How many of us remember our dreams? How many of us can control them?
People who have lucid dreams know they are dreaming, and they have the ability to control their dreams. They are able to navigate their dreamscape with an awakened mind, asking characters they come across pretty insightful questions about their spirit path. They can run, jump, and fly at will, gaining profound inner wisdom from the experience.
If one wants to dream more at night and maybe even experience the allusive lucid dream, there are several herbs one can take before bed that will help. These herbs have been used for centuries as both medicines and dream enhancers.
Caution: Although these herbs are completely legal, one should practice caution when taking them. On top of producing better dreams, these herbs also have medicinal properties. Take this into consideration when using them and perform proper research.
Wild Asparagus Root – Asparagus Racemosus
Asparagus root is called “Shatawari” in Ayurvedic medicine and Tian Men Dong in Chinese. This directly translates to “heavenly spirit herb.” Shamans, monk, Chinese Taoist, and yogis have cherished this herb for millennia because of it’s heart-opening properties.
It also known as “The Flying Herb” because it is believed that it helps one “fly through the universe at night, achieving magnificent dreams.” This was important because wisdom schools of ancient China place much value on lucid dream work.
According to Chinese folk medicine, asparagus root has a direct and positive effect on heart energy and dissolving our physical incarnation dualities. “This allows our consciousness to blossom into infinite space while we sleep.”
Effects: Improves quality of sleep, induces relaxation and stress relief, serves as a good anti-depressant and stimulates “flying dreams.”
Effects: Improves quality of sleep, induces relaxation and stress relief, serves as a good anti-depressant and stimulates “flying dreams.”
Use: Brewing a tea of either the fresh or dried root is the best way to use wild asparagus. However, fresh asparagus root will be much more potent and efficient.
Valerian Root – Valeriana Officinalis
Commonly used in folk medicine as a calming aid, muscle relaxant, and to promote deep sleep for centuries, valerian root also tends to induce lucid dreaming. That is because it causes a heightened state of slumber.
Valerian also appears to help people remember their dreams. According to Robert Monroe, a famed specialist in Out of Body Experiences, “Most of us dream, and those who don’t simply do not remember them.”
Valerian root may be the thing one needs to remember their dreams and even navigate them successfully.
Keep in Mind: Valerian root will intensify any nocturnal adventure be it a good dream or a nightmare. Keep that into account when using it to enhance a dream state.
Warning: There is not enough information on the effect of valerian root on pregnant women to determine whether it is safe or not. If one is expecting, it is best to avoid it.
Use: More often than not, valerian is brewed in a tea. However, one must use hot water, not boiling water. Boiling water will destroy the delicate oils in the root. It is also possible to get a tincture from dried or fresh valerian root. These can generally be found in health food or online herb stores.
Mugwort – Artemisia Vulgaris
Mugwort has a rich medicinal and metaphysical history throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Mugwort is referenced in Celtic and Norse mythology as a magical plant that can ward off evil. It was hung in doorways and burnt as incense to remove stagnant air and prevent illness.
Mugwort is known as “Molush” by the Chumash Indians of California, and its Paiute name translates literally to “Dream Plant”. It’s often smoked in indigenous ceremonies, and interestingly, is also hailed by various tribes for its power to ward off evil, bad spirits, and disease.
Mugwort can be found almost anywhere. Take a look around the next time you go for a walk and you are sure to find some.
Use: Mugwort can be brewed as tea or smoked in a pipe. It smokes well with organic tobacco and other smoking herbs such as mullein or bits of white sage. The leaves of the plant are what contain the active chemical compounds used enhance dreams.
With careful preparation and planning, one can quickly learn to navigate their dreams with the use of natural herbs. Use your resting time to learn all that you can from the dream realms.
Mexican Dream Herb – Calea Zacatechichi
Calea is perhaps the best known of all Dream herbs. The Chontal Indians of Mexico used this shrub traditionally for lucid dreaming. Calea can be consumed in tea (the flavor is pungent and bitter) or by smoking the dried leaves.
Effects: Apart from the intensification of visual imagery during sleep, you may find yourself feeling a sense of well-being, light-headedness and clarity the day after.
Use: Taking at least five grams of this herb is required to be really effective for most people. Drink the herb before bed, keep an intent in mind before falling asleep.
Sun Opener Herb – Heimia Salicifolia
This plant was called Sinicuichi (or Sun Opener) by the Aztecs and is still used by Mexican shamans as a trance divination catalyst. This herb is regarded as sacred in that it enables vivid recollection of past distant events. Some users have reported the remembrance of pre-birth events!
Effects: Apart from the intensification of prophetic visual imagery during sleep, Sun Opener causes a yellowing of the vision and altered acoustic perception.
Use: Traditionally, fresh leaves are collected and allowed to wilt. The leaves are then put into a cup or jar, cool water is added, and the mixture is placed in the sun to brew and ferment for at least 24 hours. It is said that during the fermentation process, the knowledge of the sun is embedded into the potion, creating the “elixir of the sun” (hence the name).
Intellect Tree – Celastrus Paniculatus
Celastrus paniculatus is a shrub used in Ayurvedic medicine in India. Celastrus seeds and oil have long been regarded in India as beneficial to the intellect and memory which makes it a wonderful supplement in dream recollection. Apart from its effectiveness as a dream enhancer, Celastrus is a great mental stimulant, or nootropic, that increases your mental “sharpness.”
Effects: Apart from the intensification of visual imagery during sleep, Celastrus is an effective brain tonic.
Use: Take 5-10 seeds one hour before bedtime for 3 to 5 days until vivid dreaming occurs.
Xhosa Dream Root – Silene Capensis
Silene is regarded by the Xhosa people of Africa as a sacred plant. Its roots are traditionally used by shamans to promote lucid dream states in healers and other shamans during initiation ceremonies. It is noted as a “teaching plant” that is considered highly sacred.
Effects: Intensification of visual imagery during sleep.
Use: Mix this herb in small amounts in water and consume prior to sleeping. Silene also makes an interesting tasting tea but it can be bitter, so the extracted “shot” form is recommended.
Blue Lotus – Nymphaea Caerulea
Although it is nicknamed the Blue Egyptian Lotus, the Nymphaea Caerulea herb is actually a Water Lilly that shares no connection to the actual lotus flower. Nymphaea was used as a sacrament in ancient Egypt as a mild sedative. Today, the herb is used by herbalists to treat insomnia, but it has also been reported to induce lucid dreaming.
Effects: Improves quality of sleep and may intensify visual imagery.
Use: This herb is typically consumed in teas, elixir extracts, or by smoking it. If you have trouble dreaming or if you find yourself frequently waking up during dreams, blue lotus is a great supplement to use alongside one of the other substances mentioned in this article.
African Dream Bean – Entada Rheedii
Traditionally used in African medicine to induce vivid dreams and enable communication with the spirit world, Entada facilitates entry into the dream world, and promotes increased REM awareness. This makes it easier for the sleeper to realize that they are dreaming and thus gives them an edge in achieving lucidity. Entada contains several active compounds, essential oils and alkaloids.
Effects: Improves sleeping states by increasing depth, length and awareness.
Use: The inner meat of the seed is consumed directly, or the meat is chopped, dried, mixed with other herbs and smoked just before sleep to induce the desired dreams.
RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT TAKING LEGAL PSYCHEDELICS
Always do a very well research before consuming any substance.
Keep in mind that the type, quality, age, storage and care of these herbs are all factors that will influence your experience with them.
Not only that, but the set, substance, setting and right dosage, along with creating a strong enough intention are all essential elements that must be carefully considered before exploring the depths of your mind.
Some herbs for external use
Datura is a powerful, fragrant flower that has a history of uses around the world. Place a flower or two in your pillowcase for lucid and very vivid dreams.
Mugwort has been known to enhance vivid, lucid and prophetic dreams.
Anise‘s licorice-like fragrance can keep nightmares away.
Sage leaves can be used to bring more peacefulness and healing to your dreams.
Burdock is effective at keeping negativity, anger and sadness from your dream state.
Mullein can help you to ward off nightmares and have pleasant dreams.
Jasmine flowers are known to enhance erotic and romantic dreams, especially useful for women processing issues related to sex.
Lemongrass can boost your boring dreams by adding color and exotic elements.
Rose Petals will add a loving sense and warmth to dreams. Also especially helpful to women.
Clary Sage‘s super fragrant scent can provide you with some vivid and strange dreams. Ideal for the nocturnal adventurer!
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ReplyDeleteGreat comprehensive list. Thank you
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