Dream Herb
Interesting Facts about the Dream Herb
Calea zacatechichi is the scientific name of a plant that is more simply called “dream herb”. The use of this herb is said to give vivid and meaningful dreams to the individual who partakes of it, a practice started centuries ago by Mexican Indians.
The Dream Herb is considered as a hallucinogenic plant in most countries, including the United States. In the Oaxaca district of Mexico, it is considered a weed; extremely easy to propagate from cuttings or seeds. This tenacious plant will grow in most any type of soil; it actually thrives in badly conditioned soils. Calea is a fast growing plant, as well, with reports of several inches per week until it reaches shrub-like height. It has virtually no issues with pests; there has been no evidence of any insects or animals even remotely interested in feeding off from or using the plant as a host.
The history of the Dream Herb goes back many years to pre-Columbian times. The Chontal Indians who lived in Oaxaca, Mexico, had enjoyed the effects of the “leaf of God”, as the Dream Herb was described by them. While unknown how they discovered the dream enhancing properties of this herb or how to unlock its secrets, it is known that these people used the dream herb to provide what they believe to be communications with God through its use. The Chontal Indians disappeared as a civilization long ago, although descendent members from the original civilization are thought to still live in the Oaxaca area.
Calea zacatechichi is called the dream herb due to the uniquely powerful hallucinogenic properties it possesses. Traditionally, the Chontal Indians who were seeking to communicate with God would drink a tea made from the bitter grass, followed by the smoking of the dried leaves of the Calea. The tea would induce a feeling of somnolence; smoking the cigarette would transfer the drowsy feeling into a deep sleep that was vividly alive in visions and conversations. Many of the dreams were felt to be prophetic, leaving the Indians with the feeling that they had communed with God. Upon waking, the individual could generally recall the dreams in great detail; further intensifying the thought that God had visited with them.
Even today, many people try using the dream herb, perhaps out of curiosity. The herb is available online to purchase through cuttings or seeds, along with recipes of different brews of tea. One consistent comment from users is the highly unpalatable flavor of the tea. Even with the addition of creams, sugars and other liquids, the dream herb has an extremely unpleasant taste, to the point of inducing nausea in some imbibers.
While the Mexican Indian civilization of the Chontals may be just history, one distinct piece of their culture left behind is the dream herb; their means of communicating with and receiving divination from God.