Menstrual Cycle & Ayahuasca Tradition – Sacred Wisdom for Women
In our authentic ayahuasca retreat in Colombia, the menstrual cycle is not just a biological event; it is a deeply revered and powerful time for women. We honor specific traditions around a woman’s lunar cycle, recognizing its profound connection to the spiritual realm and the earth’s natural rhythms.
The Power Within: Purging and Regeneration
In indigenous yagé tradition, women are believed to embody immense power during their monthly cycle. This period is seen as a time of purging, regeneration, and heightened spiritual connection. It is a sacred interval where women are particularly attuned to the spirits and their inner wisdom.
Because of this unique energetic state, certain traditional medicines are not needed — and in fact, are discouraged — during menstruation. In rare cases, engaging with these medicines at this time may cause adverse effects, including heavy or uncontrolled bleeding. For more details on safety considerations, see our ayahuasca safety guide.
Sacred Space: Planning for Ceremony
For these significant reasons, women who are menstruating are not permitted to participate in our ceremonies. This tradition exists to ensure the safety and energetic integrity of the sacred space for everyone present.
We ask that you plan and schedule your retreat accordingly, being mindful of your cycle. If your period begins unexpectedly early during your stay, you will be moved to a separate building for the safety of yourself and other participants. You will still be cared for, and alternative supportive therapies will be offered.
If you’re planning a visit near Medellín, our guide to the best place to drink ayahuasca in Medellín can help you choose the right time.
Understanding the Tribal View: A Shaman’s Wife Shares Wisdom
We are honored to share the words of the wife of one of our revered shamans, offering a deeper look at the tribal perspective on women’s cycles:
“For too long, the menstrual cycle has been viewed negatively, ignored, or hidden. Society has taught women to suppress emotions and conceal their cycles, fearing they may be seen as weak. Releasing these societal constraints can profoundly impact a woman’s emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
Women of childbearing age live in a world often oriented toward masculine perceptions, which can obscure our innate understanding of ourselves and our cycles. Every woman experiences her period uniquely, and embracing this cyclical nature allows us to understand our timing, our moods, and our deeper self.
Many women experience discomfort before and during menstruation, often viewing these symptoms as negative. Yet if the root of this discomfort lies in the very essence of being a woman, then fighting it is not the answer. Western traditions often lack frameworks to positively integrate this awareness.
When a woman sees her menstrual life as an expression of her cyclical being, she begins to recognize herself as part of the grand rhythms of the universe. This deeper acceptance can bring harmony and healing. By recognizing, forgiving, and honoring what we’ve inherited — and letting go of what no longer serves — we heal the female lineage.”
Healing the Female Lineage
Consider this: a woman’s eggs are formed while she is still in her mother’s womb — meaning a part of you was once in your grandmother’s womb. We carry in our DNA the history of our ancestors: their emotions, mental structures, and physical experiences. Healing what we’ve inherited benefits not only ourselves but our entire lineage.
This healing begins when we discern what is truly ours from what has been passed down — identifying patterns that generate pain, frustration, or guilt. From here, we can work through guided meditations, creative expression, and lineage workshops to shift our inheritance into empowerment.
For a broader perspective on the healing journey, see our reflection in A Healing Journey is Not a Straight Line.
Menstruation in the Yagé Tradition
The menstrual cycle is an integral aspect of yagé practice. The teaching, “The woman who is on her period cannot take part in the ritual,” is rooted in the belief that during this time she is “downloading energies.” Her presence could potentially cause energetic disruptions to the yagé, the shaman, other participants, or even to herself.
In our tradition, women are asked to refrain from ceremony for three days before and three days after their period. Following the cycle, women are encouraged to bathe with basil to cleanse the energy produced during menstruation. This practice does not imply impurity — quite the opposite. Many legends regard the menstrual cycle as sacred medicine.
To learn more about our cultural foundations, visit our About Camino al Sol page.
FAQ – Menstrual Cycle & Ayahuasca
Q: Can women participate in ayahuasca during menstruation?
A: In our tradition, women do not participate during their menstrual cycle for safety and energetic reasons.
Q: Why do indigenous traditions restrict menstruating women from ceremonies?
A: Menstruation is viewed as a sacred time of energetic release, which can affect the ceremony’s energetic balance.
Q: What happens if my period starts during a retreat?
A: We will move you to a separate building and offer alternative therapies until your cycle ends.