Amazonian Traditional Plant Medicine Internship

The Amazon rainforest stands as one of the most biodiverse ecosystems globally, hosting over 40,000 plant species. Numerous Amazonian flora and fauna species possess medicinal properties, contributing to about 25 percent of pharmaceutical drugs derived from the rainforest.

The primary indigenous group in the region, the Kichwa nation, is renowned for its use of natural healing and plant medicine, treating a wide array of conditions, from common colds to chronic illnesses and wounds. Despite the coexistence of traditional and Western medicine in the area, this province suffers from disproportionate access to healthcare and lacks educational resources for disease prevention.

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

Internship activities include:

• Live with a host family that uses plant medicine and traditional healing practices
• Learn about Amazonian herbalism, traditional medicine and farming practices
• Learn to identify medicinal plants and understand their importance in traditional medicine
• Depending on the placement, opportunity to make salves, tinctures, teas and more; observe and/or participate in traditional cleansings
• Collaborate on projects that disseminate knowledge of indigenous medicine and preserving cultural practices
• 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 an Indigenous host family and experience how herbs and medicine naturally coexist in daily life through the Kichwa chakra system. Along the way, you’ll observe how ancestral knowledge and forest-based healing are woven into everyday practices.