Ayahuasca has become a global word—but its roots are not a trend. It comes from a living Amazonian tradition where the medicine is treated as sacred, the ceremony is guided by lineage, and the work is held with discipline, humility, and care.

At Inti Wasi, our philosophy is simple: honor the tradition, protect the participant, and prioritize real integration. That means small groups, clear preparation, thorough screening, and a ceremony container led by experienced lineage-based practitioners—not “tourism” shortcuts.

This master guide combines the full story and practical guidance you need to understand:

• the Amazonian foundations of ayahuasca practice
• the Llerena family lineage (Don Julio and his son Jairo)
• how ayahuasca reached Western awareness through early pioneers
• what separates authentic ceremonies from commercialized “ayahuasca tourism”
• and the safety + preparation standards that matter most

Ayahuasca in the Amazonian Tradition

In Amazonian contexts, ayahuasca is not approached as a recreational psychedelic. It is commonly understood as a master plant teacher used in ceremony to support healing, insight, and spiritual learning. Traditional practitioners may use the ceremony space to diagnose and address imbalance across mind, body, emotions, and spirit—often working with a wider ecosystem of plant medicines and methods, not ayahuasca alone.

Ceremony itself is part of the medicine: the setting, the prayers, the songs (icaros), the energetic protection, and the guidance of a trained ayahuasquero/curandero.

Don Julio Llerena Pinedo: A Patriarch of Plant Wisdom

Don Julio Llerena Pinedo (1918–2007) is remembered as a revered Amazonian ayahuasquero and maestro palero—a master of “teacher trees” and plant spirits within the mestizo Amazonian vegetalista tradition.

His initiation story reflects a core principle of this lineage: the plants teach through discipline. As a young man, Don Julio suffered a serious snakebite and turned to a master shaman who prescribed a long, strict dieta—months of isolation, fasting, and specific plant preparations. That experience didn’t just mark recovery; it became the gateway into apprenticeship and a lifelong path of service.

Over decades, Don Julio became known for deep plant knowledge, strong ceremonial skill, and a grounded, ethical presence—earning respect among locals, fellow healers, and Western apprentices alike.

La Dieta: The Backbone of Authentic Practice

“La dieta” is one of the most misunderstood parts of the ayahuasca tradition—and one of the most important.

In traditional practice, dieta isn’t only a list of “foods to avoid.” It’s a form of training and purification, an agreement of respect with the medicine, and a way to become more receptive and protected in ceremony.

Dieta for participants (pre/post ceremony)

Most authentic retreat settings recommend a preparation diet for at least 1–2 weeks before drinking. This typically includes:

• avoiding pork and heavy meats
• low salt and low sugar
• no alcohol or drugs
• avoiding certain fermented/aged foods
• abstaining from sexual activity (often framed as conserving energy and staying clear)

These guidelines have both spiritual and practical purposes, including reducing risk with ayahuasca’s MAOI properties and helping the body and nervous system enter ceremony in a cleaner, steadier state.

Dieta for practitioners (years of apprenticeship)

For lineage practitioners, dietas are far stricter and longer—often repeated across many plants over many years. This is how the healer develops relationships with plant teachers and builds the energetic “library” they later draw on in ceremony through icaros and other methods.

The Western Journey: Peter Gorman and the Early Bridge

Western awareness of ayahuasca didn’t begin with social media. It began through a small number of early explorers, ethnobotanists, and journalists who approached the Amazon directly—often under difficult, remote conditions.

One of the most influential was Peter Gorman, who wrote an early major U.S. magazine account of ayahuasca in the 1980s and spent decades connected to the region, helping curious Westerners experience authentic Amazonian contexts rather than diluted “tourist” versions.

Importantly, Gorman had a direct relationship with the Llerena lineage and worked closely with Don Julio and later with Jairo. This relationship helped shape early Western understanding of ayahuasca as something that belongs to a disciplined ceremonial tradition—not a thrill-seeking “experience.”

Jairo Llerena Valles: Continuing the Lineage with Heart-Centered Integrity

Jairo Llerena Valles is Don Julio’s son and inheritor of the family lineage—recognized for a grounded, heart-centered approach and decades of experience holding ceremonies for people from many backgrounds.

Jairo began learning at a young age and trained through the traditional modes: apprenticeship, dietas, and direct ceremonial practice. Over time, he also became deeply skilled at bridging cultural gaps with Western participants—understanding the fears, expectations, and sensitivities that can arise when someone enters this work without Amazonian cultural conditioning.

What authentic ceremonies look like in this lineage

In the Llerena tradition, ceremony is not “content.” It’s a living practice with structure, energetic intelligence, and real-time guidance:

• night ceremonies held in darkness

• icaros sung specifically for participants, not as performance
• traditional tools such as mapacho and cleansing methods
• a strong emphasis on dieta, preparation, and ethical boundaries

• support that continues beyond the maloca, including integration

The Inti Wasi connection

This is one reason Inti Wasi has aligned with a lineage-centered approach. We have witnessed how a properly held ceremony—guided by experience, humility, and true tradition—creates not only profound moments, but lasting change when paired with careful aftercare and integration.

Authentic Ceremonies vs. “Ayahuasca Tourism”

As interest has grown, so has commercialization. This has created a wide spread in quality—from deeply responsible, lineage-based work to unsafe, opportunistic “tourism” models.

Signs of authentic practice

Look for:

• clear lineage/training history (dietas, apprenticeship, mentorship)
• small groups that allow real individual attention
• screening and honest medical intake

• strong emphasis on dieta and preparation

• integration support after ceremony
• an environment with ethical safeguards, clear boundaries, and a competent team

Red flags to avoid

Be cautious of:

• huge ceremonies with minimal support
• marketing that promises entertainment or “guaranteed breakthroughs”
• no screening, no preparation standards, no integration
• unclear facilitator credentials
• environments that feel chaotic, pressured, or profit-driven

In short: the container matters. The “same” medicine can produce very different outcomes depending on who holds it and how.

Safety: Screening, Contraindications, and Responsible Support

Ayahuasca is powerful—and should never be approached casually. A responsible path includes both traditional wisdom and modern safety awareness.

Common standards in reputable settings include:

• medical screening (including heart conditions, blood pressure risks, seizure history, and other contraindications)
• strict medication exclusions, especially many psychiatric medications (for example, SSRIs/SNRIs/MAOIs) due to serious interaction risks
• avoidance of recreational drugs, stimulants, and contraindicated supplements
• a clear plan for support during ceremony (trained helpers, supervision, safe environment)
• strong post-ceremony integration support, because the experience can leave people emotionally and psychologically sensitive

This article is educational—not medical advice. Anyone considering ayahuasca should be fully honest on intake forms and consult a qualified medical professional if they have any medical conditions or are on medications.

Integration: Where Transformation Becomes Real

A meaningful ceremony can open insight, emotion, release, and deep spiritual contact. But the long-term benefit comes from integration: turning what you experienced into grounded change.

Helpful integration practices often include:

• journaling and reflection
• gentle time in nature
• honest conversations with skilled support people (facilitators, therapists, integration circles)
• avoiding alcohol/drugs for a period afterward
• rest, hydration, and simple nourishing food
• patience—some insights unfold over weeks, not hours

At Inti Wasi, we treat integration as part of the ceremony—not an optional add-on.

The Inti Wasi Philosophy

Our philosophy is built around three pillars:

1) Lineage and integrity
We honor authentic practice and the depth of training that protects the space.

2) Safety and discernment
We prioritize screening, preparation, and a responsible container over volume or spectacle.

3) Integration and respect
We support participants before, during, and after—because real healing is not just what happens in one night.

If you’re exploring this path, our strongest encouragement is this: choose depth over hype. Choose safety over shortcuts. Choose a setting that treats the work as sacred.

Choosing the Right Retreat: Questions to Ask

If you’re discerning where to sit, ask directly:

• Who trained the lead healer? For how many years?
• What does your screening process include?
• What medications and conditions exclude participation?
• What is the group size? How many helpers are present?
• What preparation standards do you require (dieta, abstinence, substances)?
• What support is available during ceremony?
• What integration support is provided afterward?

A trustworthy retreat will answer clearly—and will never pressure you to participate.

Final Note

Ayahuasca is not a shortcut. It’s a demanding teacher. But when approached with humility, preparation, and an authentic ceremonial container, many people experience it as a powerful catalyst for insight, healing, and reconnection.

If you feel called to explore this work, Inti Wasi is here to support a path that is grounded in tradition, held with care, and designed for real integration.