Calea Zacatechichi
OTHER NAME(S): Ahuapatli, Amula, Atanasia Amarga, Aztec Dream Grass, Bejuco Chismuyo, Betonica, Bitter Gum, Bitter Grass, Bitter Plant, Bitter Plant of the Mountains, Chapote, Chichicxihuitl (Nahuatl), Cochitzapotl, Dog Grass, Dove's Plant, Dream Herb, Falso Simonillo, Hierba Amarga, Hoja Madre, Iztactzapotl, Jaral, Jaralillo, Juralillo, Leaf of God, Leaf of the Mother, Mala Hierba, Matasano, Mexican Calea, Oaxaquena, Paiston, Poop Taam Ujts, Prodigiosa, Pux Lat'em, Raccoon's Trachea, Sacachcichic, Sacachichic, Sacatechichi, Simonillo, Tam Huni, Techichic, Tepetlachichixihuitl, The One From Oaxaca, Thle-Pelacano, Thle-Pela-Kano (Chontal), Tsuleek'ethem, Tzicinil, Tzikin, XikinKe, Xtsikinil, X-Tzicinil, White Bitter Herb, Yerba Amarga, Yerbaamarga, Zacachichi, Zacachichic, Zacate Amargo, Zacatechi, Zacatechichi, Zacate de Perro, Aschenbornia heteropoda, Calea nelsonii, Calea rugosa, Calea ternifolia, Calea zacatechichi Schlechtendal, Calydermos rugosus
Overview
Calea zacatechichi is a shrub used by native peoples of Mexico to increase dreams and for its hallucinogenic effects. It might also increase appetite.
It's unclear how Calea zacatechichi works. It seems to have an effect on sleep that might lengthen shallow sleep patterns, increase dream memory, and increase sleep awakenings throughout the night.
People use Calea zacatechichi for anxiety, insomnia, memory and thinking skills, diabetes, and headache, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
Calea zacatechichi is legal in supplements in the U.S., except in Louisiana.
Uses
We currently have no information for Calea Zacatechichi overview.
Side Effects
When inhaled: Calea zacatechichi is possibly unsafe. Its safety hasn't been studied, but there have been reports of hallucinations, nausea, and vomiting.
When taken by mouth: Calea zacatechichi is possibly unsafe. Its safety hasn't been studied, but there have been reports of hallucinations, nausea, and vomiting.
Precautions
When inhaled: Calea zacatechichi is possibly unsafe. Its safety hasn't been studied, but there have been reports of hallucinations, nausea, and vomiting.
When taken by mouth: Calea zacatechichi is possibly unsafe. Its safety hasn't been studied, but there have been reports of hallucinations, nausea, and vomiting.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Calea zacatechichi is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Allergies to ragweed or related plants: Calea zacatechichi might cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family of plants. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many other herbs.
Psychiatric disorders: Avoid Calea zacatechichi if you have psychiatric disorders or are taking psychiatric medications. It might cause vivid dreams, disorienting effects, and hallucinations.
Interactions
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
- Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with Calea ZacatechichiCalea zacatechichi might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking Calea zacatechichi with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Calea ZacatechichiCalea zacatechichi might lower blood sugar levels. Taking Calea zacatechichi along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Calea zacatechichi might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994.
- Carlsen SM, Folling I, Grill V, et al. Metformin increases total homocysteine levels in non-diabetic male patients with coronary heart disease. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1997;57:521-7.
- Bork, P. M., Schmitz, M. L., Kuhnt, M., Escher, C., and Heinrich, M. Sesquiterpene lactone containing Mexican Indian medicinal plants and pure sesquiterpene lactones as potent inhibitors of transcription factor NF-kappaB. FEBS Lett. 1-27-1997;402:85-90.
- Mayagoitia, L., Diaz, J. L., Contreras, C. M. Psychopharmacologic analysis of an alleged oneirogenic plant: Calea zacatechichi. J Ethnopharmacol. 1986;18:229-243.
- Roman, Ramos R., Alarcon-Aguilar, F., Lara-Lemus, A., and Flores-Saenz, J. L. Hypoglycemic effect of plants used in Mexico as antidiabetics. Arch.Med.Res 1992;23:59-64.
- Simonienko, K., Waszkiewicz, N., Szulc, A. [Psychoactive plant species--actual list of plants prohibited in Poland]. Psychiatr.Pol. 2013;47:499-510.
- Venegas-Flores, H., Segura-Cobos, D., Vazquez-Cruz, B. Antiinflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of Calea zacatechichi. Proc.West Pharmacol.Soc. 2002;45:110-111.
- Wu, H., Fronczek, F. R., Burandt, C. L., Jr., Zjawiony, J. K. Antileishmanial Germacranolides from Calea zacatechichi. Planta Med. 2011;77:749-53.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (Updated: May 2008). FDA Poisonous Plant Database. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/plantox/.
- González-Yáñez MGE, Rivas-Morales C, Oranday-Cárdenas MA, et al. Safety of aqueous extract of Calea ternifolia used in Mexican traditional medicine. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 Dec 26;2019:7478152. doi: 10.1155/2019/7478152.
- Martinez-Mota L, Cruz-Tavera A, Dorantes-Barrón AM, et al. Calea zacatechichi Schltdl. (Compositae) produces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects, and increases the hippocampal activity during REM sleep in rodents. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 Jan 30;265:113316. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113316.
- Calea zacatechichi Legal Status. Erowid website. https://www.erowid.org/plants/calea_zacatechichi/calea_zacatechichi_law.shtml. Accessed 9/5/2021.