The shamanic snuff tobacco from the Amazon (aka Hapé, Rapeh) and how to use it.

What is rapé?

Also known as Hape, Rapeh, Rapé is a very fine, dry, and usually greenish/brownish powder. The shamans from South America have been using it for centuries as a medicine. Its main ingredient is a special kind of native tobacco.

So, is rapé merely a kind of snuff tobacco? Technically, yes. But this is a very reductive definition. In fact, this shamanic snuff is prepared by several South American tribes, mostly located in Peru, Colombia and Brazil, through a long and tedious process, which involves mixing tobacco with a wide range of Amazonian medicinal plants.

benefits of rapé

The indigenous tribes who have traditionally prepared and used rapé – which include but are not limited to include Katukina, Yawanawa, Nukini, Kuntanawa, Apurinã, Ashaninka, Kaxinawa, Matses and Nu-nu tribes.
They often produce their own specific kinds of rapé blend and have different ways of preparing their herbal snuff, also different techniques to songs that are sung during the rapé rituals, also known as Icaros.

Every tribe follows a different preparation recipe, which is handed down through generations and kept secret. So, there are several kinds of rapé, each of which has different taste and effect.

The Healing Properties of Medicinal Rapé

This is considered the medicine of the air. Although its element sounds subtle, snuff is one of the most powerful medicines, which feels like it burns everything in its path. It is blown with a cane into each nostril where the powder reaches the brain directly, opening the third eye and the pineal gland in its path.

Rapé pineal gland

Rapé is usually mixed with mint, eucalipto or with other mind altering plants, like coca, jurema, or yopo for unique effects. It is also known to potentiate the healing capacity of other plants, like ayahuasca. Furthermore, rapé is believed to help release emotional, physical, and spiritual illnesses, easing negativity and confusion, and enabling a thorough grounding of the mind.

Medicinal rapé is also used as a cure for certain diseases, sores, wounds, and as a defense against insects. It is also used as an analgesic and narcotic substance that eases fatigue, pain, hunger, and thirst. There are even special rapé blends that are made to counteract influenza and other diseases.

Because tobacco-based rapé contains nicotine, it increases blood flow to the brain and stimulates the release of several neurotransmitters that heightens alertness and uplifts your mood. The indigenous people believe that rapé can increase your focus, presence, and intuition, spiritually opening up your body and mind to higher communication and holistic thinking.

Because tobacco-based rapé contains nicotine, it increases blood flow to the brain and stimulates the release of several neurotransmitters that heightens alertness and uplifts your mood. The indigenous people believe that rapé can increase your focus, presence, and intuition, spiritually opening up your body and mind to higher communication and holistic thinking. The desire to vomit may come on immediately or shortly after receiving the rapé. The desire to vacate your bowels may follow a few minutes after that. The “limpeza” is considered to be cleansing and purifying; it is the medicine working to purge your body and mind of anything that is toxic and negative. Whether or not the rapé elicits vomiting or pooping, it will most definitely clear out your nasal passages and sinuses. Most people will spend a few minutes blowing their nose or hocking loogies after receiving rapé, until all the mucus clears away.

Rapé-effects and properties

The right way to Consume Rapé

Rapé is administered through two different types of pipes, which are typically made from bamboo or bone. The first type of pipe requires the assistance of another person, who blows the snuff with a powerful blast into each nostril of the partner who is receiving the rapé. For that reason, it is generally referred to as the blow pipe and, in Brazil, the 2-person pipe is called a “tepi”.

rapé medicinal

If you don’t have a friend whom can help you by blowing the snuff up your nose,
don’t worry, you can do it yourself with a self-applicator pipe called a “kuripe”. A kuripe is a small V-shaped pipe that connects your mouth to your nostril. While it’s always harder to blow yourself than to have a friend blow you, trying to get a non-knowledgeable person to do this is the least desirable option. That is why it is always a good idea to have your own kuripe, and learn how to apply the medicine yourself.

medicinal-rape-snuff

The Appropriate Set & Setting for a Rapé Ritual

Because the act of taking rapé is a prayer, the set and setting will impact the experience of your prayer. The best places to take rapé are in the great outdoors – in nature, during an ayahuasca ceremony, or in a quiet sacred space indoors, with high-vibrational music playing.

spiritual rapé

Also, depending on the medicinal plants which were used in the rapé blend, you may experience a wide range of sensations after taking your rapé, from emotional upwellings, to vomiting and bowel movements. Here are some
timeless tips to set up your space – and yourself – for comfort:
• It’s a good idea to have a bottle of water nearby, as well as tissues and/or a roll of toilet paper for blowing your nose.
• If you think you are going to be thirsty, drink water BEFORE snuffing your rapé, because any water you might drink afterwards will taste like rapé which can be an unpleasant experience.
• Don’t eat immediately before taking rapé, because it may come right out after. It’s a good idea to leave at least an hour between your last meal and rapé session.
• Make sure you have an easily accessible place to vomit in case the urge suddenly descends upon you.
• Make sure you are also close to the toilet in case you get a sudden urge to have a bowel movement.
• Make sure your friends are aware of what you are doing (so nobody
interrupts your moment of deep contemplation).

Rapé Safety Tips for the Modern Shaman

As with any kind of potent medicine, rapé can be abused and consumed in ways which are less sacred, and more recreational. Rapé can be hard on your sinuses, so overuse can create sinus problems and damage to your respiratory system. Also, because the medicinal plants in rapé blends vary, its effects on your system can vary. Misuse can lead to addiction or even send you to the hospital. For this reason, it’s important to test your rapé and as with any substance, know where it comes from. Also, using rapé with other drugs, like MDMA, is not advised as the
contraindications may be unknown. Rapé is frequently offered during ayahuasca ceremonies, but you may want to tune in and decide whether rapé is really what your body needs at that moment.

tabaco sniff

How to use?

It is applied by blowing, by means of a projector, in each of the nostrils. The right nostril connects with the left hemisphere which is in charge of logical-mathematical analysis and the left nostril connects with the right hemisphere which is responsible for orientation in space, creativity, psychic perception, intuition, creativity and artistic sensitivity.