Calea zacatechichi is a dream inducing herb. The herb was originally used by the medicine men of Chontal natives of Mexico. They used the herb to achieve divinatory messages during dreaming. Hence, the herb is smoked or taken in tea form to induce and remember dreams.
The dreams are considered important in Mesoamerican cultures. Dreams are supposed to occur in suprasensory reality and, therefore, are capable of conveying messages. The plant preparation enhances dreams of divinatory nature. This practice is called “oneiromancy”, which is a type of dream interpretation.
What is Calea zacatechichi?
- Calea zacatechichi is a legal herb and a hallucinogenic plant, which is used for thousands of years by Mexican Shamans.
- The name zacatechichi is derived from Nahuati, which means Bitter Grass.
- The herb can be smoked, can be taken in tea form and also swallowed in capsule form.
- The herb induces meaningful and vivid dreams.
- It can also induce prophetic dreams when you subscribe to Shaman culture.
- The herb has a fascinating effect, producing highly meaningful dreams. So when you wake up, you wake with a “wow”.
- The herb help dreamers achieve lucidity and know what they were dreaming.
- It also increases one’s ability to remember dreams. Hence, it is known by the name Dream Herb.
- The herb belongs tot he family Asteraceae.
Health Effects of Smoking Calea zacatechichi
The herb has following health effects –
- It enhances all sensory perceptions.
- There is an increase in mental images formation and somnolence followed by sleep.
- The herb is popular as a medicine in Mexico against gastrointestinal disorders, as cathartic, appetizer and an anti dysentery medicine.
The lucid dreaming effects appear within 30-60 minutes after smoking the herb and also lasts for a few hours.
Smoking gives a milder effect, while taking the herb’s tea has a lasting effect.
The herb can be taken in 25-40 grams, which consists of stems and foliage.
The Chontal Indians, after taking Calea infusion, usually smoke Calea cigarette prepared from dried Calea leaves.
