Amazonian Traditional Plant Medicine Internship

The Amazon rainforest is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world!

The main indigenous group in the region, the Kichwa nation, is known for using natural healing and plant medicine to treat everything from colds to chronic illnesses and wounds.

Interns work in the Napo province, centered around the main city of Tena. This province is home to many natural healers, herbalists, and medicine poeple that are working hard to preserve their traditions.

• Live with a host family that uses plant medicine and traditional healing practices
• Learn about Amazonian herbalism, traditional medicine and farming practices
• Depending on the placement, opportunity to make salves, tinctures, balms, and more; observe and/or participate in traditional cleansings; plant medicinal plants in agroforestry farms
• Collaborate on projects that disseminate knowledge of indigenous, traditional medicine
• Identify medicinal plants and understand their importance in traditional medicine
• Collaborate on projects to assist healers and medicine men in disseminating information about traditional medicine and support their goal of preserving their culture
• Contribute to work in the chakra (traditionally-planted agroforestry farm) by planting, weeding, and harvesting
• Create and/or clear trails in medicinal plant gardens or chakras with locals
• Support eco-toursim projects and guide visitors as they learn about medicinal plants and traditional medicine practices

Interns live with host families, allowing them to forge meaningful connections with locals during their time in the Amazon