Hapé, Nicotine & Breastfeeding: A Conscious Mother's Guide
At Root of the Gods, we honour the sacred tools passed down by our ancestors — medicines like Hapé (rapé), which carry the spirit of the forest, the wisdom of the elders, and the intention of deep inner alignment. But we also honour the sacred role of the mother — the life-giver, the nourisher, the protector of the next generation.
As more women return to indigenous practices while also walking the path of motherhood, questions arise about safety and harmony — especially when it comes to using plant medicines like Hapé while breastfeeding.
Let’s explore this with clarity, reverence, and responsibility.
🌿 What Is Hapé?
Hapé is a traditional Amazonian snuff, often made with finely ground sacred plants and strong jungle tobacco (Nicotiana rustica). Unlike cigarettes, Hapé is not smoked — it is gently blown into the nostrils using a kuripe or tepi, initiating a powerful energetic, physical, and spiritual cleansing.
But even though it’s not inhaled through smoke, Hapé still contains high levels of nicotine, which enters the bloodstream quickly through the nasal tissues.
🩸 Nicotine & the Breastfeeding Body
Here’s the sacred science:
- Nicotine from Hapé enters your bloodstream within minutes.
- From there, it passes into your breast milk — often in higher concentrations than in your blood.
- Your baby’s body, still developing, is extremely sensitive to nicotine and its effects.
Research and ancestral wisdom both agree: when a mother partakes in any form of nicotine (even sacred), her child partakes too.
👶 What This Means for Your Baby
While every baby is unique, studies and observations suggest nicotine exposure through breast milk can lead to:
Restlessness or disrupted sleep
Fussiness or irritability
Changes in feeding behaviour
Long-term concerns around nervous system development
Increased risk of respiratory issues or even SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
This is not to fear-monger - it is to stay awake in our practice. Awareness is the true medicine.
🌀 Navigating the Middle Way: Conscious Use While Breastfeeding
We know that for some, Hapé is more than a ritual - it’s a lifeline, a grounding cord, a prayer. If you're called to continue using it during your breastfeeding journey, here are a few respectful and protective practices to consider:
🌙 Time It Right
Wait at least 2–3 hours after using Hapé before breastfeeding. Nicotine peaks about 30–60 minutes after use, then begins to decline. Spacing out feeds gives your milk time to clear.
🌱 Choose Lower-Tobacco Blends
Not all Hapé is created equal. Seek blends with minimal or no Nicotiana rustica, or ask your supplier about nicotine content.
🍼 Pump & Discard (If Needed)
If your session was particularly strong, consider pumping and discarding one feed's worth of milk to avoid giving your baby a concentrated dose.
👁️ Observe Your Baby
You are deeply attuned to your child. If you notice changes in behaviour, feeding, or sleep after your practice, listen — that’s the medicine speaking, too.
🌺 Honouring the Sacred Role of the Mother
Being a mother is initiation. It is ceremony. And like all ceremonies, it asks for presence, humility, and alignment.
Using sacred tobacco while breastfeeding is not a question of “yes” or “no” — it is a question of intention, timing, and deep listening. It is about walking with integrity, both with the plants and with the life you are nourishing.
There is no shame, only the invitation to keep growing, keep learning, and keep weaving the ancient ways into this modern life with reverence.
With love, roots, and respect,
🌿 Root of the Gods
@rootofthegods | rootofthegods.com