Master Plant Dieta Guide: How to Do a Traditional Plant Dieta

This guide explains the three-day Master Plant Dieta protocol we practice and teach at Amazonian Plants, including how to prepare, what to eat and avoid, how to brew the plants, when to drink the tea, how to close the Dieta, and what to expect along the way.

What Are Master Plants?

In Peruvian Amazonian healing traditions, certain plants are regarded as “Master Plants” or teacher plants, valued for their healing and spiritual qualities. During a Dieta, you drink a Master Plant tea and follow a set of restrictions that help you connect with the plant. Dietas have traditionally been used for healing, learning, and developing relationships with plants [2] [4].

We provide traditional instructions to help you get the most out of your Dieta.

How to Prepare for a Master Plant Dieta

In our three-day protocol, we recommend two preparatory days before beginning the Master Plant itself. During these days, Pau D’Arco and Cat’s Claw tea is recommended but not required. Both plants are included in our Dieta Kits.

The preparatory period also creates a transition into the Dieta. Rather than moving directly from an ordinary busy day into a more inward practice, you begin simplifying your routine and turning your attention toward the experience.

Preparing the Pau D’Arco and Cat’s Claw Tea

Put the contents of the Pau D’Arco and Cat’s Claw bags into a pot (if you are not using our Dieta Kit, use three rounded teaspoons of each plant).
Add 6 cups of water.
Bring it to a boil and reduce it to a simmer (gentle boil).
Simmer for a few minutes, then turn off the heat and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Drink a cup (hot or cold) three times a day for the two days before the Dieta.

During these two days:

avoid alcohol and street drugs
abstain from orgasms
eat as you normally would - the food restrictions begin only with the Dieta itself

Master Plant Dieta Do’s and Don’ts

For this three-day Dieta, we recommend:

What to Avoid During the Dieta

no salt, no sugar, no spices
no orgasms
reduce (ideally eliminate) social interactions, including social media - you want to spend as much time as possible one-on-one with the plant

The purpose is not to make the Dieta difficult for its own sake. Plain food and reduced stimulation make everyday rewards and distractions less dominant, leaving more room for attention to move inward.

What to Eat During the Dieta

Eat bland, flavorless food. Some common options:

oats, rice (white or brown), potatoes
cucumbers, avocado, broccoli

What to Do During the Dieta

turn your attention inward, meditate
draw, write, sing, play musical instruments
do yoga
take walks in nature
pay close attention to your dreams

Quiet, solitude, and attention turned inward are the heart of the Dieta [1].

You do not need to stay busy doing “spiritual” activities. Sitting quietly, resting, sleeping, or simply noticing what comes up can be part of the Dieta too.

How to Brew Master Plants for a Dieta

The evening before the Dieta begins is a convenient time to prepare your Master Plant. Different plants require slightly different preparation, so use the instructions for the specific plant you are working with.

Each recipe below makes approximately six cups of tea, enough for the full three-day protocol described on this page.

Ajo Sacha

To prepare Ajo Sacha tea (see our Ajo Sacha plant guide):

Put the contents of the Ajo Sacha bag into a pot (if you are not using our Dieta Kit, add six rounded tablespoons of Ajo Sacha root powder).
Add 6½ cups of boiling water.
Let it sit overnight.
Put it in the fridge.

Ayahuma

To prepare Ayahuma tea (see our Ayahuma plant guide):

Put the contents of the Ayahuma bag into a pot (if you are not using our Dieta Kit, add six tablespoons of Ayahuma bark powder).
Add 6½ cups of water and bring it to a boil.
Simmer (gently boil) it for 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let it sit overnight.
Put it in the fridge.

Bobinsana

To prepare Bobinsana tea (see our Bobinsana plant guide):

Put the contents of the Bobinsana bag into a pot (if you are not using our Dieta Kit, add six rounded teaspoons of Bobinsana bark powder).
Add 6½ cups of water and bring it to a boil.
Simmer (gently boil) it for 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let it sit overnight.
Put it in the fridge.

Chuchuhuasi

To prepare Chuchuhuasi tea (see our Chuchuhuasi plant guide):

Put the contents of the Chuchuhuasi bag into a pot (if you are not using our Dieta Kit, add six teaspoons of Chuchuhuasi bark powder).
Add 6½ cups of water and bring it to a boil.
Simmer (gently boil) it for 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let it sit overnight.
Put it in the fridge.

Chullachaqui Caspi

To prepare Chullachaqui Caspi tea (see our Chullachaqui Caspi plant guide):

Put the contents of the Chullachaqui Caspi bag into a pot (if you are not using our Dieta Kit, add six flat teaspoons of Chullachaqui Caspi bark powder).
Add 6½ cups of water and bring it to a boil.
Simmer (gently boil) it for 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let it sit overnight.
Put it in the fridge.

Cumaceba

To prepare Cumaceba tea (see our Cumaceba plant guide):

Put the contents of the Cumaceba bag into a pot (if you are not using our Dieta Kit, add six rounded teaspoons of Cumaceba bark powder).
Add 6½ cups of water and bring it to a boil.
Simmer (gently boil) it for 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let it sit overnight.
Put it in the fridge.

Remo Caspi

To prepare Remo Caspi tea (see our Remo Caspi plant guide):

Put the contents of the Remo Caspi bag into a pot (if you are not using our Dieta Kit, add six flat teaspoons of Remo Caspi bark powder).
Add 6½ cups of water and bring it to a boil.
Simmer (gently boil) it for 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let it sit overnight.
Put it in the fridge.

Tamamuri

To prepare Tamamuri tea (see our Tamamuri plant guide):

Put the contents of the Tamamuri bag into a pot (if you are not using our Dieta Kit, add six tablespoons of Tamamuri bark powder).
Add 6½ cups of water and bring it to a boil.
Simmer (gently boil) it for 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let it sit overnight.
Put it in the fridge.

Three-Day Master Plant Dieta Protocol

Below is the three-day Dieta protocol we recommend.

The 5am and 5pm schedule creates two distinct periods of contact with the plant each day. The early-morning cup also gives you an opportunity to return to sleep and pay attention to dreams.

Day 1

At 5am, drink one cup of the prepared tea (strain it or warm it up if you like).
If your schedule allows, go back to sleep. Pay attention to dreams, images, emotions, or impressions that arise.
At 5pm, drink the second cup of the tea.

Day 2

Same protocol as Day 1:

At 5am, drink the third cup. If possible, go back to sleep.
At 5pm, drink the fourth cup.

By the second day, try not to evaluate whether the Dieta is “working.” Continue the restrictions and keep observing. Not every meaningful experience announces itself dramatically.

Day 3

At 5am, drink the fifth cup. If possible, go back to sleep.
At 5pm, drink the sixth and final cup.

Give the final evening some space. If possible, avoid immediately returning to entertainment, social media, or a busy schedule simply because the last cup has been taken.

Day 4: Closing the Dieta

When you wake up, it’s time to close the Dieta. In the tradition this protocol follows, the Dieta is closed by squeezing some lime juice into a small amount of water, adding a pinch of salt, mixing well, and drinking it.

Closing marks a transition back toward ordinary food and daily life. It can also be a useful moment to write down what you remember before returning fully to your normal routine.

Master Plant Dieta FAQ

Do I drink the Master Plant tea cold or warm?

Either way works. Drink it cold or warm it up, whichever you prefer.

Can I stop the Dieta early?

Yes. You can close the Dieta early if you need to. If you simply feel that it is time to stop, mix some lime juice with water and salt and close the Dieta. If you feel significantly unwell or are concerned about your symptoms, stop taking the plant and seek appropriate medical advice. Don’t throw away the remaining tea - keep it refrigerated if you plan to use it later.

Is it normal to feel strong emotions or unusual sensations during a Dieta?

Yes. Strong emotions, vivid dreams, and unusual sensations are a normal part of a Dieta. Give yourself space to observe what you’re experiencing without immediately trying to interpret it.

Which Master Plant should I start with?

There is no single correct choice. Do some research and notice which plants interest you. Bobinsana and Ajo Sacha are two plants we commonly suggest people explore when they are new to Dietas.

How should I store the brewed tea?

Keep the brewed tea refrigerated between servings. Brew it the evening before the Dieta starts and keep it refrigerated throughout the three-day Dieta.

Can I drink coffee during a Master Plant Dieta?

It’s best to skip coffee for the three days. The Dieta is about quieting things down, and caffeine works against that. If skipping entirely isn’t realistic, reduce it as much as you can.

Can I take prescription medications during a Master Plant Dieta?

Do not stop prescribed medication in order to follow a Dieta. If you take prescription medication or have a health condition, check with your healthcare provider before working with a new herb.

Can I work during a Master Plant Dieta?

You can, and many people do. The 5am and 5pm cups fit around a normal day. That said, the more quiet and uninterrupted time you can give the experience, the easier it is to pay attention to what arises. A long weekend works well for many people.

What is the difference between the Dieta Kit, the tincture, and the powder?

The Dieta Kit is the complete 3-day Dieta: the Master Plant, the preparatory plants (Cat's Claw and Pau D'Arco), and instructions. A tincture is a concentrated extract for ongoing work, with no brewing needed. The raw powder is the plant itself, for making your own teas, infusions, and tinctures.

How often can I do a Master Plant Dieta?

Give yourself time to integrate what you experienced before immediately beginning another Dieta. There is no universal interval that applies to every person, plant, or tradition.

What will I receive in the mail?

Labeled bags of the plant material - with a kit, the preparatory plants too. Everything ships from Tucson, Arizona in plain, secure packaging.

Can I drink the Master Plants without following the Dieta restrictions?

Yes, it's often called a Social Dieta. You change nothing in your lifestyle but still drink the plants. We find tinctures particularly effective for this.

Explore the Master Plants

Learn more about the individual plants used in Master Plant Dietas, including their traditional uses, preparation, history, and character.

FDA disclosure: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this page is provided for educational and cultural purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before working with any plant. See our Terms & Conditions for the full disclosure.