Dream herb (Calea zacatechichi)

There are many plants that, due to intensive and uncontrolled use, have had, have or could begin to have a very bad reputation among society. One of them is the the zacatechichi waywhich is a kind of very ornamental shrub, which could well be used to decorate gardens and terraces.

The leaves are used as a sedative, which would be great for people who suffer from insomnia or who, like me, sometimes have trouble sleeping right off the bat. But if misused, it is very dangerous.

Origin and characteristics

It is an evergreen shrub native to Mexico and Central America whose scientific name is the zacatechichi way. It is popularly known as bitter grass, dog grass, mother leaf, dream grass, or zacatechichi. It grows to a height between 1 and 1,5 meters, and its branches are quite divided.

The leaves are opposite, oval, with a serrated margin and pubescent, and are 3-4cm long by 2-3cm wide. The flowers, which sprout at the end of winter, are cymose, white, and measure about 4mm.

Uses

Apart from being used as an ornamental, as we said at the beginning it is used as a sedative. With the leaves an infusion is prepared.

The appropriate dose is believed to be 1 gram per kilo of weight, but before starting any treatment you should consult your doctor since there is a risk of overdose and, therefore, in the case of this plant, also of death.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a copy, we recommend you take care of it in the following way:

• Location: outside, in semi-shade.
• Earth:
  • Pot: growing medium for acidic plants mixed with 30% perlite.
  • Garden: grows in acidic, fertile soils with good drainage.
• Irrigation: 3-4 times a week in summer, and every 4-5 days the rest of the year. Use rainwater or lime-free.
• Subscriber: in spring and summer with ecological fertilizers, every 15 or 20 days.
• Multiplication: by seeds in spring.
• Rusticity: it does not resist frost.

Did you know the the zacatechichi way?