Sun Opener

Commonly known as Sinicuichi.

Sinicuichi (latin name Heimia salicifolia) is revered for its memory-opening potential and its powerful connection to the Sun. The herb is believed to be the summer-blooming plant tonatiuh yxiuh, known as the “herb of the sun,” which was used by our Mesoamerican ancestors, including the Aztecs. Modern Mexicans and South Americans often refer to the herb as abre-o-sol, or the “Sun Opener.” Sinicuichi has the unique ability to expand the auditory system, brighten the field of vision, and induce vivid dreams that allow one to travel through memories, including past/parallel lives and even prenatal events.

NATIVE LANDS

Sinicuichi is native to the wetlands of the Americas ranging from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to Argentina. The plant thrives best in warm wet areas like soggy brush lands and river sides. It does not tolerate frost, but it is heat and drought-tolerant.

Let one who is fear-burdened take as a drink a potion made of the herb tonatiuh yxiuh which throws out the brightness of gold.

The most common and most widely reported preparation is Sinicuichi fermented tea. Tribes collected fresh leaves and allowed them to wilt, then crushed them and soaked them in a cup of cool water.  The cup was then placed outside under the sun for one day to allow the concoction time to ferment. Honey or lemon was sometimes added to improve the taste, although these were not essential ingredients. When fresh leaves are unavailable the dried leaves and branches are used with equal success, following the same procedure, except that the dried material is steeped in hot water instead of cold water.

The mixture is placed in the sun to brew and ferment for at least 24 hours. It is said that during the fermentation process, the knowledge of the sun is embedded into the potion, creating the Elixir of the Sun.

It is believed the Sun plays a decisive role in its preparation.

This part is usually omitted by most Western recreational users and could be the reason so many have a seemingly negative experience. If you read threads on Reddit you will find scary reports of users experiencing excruciating sore muscles within a few hours of ingesting Sinicuichi. This is ironic because Sinicuichi contains an NSAID COX inhibitor that is twice as strong as Ibuprofen, a drug administered to lessen muscle cramping and pain.

So.. there are a couple of theories as to why intense muscle aches can occur:

DOSAGE THEORY

It could be related to the size of the dose. The traditional dose does not exceed 6 grams.

AGE OF HERB THEORY

It’s believed fresh leaves are more potent and less likely to induce cramping than aged leaves. It could be that sinicuichine (COX inhibitor alkaloid) usually prevents muscle pain but breaks down over time as the leaves age.

While these two theories could be true and part of the reason, users claim that merely fermenting the leaves indoors whether they are fresh or aged does not eliminate muscle pain and cramping. It is thought that the Sun is the real factor which leads to me to theory #3.

SUN FERMENTATION THEORY

It’s believed fresh leaves are more potent and less likely to induce cramping than aged leaves. It could be that sinicuichine (COX inhibitor alkaloid) usually prevents muscle pain but breaks down over time as the leaves age.

While these two theories could be true and part of the reason, users claim that merely fermenting the leaves indoors whether they are fresh or aged does not eliminate muscle pain and cramping. It is thought that the Sun is the real factor which leads to me to theory #3.

HEALING SYMPTOM THEORY

It could be that muscle ache is unavoidable and a physical manifestation of the deep healing powers of Sinicuichi. The herb is meant to focus on your tendons and muscles. It will repair any cells that need to be healed and therefore every muscle in your body will hurt for a period of time as the plant does its work (there is a similar theory in the next section). 

SYMBOLIC SYMPTOM THEORY

Sinicuichi tea induces deep sleep, supreme skeletal muscle relaxation (or ache if your body needs repair), vivid and lucid dreams, and the brightening effects of the Sun’s vibrant spirit, hence the name Sun Opener. Solar energy is our vital life force, our divinity, our inner wisdom, and our truth. Sinicuichi awakens the spirit by bringing increased strength, energy, and joy from the Sun. The euphoria is often described as giddiness or pleasant drunkenness. Many report feeling a deep sense of calmness and unity.

Many Mexican shamans believe those that experience muscle soreness, even if the herb has been prepared properly, is a reflection of the over-opening of the Sun center i.e. the Solar Plexus. Too much Sun exposure in the Solar Plexus will give you a sunburn resulting in symbolic “muscle burn” in the physical body. This muscle burn can cause one to really, truly feel all their organs in every breath, bringing you back to yourself. You feel your humanness, your heavy earthly physicality, and are pushed to develop a new sense of your body and all of the muscles within you, including the tiny ones in your toes and fingers.