Frequently Asked Questions

Hapé is a powerful medicine and should be treated with respect. When used with the correct intention, appropriate dosage, and genuine care for the practice, it is safe for most healthy adults. However, it is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, heart conditions, nasal polyps, active respiratory infections, or during pregnancy.

We strongly advise beginners to start with a very small amount of a gentle blend and increase gradually. Never take hapé before driving or operating machinery. Give yourself time and space to receive the medicine properly.

Yes — purging is completely normal and is considered part of the healing process. Purging with hapé can take the form of nasal drainage (mucus releasing through the nose), coughing or gagging, tears, yawning, or in stronger ceremonies, vomiting. Each of these is the body releasing something that no longer serves — physically and energetically.

The practice is to surrender to it rather than resist. Sit quietly, breathe through your mouth, and allow the purge to complete. Most practitioners find that immediately after purging, there is a deep sense of relief, clarity, and stillness.

Start with a very small amount — roughly the size of a small pea per nostril, or even less. With hapé, less is almost always more, especially with stronger blends. Even experienced practitioners who try a new blend always begin with a smaller amount to understand its character before increasing.

There is no precise dosing measurement because every person, every blend, and every session is different. Let the medicine tell you when it is enough. If you are uncertain — you used the right amount. If you are sure you didn't use enough — you probably did.

Hapé contains mapacho, which has nicotinic alkaloids that can interact with certain medications — particularly MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), blood pressure medications, and stimulant medications. If you are on any prescription medication, please consult your healthcare provider before using hapé.

We also advise caution with combining hapé with other plant medicines (particularly ayahuasca or bufo) unless you are working with an experienced facilitator who knows both medicines well.

Create a quiet, intentional space free from distractions. Many practitioners light palo santo, burn incense, or sit in nature. Remove screens, notifications, and noise. Set a clear intention — know what you are asking the medicine to help you with before you begin.

Have water nearby but wait to drink until after the medicine has settled (usually 15–20 minutes). Keep tissues or a small bowl nearby for drainage. Sit on the floor or in a stable seated position — do not stand. After the session, rest. Integration time is as important as the ceremony itself.

Ceremonial cacao is made from pure, minimally processed cacao beans — typically a traditional variety like Criollo — with no added sugar, dairy, or flavourings. It retains the full spectrum of active compounds including theobromine, anandamide (the bliss molecule), magnesium, and flavonoids that are removed or destroyed in commercial chocolate processing.

Used ceremonially — slowly, with intention, in a quiet space — cacao acts as a gentle heart-opener. It is non-psychedelic and safe for most people, but its effects on mood, focus, and emotional openness are genuine and well-documented. It is an ideal first medicine for those new to plant medicine work.

A standard ceremonial dose is 35–42g of cacao paste. Chop or break the paste into pieces and melt slowly into hot (not boiling) water — approximately 200–250ml. Whisk or blend until smooth. Many people add a small pinch of cayenne, a little cinnamon, or a touch of plant-based milk.

Drink slowly and with presence. Sit quietly for 20–30 minutes as the medicine opens. The full effect peaks at around 40–60 minutes. Do not combine ceremonial cacao with antidepressants (SSRIs or MAOIs) — the interaction can be dangerous.

Sananga is a sacred eye drop medicine made from the root bark of the Tabernaemontana undulata plant, used by Amazonian tribes — particularly the Huni Kuin — for spiritual and physical vision clearing. It is applied directly into the eyes, one drop at a time.

The immediate experience is intense — a burning sensation that lasts 5–15 minutes — followed by a remarkable clarity of vision and, many report, a deep emotional release. Sananga is used to clear panema (negative energy or spiritual fog), sharpen focus, and prepare for ceremony. It is increasingly used by practitioners outside ceremony for its remarkable effect on eye health and mental clarity.

When used correctly, Sananga is safe and does not damage the eyes. It has been used by Amazonian people for generations. The burning sensation, while intense, is temporary. However, do not use Sananga if you have open eye wounds, recent eye surgery, or active serious eye conditions without consulting a specialist first.

Our Sananga is produced by the Huni Kuin and prepared traditionally. Store it in the refrigerator once opened and use within 3–4 months. Always use clean hands and a dropper — never touch the eye directly.

We ship worldwide. Most orders are dispatched within 1–3 business days. Delivery times vary by destination — typically 5–10 business days for North America and Europe, and 10–21 days for other regions. All orders include tracking once dispatched.

Hapé is legal in most countries including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU, and Australia — as it is a botanical product and not a controlled substance. It is your responsibility to verify the regulations in your specific country or region before ordering. We are not liable for customs delays or seizures in jurisdictions where botanical imports are restricted.

Our packaging is discreet and professional. Orders are declared accurately as botanical plant products.

Keep hapé in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity. Most hapé comes sealed in a glass jar or bamboo container — keep the lid tightly closed between uses. If you live in a humid climate, storing it alongside a small silica gel packet will extend its shelf life.

Properly stored hapé can last 2–3 years or longer. Never freeze it. If it becomes damp or develops a mould smell, it should be discarded.

Due to the nature of plant medicine products, we are unable to accept returns on opened items. If your order arrives damaged, incorrect, or with a quality issue, please contact us at hello@altarorigin.com within 7 days of receipt with photos and your order number — we will make it right.

Unopened items in original condition may be returned within 14 days of delivery. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer unless the return is due to our error.

First, check your tracking link (sent by email when your order was dispatched). If tracking shows delivered but you haven't received the package, check with neighbours and your building's mail area first. If the tracking hasn't updated in 10+ business days, please reach out to us at hello@altarorigin.com — we will investigate with the courier and, if necessary, reship or refund your order.

Altar Origin is a curated source for authentic sacred plant medicines, ceremonial tools, and ancestral wellness products — operated from Tulum, Mexico. We are committed to ethical sourcing, fair trade practices, and deep respect for the Indigenous communities whose traditions these medicines come from.

Every product we carry has been personally vetted for quality and authenticity. We don't carry anything we wouldn't use in our own practice.

Yes. Ethical sourcing is central to everything we do. We work only with suppliers who have direct, fair trade relationships with the tribes and communities that produce these medicines. A portion of every sale goes back to supporting those communities directly.

We do not work with intermediaries who obscure the origin of medicines, and we do not sell blends whose tribal origin we cannot verify. If a product carries a tribal name, that tribe made it.

Yes. We have a referral program for practitioners, facilitators, and community members who share our medicines with their networks. You earn a commission on every purchase made through your referral link.

You can reach us at hello@altarorigin.com or via WhatsApp. We aim to respond to all messages within 24–48 hours. For complex questions about plant medicine guidance or which blend is right for you, we are always happy to take the time to help you find the right medicine.