When my husband and I visited the Sacred Valley in the Andes of Peru, we fell in love with the welcoming spirit and kindness of the people who hosted us, the enchanting nature, and the always fresh, amazing cuisine. We were even fortunate to have our vows renewed with a Peruvian Shaman, in a beautiful, colorful ceremony in which we made offerings to Panchamama (Mother Earth) in the sanctuary of the Andean Forest.

We spent time in the nurturing warmth of the local hot springs with fresh botanicals heated to release their sacred essence as we slowly let go of all the stress and business in our bodies. We felt completely rejuvenated and grateful. Inspired by this unique sensory journey and its wonderful alignment with Ayurveda, we decided to blend this experience of heated botanicals with sound bathing and to incorporate the fragrant healing essence of Peruvian muña.

Nestled high in the Andes Mountains grows muña (Minthostachys mollis), a fragrant mint with vibrant green leaves and a refreshing, earthy aroma. In Andean cosmology, the natural world is alive with spirit. While muña is commonly consumed as a hot beverage in the Andes, it also holds a special place in rituals, often used as an offering to the Apus (mountain spirits) to seek protection, gratitude, or guidance. Locals scatter its leaves or burn them as k’intu, a ceremonial bundle, believing its smoke carries prayers to the peaks.  

Muña is also integral to limpia, or energetic cleansing rituals. Healers brush its leaves over the body or smudge spaces to dispel stagnant energy, invoking renewal. This practice reflects a deep understanding of muña’s purifying properties, both physically and spiritually.  

The grounding and refreshing aroma of muña eases stress and deepens the meditative state during sound baths. Muna’s earthy, minty fragrance pairs beautifully with the local botanicals of New Mexico’s high country to provide a grounded, balancing, and restorative experience.