Episode 31: Plant Medicines as a Gateway to Health and Healing with Sena Maria



Show Notes

Tune in to learn the ancient art of using plants as medicine. Indigenous groups have been using plants medicinally and  in healing ceremonies for thousands of years. My guest, Sena Maria, went from working at Google to becoming a plant medicine advocate after rediscovering herself through  transformative experiences with plant medicines.

You may have heard of the health benefits of chocolate which actually come from the cacao beans it is made from. We discuss the use of ceremonial cacao and the unwinding of tension, anxiety, and other benefits that can result from its use. We also explore the field of microdosing for well-being.



Sena Maria is passionate about working with the fungi realm to support our collective evolution. Leaving her corporate job at Google, she took a big life pivot and has spent the last 5 years learning from the plants and fungi. After supporting hundreds of people in starting a microdosing practice, she now shares what she's learned through 1:1 coaching, group programs, and on her YouTube channel, Microdosing For Resilience.

You can learn more about microdosing and contact Sena at www.microdosingforresilience.com and on Instagram @sena__maria

email: love@sena-maria.com

To receive the special offer on ceremonial cacao go to: https://ceremonial-cacao.com/

Discount code: Senacacao

Highlights from the Episode:

Ceremonial Cacao

1.   A traditional beverage of the Mayan people and even earlier in South America. The trees grow there.

2.   The traditional way of consuming cacao is through a drink (not sweetened like our hot chocolate).

3.    It’s made by fermenting cacao beans, roasting and grinding them, and then adding water and spices like Cayenne pepper.

4.    It is not a psychedelic plant but very powerful plant. 1 to 2 ounces of pure cacao in ceremonial setting it’s typical.

5.   Benefits: it can increase blood flow up to 40%. It is a very powerful antioxidant. It is packed with nutrients including:  calcium (more than cow’s milk), and magnesium. It’s a vasodilator and it also opens us up to spiritual and healing experiences.

6.    Cacao is prepared with intention and love and sourced responsibly with love. There are traditions and a sacredness to the ceremony including prayer and drinking unprocessed cacao

7.   Where get the cacao from matters. It needs to be organic, and properly sourced.

8.   https://ceremonial-cacao.com/ has excellent quality cacao and info on how to create a ceremony at home.

Plant Medicines

The Shapibo people are an indigenous group in Peru that carry the ayahuasca tradition in the northern Amazon. They sing specific songs to work with the ayahuasca spirit in the room and in your body to find the places within you that need healing. It helps get rid of illusions in life and awaken an understanding of yourself as a spiritual being.

Microdosing

1. A small amount of magic mushrooms on a protocol. People are able to go about their day with a slight perceptual shift and get a boost from the fungi friends and an openness but not a psychedelic experience.

2. Benefits of microdosing include: decreased anxiety, decreased stress, increased connection to self, grounding, increased calm, decreased sadness and depression, increased positive mood, increased Neuroplasticity, increased playfulness, increased wonder and awe. It works on the serotonin pathways so if you’re on an SSRI you need to be careful.

To learn more about the research associated with microdosing:

1. Dr. James Fadiman a researcher and micro dosing expert. https://www.jamesfadiman.com/

2. Paul Stamets a mycologist that discusses the use of micro dosing to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s by increasing neural connections. https://paulstamets.com/

Sparks of Wisdom from Sena

1.   Plant medicines can be profoundly healing. They need to be approached with respect and reverence. They are not a magic pill. You still need to do your own work.

2.   Tender nervous system by microdosing or other way such as baths, essential oils, etc.  If you make it a priority for your day daily it will change your life.

3.    Follow your spark, whatever lights you up and makes you feel alive and curious. Following that will lead you on your path and make you feel more alive and connected to your purpose.

Sena Maria's  Bio

Sena Maria is passionate about working with the fungi realm to support our collective evolution. Leaving her corporate job at Google, she took a big life pivot and has spent the last 5 years learning from the plants and fungi. After supporting hundreds of people in starting a microdosing practice, she now shares what she's learned through 1:1 coaching, group programs, and on her YouTube channel, Microdosing For Resilience.