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This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 15 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
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].
Background
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].
Traditional uses
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].
Active compounds
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].
Mechanism of 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].
Clinical evidence
Evidence 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].
Evidence 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].
Evidence DAnxiety and Depression
Aqueous extract produced robust anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in rodents and increased hippocampal activity during REM sleep [PMID:32866569].
Evidence DIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms
Dichloromethane extract exhibited antidiarrheal and antinociceptive effects in mouse models mimicking IBS [PMID:26068703].
Safety & adverse effects
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].
Drug interactions
The aqueous extract inhibited CYP3A by 99% at a concentration of 375 μg/mL [PMID:31949470].
Evidence summary
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.
PubMed sources
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.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
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