Américo Lopez Sanchez is from a town called Roaboya near Pucallpa, Peru. He also goes by the name Pekon Nima, which in Shipibo means “the many colors of nature.”
Américo is one of the healers that has chosen to share his medicine and love here at Soltara.
The story goes that Américo’s mother gave birth to him under a Shihuahuaco tree near a rubber plantation where his parents were sent to work at the time. His mother, already having had 3 boys before him, had wanted a girl and thus had decided to bury him. As a result he was rescued and raised by his cousin, who was newly wed.
Américo carried these formative early experiences with him and was inspired by his father, Jose Lopez, and his work as a prominent healer. He decided to follow in his footsteps to become a healer in his own right, to help those who were suffering, misplaced, or otherwise seeking healing.
Although he was exposed to plant medicines from a very young age, he began his training in earnest at the age of 15 by dieting piñon colorado. At 19 he began drinking ayahuasca and assisting his father in ceremony. He describes this as a challenging time of multiple “tests.” Working through these challenges gave him the strength and spiritual stamina to continue his apprenticeship. Some years later after the death of his father he started dieting stronger plants, and after years of arduous training in isolation, he felt ready to begin working as a healer in his community.
Américo loves being of service and is aware of the importance of traditional plant treatment, especially in communities where people find it challenging to access pharmaceutical medications. He is saddened by how many people he has seen die from lack of appropriate care, which is why he is so driven to bring healing to those who need it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Américo loves working with children and used to be a school teacher. He is deeply eloquent with a gift for storytelling. He tells us that in olden times, there was a direct line of healing from gestation with diets and song, and he would like to reclaim this type of traditional education that allows children’s gifts to shine through.
On working at Soltara: “Working with a Western audience I gain a different type of experience and strength given that I tend to work with bigger groups of patients than I would in my community. This allows me to expand my own comfort zones making me a stronger practitioner. Regardless of the origins of my guests, it is very important to me to be thorough in my work and to always come from the heart.”
Américo’s favorite plants are Chiric Sanango, Noya Rao, Marosa, and Piñon Colorado.
We welcome Américo to the Soltara family and we’re honored to have him share his medicine and wisdom with us!
