Trichocereus-Huachuma

Chavin Guardian

HUACHUMA OR SAN PEDRO (Trichocereus pachanoi or Echinopsis pachanoi)

This Sacred Plant has been used for thousands of years by our nation´s ancestral cultures, as the clearest evidence on the use of San Pedro in ancient times, is related to the Chavín culture which developed in the Northern part of Peru, around 3,500 years ago. Although, we suppose that its use must date back to many centuries before the formation of Chavín and Huachuma has continued to be used through history and up to our present days, by the Mochica, Chimú, Nasca, Tihuanaco, Wari cultures, etc.

The Huachuma Sacred Medicine was one of the main Master Plants used during the Incan period, for the preparation of different Sacred Beverages.

The name “San Pedro” comes from the colonial period and the belief goes that it was given to that plant, as a relation was made with the Christian Saint who was in charge of the keys of Heaven.

The Huachuma is a cactus scientifically called Trichocereus, of which exist several varieties and two of them have widely been used as part of the preparation of Sacred Beverages and these are: Trichocereus pachanoi and Trichocereus peruvianus.

The region where the Huachuma is still very much in use as a healing medicine is located in the North of Peru and especially around Chiclayo, Trujillo and Piura. In these places, there are Shamans and Healers who use the medicine in distorted ways, in comparison with its ancestral use. However, the medicinal and psychological healing is still being put into practice there, as well as in other parts of the country.

For the moment, the use of San Pedro is very widespread as an entheogen substance and as the main ingredient in a variety of neo-shamanic practices, as well as in mystical syncretism.

Huachuma is another Incan medicine that offers the option to some individuals to operate a connection with Archetypes and Dominant Forces of the Higher Collective Spiritual Consciousness. This powerful medicine can lead us to states of Consciousness in which unconscious complexes deeply rooted within the human being, can be dissolved. However, in order to really obtain beneficial effects, it is necessary that its use should be complemented with techniques of psychic and spiritual mastery, which allow the achievement of a re-elaboration and re-integration of the altered state of consciousness which the person who has ingested the medicine has been lead to.

Occidental scientists have performed several studies on that Sacred Plant and the main component they discovered in it has been called mescaline; a substance that was also found in another Sacred Plant from Mexico, called Peyote. The name mescaline was a mistake on the part of the scientists who analyzed a sample of the cactus, giving it the name of mescal buttons, instead of its real name which is peyote buttons. The first experience with mescaline was performed in 1897 and the first total synthesis of the compound took place in 1919, as this was the first isolated and purified entheogen substance extracted from a plant.

The use of Huachuma has always been related to the phases of the Moon and in general, nocturnal ceremonies take place during Full Moon nights, although, in many occasions, the ceremonies are also being performed during the day. In contrast with the Ayahuaska, this medicine gives, in general, the capacity of movement and orientation in the light, intensifying one´s senses and making them sharper. This is why many consumers of San Pedro like to use the medicine during daytime hikes in the mountains or in other natural landscapes. Huachuma is a Sacred Medicine which has allowed many “psychonauts” to undergo self-experiences; that is to say, consume the plant without the participation of a Shaman, Healer or experienced guide. However, in cases of physical or mental healing, it is always recommendable that the medicine should be administered by a duly trained and experienced Healer.

There are several ways of preparing that medicine: The plant can be consumed fresh and raw or dry and pulverized, adding water and honey to it in a cooking process that lasts several hours. It can also be prepared in a mixture with other medicinal plants. It is recommended that the doses should be administered by the Healer who knows the medicine´s preparation.