Menstruation & Plant Medicine: What You Need to Know

One of the most common — and surprisingly controversial — questions that arises when a woman prepares to embark on a plant medicine journey is: Can I sit in ceremony while I’m on my moon?

The truth is, there’s no universal answer. It deeply depends on the type of plant medicine, the shamanic lineage guiding the ceremony, and the cultural context.

In some Amazonian traditions, menstruation is viewed as a powerful energetic force — one that can either support or disrupt the ceremonial space depending on how it’s held. For example, the Tzachilas tribe of Ecuador traditionally do not allow women to participate in ceremonies during their moon time. In contrast, Colombian shamanic traditions often hold the belief that women are inherently shamanic beings because of their capacity to give life. In these lineages, women are not permitted to become shamans until after menopause, as they believe the menstrual years are already a profound spiritual initiation in themselves.

In the Shipibo tradition, there's a traditional belief that menstruation carries an energy that can interfere with the flow of plant spirits and the energetic container of an ayahuasca ceremony. However, many contemporary Shipibo healers have evolved in their approach and do allow menstruating women to participate, depending on the situation and the woman’s own awareness of her body and energy.

Then you have the Santo Daime tradition, where women are generally welcomed into ceremony while menstruating, breastfeeding, or even pregnant. This perspective honors the cycles of life and trusts the woman's intuition and readiness to hold herself in the space.

So where does that leave you?

Check in with yourself — and your facilitator. Ultimately, it's not just about the tradition, it's also about the beliefs and experience of the person holding the space. Some facilitators may not feel comfortable or equipped to work with the raw, intense energy that menstruation can bring into a ceremonial field. And that’s okay. It’s less about exclusion, and more about honoring the integrity of the space for everyone — including you.

My suggestion? Always inform your facilitator if you’re bleeding. Not only is it respectful, but it allows them to support you better — whether that means adjusting your dosage, preparing your body with specific rituals like a flower bath, or simply helping you ground and integrate the experience in a way that honors your cycle.

And finally, tune in to your own body and inner knowing. Your womb carries ancient wisdom. You’ll feel whether the time is right to sit, or whether it’s a moment to rest, retreat, and receive the medicine of your own cycle.