Sananga
Eye Drops
A powerful plant medicine from the Amazon rainforest — used for centuries to sharpen vision, clear the mind, and restore energetic balance.
Shop Sanangaundulata
Huni Kuin Territory
1–2 drops per eye
fades in 5–15 min
The eye medicine
of the Amazon
Sananga eye drops are a sacred plant medicine prepared from the root bark of Tabernaemontana undulata — a shrub native to the Western Amazon. For centuries, Amazonian tribes including the Huni Kuin have used sananga as both a physical and spiritual medicine, applied directly to the eyes before hunting, ceremony, or healing work.
"Sananga clears the panema — the negative energetic accumulations that cloud the body, the mind, and the vision."
Unlike synthetic eye treatments, sananga is a living preparation — hand-extracted by indigenous practitioners, with no additives or preservatives. The active compounds, including ibogaine-family alkaloids, produce an immediate and intense cleansing sensation in the eyes, followed by a profound stillness and clarity.
Today, sananga is used by practitioners worldwide as a complementary medicine for vision clarity, energetic purification, and preparation for deeper plant medicine work such as rapé or ayahuasca ceremony.
What sananga
does to the body
Sananga is traditionally used to enhance visual acuity — hunters rely on it to improve focus and depth perception in the forest. Many practitioners report improved physical eyesight and colour perception after regular use.
The intensity of the initial burning sensation demands full presence. This forced attention clears mental chatter and residual stress, leaving a state of quiet focus that can last hours.
In Huni Kuin tradition, sananga removes panema — stagnant or negative energy held in the body. It is used to reset the energetic field before ceremony or when feeling blocked, heavy, or disconnected.
Emerging research and traditional use both point to sananga's potential for supporting eye health — including use for conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and chronic eye strain. Always consult a practitioner.
Sananga is frequently paired with rapé (hapé) and ayahuasca to deepen and focus the ceremonial experience. It is said to open the inner vision and sharpen intention before deeper medicine work.
The immediate, undeniable sensation of sananga anchors awareness fully in the body and the present moment — a quality that makes it valuable both in ceremony and as a daily reset for the overextended mind.
When medicine
did what antibiotics couldn't
They told me I was going blind in my left eye. Fifteen days later, the doctors asked what I had used — because the infection was gone.
Robert visited his optometrist for a routine check-up. Days later, he developed a serious eye infection — traced back to contaminated equipment at the clinic. His ophthalmologist told him he was one of an estimated 250,000 people who can contract this specific infection through optometry instruments, and that he risked losing sight in his left eye. A course of antibiotic eye drops was prescribed. It did not work.
On the advice of a practitioner he trusted, Robert began applying Huni Kuin sananga eye drops three times daily. He maintained this for seven days, then reduced to once daily for the following seven days — fifteen days in total.
At his follow-up appointment, his doctor examined the eye and found the infection had cleared. They asked him what he had used. When he explained, they had no prior knowledge of sananga — only that whatever he had done had succeeded where the antibiotics had not.
This is a single personal account and does not constitute medical advice. Sananga is not a replacement for professional medical treatment. If you have an eye condition, consult a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Tabernaemontana undulata —
the sananga root
Sananga is derived from the root bark of Tabernaemontana undulata, a member of the Apocynaceae family found in the dense lowland rainforests of Peru, Brazil, and Colombia. The plant is also known by its regional names: becchete among the Matsés, mana heins in Shipibo tradition.
The roots are harvested sustainably by indigenous practitioners, then macerated in water to extract the active alkaloid-rich sap. The preparation is made fresh or preserved minimally — a living medicine with a short shelf life that reflects its potency.
The primary active compounds are iboga-family alkaloids — primarily ibogaine and voacangine — which act on serotonin and dopamine receptors and have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties in early research.
Sananga is not psychedelic in normal doses. It does not cause visual hallucinations. The experience is physical and clarifying — intense for a few minutes, then deeply settling.
Becchete — Matsés tradition
Mana heins — Shipibo tradition
Nhambi — used in some Brazilian traditions
Application &
protocol
Sananga works best approached with purpose. Before applying, take a few slow breaths and bring your attention inward. A clear intention — whether for clarity, cleansing, or ceremony — amplifies the medicine's effect.
Find a comfortable position. Lying flat is ideal — it allows the drops to distribute evenly and keeps you grounded during the initial intensity. Have a cloth nearby.
Pull the lower eyelid gently down and place one drop into each eye. Close the eyes immediately. Begin with one drop — experienced users may use two. Always use the same amount in both eyes.
Sananga produces an immediate burning sensation — this is expected and is part of the medicine working. Keep the eyes closed, breathe slowly and deeply, and allow the discomfort to move through without resistance. It peaks within 1–2 minutes and fully subsides in 5–15 minutes.
After the burning fades, rest for at least 5–10 minutes. This is when the medicine settles — clarity, stillness, and sharpened perception typically follow. Many practitioners then move into rapé, meditation, or ceremony from this grounded state.
Safety, storage
& contraindications
- Sananga is generally considered safe when sourced from a trusted, authentic supplier and used as directed
- Always patch-test: apply to one eye first and wait to assess your personal sensitivity
- Do not use contact lenses immediately after application — wait at least 30 minutes
- Store in the refrigerator. Fresh preparations last 2–4 weeks; use within expiry
- Use in a calm, supported setting — especially for the first time
- Ideally guided by an experienced practitioner for your initial experience
- Active eye infections or open wounds to the eye area — do not use
- Recent eye surgery — wait for full recovery and consult your doctor
- Severe glaucoma or retinal conditions — seek medical guidance first
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — consult a healthcare provider
- Children — not recommended without specific traditional and medical guidance
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use if you have any pre-existing eye conditions.
Huni Kuin Sananga
Eye Drops
Our sananga is prepared by Huni Kuin practitioners in the Acre region of Brazil — harvested sustainably from wild-grown Tabernaemontana undulata root, with no additives. Each batch is made in small quantities to preserve potency.
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Sananga
FAQ
What does sananga feel like?
The immediate sensation is a strong burning or stinging in the eyes — intense but temporary. Most people describe it as deeply cleansing. After 5–15 minutes, the discomfort fades and is replaced by a noticeable calm, clarity, and visual sharpness.
Is sananga psychedelic?
No. Sananga does not cause hallucinations or altered states in normal doses. Its effects are physical and energetically clarifying — not visionary in the way ayahuasca or other entheogens are. It is used as a preparatory or standalone medicine, not as a psychedelic.
How often can I use sananga eye drops?
Sananga can be used daily for short periods, or as needed before ceremony or meditation. Many practitioners use it 2–3 times per week. Listen to your body — if eyes feel irritated or overly sensitive, extend the time between sessions.
Can sananga improve my physical eyesight?
Many users report improved visual acuity, colour depth, and reduced eye strain with regular use. While scientific research is still emerging, traditional use by Amazonian hunters specifically for sharpening vision is well documented. Results vary between individuals.
How do I store sananga eye drops?
Store in the refrigerator between uses. Authentic sananga is a living preparation with no preservatives — kept cold it typically lasts 2–4 weeks after opening. Do not freeze. Keep the dropper tip clean and avoid touching it to surfaces.
Can I use sananga with rapé (hapé)?
Yes — this is a common and traditional pairing. Sananga is typically applied first to open and clear the visual and energetic field, followed by rapé to deepen the grounding and mental stillness. Together they create a powerful preparatory protocol for ceremony or deep meditation.
Is sananga legal?
Yes. Sananga is a botanical eye preparation and is legal in Canada, the United States, and most countries. It does not contain any controlled substances. As with all plant medicines, regulations can change — verify the current status in your country before purchasing.
