Introduction

Renequilla is recognised as a "master plant" in Amazonian shamanism, used in plant dietas often alongside Ayahuasca ceremonies [25, 27, 29, 31]. It appears to be a relatively recent addition to certain shamanic lineages' pharmacopeias, disseminated through practitioner networks rather than extensive historical tradition or scientific literature [25]. This report synthesises available information, distinguishing traditional knowledge from scientific evidence.

Taxonomy and Botanical Description

Status: Unknown. "Renequilla" does not correspond to any recognised genus or species in botanical databases (GBIF, POWO, IPNI) or in published ethnobotanical literature. Searches within Apocynaceae, Ranunculaceae, and other relevant families yielded no results. No botanical description (morphology, growth habit, habitat) is documented. The plant's identity is maintained through oral tradition of curanderos rather than formal classification [33, 34].

Common Names

The primary name used to identify this plant is Renequilla [25, 29]. The sources do not provide any alternative common, local, or indigenous names.

Active Compounds and Phytochemistry

Status: Unknown. No scientific investigation of Renequilla's phytochemistry has been conducted. Without botanical identification, it is impossible to speculate on its chemical composition. All knowledge of its effects derives from traditional use and subjective experience [25, 29].

Psychotropic Properties

Renequilla is not described as overtly psychotropic in the manner of Ayahuasca [25, 26]. As a master plant, its effects are believed to manifest subtly over the course of a dieta—through dreams, intuitions, and deepened self-awareness—rather than through direct hallucinatory experience [1, 7, 25, 27, 29]. Ayahuasca ceremonies may be used alongside the dieta as a catalyst [1, 2, 8]. No scientific evidence confirms any psychoactive properties.

Traditional and Spiritual Properties in the Dieta Tradition

Renequilla's significance is rooted in its role as a master plant within the Shipibo shamanic tradition [25, 31]. According to one account, it is a relatively recent discovery—described as having been "gifted" to a specific Shipibo Plant Master, Juni, by the "supreme plant intelligence of Ayahuasca" [25]. This origin story frames it not as a plant of ancient widespread use but as a medicine revealed to a specific practitioner and lineage. It is used for "wholistic healing of our bodies" [25].

Use in Dieta

Renequilla is prepared and consumed as a tea during a formal plant dieta, guided by an experienced Maestro [25]. Reported durations are approximately two weeks [29]. Standard dieta protocols apply: bland diet (no salt, sugar, oil, spices, red meat, pork), sexual abstinence, isolation, and avoidance of alcohol and recreational drugs [1, 3, 4, 5, 7]. Ayahuasca ceremonies are often integrated to open and close the dieta and deepen the healing process [1, 7]. Breaking the dieta is considered a serious breach with consequences including illness or loss of visionary ability [7].

Safety and Toxicology

No scientific data exists on the safety or toxicology of Renequilla. Without botanical identification, no comparison to known toxic plants is possible, and no contraindications, drug interactions, or long-term effects can be assessed. Within the traditional framework, safety is managed by the guiding Maestro through adherence to dieta protocols [7].

Legal Status

No legal determination is possible for an unidentified plant. If Renequilla were found to contain scheduled substances, it could fall under controlled-substance legislation. Until the plant is botanically identified and its phytochemistry characterised, its legal status is indeterminate.

Research Status

Renequilla is not a subject of academic or clinical research. All available information comes from anecdotal reports on internet forums and retreat centre websites [25, 26, 27, 29, 32]. Its use appears localised to a particular lineage and has only recently become known to a wider audience [25]. No peer-reviewed studies exist on its botany, chemistry, pharmacology, or therapeutic efficacy.

References

Grey / Informal Sources

1. Temple of the Way of Light. Traditional Master Plant Dieta. [grey/informal source: retreat centre website] https://templeofthewayoflight.org/retreats/plant-dietas-at-shipibo-rao/
2. True-Journey. Traditional Shipibo Master Plant Dieta. [grey/informal source: retreat centre website] https://www.true-journey.net/shipibo-masterplant-dieta
3. Aya Madre. The Dieta. [grey/informal source: retreat centre website] https://www.ayamadre.com/the-dieta
4. Aya Healing Retreats. Master Plant Dieta. [grey/informal source: retreat centre website] https://ayahealingretreats.com/master-plant-dieta/
5. Jochipapanete. Master Plant Dieta. [grey/informal source: retreat centre website] https://www.jochipapanete.com/private-dietas
6. Santuario Shipibo. Master plant diets / Sama. [grey/informal source: retreat centre website] https://santuarioshipibo.org/?page_id=476
7. Ayahuasca Foundation. Plant Dietas. [grey/informal source: retreat/training organisation] https://www.ayahuascafoundation.org/information/ayahuasca-tradition/plant-dietas/
8. Caya Shobo. Master Plant Dieta. [grey/informal source: retreat centre website] https://cayashobo.com/master-plant-dieta/
9. Dawn Dancing Otter. Alchemy on the Amazon 2018. [grey/informal source: personal blog] https://dawndancingotter.com/2015/11/09/alchemy-on-the-amazon-2018/
10. Reddit, r/Ayahuasca. Master plants list. [grey/informal source: online forum] https://www.reddit.com/r/Ayahuasca/comments/gephqv/would_someone_like_to_share_a_list_of_master/
11. The Garden of Peace. Master Plants. [grey/informal source: retreat centre website] https://www.thegardenofpeace.com/shamanism-and-ayahuasca/master-plants/
12. Reddit, r/Psychonaut. 2 weeks master plant dieta with Renaquilla and Ayahuasca. [grey/informal source: online forum] https://www.reddit.com/r/Psychonaut/comments/gymr52/2_weeks_master_plant_dieta_with_renaquilla_and/
13. Ayahuasca Foundation. Medicinal Plant Directory. [grey/informal source: retreat/training organisation] https://www.ayahuascafoundation.org/medicinal-plant-directory/
14. Casa Del Maestro Medicina. [grey/informal source: retreat centre website] https://www.casadelmaestromedicina.com/

Academic and Reference Sources

28. Wikipedia. Ayahuasca. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayahuasca
29. Labate, B.C. & Cavnar, C. (2014). The expansion of ayahuasca shamanism. Natural Products and Bioprospecting. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13659-019-0210-5
30. Wikipedia. Curandero. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curandero
31. De Feo, V. (2003). Magical plants in the treatment of supernatural diseases in the Peruvian Amazon. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2642781/
32. Treviño, L.A. et al. (2022). Curanderismo: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9257545/

From the Tradition

The following is from Shipibo oral tradition, shared by a seventh-generation Shipibo Maestro during plant dieta:

Renequilla teaches you to connect and disconnect. If you are not seeing very well, its function is to disconnect you so that you can reconnect more clearly. It is for helping, healing, and connecting with all the plants.

A distinctive quality of Renequilla is that it will wait for you to ask it — it will not open on its own. Unlike some master plants that announce their presence forcefully, Renequilla requires the dieter to actively seek its teaching. It respects the practitioner's agency and timing.

Use in Healing

Renequilla is called upon to help someone who feels lost or needs spiritual grounding. Its medicine works through connection — helping the practitioner find their spiritual path, ground their energy, and gain clarity and strength. Its role among the master plants is as a facilitator and connector, bridging the dieter's relationship with other plant spirits.

Note on spelling: This plant appears in practitioner accounts as both "Renequilla" and "Renacoquilla." The correct Shipibo spelling has not been confirmed in published sources. Both forms are used on this site.

Note: Renequilla remains botanically unidentified. The description above comes entirely from practitioner oral tradition within a specific Shipibo lineage. No scientific verification of these properties exists.