicotine than the usual Tabaco, Nicotiana Tabacum (Stanfill et al. 2010). Therefore, this shamanic tool is extremely powerful and can provide an intense journey of cleansing and energetic shift. Through this highly activating Tabaco, one might feel a strong aiming of the mind, and intense clarity and focus.

See here how to make powder from raw Tabaco.

See here how to blend your own Rapé.

Instructions for Proper Handling and Storage of Compressed Raw Tabaco

Compressed raw Tabaco, such as Mapacho or Arapiraca, is a fresh, humid product that requires careful handling to maintain its quality and prevent mold. These products are shipped from South America vacuum-sealed, and undergo strict quality checks upon arrival. They are individually checked, and again vacuum-sealed under maximum vacuum to ensure they remain fresh during storage and transport. Additionally, a light spray of bio-ethanol is applied to eliminate any traces of mold, which is part of the natural fermentation process. When you first open the package, you may notice the smell of alcohol, which will evaporate quickly.

To ensure your raw Tabaco remains in optimal condition, follow these detailed instructions:

Long-Term Storage in Vacuum-Sealed Packaging

Inspect the Packaging: Upon receiving your Tabaco, ensure that the vacuum seal is intact. The packaging should be tightly sealed around the Tabaco. If the package feels loose or you can move the Tabaco roll inside, the seal may have been compromised, possibly during customs inspection. In this case, it is recommended to follow the instructions for handling after opening immediately.

Storage: If the vacuum seal is intact and you do not plan to use the Tabaco immediately, store the package in the refrigerator or freezer. This cold environment will help preserve its moisture content and prevent deterioration, allowing the Tabaco to remain fresh for several months or longer.

Handling After Opening

Unpacking: When you open the vacuum-sealed package, remove the desired section of Tabaco and discard the plastic. To preserve the remaining material, store it open to the air in a dark, well-ventilated cupboard. Keeping the Tabaco exposed to air circulation will prevent excess moisture from accumulating, which can lead to mold formation. Ensure that the storage area is away from direct sunlight and not exposed to high humidity.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Regular Checks: Periodically check your Tabaco for any signs of mold or dryness. If the outer layer becomes dry or brittle, lightly mist it with distilled water. Allow the Tabaco to absorb the moisture gradually by leaving it in the open air. Avoid storing the Tabaco in plastic bags, as this will trap moisture and increase the risk of mold.

Alternative Storage in Humid Conditions

Humidity Management: In areas with high humidity, even storing Tabaco in paper can result in mold. In such environments, the best practice is to keep the Tabaco completely open to the air in a dark, dry place with good ventilation. This will help prevent moisture buildup. Ensure that the storage area is away from light and excessive humidity.

Freezing for Indefinite Storage

Freezer Storage: For long-term storage, consider cutting the Tabaco into smaller portions and storing them in individual grip-seal bags in the freezer. This method allows you to preserve the Tabaco indefinitely, defrosting only the amount you need at any given time. Freezing helps maintain the product’s integrity without the risk of mold.

Important Notes

Avoid High Humidity: In humid environments, keeping the Tabaco in paper can still lead to mold. The best practice is to keep it open to the air in a dark, well-ventilated space.

Regular Checks: Regularly inspect your Tabaco for any signs of mold or dryness. Adjust the storage method as necessary to ensure the product remains in optimal condition.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your compressed raw Tabaco stays fresh, mold-free, and ready for use whenever you need it. Proper handling and storage are key to preserving the quality and longevity of this traditional and organic product.

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Jauregui X, Clavo ZM, Jovel EM, Pardo-de-Santayana M (2011). Plantas con madre: plants that teach and guide in the shamanic initiation process in the East-Central Peruvian Amazon. J Ethnopharmacol.;134(3):739-52.

Stanfill SB, Connolly GN, Zhang, L, Jia, TL, Henningfield, J, Richter P, et al. (2010). Surveillance of international oral tobacco products: total nicotine, un-ionized nicotine and tobacco-specific nitrosamines. Tob. Control 20, e2.

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