Mambe
Mambe is composed of powdered coca leaves (Erythroxylum coca) and ash-yarumo from the cecropia tree (Cecropia sciadophylla or Cecropia peltata).
The Mambe is according to muruy tradition, the word. Traditional knowledge is orally transmitted through a ritual, the mambeo - when you use the Mambe and the Ambil together, the Ambil brings thoughts and the Mambe translates it into words.
El mambe es fruto de la combinación de hoja de coca Erythroxylum coca, variedad ipadu pulverizada y ceniza de yarumo* Cecropia sciadophylla, cuya función es liberar el alcaloide para permitir su actividad. La coca forma un matrimonio inseparable con el tabaco por lo que la acompañan con AMBIL.
*To mambeo means to ingest coca by putting “mambe” inside the cheeks, where it is slowly absorbed through the mouth and digestive tissues.As this action does not correspond to“to eat coca”or“to chew coca,” this new verb, borrowed from Spanish, is introduced: mambeo, mambed, mambeing.
For the indigenous peoples of South America, coca is a mother, a sacred plant that nourishes and gives life, a medicine that heals body and spirit, and in this way we must also treat it. Because when it is used for other purposes, when the use of medicinal plants is decontextualized, then they lose all their benefits and can be harmful. Although I believe that it is important to share and make the Mambe known in our society, I also want to warn of the danger that it is misinterpreted.
While the Mambe clarifies, concentrates and clears the spirit, the Ambil complements to externalize through the word, the internal state that the Mambe has prepared.
The act of Mambear implies discipline and responsibility, since through the use of the aforementioned plants the physical body enhances its moods and metabolism, generating altered states of consciousness where a greater concentration and a level of listening and self can be evidenced. observation higher than in the normal state of any human being, for this reason during the practice of Mambeo the participants achieve a better retention of the teachings and concepts that the knowers put in the conversation, generating as a result a continuous learning of how to live the life in permanent happiness in contact with the inner and outer nature that surrounds the human being.
The act of Mambear implies discipline and responsibility, since through the use of the aforementioned plants the physical body enhances its moods and metabolism, generating altered states of consciousness where a greater concentration and a level of listening and self can be evidenced. observation higher than in the normal state of any human being, for this reason during the practice of Mambeo the participants achieve a better retention of the teachings and concepts that the knowers put in the conversation, generating as a result a continuous learning of how to live the life in permanent happiness in contact with the inner and outer nature that surrounds the human being.
Coca leaf (Erythroxylum coca) and mambe, (toasted and pulverized coca leaf mixed with the ash of Yarumo leaves), have been used ceremonially in the Andean and Amazonian regions of South America for thousands of years. The earliest record of ceremonial use of the plant can be traced to Huanca Prieto in northern Peru cerca 2500 BC. Since then the plant has maintained a central importance in indigenous communities’ offerings to Pachamama, Inti, guardian spirits of the surrounding forests, trees and mountains (apus).
In these communities the plant is also used as a tool for promoting productive conversations amongst community members, and for making decisions that affect the well-being of others. When taken along with ambil, or a tobacco paste, mambe opens our throat chakra, sweetens our words and lends transparency and directness to our speech. This tradition of conversing with mambe after sundown for many hours as a community is to mambear and ambilear. During this time, elders pass along their knowledge and wisdom to the younger generations. Interestingly, women attend these sessions but typically do not consume the plants. These traditions which connect us to each other and to the land are what we wish to share with participants at ECA retreats.
Preparations and uses of the plant vary from region to region, with highland Andean peoples chewing mouthfuls of entire leaves along with a small amount of an alkaloid, and Amazonian and other lowland groups using the powdered form called mambe. Where the entire leaf and alkaloid are used, the juices of the plant are swallowed and then the chewed leaves are placed on the land as an offering. A central role of the plant in highland cultures is also to oxygenate the blood and allow for labor at high altitudes by decreasing the detrimental effects of altitude sickness. In the lowlands the plant is more often consumed as mambe, which stores better in the humid climate. There the powder is placed in the mouth and eventually swallowed.
In addition to oxygenating the blood and mitigating altitude sickness, coca helps to overcome fatigue, hunger and thirst. It has also been used for centuries and an anesthetic to alleviate the pain from headaches, rheumatism and wounds. Its high calcium content explains why it was used for bone fractures, and because coca constricts blood vessels, it also serves to oppose bleeding. Coca has also been reported to treat malaria, ulcers, asthma, and indigestion, and it has been credited with improving longevity. Modern studies support these applications.
Coca leaf contains essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, vitamins B1, B2, C, and E, and nutrients such as protein and fiber. It said to contain 5 times the protein per gram as red meat.
Lastly, coca is considered by the abuelos, taitas, curanderos and shamans of the Americas to be one of the 7 master plants, along with Ayahuasca (Yagé), San Pedro Cactus (Huachuma), Peyote (Hikuri), Yopo, Psilocybin mushrooms, and tobacco. When used intentionally these plants connect us with the spiritual realm, open a space for self-reflection in our lives, and heal.
In these communities the plant is also used as a tool for promoting productive conversations amongst community members, and for making decisions that affect the well-being of others. When taken along with ambil, or a tobacco paste, mambe opens our throat chakra, sweetens our words and lends transparency and directness to our speech. This tradition of conversing with mambe after sundown for many hours as a community is to mambear and ambilear. During this time, elders pass along their knowledge and wisdom to the younger generations. Interestingly, women attend these sessions but typically do not consume the plants. These traditions which connect us to each other and to the land are what we wish to share with participants at ECA retreats.
Preparations and uses of the plant vary from region to region, with highland Andean peoples chewing mouthfuls of entire leaves along with a small amount of an alkaloid, and Amazonian and other lowland groups using the powdered form called mambe. Where the entire leaf and alkaloid are used, the juices of the plant are swallowed and then the chewed leaves are placed on the land as an offering. A central role of the plant in highland cultures is also to oxygenate the blood and allow for labor at high altitudes by decreasing the detrimental effects of altitude sickness. In the lowlands the plant is more often consumed as mambe, which stores better in the humid climate. There the powder is placed in the mouth and eventually swallowed.
In addition to oxygenating the blood and mitigating altitude sickness, coca helps to overcome fatigue, hunger and thirst. It has also been used for centuries and an anesthetic to alleviate the pain from headaches, rheumatism and wounds. Its high calcium content explains why it was used for bone fractures, and because coca constricts blood vessels, it also serves to oppose bleeding. Coca has also been reported to treat malaria, ulcers, asthma, and indigestion, and it has been credited with improving longevity. Modern studies support these applications.
Coca leaf contains essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, vitamins B1, B2, C, and E, and nutrients such as protein and fiber. It said to contain 5 times the protein per gram as red meat.
Lastly, coca is considered by the abuelos, taitas, curanderos and shamans of the Americas to be one of the 7 master plants, along with Ayahuasca (Yagé), San Pedro Cactus (Huachuma), Peyote (Hikuri), Yopo, Psilocybin mushrooms, and tobacco. When used intentionally these plants connect us with the spiritual realm, open a space for self-reflection in our lives, and heal.
BENEFITS:
- used for ceremonies to open the mind, helps you focus and canalize ideas
- Healing Supertonic, keeps your body alkaline, healthy and energized for long periods of time without a crush or secondary effect.
- Increases alertness, endurance, and stamina improving vitality.
- Eliminates chronic fatigue and lethargy and has antidepressant effects
- Promotes healing balance and consciousness expansion
- Increases resistance to disease and strengthens the immunity system
- Helps to reduce stress and sensation of hunger
- used for ceremonies to open the mind, helps you focus and canalize ideas
- Healing Supertonic, keeps your body alkaline, healthy and energized for long periods of time without a crush or secondary effect.
- Increases alertness, endurance, and stamina improving vitality.
- Eliminates chronic fatigue and lethargy and has antidepressant effects
- Promotes healing balance and consciousness expansion
- Increases resistance to disease and strengthens the immunity system
- Helps to reduce stress and sensation of hunger
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Mambe is not meant to be chewed. Start taking 1/4 – 1/2 tea spoon to the mouth (about 1-2 grams), without swallowing it. The powder is placed between the gum and cheek like traditional coca leaves and moistened with saliva and gently sucked. Do not chew or crush the bolus, just keep it wet enough while it dissolves for 15 – 30 minutes. You can increase the intake over time, but a small amount is recommended as starting point to get your body used to improve the absorption gradually. You can consume it the same way as chewing tobacco or even sublingual for faster energy.
Powder can be mixed with blended fresh juices, yogurt or shakes. Powder added to a protein shake helps your body heal during or after the workout, reducing post-workout soreness and providing extra energy. It is recommended, 1/2-1 teaspoon for 12 oz protein shake.
Mambe is not meant to be chewed. Start taking 1/4 – 1/2 tea spoon to the mouth (about 1-2 grams), without swallowing it. The powder is placed between the gum and cheek like traditional coca leaves and moistened with saliva and gently sucked. Do not chew or crush the bolus, just keep it wet enough while it dissolves for 15 – 30 minutes. You can increase the intake over time, but a small amount is recommended as starting point to get your body used to improve the absorption gradually. You can consume it the same way as chewing tobacco or even sublingual for faster energy.
Powder can be mixed with blended fresh juices, yogurt or shakes. Powder added to a protein shake helps your body heal during or after the workout, reducing post-workout soreness and providing extra energy. It is recommended, 1/2-1 teaspoon for 12 oz protein shake.
Yarumo (cecropia tree)
