What are dream herbs and what can you do with them?
Have you always been interested in dreams, what they can mean and what you are thinking deep inside? Dream herbs offer you the opportunity to work with your dreams. They could ensure that your dreams become even clearer and more powerful. In this blog we explain which herbs there are, how they work and how you can use them.
What are dream herbs?
Every night we dream (and yes, we all do). The only question is whether you can also remember what you did in your sleep that night. For many people, the images and feelings fade as soon as they wake up.
Yet, dreams are fascinating, especially if you can also dream lucidly. This is the phenomenon where you realize that you are dreaming and can actively participate in what is happening. There are dream herbs that promote lucid dreaming, where they do not so much cause a lucid dream, but they make your dreams more vivid. This increases the chance that a dream will become lucid.
There are different dream herbs. Examples include:
- Calea Zacatechichi
- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
- African dream root (Silene Capensis)
- Wild Lettuce (Lactuca Virosa)
- Skullcap
The power of dream herbs
The above herbs are oneirogens. These are plants that have a mind-expanding effect and can induce a dreamlike state. The Greek name also indicates this: oneiros means dream and gen means to create. These herbs can help create dreams.
There are some scientific studies that suggest that certain herbs can influence sleep and dream activity. Calea Zacatechichi, for example, is known for its potential effect on dream sharpness. A small study(PubMed) from 1986 found that participants who took an extract of this plant reported more vivid dreams and increased dream recall compared to a control group. However, this study had a limited number of participants and was not double-blind, meaning that placebo effects cannot be ruled out.
Given that research is still limited, it is important to be cautious with these herbs. But possible effects on dreams and sleep are listed below.
Remembering dreams better
Many people find it difficult to remember their dreams or to recall certain details when they wake up. Sometimes we manage to remember some feelings or a few images. But often the whole story of the dream fades away when we get out of bed.
Users of dream herbs indicate that they make their dreams more vivid, and this makes it easier to remember them. It also seems to be the case that dreams become more coherent and that they are less chaotic and incomprehensible. People often notice that their dream also follows a more logical storyline. This also makes remembering easier.
However, there is little scientific evidence for this. Some research suggests that a herb like Calea Zacatechichi can make dreams more vivid, but it is unclear whether this also leads to better dream recall.
Stimulating creativity
Dreams are inherently special, but if you make them even more intense with dream herbs, this can give you access to deeply hidden memories and undiscovered parts of your subconscious. You can discover these places during your sleep and this can lead to an increase in creativity during the day. Dream herbs can therefore be a good way to stimulate your creativity.
Lucid dreaming
When you are dreaming intensely due to the influence of dream herbs, the chance that you will have a lucid dream is greater. Lucid dreaming can also happen spontaneously, but controlled lucid dreaming requires more practice. Herbs such as Wild Lettuce and Skullcap can support you in the process of becoming better at this. However, keep in mind that they will not put you in such a lucid state right away.
There is still very little research done on dream herbs and lucide dreams. Much of the information that can be found is based on personal experiences and the fact that these herbs have been used for centuries by indigenous peoples for this purpose. Although these herbs do influence dreams, it is not certain that you will experience more lucid dreams.
The relaxing and calming effect of dream herbs
It is also possible that dream herbs can help you fall asleep faster, due to their calming properties. Not all dream herbs have a calming effect, so first check the description of the product.
From research on mice (see Science Direct, 2021) shows that Calea zacatechichi can have an anti-anxiety effect, which can promote deeper sleep. Skullcap is also known for its sedative and anti-anxiety properties (see research PubMed 2017), which can help you fall asleep more easily.
Safety of dream herbs
Given that we are talking about different herbs here, each with their own composition of active ingredients, we cannot say that all dream herbs are safe or not. In addition, not much research has been done into the composition of the herbs. We often do not know exactly what they contain and as a result they can have unknown side effects or influence medication, for example. This is why caution is advised.
If you use dream herbs, make sure you don't have anything planned for the next day. It is important to find out how long the effects last and how your brain is doing. For example, you want to know if you are completely clear and if your reflexes are good. Don't just get in a car before you know that. Other possible side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, or headache.
Never use more than the recommended amount and consult your doctor if you are taking medication.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended as a source of information and not as medical advice.
Sources:
Sleep Foundation (Highly authoritative on sleep science)
- Focus: Lucid dreaming, REM sleep, herbal effects on sleep.
- Link: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/
- Great for sleep-related explanations, dream phases, and sleep health.
PubMed / National Library of Medicine (Peer-reviewed scientific studies)
- Focus: Direct access to medical and scientific research, including on specific herbs like Calea zacatechichi, Silene Capensis, etc.
