Calea zacatechichi, also called dream herb and bitter grass, is a shrub plant that primarily grows in Mexico. It has a long history of use for all kinds of health issues, especially gastrointestinal concerns.
Indigenous groups, including the Chontal Maya, have also used it for improved mental clarity and dream enhancement.
Today, it's a popular herb among people looking to induce hallucinations or try lucid dreaming.
Here's what else you need to know about the dream herb:
It may indeed induce very vivid dreams
This dream herb can have a range of effects on your sleep and the quality of your dreams.
Some reported effects on dreams include:
- The ability to alter or control your dreams
- More vivid, memorable, and longer dreams
- An increase in the dreams you experience and remember
- A sense of deeper knowledge and understanding of your dreams
In particular, this herb appears to help your dreams follow a more coherent narrative structure, instead of abruptly ending or shifting to new locations. This can make your dreams seem longer and even more realistic.
So, what happens when you take this dream herb but don't actually sleep?
For some people, Calea zacatechichi appears to increase mental clarity and boost cognitive abilities, like focus and improved reaction time.
Some people do report intense, dream-like images shortly before falling asleep. But it doesn't seem to cause full-on hallucinations.
Calea zacatechichi may also temporarily lower your blood pressure and breathing rate, so you might also feel relaxed, sleepy, calm, or even a bit detached from reality.
It has potential health uses, too
There are health benefits that have evidence behind them.
It can be used as a home remedy for:
- Gastrointestinal complaints, including stomachache, diarrhea, and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Calea zacatechichi may also help reduce fever.
This herb can help relieve:
- Asthma symptoms, including cough and breathing problems
Dosering:
1-2 teskjeer per kopp
Forsiktighetsregler:
Calea zacatechichi kan senke blodtrykket, og skal ikke brukes av personer med blodtrykksproblemer eller som bruker blodtrykksregulerende medisiner, uten å først ha samråd med lege.
