Most Popular Dream Herbs - From Shamanic Traditions to Modern Dreamworld Travelers

I've always had very vivid dreams, that often also feel meaningful after waking up. Yes, I'm that person who pays a lot of attention to dream recall  - that's the first thing on morning after opening eyes. I get creative ideas in my dreams. Well, maybe not that unique as Doctor Otto Loewi who in 1936 won Nobel Prize in medicine for discovering chemical transmission of nerve impulses. He had the idea, but didn’t have the way to sort it out and prove it. The problem was solved taking notes of ideas that accrued in his dreams. And maybe not that bright as the inventor of sewing machine Elias Howe who had the idea of sewing machine, and understood how to make if work after seeing the solution in metaphor in his dream. I still have long way to go! 

I already talked about sedative herbal teas that help to relax, calm down and have a restful sleep. You can read it here: Sedative Herbal Teas for Restful Sleep. I've learnt about human sleep, sleep cycles and brainwave activity during sleep, and learning about herbs my attention was caught also by so called dream herbs - natures gifts that induce colorful, vivid and lucid dreams. Herbs that have been used for millenniums and their usage is based in shamanic traditions. Yes, I'm talking about those herbs shamans have used many centuries ago to induce dreams in which they would receive messages from gods and guidance from their own spiritual self.  Well, they used also plants that are nowadays known as controversial and even poisonous for human consumption. We are talking now about 100% natural, legal and non-poisonous plants you can brew into tea and put into dream pillows. So, after some research and a few experiments I've got this list of dream herbs from many corners of the world (I haven't tried all of them):

Calea Zacatechichi a.k.a. Dream Herb

This probably is the queen of them all. At least it looks like that when you do some basic internet research. Mexican Indians knew the power of this herb and they have successfully passed their knowledge to people who live in this world nowadays. In Mexico this herb is also a popular folk remedy to treat, for example, constipation and fever. Besides that, it has psychoactive properties that turn dreams into adventures and brightens imagery. In most countries around the world this herb is legal and allowed for human consumption free of any regulations, although (as the internet says) some states in US, like Louisiana, have included this herb in the list of plants that is allowed to grow for decorative purposes only and is illegal for human consumption. Take in account that its’ psychoactive powers are strong enough that you shouldn’t mess around with this herb. Calea Zacatechichi users report better dream recall, notably more dreaming, vivid, meaningful dreams and lucid dreaming. Haven't tried this one as I don't have a chance to harvest it. 

Mugwort (Latin name – Artemisia Vulgaris)

Mugwort

One of the most famous dream herbs that grows in sunny places with nitrogenous soil and is pretty often found in nature in Northern hemisphere. That's the one that grows on every corner where I live, so, of course, I've tried it! Firstly, I discovered that I have very vivid, colorful dreams after taking soft mugwort whisks into steam-bath. I had no idea back then that something like dream herbs actually exist. Later, I have tried mugwort tea before bedtime, and, yes, those dreams were spectacular and for me it was easy to control my dreams. 

This one long time ago actually was used for smoking by shamans and… sailors! It’s not a wonder that this herb has also got a name “Mermaid Weed”. My guess is that sailors smoked it and saw mermaids in their dreams. Ok, it’s probably just a guess, but this herb truly induces vivid dreams. It makes to recall dreams for those who usually don’t remember what they’ve seen while dreaming, it makes dreams more interesting and for those, who already have bright, vivid dreams, this herb helps to develop lucid dreaming. Besides that, this herb also is pain-reliever, helps to ease menstrual pain for women, and it eases hysteria and epilepsy, but is a huge “NO” for pregnant women, as it might cause contractions. Brew mugwort tea and drink it before bedtime to enjoy truly amazing dreams that make you to question the border between reality and dreams. It often causes people to wake up from a dream and start their day, and then wake up again and again actually still being asleep. There is a Hollywood movie “Inception” in which the characters get into dream world into deep levels, so while being asleep they actually wake up several times in their dreams continuing the same dream, but in another level. No worries, if you drink mugwort tea, you will clearly know that you are awake when you really are, but you might catch this feeling also several times while you are actually sleeping.

Dried wormwood

Wormwood (Latin name- Artemisia Absinthum)

It’s a sister of mugwort that grows naturally around Northern hemisphere and has got a famous name around Europe, but comparing to enjoyable taste of mugwort’s tea, wormwood tastes incredibly bad. It’s a well know folk remedy in many cultures, and it also have been used in producing alcoholic drink absinthe. This is another sacred plant that took place in many ancient rituals dedicated to their gods and goddesses. Some users nowadays report very beautiful and vivid dreams, while others claim that wormwood causes nightmares. Probably, it all depends on your state of mind, so this herb might be the one to bring out what’s actually going on in the deepest levels of your mind. I just really don't like how it tastes, although wormwood tincture is pretty useful for stomach. (Find some info about wormwood tincture here: Making and Using Herbal Tinctures: DIY // Wormwood, Lemongrass, Catnip and Common Yarrow

Lemongrass

Lemongrass (Latin name – Cympobogon densiflorus)

While Western world appreciates the aroma of lemongrass and flavors their foods with it, African tribes have totally another kind of relationship with this herb. African shamans already long time ago used this herb to elevate their spirits for communication with gods. Dreamers advise to drink lemongrass tea or add dried lemongrass to smoking blends. The result might be meaningful and lucid dreams. I've tried to grow lemongrass on a windowsill and I truly love lemongrass tea. Did it have any effect on my dreams? No, I don't think so.

Damiana (Latin name – Turnera Difusa)

This is another plant from Mexico that has psychoactive properties and ability to calm down human mind giving restful sleep and also vivid dreams. Damiana is also a well-known aphrodisiac that stimulates sex drive, so don’t be surprised if this herb gives an erotic touch to your dreams. Haven't used it. 

Catnip

Other herbs often mentioned as dream hers: Verbena, African Dream Root, Patchouli, Helichrysum, Catnip, Passion flower and Valerian root. From these I've tried just catnip and Valerian root teas. Catnip (grown on a windowsill) has very mild, pleasant effect on sleep if you brew a very strong tea'(probably, because it has calming effects), but Valerian root (harvested in wild)... Well, some people use Valerian root preparations to calm down nerves and have restful sleep, others say it causes  crazy, vivid dreams and even nightmares, some other people report deep, meaningful dreams, me - I just don't get a good nights sleep after using Valerian root tea. If I remember dreams after using Valerian root tea, they are always strange, dark and seems kind of unpleasant. For some people these herbs really induce vivid dreams, but I guess they all don't work the same way on everyone, also it might depend on what you set your mind on before bedtime.

Take in account: 

• Drinking the same tea every evening for inducing dreams, calming down your mind or any other purpose will lose its’ power as your body will get used to it. Dream inducing herbal teas are advised once a month, and not more often than every two weeks.

• If you choose to try any of herbs mentioned here, check the properties, warnings etc. They have different effects on human heath and can bring great health benefits like any other healing herb, but you have to check if they are suitable for you. 

By the way, some people report having vivid and strange dreams after eating cheese before bedtime.  It might be true, but you know that stuffing your stomach before bedtime probably is not the best idea.  Travels in dream world can be truly creative and might help you to discover and understand yourself better, but remember that you also need a deep, restful sleep, and regular dream inducing might put an additional dose of tension into your wakeful life if you haven't slept peacefully.

Feel free to share your thoughts and discoveries in comments! I would love to hear your experiences.