14 Best Herbs for Lucid Dreaming And Where To Get Them

Did you know that nearly 55% of people have experienced at least one lucid dream in their lifetime? [1]

If you’re looking to join or enhance your experience in that adventurous group keep in mind that diving into the world of lucid dreaming isn’t always straightforward. Many find it hard to achieve lucidity or vividness in their dreams, which can be quite frustrating.

That’s where this article comes in.

We’re going to explore the herbs that can significantly improve your chances of having lucid dreams.

These natural wonders range from the dream-promoting Calea Zachatechi to the consciousness-boosting Galantamine, each offering a unique doorway into the depths of your dream world.

By the end of this read, you’ll know exactly which herbs can help you navigate and control your dream experiences and where to find them.

Best Herbs for Lucid Dreaming

To achieve lucid dreaming, there are certain herbs that have been used historically to improve dream vividness, clarity, and recall, potentially increasing your chances of experiencing lucid dreams.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best herbs known for this fascinating ability:

1. Calea Zachatechichi (Dream Herb)
2. Mucuna Pruriens
3. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
4. Silene Capensis (African Dream Root)
5. Salvia Divinorum
6. Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)
7. Heimia Salicifolia (Sun Opener)
8. Guayusa
9. Ginkgo Biloba
10. Wild asparagus root
11. Valerian root
12. Burdock
13. Clary Sage
14. The Devils Claw

1. Calea Zacatechichi (Dream Herb)

Calea zacatechichi, or Dream Herb as many call it, is this amazing plant from Mexico that’s all about making your dreams more vivid and clear.

People who’ve tried it swear by how it ramps up the dream experience, making everything more detailed and easier to remember.

Now, how do you use it?

Well, you’ve got two options. You can either smoke it or make a tea out of it. Both ways are popular among folks looking to dive deeper into their dream world.

Although it’s a bit of a treasure hunt to find this herb because it’s not super common, the effort is totally worth it.

2. Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet bean)

Now, let me tell you about another player in the dream game: Mucuna pruriens.

This little gem is loaded with something called L-dopa. What’s the big deal about L-dopa, you ask? It’s basically a stepping stone to dopamine, which is this brain chemical that plays a huge part in dreaming.

What makes Mucuna pruriens really interesting is that it can spice up your dream adventures. Think of it as adding a bit of magic to your dream world. The idea is that by bumping up your dopamine levels, Mucuna pruriens can make your dreams more vivid and easier to remember. Who knows, it might even help you realize you’re dreaming while you’re dreaming!

If diving deep into your subconscious and exploring all its nooks and crannies sounds like your kind of adventure, adding Mucuna pruriens to your bedtime routine could be your ticket to some truly mind-blowing dream experiences.

3. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

If you’re really into the whole idea of controlling your dreams, you might want to check out mugwort. This plant can be used like incense or made into tea that you drink before you go to sleep.

It’s super popular among folks who are all about getting into that deep dream state.

The neat thing about mugwort is that it makes your dreams super vivid and colorful. It’s like turning up the brightness and saturation in your dreams!

Plus, it gives you a better shot at realizing you’re dreaming while you’re still in the dream, which is pretty awesome if you ask me.

Just by adding a bit of mugwort to your bedtime routine, you’re giving yourself a ticket to some seriously epic dream adventures. It’s an easy and natural way to dive into the wild world of your dreams.

You can buy Mugwort from Amazon in tea form or liquid form.

4. Silene Capensis (African Dream Root)

Silene Capensis, known as the African Dream Root, is a psychoactive plant from South Africa used for centuries by the Xhosa people to induce vivid and sometimes prophetic dreams. [2]

This plant enhances dream intensity and memory, making it possible to experience lucid dreams where one can control their dream environment.

The root contains triterpenoid saponins responsible for its dream-inducing properties, which are most effective during sleep with minimal waking effects. [3]

Traditionally prepared by pulverizing the root into water and ingesting the resulting foam before sleep, Silene Capensis promotes more conscious engagement with the dream world after a few days of use. [4]

It also improves sleep quality and leaves individuals feeling refreshed upon waking. Although large doses can cause vomiting, recommended amounts have no recorded harmful effects.

Available in raw root form, powder, or capsules, it’s suggested to start with small doses (500mg) and gradually increase up to 1g daily for optimal results without necessarily increasing dosage further.

5. Salvia Divinorum (Sage of the diviners)

So, moving on to another fascinating herb for those into lucid dreaming, let’s talk about Salvia Divinorum. This powerful plant comes from Oaxaca, Mexico, and it’s got some pretty intense effects on dreams if you get the dose just right.

According to Wikipedia, Salvia divinorum is known for its strong effects on the mind, including causing vivid and unusual experiences.

It has been used by Mazatec shamans in Mexico for spiritual healing by inducing visionary states. The main active substance in the plant, salvinorin A, affects the brain to create these intense experiences.

While some people have used it recreationally, its legal status varies across different places. There’s limited scientific research on its safety or long-term effects.

Although it’s mostly known for making people see some wild stuff, there are folks out there who say that Salvia can really shake up your dream world, especially if you’re not going full-on hallucination mode before bed. This is the kind of insider info that gets lucid dreamers all excited.

If you play your cards right with how much you take, you might just unlock the door to dreams that are way more vivid and you can actually control.

6. Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)

When you dive into the old rituals of ancient Egypt, you’ll come across the Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea). It’s pretty famous for making you feel relaxed and happy, which can help you dream more vividly.

This special herb was a big deal in ancient Egypt, not just because it looks nice, but because it has a strong effect on your mind and feelings.

Adding Blue Lotus to your nighttime routine could open the door to the amazing, eye-opening world of lucid dreaming.

You can buy Blue Lotus in tea form, as essential oil (make sure to dilute it first) and in tablets form (20,000 mg each tablet).

7. Heimia Salicifolia (Sun Opener)

Shifting gears from the ancient Egyptian vibes with Blue Lotus, let’s dive into another plant called Heimia Salicifolia – but you can call it Sun Opener if you like.

This plant is another “secret tool” for Mexican shamans who are all about deepening their spiritual game. They swear by its magic to change up how you perceive things and make dreams feel extra real and intense.

It’s not just about having colorful dreams; it’s about diving into them so deeply that they can kinda change you.

Plus, Sun Opener has this neat trick up its sleeve – it makes your hearing in dreams super sharp. Imagine picking up on the tiniest sounds from miles away in your dream world.

If you’re curious about taking your dream adventures to the next level, Heimia Salicifolia might just be your ticket to some epic lucid dreaming. You can get it online in as a Liquid Extract or just dried up leaves.

8. Guayusa (Ilex guayusa Loes)

Guayusa is another plant way to “spice-up” your dreams. This special leaf comes all the way from the Amazon and is known for its kick of caffeine.

People usually brew it into a tea, and let me tell you, it’s pretty famous for making dreams more vivid and easier to remember when you wake up.

So, if you’re into remembering the wild adventures your mind goes on at night, Guayusa could be your new best friend.

But that’s not all; it also helps you stay sharp during the day.

You can buy Guayuska online as a supplement, as a Natural Caffeine Drink or as Loose Leaf Tea.

9. Ginkgo Biloba

Ever thought about trying Ginkgo Biloba to give your brain a little boost? It might even make your lucid dreaming experiences way better.

This old-school herb isn’t just for sharpening your memory; it’s also awesome for making your dreams more vivid and easier to remember, which is super important if you’re trying to control your dreams.

Imagine being able to explore your dream world with more clarity and control, all thanks to this natural helper. Ginkgo Biloba does its magic by helping blood flow better to your brain, which can improve how you think and possibly make your dreams more realistic and memorable.

Adding this herb to your daily routine could really change the game if you’re into exploring the full potential of your dreams.

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10. Wild asparagus root (Tian Men Dong)

Adding wild asparagus root to your bedtime routine its another way to make your dreams clearer and more vivid.

The Chinese call wild asparagus root “Tian Men Dong”, or “heavenly spirit herb”. It’s been used for thousands of years by shamans, monks, and yogis because it’s thought to open the heart and enhance dreams, especially lucid dreaming.

Known also as “The Flying Herb,” it’s believed to help people experience incredible dreams where they can explore the universe at night.

This herb is valued in ancient Chinese wisdom for its dream-enhancing abilities and is said to balance heart energy and break down physical dualities (like inside vs. outside), leading to a more expansive consciousness in sleep.

To use wild asparagus root for dreaming, you can make tea from either fresh or dried roots; fresh root tea will be stronger.

11. Valerian root

Valerian root is like a dream buddy for those nights when sleep just doesn’t want to come easy. It’s like it has this magic power to not only help you fall asleep but also make your dreams super vivid and memorable. Ever thought about controlling your dreams? Well, valerian root might just be your ticket to the world of lucid dreaming.

Lots of people swear by it as their go-to for chilling out and catching some quality z’s. Think of it as your friendly neighborhood sleep enhancer.

Getting it into your bedtime routine is a piece of cake. You can sip it as a tea or pop a capsule before you hit the hay. Either way, you’re setting the stage for some epic dream journeys that you might just remember and even control.

12. Burdock

So, if you’re diving into the world of herbs that can make your dreams super cool, you can’t forget about burdock.

It’s pretty awesome because it helps make your dreams more fun and happy, instead of scary or sad.

Think about it like this: every night, you could be looking forward to going on an adventure filled with smiles and joy, rather than worrying about nightmares. That’s what burdock brings to the table.

It’s super helpful for anyone who’s tired of waking up from bad dreams and wants to spend their nights in dreamland having a blast.

Adding burdock to your nighttime routine could totally change the game, giving you those dreamy nights of pure happiness you’ve been hoping for.

13. Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea)

Clary Sage is another amazing herb that’s widely available and its been known for boosting how well you can remember your dreams and making sure you have lots of vivid ones in a single night.

But it’s not just about getting more dreams; it’s also about sharpening your mind in ways that matter for dreaming.

So, if you start making Clary Sage part of your bedtime routine, you’re basically setting yourself up for some deep, meaningful dream adventures.

The cool thing is, it helps make sure you don’t just have these awesome dreams but also remember the nitty-gritty details after you wake up.

Honestly, it’s no surprise that Clary Sage is often talked about as one of the top herbs for getting into lucid dreaming.

14. Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum Procumbens)

Harpagophytum Procumbens, commonly known as Devil’s Claw, is a tuber used traditionally for relieving musculoskeletal pain and stimulating appetite. It has shown promise in easing osteoarthritis symptoms and general pain relief. [4]

Some individuals have reported that taking Devil’s Claw before bed or during Wake Back To Bed (WBTB) enhances their dream vividness and enjoyment, though it may not be as potent as galantamine in producing vivid or prolonged dreams (more on that drug later).

However, its ease of use makes it an attractive option for those interested in exploring its effects on dreams further.

Devil’s Claw is gaining attention among those practicing lucid dreaming due to its potential to induce more profound and memorable dreams.

Users often experience deeper sleep and more vivid dreams when using this herb, making it a valuable tool for anyone looking to enhance their dreaming experience.

Other Herbs That Can Help With Lucid Dreaming

Beyond the above herbs, there are others you should consider for enhancing your lucid dreaming experiences.

From my research, these herbs are not as “strong” as the aforementioned, but, that doesn’t mean that they will not help you.

• Peppermint: Peppermint isn’t just for freshening your breath; it can also help you sleep better and make your dreams more vivid. It relaxes your muscles, which helps you fall into a deep sleep where dreams are clearer. Plus, peppermint might even help you remember those dreams better. To add peppermint to your bedtime routine, try drinking some peppermint tea or using peppermint essential oil.

• Passion Flower: Passion flower is an herb that could improve how well and how quickly you sleep. This means more vivid and memorable dreams for you. If you’re interested in lucid dreaming—where you know you’re dreaming and can control the dream—passion flower might be helpful because it deepens sleep without bad side effects.

• Lemon Balm: Lemon balm is great for diving into deep, clear dreams. It calms you down and improves your sleep quality, leading to more intense dreams. People have used lemon balm since medieval times to relax before bed. It’s also thought to enhance memory recall of dreams, making it easier if you’re trying to experience lucid dreaming.

• Chamomile: Chamomile is known for its ability to calm the mind and help with insomnia or irregular sleeping patterns. Drinking chamomile tea before bed can lead to deeper sleep and potentially assist in achieving lucid dreaming by creating a more relaxed state of mind conducive to controlling one’s dreams.

• Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Catnip isn’t just exciting for cats—it can also aid human sleep by calming bodily restlessness thanks to nepetalactone, its active component. For those looking into enhancing their dream clarity or engaging in lucid dreaming practices, catnip tea may be beneficial when combined with Mugwort for improved dream intensity.

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Yarrow is not only useful for physical healing but also enhances the vividness of dreams and supports astral travel experiences during slumber. Known less commonly for its impact on dream work than other herbs, yarrow boosts both dream clarity and memorability while purportedly offering protection during astral projection endeavors.

• Lion’s Mane: This mushroom goes beyond culinary use; it acts as a brain enhancer that sharpens thinking skills which can translate into clearer lucidity within the dream world. Lion’s Mane increases the intensity of dreams as well as aids in remembering them upon waking up—a key aspect of successful lucid dreaming practice.

Supplements for Lucid Dreaming

Beyond herbs, you can also improve your lucid dreaming abilities with specific supplements. These compounds have been researched for their potential to improve the vividness and recall of your dreams.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most promising ones:

1. 5-HTP
2. Huperzine-A
3. Vitamin B complex
4. Galantamine
5. Alpha-GPC
6. Piracetam

1. 5-HTP

So, there’s this thing called 5-HTP for helping you sleep better and even making your dreams more vivid. It’s like a natural helper that your body already knows because it’s made from an amino acid called tryptophan.

What happens is, once you take it, it boosts your serotonin levels. Serotonin is like a feel-good messenger in your brain that then turns into melatonin, which is basically your body’s way of saying, ‘Hey, it’s time to sleep.’

You can find 5-HTP in some plant-based supplements, especially from the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia or in a supplement form.

2. Huperzine-A

So, you’ve heard about 5-HTP helping you sleep better and making your dreams more vivid, right? Well, let me introduce you to Huperzine-A.

This little gem is like the secret ingredient for stepping up your dream game. It’s pretty much a dream pill that’s been checked out by scientists and found to really help with dreaming.

Imagine being able to control your dreams, wandering through incredible places that your mind whips up. Huperzine-A can help make that happen by upping your chances of getting into a lucid dream.

That’s when you’re dreaming but totally aware and in control. It messes with some brain stuff, the neurotransmitters, which are super important for getting into and staying in those lucid dreams.

3. Vitamin B complex

So, have you ever thought about making your dreams more colorful and vivid? Well, you might want to give vitamin B complex, especially B6, a try before hitting the sack.

It turns out, this little nutrient could be the secret to jumping into those super clear and detailed dreams, kind of like turning your dream world into high-definition. Some folks have even found that it helps them remember their dreams better when they wake up.

4. Galantamine

So, stepping away from your usual vitamins and into something a bit more intriguing, let’s talk about galantamine.

This supplement is getting a lot of buzz among folks who are keen to dive deep into their dreams, especially those who want to experience lucid dreaming. What’s lucid dreaming, you ask?

Well, it’s when you’re aware that you’re dreaming while still in the dream – pretty cool, right?

Now, here’s where galantamine comes into play. People are saying that it could really up your game in having these super vivid, lucid dreams.

Some research even backs this up, showing that popping some galantamine before hitting the hay might bump up your chances of having these kinds of dreams, way more than just wishing upon a star (or, you know, a placebo).

The secret sauce seems to be this thing called acetylcholine, a brain chemical. Galantamine is believed to boost its levels in your brain.

Why does this matter? Well, acetylcholine plays a big role in REM sleep, the part of sleep where all the dream magic happens.

5. Alpha-GPC

If you’re looking to spice up your dream life, Alpha-GPC might just be the ticket!

This supplement is all about choline, which is super important for acetylcholine, a brain chemical that’s like the secret sauce for making your dreams extra vivid.

Imagine being in a dream and actually knowing you’re dreaming – and maybe even controlling what happens. Sounds cool, right?

Well, people who’ve tried Alpha-GPC before bed say it’s like a magic key to that world. They’re not only having these wild, lucid dreams but also remembering them better when they wake up.

It’s thought that Alpha-GPC pumps up your brain’s acetylcholine levels, making your dream world more colorful and easier to steer.

6. Piracetam

Piracetam is another drug that might just be what you’re looking for.

Some people who take Piracetam before hitting the hay say their dreams get way more vivid. And not just that, they also find it easier to realize they’re dreaming while still in the dream, which is pretty cool, right?

This might’ve something to do with how Piracetam messes with certain brain chemicals, like acetylcholine, that are super important for dreaming.

Now, I’ve got to say, the science folks haven’t really dug deep into how Piracetam can make you have these awesome lucid dreams.

But there are tons of stories out there from people who swear by it. So, it seems like Piracetam could be your ticket to more exciting and hands-on dream adventures.

Bottom Line

As you can see, there are a lot of herbs and supplements that have to start testing to see what works and what not on you.

Keep in mind that some times, you’ll have to consider the timing and the combination of herbs to make things work for you.

The first step in your journey is to purchase everything. Put them in your cupboard and start experimenting.

Whether you’re seeking a deeper connection with your dreams or aiming to explore the vivid landscapes of your subconscious, these herbs and supplements are your doorway.

Interested in Herbs? Check these articles as well:

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