At its core, Rappé is a complex blend of Mapacho and ashes from medicinal plants, trees, or seeds. A long standing traditional herbal preparation used by indigenous people of the Amazon basin for various purposes. It is made by grinding and blending Mapacho but not always, various medicinal plants, tree barks, and ashes into a fine powder, which is then blown into the nostrils using a pipe, called a tepi or kuripe. The forceful administration is symbolic—it breaks through blockages, purifies the mind, and sharpens spiritual awareness. There is an art to administering Rappé as it plays a vital part in the experience. The specific ingredients vary by tribe and purpose. Ingredients vary widely; some common additive ashes may include: Tsunu – grounding and energizing Caneleiro – anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving Cumaru – calming and heart-opening Pau Pereira – spiritually cleansing Yunu – mentally uplifting The preparation process is often kept secret, it is elaborate and sacred past down from generation to generation, held by Pajés, elders and medicine carriers. Plants are harvested with prayer and intention, dried, pounded into a fine powder, and mixed with the ash. Each blend is unique, carrying the energetic signature of the plants, the forest, but also the prayer, lineage and intention of the person who prepares it. As a medicine of the rain forest, Rappé is a living medicine, imbued with spirit and intention. It is often used by indigenous communities: Before or during ayahuasca ceremonies In hunting rituals to enhance focus and clarity During rites of passage, healing, or mourning To maintain daily spiritual hygiene and alignment with nature Use by traditional healers (Pajés) to diagnose and treat a wide variety of illness In a more modern context, Rappé can help to release emotional blockages and promote feelings of relaxation, inner peace, and emotional well-being. Many people who use Rappé describe feeling a deeper connection to nature, the universe, and their inner selves. It can also be used to facilitate meditation and spiritual practices.

Rappé is unique in that it is not inhaled or snorted rather it is administered through the nose using a pipe called a Tepi (for person-to-person administration) or a Kuripe (for self-application) through blowing. A pinch of the powder is blown into each nostril with focused breath. This process can be intense and is usually accompanied by physical and emotional reactions like sneezing, tearing, shaking, or even purging. While the physical experience may be powerful, the purpose is spiritual and energetic: » To clear the mind and calm the nervous system » To realign energy and open the body’s channels » To connect with nature and the spirit world » To enhance focus, prayer, and meditation » To release emotional and energetic blockages Rappé is not a recreational substance—Rappé is a sacred medicine, often used in ceremony and ritual, during healing sessions, or in daily spiritual practice. It should not be used recreationally and never mixed with alcohol or any other recreational drug. It is said to restore our connection to the Sacred and receive wisdom. Respect, prayer and intention are key values when working with Rappé.

Rappé has been used for thousands of years by Indigenous peoples of the Amazon. It plays an essential role in traditional medicine and shamanic cosmology. Elders teach that the snuff is a messenger of the forest, a way to speak with plant spirits and receive their teachings. In many tribes, the knowledge of how to prepare and use Rappé is passed down from generation to generation, considered a sacred trust. Some tribes say that the spirit of Mapacho is a father spirit—protective, grounding, and wise. The ashes from trees like Tsunu or Murici are seen as cleaners of the subtle body, bringing balance and clarity.

The effects of Rappé vary widely based on the plants used, but common experiences include: » A sense of peace or deep stillness » Enhanced mental clarity » Physical cleansing or purging » Grounded awareness and present-moment focus » Emotional release and insight Some Rappés are gentle and heart-opening, while others are strong and purgative, used to remove deep-seated energetic imbalances. The ashes found in Rappé can contain alkaloids that can help the body release toxins and purify the body. Some traditional healers use Rappé to treat a variety of physical ailments, including headaches, sinus congestion, and respiratory issues. One should never under-estimate the set and setting when using Amazonian snuff. It is recommended to sit in meditation, set intention and offer prayer.

It’s important to distinguish Amazonian Mapacho (Nicotiana rustica) from commercial tobacco. Unlike mass-produced, chemically treated cigarettes, the Mapacho used in Rappé is pure, unprocessed, and used solely for medicinal and spiritual purposes. Mapacho contains significantly higher levels of nicotine than typical tobacco, Mapacho is never smoked in the context of Rappé—it is entirely smokeless and should only be used as a snuff. For many Indigenous peoples, Mapacho is more than a plant. It is a sacred ally—a powerful teacher, guide, and protector. Its strength must be respected. While its properties can be deeply cleansing and clarifying, they also carry the risk of dependency if used without intention. Therefore, ritual and ceremony are essential to its use, grounding the experience in respect and reverence.