Exploring the Different Kinds of Ayahuasca Vines

Ayahuasca vine names can be confusing. You may hear of yellow, black, red or white vine, along with names used by particular communities and lineages.

These labels need context. They aren’t a reliable way to choose an experience or to judge whether a ceremony is right for you.

What is the ayahuasca vine?

Banisteriopsis caapi is a plant species in the Malpighiaceae family. Kew’s Plants of the World Online describes it as a climbing plant native to southern tropical America.

A plant’s scientific name, its local name and the name of a ceremonial brew all describe different things.

Traditional names and research

Traditional names can reflect a community’s knowledge, the plant’s features and its ceremonial meaning. Ask who uses a name and what it means in that tradition. Not every teacher uses the same words.

A 2020 study by Santos and colleagues tested 176 vine samples, 159 of them B. caapi, plus 33 ayahuasca brews. It found large differences in their alkaloid levels.

Collectors and users called the vines by names such as tucunacá, amarelinho, ourinho and caupuri.

The study doesn’t support any universal ranking of black, yellow, red and white vines for strength, safety or health benefit.

Spiritual descriptions can carry real meaning within a tradition, but they don’t promise a set result.

If someone calls a vine “gentle,” “cleansing” or “visionary,” ask what they mean. Don’t treat it as a guarantee.

Questions to ask before considering a ceremony

• What plants and other ingredients are involved, and how are they identified?
• Which tradition informs the names and descriptions being used?
• Who leads the ceremony, and what specific training can they describe?
• How are health history, medications and individual suitability reviewed?
• What preparation, on-site support and integration are available?
• Who can answer questions before a decision is made?

To learn about AyaWaken, start with our teachers, preparation, safety information and integration support pages.

You can also ask us about the ayahuasca preparation used for a particular gathering.

Frequently asked questions

Is black vine always stronger?

Not necessarily. The study cited here doesn’t show that. A color label alone can’t promise how strong an experience will be.

Does yellow vine mean a ceremony is gentle or suitable for beginners?

No. A label can’t tell you whether a ceremony is right for you. Screening and an honest conversation with the facilitators still matter.

How do I learn about AyaWaken gatherings?

See our current dates and begin the intake. AyaWaken ceremonies are spiritual practice, not medical treatment, and results aren’t guaranteed.

Don’t stop or change prescribed medication without talking to your prescriber.

Sources

• Kew: Banisteriopsis caapi.
• Santos et al. (2020), Biodiversity of β-Carboline Profile of Banisteriopsis caapi and Ayahuasca, Plants, 9(7), 870.

Originally published December 26, 2024. Revised October 14, 2026.