Rapé (Sacred Tobacco)
Rapé (Sacred Tobacco): What is Rapé Used For?
Rapé (or Hape) is a powerful tool used in sacred rapé ceremonies to energize, purify energies, ground and bring attention to the present moment. This ancient tobacco powder, derived from Amazonian plants, cleanses the physical, mental and spiritual body. Rapé is typically used before other plant ceremonies, including rapé ayahuasca rituals, to prepare participants for deeper spiritual experiences.
What Ingredients are in Rapé?
The main component in the preparation of rapé is tobacco, from which the ashes of the leaves are used. There are various rapé preparations, some containing entheogenic substances with psychoactive effects. The rapé used at Casa del Sol, however, does not have psychoactive qualities and is made from tobacco and Tissunu, the bark of an Amazonian tree.
What are common effects of Rapé?
During a rapé ceremony, this powerful cleansing tobacco is given to attendees to inhale through the nostrils with a tool called “tepi”. Once administered, Rapé can be felt scanning the body for at least 5-10 minutes. Common effects you may experience include:
- A deep groundedness
- A meditative, calming state
- Clearing of sinuses and throat
- Burning sensation in the mind and body
- Nausea (if swallowed)
What are the therapeutic benefits of Rapé?
Understanding what rapé is used for helps appreciate its therapeutic benefits. Rapé creates a sharpened mental acuity while cleansing the mind and body. This medicine has a calming effect and is also used to treat some colds and detoxify. Its purification effects are one reason why rapé is often used in conjunction with San Pedro and Ayahuasca ceremonies, enhancing the overall rapé ayahuasca experience.
History Of Rapé Tobacco
ceremonies, including rapé rituals, are one of the most long-established ways to reconnect with nature, ancestors, and spirits. The traditional use of this medicine originates from Brazil, where indigenous tribes have long understood what rapé is used for in their spiritual practices.