Howard G Charing's Articles in Alternative Medicine

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  • Alchemy, Shamanism, Organic Food, and the Doctrine of Signatures
    The 16th century alchemist and philosopher, Paracelsus, introduced in his treatise the Doctrine of Signatures , the concept that the Creator has placed his seal on plants to indicate their medicinal uses.

    The ‘doctrine of signatures’ is at the heart of homeopathy, folk medicine, Organic food, and plant shamanism.
  • An encounter with an extraordinary Healer from the Philippines.
    This article explores the fascinating world of the psychic surgeons of the Philippines. The author runs special tours to the Philippines to work with some of these remarkable healers who perform operations with their bare hands.
  • Ancient Andean Traditions under threat by the UN
    In March 2008, This month the UN’s International Narcotics Control Board recommended a ban on coca chewing and the use of coca in mass-consumption products such as tea in Peru and Bolivia.

    Millions of Indians have chewed coca on a daily basis for many hundreds of years, yet never has a plant been so misrepresented and its use so controlled by prejudice and ignorance, including up to the present day.
  • Ayahuasca & Plant Spirit Shamanism - Amazon Rainforest Retreat Peru
    A dedicated programme in the Amazon rainforest, which is focussed on an inner and deep self-exploration and encounter with the power of the rainforest. This is an adventure into the magical world of the rainforest, and a transformative experience of the ancient mystical rituals of the plant spirit medicines. This programme will take place in the Mishana Private Retreat Centre. We have 57 Hectares (140 acres) of land with a lodge in the Allpahuayo Mishana Nature reserve.
  • Ayahuasca & Visionary Plants - Companions to the Soul
    The visionary plants and ancient traditions of the plant shamans reveal a hidden universe, in which the separation between the physical and the unseen universe is an illusion caused by our limited sensory perception. The body and soul permeates and infuses each other. The plant teachers show us a path to an expanded consciousness and communion with our sacred source, our soul companion.
  • Ayahuasca - Medicine for the Soul Part 1
    Ayahuasca, is regarded as the 'gateway' to the Soul. This article explores this fascinating plant brew from the Amazon Rainforest. Ayahuasca is the jungle medicine of the upper Amazon. It is made from the ayahuasca vine ( Banisteriopsis Caapi) and the leaf of the Chacruna plant (Psychotria Viridis).
  • Ayahuasca - Medicine for the Soul Part 2
    The second part of an article which explores this fascinating plant brew from the Amazon Rainforest. Ayahuasca is the jungle medicine of the upper Amazon. It is made from the ayahuasca vine ( Banisteriopsis Caapi) and the leaf of the Chacruna plant (Psychotria Viridis).
  • Ayahuasca - Medicine for the Soul Part 3
    Ayahuasca, is regarded as the 'gateway' to the Soul. The third part of this article continues to explore this fascinating plant brew from the Amazon Rainforest. Ayahuasca is the jungle medicine of the upper Amazon.
  • Ayahuasca - Medicine for the Soul Part 4
    Ayahuasca, is regarded as the 'gateway' to the Soul. The fourth part of this article continues to explore this fascinating plant brew from the Amazon Rainforest. Ayahuasca is the jungle medicine of the upper Amazon. It is made from the ayahuasca vine ( Banisteriopsis Caapi) and the leaf of the Chacruna plant (Psychotria Viridis).
  • Ayahuasca - Medicine for the Soul Part 5
    Ayahuasca, is regarded as the 'gateway' to the Soul. The fifth and concluding part of this article explores this fascinating plant brew from the Amazon Rainforest. Ayahuasca is the jungle medicine of the upper Amazon. It is made from the ayahuasca vine ( Banisteriopsis Caapi) and the leaf of the Chacruna plant (Psychotria Viridis). The two make a potent medicine, which takes one into the visionary world.
  • Ayahuasca - The Visionary and Healing Plant from the Amazon - Part 1
    After being virtually ignored by Western civilization for centuries, there has been a huge surge of interest in Ayahuasca recently. There is a growing belief that it is a kind of ‘medicine for our times’, giving hope to people with ‘incurable’ diseases like cancer and HIV, drug addictions and inspiring answers to the big ecological problems of modern civilization.
  • Ayahuasca - The Visionary and Healing Plant from the Amazon - Part 2
    Part 2 of the article looks at the personal preparation and requirements for the Ayahuasca experience.
  • Ayahuasca Retreats and Journeys to the Amazon Rainforest
    A dedicated programme in the Amazon rainforest, which is focussed on an inner and deep self-exploration and encounter with the power of the rainforest. This is an adventure into the magical world of the rainforest, and a transformative experience of the ancient mystical rituals of the plant spirit medicines.
  • Ayahuasca Retreats – an encounter with an Amazonian Shaman
    After being virtually ignored by Western civilization for centuries, there has been a huge surge of interest in Ayahuasca recently. There is a growing belief that it is a kind of ‘medicine for our times’, giving hope to people with ‘incurable’ diseases like cancer and HIV, drug addictions and inspiring answers to the big ecological problems of modern civilization.

    Interviewed with Peter Cloudsley.
  • Ayahuasca Shaman and Peruvian Mystic, Alonso del Rio Interviewed
    Alonso del Rio is a powerful maestro who interweaves Shipibo and other icaros with sacred music of his own to lead you on your journey; he is both a talented musician and an inspiring communicator of the Amazonian shamanic world. He is interviewed by Howard G. Charing and Peter Cloudsley.
  • Ayahuasca Shaman – Javier Arevalo Interviewed in the Amazon Rainforest Peru.
    Spirituality is at the centre of the Ayahuasca experience. Purification and cleansing of body, mind, and spirit in a shamanic ceremony can be the beginning of a process of profound personal and spiritual discovery. This process can continue indefinitely even if one never drinks Ayahuasca again. This article is extracted from the original interview by Howard G Charing and Peter Cloudsley which appeared in Sacred Hoop Magazine.
  • Ayahuasca Shamans and the Healing Plants of the Amazon Rainforest of Peru - Part 1
    Howard G Charing and Peter Cloudsley interview two Ayahuasca shamans from the Amazon, Artidoro Aro Cardenas, and Javier Arevalo to discover more about the medicinal, mythological, and healing properties of some of the plants to be found in the Amazon Rainforest.
  • Ayahuasca Shamans and the Healing Plants of the Amazon Rainforest of Peru - Part 2
    The second part of a meeting between Howard G Charing and Peter Cloudsley who interview two Ayahuasca shamans from the Amazon, Artidoro Aro Cardenas, and Javier Arevalo to discover more about the medicinal, mythological, and healing properties of some of the plants to be found in the Amazon Rainforest.
  • Ayahuasca, Sacred Medicine for the Soul PART 2
    Ayahuasca, is regarded as the 'gateway' to the Soul. This article explores this fascinating plant brew from the Amazon Rainforest.
  • Ayahuasca, Sacred Medicine for the Soul PART 1
    Ayahuasca, is regarded as the 'gateway' to the Soul. This article explores this fascinating plant brew from the Amazon Rainforest.
  • Ayahuasca, the Visionary Paintings, and Inspirational Words of Pablo Amaringo.
    Pablo Amaringo is one of the world’s greatest visionary artists, and is renowned for his highly complex, colourful and intricate paintings of his visions from drinking the Ayahuasca brew. Pablo wrote the foreword, a spiritual and ecological message as the foreword for my book 'Plant Spirit Shamanism', published by Destiny Books (USA).
  • Communion With The Infinite - The Visual Music of the Shipibo tribe of the Amazon
    The Shipibo people of the Upper Amazon in Peru, have a unique and complex form of visionary art. Underlying the intricate geometric patterns of great complexity displayed in the art of the Shipibo people is a concept of an all pervading magical reality which can challenge the Western linguistic heritage and rational mind.
  • Death as an Ally - The Shaman's Perception of Death
    In traditional wisdom and knowledge, life is a continuum that does not end at the moment of death. One of the most important traditional tasks of the seer, shaman, medicine man or woman is to assist people who are either dying or the spirits of those who have died to make the transition into great domain of consciousness. This body of practices is known as Psychopomp, from the Greek word psychopompos which literally means ‘conductor of souls’. In Greek mythology, the god Hermes served as the escort for the dead into the afterlife. This concept of a guide or intermediary between the living and the dead is a collective theme found in most religions and mythologies.
  • Drumming for the Shamanic Journey
    The Shamanic Journey is a technique which facilitates a visionary experience into expanded awareness. This activates our imagination and creativity, and allows us to bypass linear, familar and rational thinking. In this state of expanded awareness we can find new insights, perspectives, and ways to resolve problems.

    Drumming for the Shamanic Journey, with Leo Rutherford & Howard G. Charing
    It is a CD specifically made for this. It comprises; two 20 min solo and 40 min double drumming.
  • Icaros, the Magical Chants of the Ayahuasca Shamans.
    The Shamans of the Amazon, exhibit a close union with the Natural World. This powerful emotional and spiritual bond, enables them to commune with the powers of the Rainforest. Singing the chants or Icaros, is a way that this bond is expressed, and the Rainforest responds.
  • Interview with Ayahuasca Mestizo Shaman Javier Arevalo in the Amazon Rainforest – Part 1
    Javier was interviewed by Howard G Charing and Peter Cloudsley in the Peru, Amazon Rainforest 2000.

    In this interview Javier discusses his involvement with the shamanic Plant medicines of the Amazon, and Ayahuasca in particular.
  • Interview with Ayahuasca Mestizo Shaman Javier Arevalo in the Amazon Rainforest – Part 2
    In the second part of the interview with Javier, we continue to explore the use of Healing plants and Ayahuasca. discusses his involvement with the shamanic Plant medicines of the Amazon, and Ayahuasca in particular. Javier was interviewed by Howard G Charing and Peter Cloudsley in the Peru, Amazon Rainforest 2000.
  • Interview with Ayahuasca Mestizo Shaman Javier Arevalo in the Amazon – Part 3
    In the third and concluding part of the interview with Javier, we continue to explore the use of Healing plants and Ayahuasca. discusses his involvement with the shamanic Plant medicines of the Amazon, and Ayahuasca in particular. Javier was interviewed by Howard G Charing and Peter Cloudsley in the Peru, Amazon Rainforest 2000.
  • Interview with Shipibo Ayahuasca Shaman Enrique Lopez in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru - Part 1
    The first part of an interview with Shipibo Shaman Enrique Lopez. Interviewed at Mishana, Amazon Rainforest Peru by Peter Cloudsley and Howard G Charing, November 2007. Enrique discusses his early years in the indigenous Shipibo community in the Ucayali region of the Amazon Rainforest in Peru. Enrique talks about the Shipibo views on Ayahuasca and medicinal plants.
  • Interview with Shipibo Ayahuasca Shaman Enrique Lopez in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru - Part 2
    The second part of an interview with Shipibo Shaman Enrique Lopez. Interviewed at Mishana, Amazon Rainforest Peru by Peter Cloudsley and Howard G Charing, November 2007. Enrique discusses his early years in the indigenous Shipibo community in the Ucayali region of the Amazon Rainforest in Peru. Enrique talks about the Shipibo views on Ayahuasca and medicinal plants.
  • Medicine for the Soul - Plant Spirit Shamanism of the Amazon Rainforest
    An introduction to the magical world of the Shamans of the Amazon Rainforest, masters of plant spirit medicine. By the author of Plant Spirit Shamanism published by Destiny Books (USA).
  • Moses and Ayahuasca - Plant Spirit Shamanism from the Bible
    The world wide media interest in Benny Shanon's paper about Moses and entheogens, is encouraging us to take a good and hard look at the roots of religions and the notion that they were based on fertility cults, and shamanic practices such as Entheogens (or hallucinogenic) plants as a source of spiritual communion with the universal consciousness, or the mind of God.
  • Natural Plant Medicines and the Shamans of the Amazon Rainforest Part 1
    The Amazon Rainforest is home to many thousands of plant species, and has the richest bio-diversity on the planet. Plants and herbs used for medicinal purposes flourish there. The traditional healers and shamans of the Amazon have been working with these remarkable plants for thousands of years. We explore in this article these ancient traditions and knowledge of the plant shamans by the author of Plant Spirit Shamanism (published by Destiny Books USA).
  • Natural Plant Medicines and the Shamans of the Amazon Rainforest Part 2
    The Amazon Rainforest is home to many thousands of plant species, and has the richest bio-diversity on the planet. Plants and herbs used for medicinal purposes flourish there. The traditional healers and shamans of the Amazon have been working with these remarkable plants for thousands of years. We explore in this article these ancient traditions and knowledge of the plant shamans by the author of Plant Spirit Shamanism (published by Destiny Books USA).
  • Plant Spirit Shamanism - Developing your relationship with the Plant Spirits
    Many of us feel a spiritual connection to the world of plants. This article explores ways to deepen our profound connection with the plants.
  • Plant Spirit Shamanism, Folk Medicine, and Homeopathy
    The ‘doctrine of signatures’ is at the heart of homeopathy, folk medicine, and plant shamanism. The doctrine was revealed by the great alchemist and physician Paracelus who lived in the 16th Century. The underlying principle was that the healing properties of the plant are not only in the outer ‘physical’ form, but also in their inner or spiritual nature. The Doctrine of Signatures holds that this inner nature can be revealed by it’s outer physical form or signatures
  • Preparation for the Ayahuasca Experience
    There has been a huge surge of interest in Ayahuasca recently. There is a growing belief that it is a kind of ‘medicine for our times’, giving hope to people with ‘incurable’ diseases like cancer and HIV, drug addictions and inspiring answers to the big ecological problems of modern civilization.
  • Shamanic Divination
    Divination is one of the paths to gain direct experiential knowledge. Experiential knowledge can be defined as that which is experienced first hand by the senses.

    This article explores the world of shamanism and demonstrates traditional ways to obtain 'hidden' knowledge by divination.
  • Shamanic Healing and Soul Retrieval - Two Year Practitioner Training
    Eagle's Wing initiated the Practitioner training course in 1994 and since then many participants have successfully been working with these Shamanic healing methods in their healing practice.

    This is an advanced Practitioner training Programme. This training course would benefit holistic practitioners who wish to develop and expand their work to include classic shamanic healing practices. It is also suitable for those who have a desire to work as a shamanic practitioner to help others.
  • Shamans of Peru, Sacred Chants, Icaros, and Music
    The haunting, plaintive music of Peruvian shamans was recorded by the Eagle's Wing Centre for Contemporary Shamanism at ceremonies in the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon rainforest.

    Although the chants and icaros have an organic relationship to the medicine plants and shamanic journeying of each particular ritual, and are primarily intended as devotional music for inner-journeying. It is equally possible to listen to the hypnotically beautiful sounds in their own right and simply enjoy them for their otherworldly loveliness.
  • Shipibo Ayahuasca Shaman Leoncio Garcia Interviewed.
    The Shipibo are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Peruvian Amazon. These ethnic groups each have their own languages, traditions and culture. The Shipibo which currently number about 20,000 are spread out in communities through the Pucallpa / Ucayali river region. They are highly regarded in the Amazon as being masters of Ayahuasca, and many aspiring shamans and Ayahuasqueros from the region study with the Shipibo to learn their language, chants, and plant medicine knowledge. In this article we interview the Shipibo maestro Leoncio Garcia.
  • Shipibo Ayahuasca Shaman, Benjamin Ochavano Interviewed in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru.
    Howard G Charing & Peter Cloudsley interviewed Shipibo Ayahuasca Shaman Benjamin Ochavano in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru, who is in his mid seventies to discuss how Ayahuasca can help those Westerners who are seeking personal growth and who have embarked on the great journey of self discovery and exploration.
  • Soul Loss - How Shamanic Healing can Restore Your Life Force
    In the shamanic worldview, power and maintaining health go hand in hand, if the body is power-full, there is no room for illness or disease.

    The soul can be seen as the essence or vital nature of a person, and soul loss is when we lose a part of this vital nature. This article explores how by 'holding' on to other people's energy can lead to loss of our own.
  • Soul, Spirit, Shaman, Shamanism, Soul Retrieval - Part 1
    Soul another name for our life force, is the power which animates our being. In our lives we can lose or become dissociated from our soul due to difficult and traumatic circumstances. This article explores the traditional shamanic practice of restoring well-being, balance, and powerful healing. This body of practices is called Soul Retrieval.
  • Soul, Spirit, Shaman, Shamanism, Soul Retrieval - Part 2
    Soul another name for our life force, is the power which animates our being. In our lives we can lose or become dissociated from our soul due to difficult and traumatic circumstances.

    The second part of this article explores the traditional practices within shamanism of restoring well-being, balance, and powerful healing. This body of practices is called Soul Retrieval.
  • The Ayahuasca Visions of Pablo Amaringo - An Interview with the Great Visionary Artist
    Pablo Amaringo is one of the world’s greatest visionary artists, and is renowned for his highly complex, colourful and intricate paintings of his visions from drinking the Ayahuasca brew. Pablo is interviewed at his gallery in Pucallpa, Peru, by Howard G Charing and Peter Cloudsley. A copy of the original interview, first published in Sacred Hoop Magazine is on Howard's website listed in the Author's Resource box.
  • The Cactus of Vision - San Pedro and the shamanic tradition of northern Peru.
    Shamans from different cultures and traditions have been using psychoactive plants since the dawn of human emergence.

    These plants have been used traditionally for guidance, divination, healing, maintaining a balance with the spirit or consciousness of the living world.

    Howard G. Charing and Peter Cloudsley talk with
    Maestro Juan Navarro
  • The Enigma of Psychic Surgery in the Philippines Part 1
    The ‘bare hand’ or ‘psychic’ surgeons of the Philippines have been one of the most enduring enigmas of modern times. These articles explore this practice which challenges conventional scientific and medical knowledge.
  • The Enigma of Psychic Surgery in the Philippines Part 2 - Jun Labo
    The second part of an article on the ‘bare hand’ or ‘psychic’ surgeons of the Philippines that have been one of the most enduring enigmas of modern times. These articles explore this practice which challenges conventional scientific and medical knowledge. This part I meet up with Jun Labo.
  • The Enigma of Psychic Surgery in the Philippines Part 3 - Placido Palitayan
    The third part of the ‘bare hand’ or ‘psychic’ surgeons of the Philippines. This has been one of the most enduring enigmas of modern times. These articles explore this practice which challenges conventional scientific and medical knowledge. Now an encounter with one of the most famous healers, Placido Palitayan.

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