Rapeh
Rapeh (hop-eh, rop-ay) is a medicinal tool that has been used in healing practices for thousands of years in the Amazon. The main ingredient is the holy plant Nicotiana rustica, or holy tobacco. This is different from the more common Nicotiana tabacum, that is used for cigarettes. Holy tobacco ash is mixed with various medicinal plants to provide many blends that can be used to aid in different physical and spiritual ailments. Depending on the plants used, it can have psychoactive or stimulating effects. Rapeh is used to decalcify the pineal, stimulate the third eye chakra, and clear away mental/emotional debris. This medicine also serves as an antiseptic for infections of the respiratory tract.
How is Rapeh medicine used?
Wind Medicine
Traditionally rapeh uses a connection of two people, reminding us of our togetherness. The person administering it uses a tool called a tepi to blow the medicine into the nasal cavity of the receiver. A kuripe, is a self-administering tool that can also be used. Rapeh is blown into each nostril to balance both sides of our being, the masculine and the feminine, the left and the right. At first the rapeh will cause a strong stimulation of the mucous membrane that can open up the mind, allowing your intentions to be brought forward. This will help to facilitate a freeing of physical, emotional or mental distress. The air used to administer this medicine is a connection to the great spirit of the Grandfather Wind that is the source of all life and has the ability to transcend perception. This medicine is used to cleanse and balance energy, purify, detox, and to connect more deeply to ourselves and nature. When used in ceremony it helps to align and synchronize openness and connection of the participants. It is important to keep the sacredness of this medicine and to not distort or misuse it. Because rapeh contains in it tobaccco, state legalities apply.