HEART
MEDICINE
“This book tells a unique and inspiring story—a healing story for our troubled time—a story of courage, vision, truth, and deep love. Drug addiction is notoriously difficult to cure or even treat. Relapse rates are discouragingly high, as are mortality rates. Since all the addictive drugs are also illegal and possession can result in incarceration—the cards are stacked against addiction therapy. Into this toxic psychosocial mix comes the legendary central African plant root Tabernanthe iboga or its semi-synthetic derivative ibogaine, a powerful entheogen used in healing and initiation ceremonies in the Bwiti tradition. Uniquely among other psychedelic plants or substances, ibogaine has the capacity to actually block addictive cravings for long enough to permit an addict to re-establish a healthy connection with the core of their being— given appropriate guidance and support.”
Ralph Metzner, former dean of CIIS and professor emeritus, Harvard research associate of Timothy Leary & Ram Dass in the Psilocybin Project, author of The Well of Remembrance, The Unfolding Self, Green Psychology, editor of two collections on the science and the phenomenology of Ayahuasca and Teonanácatl
“Elizabeth Bast's Heart Medicine is important, and not just because it is a lyrical and touching memoir. Scientific studies of the curative powers of traditional plant medicines are all too often detached from the ‘heart,’ which is where all true healing occurs. Elizabeth's testimony, therefore, is to be read with close attention."
Robert Tindall, author of The Jaguar that Roams the Mind & The Shamanic Odyssey
"I stayed up and read 200 pages in one sitting! Bast's writing is so compelling, so present. What a gift she is giving the world with her experience and her exquisite writing. It’s the best kind of modern love story: passionate lovers, spiritual awakening, urban addictions, and the rising power of shamanism and plant medicine to help individuals, couples and families step into a new, more enlivened and powerful paradigm of relating. It’s not only a fascinating read, it has the power to be a vehicle of healing for so many. There are so many folks right now on prescription medication or addicted to drugs (or hey, even playing Sudoku) who are seeking relief from suffering. This is the perfect story to get through to them. And also for those who are already more aware, what an amazing reminder of what is possible and how to realign with what we know to be true. I’m so heartened to know that her story offers true solution to modern ailments and is now available to the world at large. It’s going to grab people and give them a healing just as they read it."
Bella Shing, award-winning writer, director, founder of Sweeter Media
“Heart Medicine is more than a book, it’s a fully immersive, technicolor, healing journey. Through down to earth and yet deeply poetic words, Bast invites us into a world of spiritual transformation and awakening. Don’t be surprised if some of the magic rubs off on you as you read!”
Jessica Graham , actress, meditation teacher, author of Good Sex: Getting Off Without Checking Out
“Once inside of the pages of this book-portal, you will be offered a glimpse into the mysteries of plant medicine. Drenched in Eros, fueled on Agape, Heart Medicine is a tale of mystical adventure and healing, in which danger, despair, intimacy and revelation thread through each other to weave a new reality for the tantric priestess Elizabeth Bast and her paramour, the globally renowned spray paint artist Chor Boogie. Heart Medicine is a portal that leads the reader on a wormhole journey into healing and self-discovery. It is an adventure story. It invites you to ride the rivers of intimacy and authenticity deeper and deeper into the realm of human relationship.”
Richard Power, philosopher, poet, yoga teacher, author of eleven books, including Cauldron Yoga, Gaian Poetics, & The Way of the Ancient Future
“A page turner. Elizabeth Bast's poetic words jump from the page. It is both a love story and a lesson to cure addiction. I read her book right before my own initiation with iboga and it helped me to prepare and understand better the potential of this powerful medicine.”
Javier Prato, filmmaker, director of Sacred Plants
“Bast's story beautifully illustrates the intimate relationship between two people and an ancient healing plant. Her raw authenticity exemplifies the power of the medicine path to face just that, the true essence of our being. Her voice lets us know that we are not alone on this exotic, gritty, and breathtaking path toward healing.”
Ashley Booth, founder of The Aware Project: Rethinking Psychedelics
"Heart Medicine is a soul cleanse. Elizabeth Bast's raw and unfiltered journey connects you to your own untapped medicine. She is a true healer. This is an experience meant to be savored.”
Alexandra Martinez, writer, Miami New Times, The New Tropic
“Bast's literary gem is an intimate reveal of a couple’s soul-level liberation from the largely misunderstood and medically mishandled prison of addiction. This most personal offering strikes a universal resonance with pearl-after-pearl birthed from the trenches of relentless love and a dive into the heart of African shamanism. Heart Medicine is a fresh work and invaluable contribution for those curious about one of the most promising means for dissolving addiction at its root. Bast highlights the ‘holy wood’ from our oldest ancestors, holding the key to not merely reversing addiction, but to helping welcome our wandering souls back home. I recommend a full dose of Heart Medicine! Basse!”
Dr. Joseph Peter Barsuglia, research psychologist, psychotherapist, clinical research director at Crossroads Treatment Center
"E. Bast's book is nothing short of remarkable. She writes with such authenticity on a subject of such vulnerability; love and addiction. Shedding light on a natural Earth medicine that is almost unheard of in the Western world, Bast brings to surface more than a cure for hard drug addictions, but a remedy for our deepest collective wounds and avoidances to true love and intimacy. A true love story indeed, Bast has done a great service to all by writing and sharing this profound experience."
Lillie Claire Love, intimacy coach
“Heart Medicine is raw, unbridled story about Bast’s relationship with her partner facing addiction and their unconventional journey to sobriety. In a society where we tend to throw away relationships rather than see them as a reflection of ourselves, Bast faces the darkness and bravely tells the truth breathing light to the shadows in her life. This page turner inspires us all shift our perspectives on addiction, dredging into the depths as way to cultivate strength and to reconnect to the shamanic traditions as a path to our inner wisdom. You can feel in every word, Bast has put her heart and soul into this book. It is almost impossible to not to fall in love with her.”
Patricia Eastman, retreat facilitator, coach, author of Pretty Drugs
“Heart Medicine is a game-changer. It’s compelling message and exquisite story brings hope and inspiration to all of us who have either suffered drug addiction or watched our loved ones fall into despair and destruction because of it. Elizabeth weaves in their love story, their challenges, and eventually their profound healing and awakening resulting from connection with this medicine and the shamans who prescribe it. It is a heartfelt, exciting story, especially for all those who suffer from the limitations of Western Medicine. It is my hope that this book reaches the widest audience possible. It is a book like no other; its message illuminates a path to profound healing for one of the most challenging health issues of our time.”
Mary Frank, writer, producer, radio host
“I couldn’t put it down until 3:30am! I am not surprised by how much this story resonates. Reading the book, I feel like Elizabeth and Chor are close friends that I’ve known for years. The story is so detailed and personal, I felt like I was right there with them through this whole experience. Incredible writing.”
Lana Baumgartner, founder of The Pure Way with Lana Shay, co-founder of Psychedelic Times, performance artist
“Elizabeth Bast is an artist and a poet who weaves a gorgeous tapestry of true love and true healing like many have never known. She is a potent wisdom carrier and reminds us of the lost art of visionary storytelling to pass down tales of beauty and power from which generations to come will learn from. The story of her and Chor's journey to the heart of Africa and deep healing using the ancient sacrament of iboga is a riveting and inspirational transmission that you will not soon forget.”
Maria Teresa Chavez, holistic health & wellness expert, spiritual advisor, founder of Sacred Earth Warriors Transformational Healing Events and Retreats