|
|
|
Ikaros Book by Dr. Rosa Giove
A unique document by Dr. Rosa Giove, the final legacy she gifted us before her passing. It is Takiwasi’s tribute to her gift of life. It includes the transcription of the lyrics of 61 ikaros.
Dear friends, it is with great joy and emotion that we announce the publication of the unpublished book in Spanish “Canta la Ayahuasca: Ikaros y enseñanzas de las plantas medicinales amazónicas”, the result of pioneering research carried out by Dr. Rosa Giove, co-founder and biomedical director of the Takiwasi Center for 30 years, whose legacy in the study and integration of traditional Amazonian medicine into the conventional healthcare system remains an essential reference.
Despite the time that has passed since the beginning of this research, the findings presented here retain a remarkable relevance. We have decided to preserve the original text almost intact, with only minimal editing, as a faithful testimony to Rosa’s voice and perspective, respecting its structure, language, and context. We chose to maintain the original character of the manuscript as an act of recognition and gratitude toward its author. In addition, we have included contextual notes and explanations to facilitate reading, along with musical scores, photographs, and images that enrich the work.
The publication of this book—which includes the transcription of the lyrics of 61 ikaros, of which 38 were transmitted to Takiwasi by various Indigenous and mestizo healer-teachers, and 23 were received by Dr. Rosa herself—has been made possible thanks to the collective effort of a committed team. We would especially like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Jacques Mabit and Tony Simões Relvas, who was responsible for the design and graphics of this beautiful work.
The book is available for purchase in digital format through our website, which allows us to raise the funds needed to soon offer a printed edition as well. If you would like to purchase it, you will find more information and payment options by clicking the green button below, and by visiting our online store where you can discover a preview of the book and its contents.
This book is a tribute to Rosa, and a recognition of her extraordinary commitment to the healing of those who needed it most.
|
|
|
Webinar: The Labyrinth of Ayahuasca
In our upcoming webinar, we will have the honor of exchanging in Spanish with Manuel Almendro, PhD in Psychology, clinical psychologist, member of the European Federation of Psychology Association, and director of the Oxígeme Center.
The starting point of the conversation is the book The Labyrinth of Ayahuasca, in which Dr. Almendro synthesizes forty years of coexistence and scientific research with healers, medicine men, and shamans from the Peruvian Amazon rainforest and the Mazatec highlands of Mexico. With solid academic rigor and personal accounts, the author introduces us to Indigenous worldviews, the historical contexts of shamanism, and explores the research currently being conducted on traditional Indigenous medicines.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m. (Peru time) during our live broadcast on Facebook.
|
|
|
New Testimonials About the Retreat / Diet
Two participants from different backgrounds, one from Peru and one from France, shared their testimonies about the master plant dieta experience, as well as the effects and changes they perceive now, several months after completing that therapeutic process.
Testimony from H.B., Peru:
"I found myself in a difficult situation at the family level, where I could not find a way to resolve structural problems of coexistence. I had the feeling of having failed in creating a pillar in my life and experienced difficulty projecting myself professionally.
Doing a retreat at Takiwasi was a very positive experience. Ten years ago, I had experiences with Amazonian medicine, but the level of support, care and professionalism I experienced at Takiwasi has nothing to do with what I had experienced before.
Emotionally and mentally, I feel calmer, with greater acceptance of things as they are. Within this acceptance, changes began to emerge after the first months that allow me to live a more peaceful life, without the mental neurosis of constantly searching for change.
The process helped me discover aspects of my life that I did not know about—actions that were harming my environment and that, as a consequence, generated a kind of karma lived in ignorance. It helped me become aware of my activities and those of my family lineage in order to find ways to change direction and begin undertaking acts of repair.
Takiwasi marks a before and an after in my life, with a new perspective to move forward. I feel that there are still more layers of the onion to discover, but one could say that many layers have already been opened, and within this new paradigm I am moving forward little by little. I would like to have more experiences at Takiwasi after progressing with the tasks that the dieta left me".
Testimony from Cédric, France:
"I am writing these lines 10 weeks after the diet, at a moment when the diet has taken effect—that is to say, I am more lucid, less confused; the diet has clearly cleaned the “radars” and “windows” that allow me to appreciate the world around me. Ten weeks after the end of the diet, here are the changes:
On a physical level: I stopped my “social agricultural alcoholism,” which consisted of drinking alcohol every day, sometimes in excessive amounts, considering it normal. I no longer have tendinitis in my left arm; it disappeared as if by magic, even though it used to make my life miserable (constant pain).
On a psychological level: I feel a sense of discernment. There are choices to make, and I am able to take action to move forward. I find the courage to name what is not right, in order to stop and change it.
On a spiritual level: I feel legitimate on Earth and welcomed in the human community. This brings a great deal of peace. I experienced a communion at the beginning of the ayahuasca session; after the burden on my back was removed, I was able to lift my head—the Virgin and Christ were there, waiting for me!
The work at Takiwasi is very precise and safe. This allows for discovery in complete trust. This rigor, which may seem excessive at first, is actually necessary and useful in order to explore unknown inner territories".
|
|
|
25th Congress of the International Society for Ethnopharmacology
Our Research and Development Manager, Matteo Politi, has been invited to participate as a speaker at the 25th Congress of the International Society for Ethnopharmacology (ISE), which will take place from September 14 to 17, 2026, in Foligno, Italy.
The central theme of this congress is “Ethnopharmacology and Transcultural Medicine,” highlighting the growing recognition of traditional medical knowledge as a valuable resource for global health.
For researchers interested in participating, abstract submissions will be open until May 1.
|
|
|
Retreats/Diets with Master Plants 2026
These are the dates for our next Master Plants Retreats/Diets for 2026.
• 11 - 23 May
• 15 - 27 June
• 13 - 25 July
• 17 - 29 August
• 7 - 19 September
For more information and to start the registration process please write to: terapia@takiwasi.com
|
|
|
Training in the Takiwasi Therapeutic Model – 2026
Only a few spots remain for the 5th edition of the Training in the Takiwasi Therapeutic Model, which will take place in Spanish from September 28 to October 10, 2026. Health professionals, educators, therapists, and others interested in participating can write to terapia@takiwasi.com for inquiries and registration.
This training includes resources from Amazonian Traditional Medicine and experiential workshops aimed at personal experience, as well as theoretical talks and seminars, offering a balanced and enriching experience on multiple levels.
|
|
|
Help us with your donation!
Takiwasi is a pioneering institution in the rehabilitation of people suffering from drug addiction, combining the wisdom of traditional Amazonian medicine with modern therapeutic approaches. For over 30 years, we have witnessed profound transformations in the lives of those seeking to heal their body, mind and soul.
We invite you to be part of this change. With your donation, you are providing people with limited resources with access to a cutting-edge treatment protocol, recognized worldwide and proven effective by scientific studies. Help us continue our research and preserve the ancestral knowledge and medicinal plants of the Amazon.
Every contribution counts: your donation allows us to continue offering hope and healing. Find out how to donate by clicking on the green button below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the individual and/or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete and/or destroy all copies of the original message and any attachments.
|
|
|
