Sananga is commonly made from the roots and bark of Tabernaemontana undulata, a shrub which is found in Brazil and other South American countries. The bark and root is ground into a very fine powder and then extracted into a juice.
This sacred and powerful medicine is used to treat and prevent ocular diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, farsightedness, nearsightedness and even blindness.
Sananga is mostly utilized by the tribes found in the Amazon region such as, Kaxinawás, Matsés and Yawanawá. Some tribes in the Amazon region use Sananga to sharpen their night vision while hunting, however, sananga does more than that.
Benefits of Sananga
Sananga is still used by many tribes in the heart of the Amazon, but its benefits are reaching the rest of the world as these tribes open up ceremonies to outsiders and train those who are interested in the administration of the eye drops. Used either in conjunction with ayahuasca or as a stand-alone treatment, sananga shows powerful potential to treat a spectrum of physical and psychospiritual illnesses:
Treats and prevents ocular diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism, and blindness
Detoxifies the body
Increases visual perception and enhances colors
Clears long-standing inner anger
Used in conjunction, helps with mental disorders such as addiction, depression, and anxiety
Resets energetic field
Treats spiritual disease (known as "panema") caused by negative energies in the body. These spiritual diseases can accumulate in a person’s energetic body and make a person depressed and anxious.
Administering Sananga
The human eye is a particularly sensitive organ, which means a sananga ceremony can be painful. These sacred, shamanic eye drops cause an intense burning that usually lasts a few minutes, but experienced practitioners say this pain is an important part of the healing process. Shamans advise you breathe deeply into the intensity to gain the most from its benefits—it is by leaning into the pain that you can cleanse not only your eyes but your mind and spirit as well. Once the pain leaves and the sananga is no longer in your body, you’re left with a feeling of immense relaxation. Because of its cleansing properties, sanaga is often used in preparation for an ayahuasca ceremony.
Proper Conditions for Use
Sananga can be used alone or in conjunction with ayahuasca or kambo. If you’re interested in experiencing the healing power of sananga, you can administer the eye drops yourself, but it’s important to find a reputable source and to educate yourself before use.
F.A.Q.
**How often should I use sananga?**
It can be used once a day for a 1 month period with 1 or 2 weeks off and then you can repeat.
**How much is too much?**
Once a day is optimal. You can eventually use 2 drops in each eye.
**How do I administer the sananga? Should it be used in a ceremonial setting or can I use it like regular eye drops?**
I suggest being in a calm, quiet setting. It’s really up to you how you do it, but one of our favorite ways is to use it at night and light a candle and make a little ritual. There are 2 ways to apply the drops. You can hold your eye open and drop in directly. If using this method it’s likely you will need someone else to get the drops in because it will be pretty intense and so getting the second eye could be challenging on your own. The second method can be done alone or a friend can help. You can lay on your back with both eyes closed and place one drop in each corner of your eyes. When you are ready, open both eyes to let the sananga in, and breathe deep. Once the initial effect cools down, it can be very calming and grounding to gaze upon the flame.
**Should I fast or abstain from any particular food before taking sananga?**
It is not necessary to fast prior to using sananga that said you would likely not want to have just eaten a large meal moments before. It is advisable to give yourself some time to digest before taking. As far as I know there are no foods that are contraindicated prior to using sananga.
**Does sananga have any purgative effects?**
Typically sananga will not cause people to purge however there are some very strong batches that could. This is rare.
**Does it need to be refrigerated or any special care instructions? Is there a shelf life?**
Yes, store in the refrigerator. It will last 6+ months if stored in the refrigerator, and around 1 month if stored at room temperature.
**What if my sananga froze?**
It is still safe to use sananga if it happens to freeze while being shipped.
**Can you use sananga before or during an ayahuasca ceremony?**
Firstly, you’d want to check with your facilitator/shaman about this, as you never want to bring anything into a circle without their knowing. They may be able to answer this for you better than us.
Aside from that, I have heard of people doing it the day before a ceremony, during a ceremony, or the day after a ceremony, in different circumstances. Generally you will never want to do it more than once per day. If you are new to ayahuasca or new to sananga, it is not recommended to combine them.
**Is it safe to drink sananga?**
No, I do not recommend drinking sananga, it is potent and meant to be used in the eyes.
**Is it safe to use even after cataract surgery or other eye surgery?**
Once your eyes are fully healed from surgery, it should be safe to use. I do not recommend using it during the healing process.