Forever the Forest

The Amazon rainforest is often described through extraordinary numbers: millions of species, immense rivers, enormous stores of carbon and a forest stretching across several countries. But there is another way to understand the Amazon. It is a forest of knowledge. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples and other local communities have learned which trees provide […]

Indigenous medicine in Brazil has entered a significant new moment. In April 2026, the Brazilian Ministry of Health formally recognized specialists of Indigenous medicines within the country’s Indigenous healthcare policy and the Indigenous Health Care Subsystem of the Unified Health System. The measure explicitly recognizes pajés, shamans, Indigenous midwives, root specialists and other specialists known […]

What Is Mulateiro? The Amazonian Tree Known as the Tree of Youth What is mulateiro, and why has this remarkable Amazonian tree become known as the “Tree of Youth”? Recognized by its tall, straight trunk and smooth bark that continually changes appearance, mulateiro has long been valued in parts of the Amazon for practical, botanical […]

Rapé and Meditation: Understanding the Relationship Between Ritual, Breath and Presence Rapé and meditation are sometimes brought together in ceremonial, spiritual and contemplative settings. People who encounter this relationship may hear words such as grounding, intention, silence, prayer, cleansing and presence. Yet understanding the subject responsibly requires more than repeating modern wellness language. Rapé—also written […]

Forest bathing benefits may include greater relaxation, improved mood, restored attention and a deeper sense of connection with the natural world. Unlike hiking for distance or exercising outdoors, forest bathing invites us to slow down, awaken the senses and experience the forest without rushing toward a destination. In a world filled with notifications, artificial light, […]

US regulators just took historic steps toward studying sacred plants — and Indigenous nations are raising their voices about what respect really means. Here’s why tradition must lead as plant medicine goes mainstream.

The Ashaninka rebuilt a forest territory the world calls a model of Indigenous stewardship. Now, facing pressure from criminal invasions, their leaders are asking for protection. Their story deserves to be known.

Amazon deforestation just fell to its lowest level in ten years — down 38% in the first half of 2026. Here’s what’s behind the numbers, why Indigenous stewardship matters, and what it means for everyone who loves the forest.

Sananga benefits have become an increasingly popular subject among people interested in Amazonian traditions, Indigenous knowledge, meditation, spirituality, and relationships with the natural world. Online discussions frequently associate Sananga with mental clarity, emotional balance, awareness, ritual, and connection with the forest. However, an accurate discussion must distinguish between three very different things: Traditional and cultural […]

Indigenous wisdom offers some of humanity’s oldest and most enduring teachings about community, resilience, spirituality, sustainability, and living in relationship with the natural world. At a time of accelerating environmental change, social fragmentation, and widespread disconnection, the knowledge preserved by Indigenous peoples of the Amazon has become increasingly relevant. Humanity has never possessed more technology. […]