Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi), known also as yagé, is the vision vine, the vine of the soul, the ancient medicine plant of the Amazon, the gift of The Father Sun to the human race, along with Coca leaves and Yuca root.

It is prepared by scrapping the bark from the woody stem of a liana and boiling it with various admixtures.

The main admixtures are Chagroponga (Diplopterys cabrerana) and leaves of a coffee family shrub (Psychotria viridis).

The active ingredients in the Ayahuasca liana are the beta-carbolines; harmine and harmaline. The Chagroponga adds tryptamines, powerfull psychoactive compounds marked by astounding visual imagery.

The Amazon Amerindians see the plant as a magical medicine for the body and mind. In a group of users collective visions occur and it is possible to communicate across great distances in the forest. The active ingredient harmaline was first called the telepathine.

Most of Ayahuasca users look for its body healing effect. In addition, the attending shaman interprets visions induced in the patient.