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Ces informations sont fournies à titre éducatif uniquement et ne remplacent pas un avis médical professionnel, un diagnostic ou un traitement. Consultez toujours votre professionnel de santé avant d'utiliser des plantes, surtout si vous êtes enceinte, allaitez, prenez des médicaments ou avez une condition médicale.
How does Calea zacatechichi work to enhance dreams?
Calea zacatechichi's oneirogenic (dream-enhancing) effects are attributed to its active compounds, including caleicines, caleochromene, flavonoids, and bitter sesquiterpene lactones. These constituents are believed to influence central nervous system activity, potentially increasing dream vividness, recall, and hypnagogic imagery. However, the precise mechanism of action remains poorly understood, and current evidence is limited to preliminary research and traditional use (Evidence Level C). The plant may also exert mild sedative and anxiolytic effects through similar neuroactive pathways.
Does Calea zacatechichi interact with medications?
Calea zacatechichi should be avoided by individuals taking psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and sedatives. The herb's CNS-active properties may amplify or interfere with the effects of these medications, potentially causing unpredictable reactions. Because Calea zacatechichi affects dream states, mental perception, and has sedative qualities, combining it with psychoactive substances or CNS depressants could produce adverse effects. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before combining this herb with any prescription medications.
What is the recommended dosage of Calea zacatechichi?
The traditional adult dosage for Calea zacatechichi is 2-6 grams of dried herb prepared as a tea, taken at bedtime for dream enhancement purposes. The herb's extreme bitterness makes it challenging to consume, and some users prefer encapsulated forms or smoke the dried material. This herb is not recommended for long-term use. Start with the lower end of the dosage range to assess individual tolerance, as higher doses may increase the likelihood of nausea and vomiting.
Is Calea zacatechichi safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Calea zacatechichi is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. The herb contains bitter sesquiterpene lactones and other compounds that may stimulate uterine contractions or affect fetal development. Additionally, its effects on the central nervous system have not been studied in pregnant populations. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid this herb, as insufficient safety data exists regarding excretion into breast milk or effects on nursing infants.
What are the side effects of Calea zacatechichi?
The most common side effects of Calea zacatechichi are nausea and vomiting, largely due to the herb's extreme bitterness. The plant is intensely bitter, which can trigger digestive upset in sensitive individuals. Some users report grogginess, headache, or altered mental states the following day. These effects are typically dose-dependent, with higher doses more likely to cause adverse reactions. The herb should not be used long-term, as safety data for extended use is lacking (Evidence Level C).
Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed
Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.
Compilé à partir de 15 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b
Résumé
Calea zacatechichi, known as the "dream herb," is a Mexican plant used traditionally for ritual divination and the treatment of various ailments [PMID:31949470, PMID:26821073, PMID:3821139].
Contexte
Calea zacatechichi (also referred to as Calea ternifolia) is a plant native to Mexico used by indigenous communities, such as the Chontal Indians, and has recently gained popularity in Western recreational settings [PMID:3821139, PMID:39389391].
Usages traditionnels
In folk medicine, it is used to treat cough, asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders [PMID:26821073, PMID:26068703]. It is also used in traditional rituals for divination and to obtain messages during dreaming [PMID:26821073, PMID:3821139].
Composés actifs
Major components include demethylisoencecalin, caleins A and C, 6-acetyl-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-hydroxymethyl-2H-chromene, herniarin, scoparone, and 4',7-dimethylapigenin [PMID:28216594]. The plant is also rich in sesquiterpene lactones, specifically eudesmanolide and germacranolide types, including calealactone D and E [PMID:9013864, PMID:21128202].
Mécanisme d'action
The plant interferes with cholinergic and dopaminergic pathways [PMID:39389391]. Sesquiterpene lactones from the plant act as inhibitors of the transcription factor NF-kappaB [PMID:9013864].
Preuves cliniques
Preuve BSleep and Dreaming
In healthy volunteers, extracts increased superficial stages of sleep, the number of spontaneous awakenings, and subjective reports of hypnagogic imagery/dreams [PMID:3821139].
Preuve DHyperglycemia
Major compounds (demethylisoencecalin, caleins A and C) and essential oil controlled postprandial glucose levels in normal and hyperglycemic mice, with effects comparable to acarbose [PMID:28216594].
Preuve DAnxiety and Depression
Aqueous extract produced robust anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in rodents and increased hippocampal activity during REM sleep [PMID:32866569].
Preuve DIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms
Dichloromethane extract exhibited antidiarrheal and antinociceptive effects in mouse models mimicking IBS [PMID:26068703].
Sécurité et effets indésirables
In rats, administration of 8.5 mg/kg of aqueous extract caused a reduction in platelets and leukocytes, increased urea, and elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), with histological evidence of renal proximal tubule spongiform changes and liver lymphoid infiltrate [PMID:31949470]. In vitro, the extract induced 73% eryptosis at 100 μg/mL [PMID:31949470]. High doses in cats elicited salivation, ataxia, retching, and vomiting [PMID:3821139]. It has also been associated with neuroglial toxicity [PMID:39389391] and potential nephrotoxicity in human proximal tubule cells [PMID:27703475].
Interactions médicamenteuses
The aqueous extract inhibited CYP3A by 99% at a concentration of 375 μg/mL [PMID:31949470].
Synthèse des preuves
Evidence is primarily based on animal models (D) and small-scale human clinical trials (B). While some pharmacological benefits are noted in rodents, significant toxicity (hepatic and renal) has been observed in animal models.
Sources PubMed
1.PMID: 31949470 (2019) — Safety of Aqueous Extract of Calea ternifolia Used in Mexican Traditional Medicine. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2.PMID: 28216594 (2017) — Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity of Major Compounds from Calea ternifolia. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 26821073 (2016) — Neuropharmacological characterization of the oneirogenic Mexican plant Calea zacatechichi aqueous extract in mice. · Metabolic brain disease
4.PMID: 27703475 (2016) — Evaluation of "Dream Herb," Calea zacatechichi, for Nephrotoxicity Using Human Kidney Proximal Tubule Cells. · Journal of toxicology
5.PMID: 39389391 (2025) — Mexican calea (Calea zacatechichi Schltdl.) interferes with cholinergic and dopaminergic pathways and causes neuroglial toxicity.
Sources gouvernementales
Aucune monographie gouvernementale directe n'est disponible pour cette plante. Le contenu ci-dessous est généré par IA et n'a pas été vérifié par rapport à une source gouvernementale faisant autorité. Utilisez les liens de recherche pour consulter les sources officielles avant de vous fier à ces informations.
8.PMID: 26068703 (2015) — Calea zacatechichi dichloromethane extract exhibits antidiarrheal and antinociceptive effects in mouse models mimicking irritable bowel syndrome. · Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
9.PMID: 32866569 (2021) — Calea zacatechichi Schltdl. (Compositae) produces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects, and increases the hippocampal activity during REM sleep in rodents. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
10.PMID: 9013864 (1997) — Sesquiterpene lactone containing Mexican Indian medicinal plants and pure sesquiterpene lactones as potent inhibitors of transcription factor NF-kappaB. · FEBS letters