Recently I have been experimenting with a host of not necessarily lesser known plants, but certainly lesser utilized. I hope that guayusa will be the first of many tools discovered. I use them in the spirit of ritual, I very rarely consume a substance without some ceremony before hand. So keep in mind that it is possible that most of my experience may be more caused by the mindset produced by ritual and meditation rather than the psychoactive plants involved. This is particularly pertinent because guayusa is often seen as merely a delicious alternative to black or green tea(sinensis, anything can be a tea).

This is a fairly benign experience, impossible to escape but I have difficulty seeing this result in distress because ultimately it's just fancy sleep. So far, all five of my attempts
have yielded remarkably successful results. My dreams were exceptionally vivid, but not colorful. My ability to remain coherent in sleep was much higher than normal, and each time it was as if the dream was allowing me to more easily confront subconscious thoughts in a very sincere way. I have lead six people through this, and each of them with similarly rewarding results. There is little euphoria involved, but I view this as certainly a worthwhile psychoactive experience that is very accessible.

Supplies:
Kettle and cups
Incense plate
Ilex guayusa.
Salvia apiana
Salvia divinorum
Tobacco (I use rustica)
Lemon Balm
A buddy (optional)

Method:
In a small and appropriately ventilated, but comfortable, room begin burning the salvia, Tobacco and sage at a slow pace. In between burns, begin brewing the tea in hot water(preferably just below boiling for the taste). I use 3-6g guayusa and around 3-4g lemon balm.
Allow the tea to steep for a time, begin to impregnate the space and your head with the intention of introspection. Use whatever means of meditation you do, this is possibly the most important part.
Then fall asleep as the smoke in the room dissipates, I read a book but you could conceivably do anything. During this phase, I suggest chewing some more guayusa.
If you have an attendant, have them wake you in about 2.5-4.5 hours. If you don't have an attendant, wing it.


The method I've adopted is certainly a product of my own experience with the spiritual, and the use of psychoactive plants is a large part of that. Since most of what I do is my own design, and I view at as only protected by people's unwillingness to participate, I encourage anyone to help me share in the development of experience of plants. That being said, I don't expect to be viewed as credible in any way. If you have better ideas for the process, I'd be ecstatic if they were shared with me! I'm also open to admixtures, or variations.

I know the use of guayusa in this way is not entirely unheard of, but I have not had much direct experience with any cultures or groups which use it regularly. If you have any stories, accounts or resources that would help me learn more I would be very appreciative!