Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about our extracts, how to take them, and how ordering works. Each product page has the full details and warnings for that plant.
About our extracts
What is a traditional Amazonian plant extract?
A traditional Amazonian plant extract is a single plant — bark, vine, leaf or root — slowly brewed in water over several days, then reduced and preserved, following methods used by Peruvian curanderos for generations. Unlike extracts made by soaking plant matter in alcohol for a few weeks, a slow water brew is cooked down over a wood fire until it concentrates. Ancestral Herbs makes eight of them, one plant each, in 30-gallon batches stirred by hand, reduced to 40:1 and preserved with pure cane alcohol. Sananga, our eye preparation, is plant and distilled water only, with no preservative, and ships cold. Each bottle lists the plant, the part used, the serving size, and what to know before taking it.
What is a tincture?
A tincture is a liquid extract of a plant. Ours are single-plant water extracts, preserved with cane alcohol. Each bottle holds three things: the plant, distilled water and cane alcohol. They are not alcohol-free.
What does 40:1 mean on your tinctures?
Our tinctures are concentrated at 40:1. That's why the suggested amount is only 2–5 drops: a little goes a long way.
Where do your plants come from?
We source them with Shipibo and local communities around Pucallpa, in the Peruvian Amazon. Each small batch is brewed over a wood fire in 30-gallon pots and stirred by hand over several days.
Which one should I choose?
Choose by plant. Read the page for the plant you're curious about, including its traditional use, how it tastes and its warnings, and start with one at a time. You can see all eight on our Amazonian Herbal Tinctures page.
Taking a tincture
How do I take it?
Shake the bottle, then take 2–5 drops under the tongue or in a drink. Start with 2 drops. Each product page gives its own timing.
What if I don't like the taste?
Add the drops to a splash of water or juice. A drink is the easier way if you'd rather not take it straight.
Can I take more than one of your tinctures?
Start with one plant at a time. Never take B. caapi (Pure Being) and bobinsana (Pure Heart) together, and talk to a healthcare professional before combining any supplements.
How should I store them?
Keep the cap closed and the bottle out of reach of children. Sananga eye drops are different: refrigerate them as soon as they arrive and keep them refrigerated.
Safety
What to know before you take any plant extract
Read each product’s page for the plant, the part used, the serving size and its cautions.
B. caapi (Pure Being) and bobinsana (Pure Heart) contain harmala alkaloids, which act as reversible MAO inhibitors. Do not combine them with SSRIs, SNRIs, other antidepressants, or other serotonergic medications or supplements without talking to your doctor.
Sananga is applied to the eyes and produces an intense, brief burning sensation. It is not a sterile ophthalmic solution, not a drug and not a medical device. Follow the usage guide on the product page.
Not for use by anyone under 18, or if pregnant or nursing. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you take medication or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.
Why do Pure Being and Pure Heart carry an MAOI warning?
B. caapi and bobinsana naturally contain compounds that act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). MAOIs can interact with many prescription and over-the-counter medications and with tyramine-rich foods. Read the full warning on Pure Being and Pure Heart before you buy.
Are sananga eye drops taken by mouth?
No. Sananga eye drops are applied to the eye and never taken by mouth. They are intense: on application they sting and burn sharply, and the eyes water and redden. Don't use them with contact lenses in. Read the full safety information on the Pure Vision page before you buy.
Orders, shipping and returns
Do you ship outside the US?
No. We ship to US addresses only, by USPS, at the rate shown at checkout.
How long does shipping take?
Orders are processed within 2 business days, and most arrive within 7 business days of purchase. Sananga eye drops ship cold. Details are in our shipping policy.
Can I return a tincture?
All sales are final, because these are consumable products. If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, contact us within 14 days of delivery with your order number and a photo, and we'll replace it. Details are in our refund policy.
How do I reach you?
Use our contact page and we'll get back to you.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.