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Ancestral Amazonian Medicine

Discover the Precious Ancestral Heritage of Peru’s Indigenous Peoples

Results of the first “Regional Meeting on Traditional Medicine and Indigenous Ancestral Knowledge” November 2023, Pucallpa – Peruvian Amazon

Indigenous community members gather around a table for a collaborative workshop and discussion.
Indigenous community members gather around a table for a collaborative workshop and discussion.
Indigenous leader in traditional headdress interviewed by journalists with microphones and cameras.
Indigenous leader in traditional headdress interviewed by journalists with microphones and cameras.
Two indigenous men in a workshop collaborating and writing on a pink poster at a community meeting.
Two indigenous men in a workshop collaborating and writing on a pink poster at a community meeting.
Roger Bardales given a speech hosting the first regional meeting on traditional amazonian medicine
Roger Bardales given a speech hosting the first regional meeting on traditional amazonian medicine
Indigenous woman writing at a community workshop featuring traditional textiles and cultural art.
Indigenous woman writing at a community workshop featuring traditional textiles and cultural art.
Indigenous community leaders participate in a collaborative workshop, signing documents on a table during a meeting.
Indigenous community leaders participate in a collaborative workshop, signing documents on a table during a meeting.
TV news crew interviewing Manuel Vasquez from the Ministry of Culture Ucayali
TV news crew interviewing Manuel Vasquez from the Ministry of Culture Ucayali
Presentation by lawyer Andres Muente Barbagelata from Misitry of Culture about law and rights
Presentation by lawyer Andres Muente Barbagelata from Misitry of Culture about law and rights
Indigenous community members in traditional attire collaborate on a project during a workshop.
Indigenous community members in traditional attire collaborate on a project during a workshop.
Poster for the 1st Regional Meeting of Traditional Medicine and Indigenous Ancestral Knowledge in Pucallpa, Peru.
Poster for the 1st Regional Meeting of Traditional Medicine and Indigenous Ancestral Knowledge in Pucallpa, Peru.
Vibrant green saplings growing from the forest floor with sunlight filtering through leaves.Vibrant green saplings growing from the forest floor with sunlight filtering through leaves.
Tropical trees reflecting in a calm river during a serene sunset in the Amazon rainforest.Tropical trees reflecting in a calm river during a serene sunset in the Amazon rainforest.
Serene tropical river landscape with sunset clouds reflecting in the calm water at dusk.Serene tropical river landscape with sunset clouds reflecting in the calm water at dusk.
Medicinal Plants
A white bird flies over a tropical river lined with dense green jungle trees under a blue sky.A white bird flies over a tropical river lined with dense green jungle trees under a blue sky.
Ancestral wisdom
Intercultural Health
Rights and Biopiracy

Conference Topics

In his speech, Manuel Pedro Vásquez Galán highlights the importance of creating forums such as the ‘First Regional Meeting on Traditional Medicines and Ancestral Knowledge 2023’ to recover and share knowledge that has been lost over time. He points out that ancestral medicine, living culture and the heritage of the Amazon hold great potential for the development of tourism in the region, provided this is approached with respect and authenticity. He also emphasises the need to re-evaluate practices such as Ayahuasca, not as a drug, but as a spiritual and healing expression deeply linked to the Amazonian worldview. Finally, he reaffirms the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to supporting these initiatives, promoting proposals and agreements that benefit communities and strengthen the preservation of their ancestral knowledge.

"Our Ayahuasca is not a drug; she is a mother to us all, a symbol of the origin of life in the Amazon. Ayahuasca is regarded as a sacred medicine that performs a deep cleansing, not only of the body but also of the spirit."

Manuel Pedro Vásquez Galan – Director of the Decentralised Office of the Decentralised Directorate of Culture for Ucayali

In his speech, Manuel Gambini Rupay highlighted that Ucayali is gaining international recognition, with upcoming visits from delegations interested in traditional Amazonian medicine, particularly Ayahuasca. He emphasised the need to improve conditions in the region to accommodate foreign patients and visitors, proposing to work alongside indigenous leaders to create suitable facilities that would also generate income for traditional healers.

“International visitors want to come and visit us and learn about our traditional medicine – they want to learn about our Ayahuasca."

Manuel Gambini Rupay – Regional Governor of Ucayali – speaking at the opening of the First Regional Conference on Traditional Medicine and Ancestral Knowledge 2023 in Santa Martha de Pucallpa.

He also emphasises that natural medicine is permitted under Peruvian law and plays an important role in disease prevention. The governor stresses the urgent need to pass this knowledge on to younger generations to prevent it from being lost, and calls for a renewed appreciation of the ancestral knowledge and medicinal plants of the Amazon, highlighting the exchange of knowledge between communities as key to strengthening this practice.

'The Regional Conference on Traditional Medicine and Indigenous Ancestral Knowledge' was organised by:

DIRESA Ucayali logo featuring a family silhouette over a map of the Ucayali region.
DIRESA Ucayali logo featuring a family silhouette over a map of the Ucayali region.
Official logo of the Ministerio de Cultura del Perú featuring the national coat of arms.
Official logo of the Ministerio de Cultura del Perú featuring the national coat of arms.
Official emblem of the Regional Government of Ucayali Peru featuring a coat of arms and text.
Official emblem of the Regional Government of Ucayali Peru featuring a coat of arms and text.
Embajada Indígena Amazónica logo featuring two hummingbirds and a pink flower over traditional geometric patterns.
Embajada Indígena Amazónica logo featuring two hummingbirds and a pink flower over traditional geometric patterns.
Official seal of Gerencia Regional de Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indigenas with indigenous symbols.
Official seal of Gerencia Regional de Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indigenas with indigenous symbols.
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Regional Health Directorate (DIRESA)

Peruvian Ministry of Culture

Ucayalí Regional Government

Regional Directorate for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Ucayalí

Amazonian Indigenous Embassy with the Shipibo-Conibo Ambassador Roger Bardales

Medicina-Amazónica.com

Documentation provided by the Amazonian Indigenous Embassy