Sananga is made from the root bark of Tabernaemontana undulata, a shrub of the Amazon basin. The tribes of Acre, especially the Katukina, Yawanawá, and Huni Kuin, prepare it as eye drops and use it before hunting, before ceremony, and whenever the vision, physical or spiritual, needs clearing.
What it does
Traditionally, Sananga is said to sharpen sight, cleanse what the tribes call panema (a heaviness or bad luck that clouds a person), and prepare the eyes to see what a ceremony brings. Modern users describe a strong burn for one to two minutes, then a wash of calm, clearer colors, and a settled mind.
How it is applied
- Lie down with your head supported. Have a tissue ready.
- One drop is placed in each eye, usually the left first. Blink gently so the drop spreads.
- Breathe. The burn is real and it peaks quickly. Slow, deep breaths through the mouth carry you through it.
- Keep your eyes closed for a few minutes after the intensity passes. Many people feel tears and a gentle release.
Sananga in ceremony
At the river sanctuary we often open ceremony with Sananga, then hapé. The eye medicine clears the way; the snuff grounds the body. Together they set a clean, awake container for whatever follows.
A note on the blend
We also carry a Sananga hapé blend, a rare, light-colored snuff that carries the same clarifying quality through the nose rather than the eyes. The eye drops themselves are in the apothecary, in small and large bottles.
Sananga should not be used with contact lenses in, and anyone with an eye condition should consult a professional first.
This article is shared for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Hapé contains tobacco and is for adults 21 and over. Speak with a healthcare professional before working with any plant medicine.
