3 Ancient Stress Relief Herbs for Winter

As fall turns to winter and the days grow shorter, many people turn to stress relief herbs to support their mood and energy levels during the challenging winter months. The transition into winter can be challenging. Less daylight affects our circadian rhythms, holiday stress builds up, and cold weather keeps us indoors more often. This is where traditional plant medicines can offer natural support to help us navigate the season with calm and balance.

Egyptian Blue Lotus: Ancient Medicine for Modern Stress

Egyptian Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) has been used for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians revered this aquatic flower so highly that they placed it in King Tutankhamun’s tomb and featured it prominently in temple artwork. Today, this plant is gaining recognition for its ability to support the nervous system during stressful times.

The key to blue lotus’s calming effects lies in its alkaloid content. The plant contains nuciferine, a compound with antispasmodic properties that helps relax muscle tension throughout the body. During winter, when cold temperatures cause our muscles to tighten and contract, this natural relaxation can be particularly beneficial. Nuciferine also exhibits sedative and anxiolytic properties, helping to promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Blue lotus also contains apomorphine, which works together with nuciferine to create what users describe as a gentle euphoria. Unlike harsh sedatives, blue lotus promotes relaxation while maintaining mental clarity. This makes it ideal for unwinding after a long day or managing stress during the chaotic holiday season without feeling foggy or disconnected.

Research indicates that the alkaloids in blue lotus may interact with dopamine receptors in the brain, potentially contributing to improved mood. Studies also show that nuciferine helps combat oxidative stress, making it a protective ally during winter when our bodies face additional environmental challenges.

Blue Lotus and Dream Enhancement

Beyond its calming properties, blue lotus has a long history of use for dream support and lucid dreaming enhancement. Many users report more vivid, memorable dreams when taking blue lotus before bed. The herb appears to enhance REM sleep and increase dream awareness without disrupting sleep quality. During winter’s long nights, when we naturally sleep more, blue lotus can help you explore the rich inner landscape of dreams. This makes it particularly appealing for those interested in dream work, meditation, or simply experiencing more restful and restorative sleep.

How Blue Lotus Works

Ancient Egyptians traditionally steeped blue lotus petals in wine for ceremonial use. Today, modern extraction methods allow us to access the plant’s benefits in more convenient forms. High-quality 200:1 extracts concentrate approximately 100 grams of dried lotus flowers into each serving, ensuring consistent potency and therapeutic alkaloid levels.

Most people experience effects such as feeling physically relaxed yet mentally present,  a rare combination that makes this herb particularly valuable for winter social gatherings when you want to feel calm but engaged. However this could also work well for quiet nights in.

Other Calming Herbs for Winter

While blue lotus is an excellent foundation for winter wellness, several other herbs can complement its effects or be used on their own. Some other stress relief herbs for winter may be:

Kava Root

Kava (Piper methysticum) comes from the Pacific islands, where it has been used in ceremonies for centuries. The root contains kavalactones, compounds that promote relaxation without affecting mental clarity. Research shows that taking 120 to 280 mg of kava can reduce anxiety symptoms.

What makes kava unique is its ability to ease social anxiety while keeping you alert and engaged. Kava can help you feel more at ease without losing your edge. Many people use kava to support healthy sleep patterns and reduce muscle tension, both of which can be disrupted during winter months.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a member of the mint family with a pleasant lemon scent that can also  lift your spirits. This herb has been traditionally used to improve mood and reduce anxiety. Research confirms its calming properties and shows it has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects.

Studies suggest that lemon balm supplements may ease anxiety symptoms. The herb supports GABA production, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. During winter, when reduced sunlight can affect brain chemistry, this support becomes especially relevant. Lemon balm also enhances focus and memory while reducing stress, making it useful for maintaining productivity during the season’s slower pace.

Why Winter Needs Plant Support

The science behind winter’s impact on mood is well-documented. Reduced sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset seasonal affective disorder by disrupting the body’s internal clock and leading to feelings of depression. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression, while the change in season can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.

While stress relief herbs like blue lotus, kava, and lemon balm are not treatments for depression or seasonal affective disorder, they can support general wellness during the challenging winter months. Many people find that these herbs help them manage everyday stress, maintain better sleep, and feel more balanced as they navigate the season.

A Natural Approach to Winter Wellness

Winter doesn’t have to mean struggling with stress, poor sleep, or low energy. These time-tested plant medicines offer a natural way to support your nervous system and turn inward as we navigate through the winter season. Egyptian blue lotus, with its unique combination of relaxation and mental clarity, stands out as particularly well-suited for modern winter stress.

By incorporating blue lotus, kava, lemon balm, or a combination of these herbs into your winter routine, you’re following a tradition that spans thousands of years, using plant wisdom to navigate seasonal challenges and make your winter struggles a little bit less this year

Quality Matters

Not all herbal supplements are created equal. When choosing blue lotus products, look for 200:1 extracts made from 100% pure Nymphaea caerulea flowers. Products should be manufactured in GMP-certified facilities and undergo third-party testing for purity and potency. This ensures you’re getting therapeutic levels of the active compounds.

At Mythical Herbs, you’ll find premium Egyptian Blue Lotus extract that meets these quality standards. We also offer unique blue lotus blends that you won’t find anywhere else. Combinations designed specifically for different needs like relaxation, lucid dreaming, and mood enhancement.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using new herbal supplements, especially if you have health conditions or take medications.

There are few things finer than sitting down to a nice cup of tea. And few teas finer than blue lotus flower tea. Aromatic and naturally sweet, this light and floral herb makes a delightful tisane. Hot or iced, this herbal infusion is refreshing, yet calming, intimate and inspiring. So how do we get the best flavor out of this ambrosial petal.

To make a cup of blue lotus tea you simply make it like any other tea. Some ways you can do this are in a tea bag, in a tea ball, with a sieve or in a french press. You can choose hot, warm or cold brew methods. Let’s take a closer look at how this is done and why you might choose one over another.

Blue lotus tea typically has mild sedative effects. For more of a kick, you might want to consider using extract infused lotus flower for your tea.

We have organic blue lotus flower double infused with powerful lotus extracts available at our shop.

How do I know the blue lotus flower is good for tea?

When you receive your Blue Lotus Flower, it should smell fresh, floral and a little malty. It will seem like a sugary perfume. Pick a brand that smells floral and fresh. It should be dry and slightly crumbly, but not so brittle that it powders instantly to your touch.

If it doesn’t smell nice, or if it smells stale, it probably isn’t the best herb to use as a tea. Make an extract out of the lesser quality petals or buy blue lotus extract from reputable sellers.

How to prepare the blue lotus flower for tea 

There are several ways to prepare your lotus flowers for tea. Keep in mind that the brewing method you choose will determine the size of your petal preparation. We will get into that in the next section.

You may may want to use the petal whole or rip them with your fingers. You may cut them with a chopping knife or scissors, mash them in with a mortar and pestle or grind them in a coffee grinder. 

Blue lotus tea dosage

For whole petal, a three finger pinch is a good amount, or about two to three tablespoons per 6-8 ounces of water. For shredded petal, one to two tablespoons per 6-8 ounces of water is good. For powder, one level teaspoon for a 6-8 ounces of water. 

These proportions will make a medium strong flavor for you. Of course that is up to your tastes and personal needs for the moment, and you can adjust your recipe as needed from here.

Some people prefer a very light flavor and mild effects with the blue lotus tea and half the proportions. If you are normally a one tea bag person, you will want to make one recommended portion of this plant as well. If you are a two tea bag person, you will want to double the recipe.

However, if like me you prefer an extra strong experience, then you may want to try the double infused lotus flower that I mentioned above. You can also skip the tea brewing procedure and simply get some blue lotus extract capsules.

We have ultra-potent high quality blue lotus products in our store if interested. But if you already have some lotus flower and simply want some in depth brewing advise, please continue reading on. 

Do I use water to make blue lotus flower tea?

You may use water, milk or a light flavored juice like grape or apple. You may infuse each of these with either a hot, warm or cold brew method. Water can be drank any time of day or night. The juice method is maybe, more of a day time treat.

Making a milk tisane is a great before bed treat because the milk enzymes help lull you to sleep and the lotus helps you dream sweetly. You may infuse vinegar, wine or hard liquor but those are more like extractions, less like herbal infusions. For the purpose of this article, we will talk about tisanes, or herbal infusions that make for gentle sipping.

How hot should the tea water be?

You may make your infusion with a hot, medium or cold brew. A cold brew will preserve the most apomorphine, and a warm water extraction below 118 degrees will also preserve almost all of the apomorphine. However a hot water tisane is fine too as long as the water is not at a rolling boil. You will choose your method based on what your purposes are.

For example, a warm milk and blue lotus extraction may be a nice night time sip, preserving more apomorphine and not scalding the milk. This recommendation comes from a.) experience, and b.) recommendations on how to treat prescription apomorphine

How long do I steep the blue lotus flowers?

For cold brew, 5 hours is a minimum, but 12 is ideal. Don’t over brew it. Filter it and place it back into the fridge. For sun tea, two to four hours is ideal.

For warm water 10-15 minutes is nice. For hot water, 2-4 minutes is all that is needed. Learn more about each of these brewing methods in the next section.

How do I brew and filter blue lotus flower tea?

You can use most filtration styles. We’ll get into the details of how to use them in a moment. Some filters don’t work. I don’t recommend an espresso machine. An automatic coffee maker can get clogged and over flow. The French Press can be a challenge, too. Let’s get into several of the methods for brewing and filtering blue lotus tea.

Type of filter:

No filter

Type of tea made:

Hot tea

With a very fine grind you may brew blue lotus flower tea like matcha. You prepare a palm size tea bowl of hot water and sprinkle a fine layer of dust onto the surface. About a teaspoon of fine powder will do. Mix with a bamboo matcha whisk or a mini wire whisk. You may add honey and milk to your blue lotus tea if it pleases you.

Type of filter:

Tea bag

Type of tea made:

Hot cup of tea, warm tea, cold brew, sun tea

For a tea bag you can buy fillable tea bags from a store, or pick a cheap tea bag that has a complimentary tea and shake out the tea. Some cheap teas to shake out that wont interfere with the flavor would be chamomile, green tea, or jamaica/hibiscus. If you buy a tea bag to fill, you will follow the instructions on the box.

If you choose to empty a tea bag you have here’s what to do. Cut open a square bag just below the pressed seal. Open with your fingers or a butter knife a tea bags that has a staple. Empty the bag out into the garbage, or into a bowl if you would like to mix it with the blue lotus.

Then, fill the bag up to three quarters full, but not bulging. Fold the edge over twice and staple it with a staple. Or sew it with a couple stitches if you don’t have a stapler. But the stapler is super easy and fast.

For the tea bag you can use any of the petal sizes, but if you are going to use a powder or very fine shred, this is the best method for you. Here you prepare hot water and pour it over your cup of blue lotus flower tea, about 6 ounces of water. Allow it to sit for two to four minutes. The petals are quite fine, however, and a shorter brew time is acceptable.

For a cold brew or a sun brew, fill a jar or pitcher with clean cool water. Add one bag per 6 to 8 ounces of water. Put the jar into the fridge over night or for at least four hours. With a sun brew, place it outside in the sun for two to four hours, until it changes color and smells nice.

Type of filter:

Tea ball

Type of tea made:

Hot cup of tea, warm tea

For the tea ball I recommend a coarse shred for the lotus petal. Fill one side of the tea ball with flower petals, or one tablespoon. The petals should be chopped down to about medium small  size where they are able to swim in the tea ball when placed into the water. Pour a mug of hot water, then place the tea ball into it.

Let it sit without agitation for two minutes. Then gently jiggle the ball for a bit before slowly extracting it from the mug. Allow the excess blue lotus flower tea to slowly drain into mug.

Type of filter:

Hand sieve

Type of tea made:

Hot cup of tea, warm tea, cold brew, sun tea

Whole petal is best for this hand sieve of filtration. Heat your water in a small pot. Place the blue lotus petals into a jar, the pour the hot water over them. Or, turn off the flame, add the petals to the pot. After they have steeped for two to four minutes, pour the liquid through the sieve into the serving cup. Or prepare a jar and leave overnight in the fridge for cold brew blue lotus tea.

Use one to two table spoons coarsely shredded petals per 6-8 ounces of water. After the tisane has sat for two to four hours in the sun, or five hours or more in the fridge, pour liquid over a hand sieve into another jar or pitcher or bowl. Then, wash out the lotus flower petals and pour the filtered liquid back into the pitcher.

Type of filter:

Drip coffee machine

Type of tea made:

Hot cup of blue lotus tea.

For this paper filter or reusable filter automatic drip machine you will want to use coarsely shredded blue lotus petals. You may also want to mix this with coffee or a course herb like rosemary, mate or course green tea.

The filter can get clogged a bit with the petals and over flow. This is a more tricky way to brew a pot. But once you have got your proportions and mix correct, you can make it and forget it.

Type of filter:

French Press

Type of tea made:

Hot tea, warm tea, cold brew, sun tea.

This can be a tricky way to brew the lotus petals. The press can get clogged easily and it can be hard to plunge. For this method make sure the petals are shredded medium fine, but NOT a powder. Whole petals and powdered flower will clog your french press.

It is also a good idea to mix the blue lotus petals with a courser herb like maté or course green tea to mix up the texture and make plunging easier. Add the right proportions for your french press, then add water.

For example, if your press usually makes three mugs of coffee, then you will put in about five tablespoons of shredded flower. Stir with a spoon, depress the plunger so the herbs are submerged, and wait for two to four minutes before plunging the flower all the way down.

Can I mix blue lotus tea with other herbs?

Some recommended herbs to mix with Blue louts flowers are lavender, rosemary, lemon balm, green tea, mate, chamomile, klip dagga, kava, kanna, wild lettuce and California poppy. Blue Lotus is floral and malty, so keep this in mind when pairing flavors. A very teeny, tiny pinch of lavender compliments the the blue lotus tea petal nicely. It is a clean and airy flavor that contradicts the sweet and malty flavor of the lotus.

Think comfortable morning on a wooden porch. A small two finger pinch Rosemary is a great partner herb because it is sharp and heightens the senses while the lotus brings you into this intimate experience.

Rosemary with blue lotus tea would be stimulating without the effects of an energizing drink because it would calm the nerves at the same time as awaken them. Think, warm summer rain. Equal portions of Lemon Balm and klip dagga are great leaves to add to the bouquet.

These herbs activate the gabba 5 receptors, aiding adrenal function and adds to the lucid experiences of the blue lotus. The apomorphine in the blue lotus tea is a dopamine agonist stimulating the D1 and D2 receptors, among others.

This would be great to sip before bed or as a cheer-up cup. Think a friendly hug from a nice person you remember. Green tea goes well with everything. The malty flavors of both herbs blend well together while the floral essence of the blue lotus flower compliments the leafy green flavor of the tea leaf. Think sitting of a comfy cushion thinking about geometry.

Yerba maté is very leafy tasting and is complimented by the floral maltiness of the lotus. Think, sitting by a river with a book in gentle sun.

Chamomile is a nice mix because it tastes a little bit similar and is calming. It mixes well with lotus in that this mix is super calming and relaxing. Think big comfy chair and a blanky.

For a much more potent sedating blend, I recommend our unique blue lotus flower infused with wild lettuce and California poppy.  

Dagga is a nice mix with blue lotus too because they are both a bit malty, and they are both nice for making you feel emotionally comfortable and dreamy.

This is a good mix before bed or when you have the blues. Think daydreaming while looking at rainbows from a prism on the floor. And Hibiscus, which is a very strong flavor but a little linear.

Adding Egyptian blue lotus flower gives a little depth to this otherwise simple and pungent tea. Hibiscus tea also reduces high blood pressure when it is brewed hot, so it is complimented by the apomorphine in the blue lotus to calm down a body that is otherwise freaking out.

This combination has the affect of normalizing the body and helping the body function normally. Especially if you have high blood pressure, migraines, diabetes, seizures, and body tremors.

You should look up the health benefits and studies of hibiscus and apomorphine if you are considering using these herbs medicinally, and maybe talk to your doctor. If you are taking pharmaceuticals to affect your organs, do a little extra searching before you start using hibiscus and blue lotus tea with high frequency. 

When brewed cold, hibiscus tea has the opposite affect, actually stimulating the cardiovascular system. So, a cold hibiscus and blue lotus tea might be nice for studying or sexy time, or for when you have the blues. Think, calm and confident stride though a social gathering.

So, there you have it. Everything you need to know about how to make blue lotus flower tea and a few reasons why. Plus bonus recommendations for herbs to mix with it. Whether you are drinking for flavor or favor, I hope you enjoy your blue lotus tea. Feel free to comment below on any recommendations or variations you enjoy. Cheers!

Nymphaea caerulea is commonly known as blue lotus flower. It is a psychoactive plant often referred to as the blue water lily or sacred blue lily. In the traditional medicinal approach, blue lotus has been used for thousands of years and is well known for the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and stress. However, it is very difficult to find any information on what is an actual blue lotus extract dose.

The psychoactive nature of blue lotus flower has often made people curious about its consumption, legality, and safety. Blue lotus produces euphoria and hallucinations at high doses and is sold commonly online and at headshops  in various forms including dried powder material, blue lotus teas, resins and extracts.

Psycho-activity of Blue lotus

A small blue lotus extract dose can be very subtle or even unnoticeable to some people. A high dosage of blue lotus however can cause sedation, euphoria and perceptual disturbances. The active compounds in blue lotus are apomorphine and nuciferine, both of which are psychoactive alkaloids. These compounds are present in every type of blue lotus extract.

Use of blue lotus extract

Extract of blue lotus is commonly employed as a sleep aid, anxiety reliever or lucid dream enhancer. Blue lotus extract contains high concentrations of apomorphine and nuciferine which help to calm the mental state and open one up to feelings of love and connectedness.

Such feelings cause a very pleasant state of dreaming and make the body calm and relaxed. An hour or so into a larger sized blue lotus extract does, certain euphoria comes on and is followed by the perception of vivid colors and possibly slight auditory and visual alterations.

Blue lotus extract dose

Please not that because the FDA has not approved this plant for use as a supplement, all dosage information is purely anecdotal. Additionally, quality of the same concentrate can vary from vendor to vendor as well as sensitivity  varying from person to person. When in doubt about the effects of an herbal extract it’s best to first start small.

Blue lotus extract dosage 200:1

200:1 lotus extract or blue lotus extract 200X is the strongest concentration available. For an average sized adult male a small blue lotus extract dose at a high quality 200:1 concentration might be about 1/2 gram. That is one capsule of the typical 500mg capsules sold. A medium dose would probably be about twice that. Keep in mind however that everyone is different and sensitivities to various herbs can vary widely.

Blue lotus extract dosage 100:1

Blue lotus extract 100X despite what you might expect, is not always half as powerful as the 200:1 concentration. It actually depends on the extraction method. If the same lab produces both extracts, then it is likely that the 200X will be twice as potent.

However, because of the varying quality of extraction methods and flowers themselves, it is very difficult to say exactly how potent a particular extract is. Luckily, there has never been a reported case of blue lotus overdose so minor discrepancies are less concerning than with some other herbs.

To conclude, depending on the individual and the blue lotus extract dose, the flower can have narcotic, stimulating, calming, aphrodisiac, and/or psychoactive properties. Simple extracts of the flowers have been used for thousands of years as a spiritual medicine around the world. The ancient Egyptians even considered the plant a powerful entheogen. However the FDA has not approved the plant for internal use.

Despite blue lotus extracts being legal and fairly readily available in most countries, it is not allowable to sell extracts of the flower as a supplement. So obviously, all of the information contained in this article is for appeasing scientific curiosities, historical reference and general entertainment.

Many of these plants have been a focal point of religious ceremonies in various cultures for thousands of years. These natural herbal highs are now sold in most parts of the world where they have no legal limitations. However every year less and less of these gifts from mother earth become legally accessible. As of April 2022, the plants listed here can still be obtained legally at head shops or online in most countries.

This article discusses herbal highs and everything you wanted to know about which plants produce legal herbal highs.

What Are Legal Herbal Highs?

Herbal highs are psychoactive plants that possess various chemical compounds which are legal. Legal herbal highs are plants including herbs or spices which possess psychoactive effects similar to illegal drugs like cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy LSD, etc.

These natural compounds may have stimulatory effects (make you feel energized), sedative (relax the mind) or psychedelics effects (may change perception of reality or cause you to hallucinate).

Many legal psychoactive substances may also be known as “legal highs,” “research chemicals,” “designer drugs,” and “bath salts.” These terms have been used in order to sell these plants while at the same time keep them under the radar of governmental persecution.

Many of these substances imitate the impacts of illegal drugs like cocaine or morphine, but their compounds may vary slightly in chemical composition. These loopholes in legislation often make them lawful. Some of the more popular legal herbal highs include klip dagga, blue lotus, kava kava, salvia, wormwood, kratom, nutmeg, damiana, Salvia, morning glory and kanna to name just a few.

Development of e-commerce and popularity of herbal highs through web forums provided an open opportunity for the curious and adventurous to consume psychoactive drugs legally. However, there is little data about the number of people who are actually consuming these substances.

Legal Herbal Highs

There are some naturally grown, still legal plants which help you feel happy, energized, relaxed or expand awareness.

1. Kratom

Kratom also known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a plant from Southeast Asia and comes with an amazing nutrient profile. This popular substance has been used for recreational purposes by local Asian field workers for ages and is now utilized around the world for it’s medicinal qualities as well.

It contains about 40 beneficial compounds, 25 of these compounds are alkaloids responsible for the health promoting effects of kratom. There are various varieties of the kratom tree, some are more sedating while others are more energizing.

At the moment, kratom is regarded as safe and legal in most parts of the world. The leaves of this highly beneficial tree however have been under attack in the US in recent years. First the DEA and then the FDA unsuccessfully banned the importation and use of this plant. The common belief surrounding this assault on the tree is that the natural pain killing attributes of kratom leaves are a direct financial threat to powerful pharmaceutical companies involved in the opioid trade.

In Thailand where the tree grows naturally and abundantly, kratom has just recently become legal once again after a many decades ban. Similar to the current situation in the USA, the tree became prohibited in 1943 due to the competition it created for powerful groups involved in the opium trade.

2. Blue Lotus

Blue lotus, scientifically known as Nymphaea caerulea, is a psychoactive plant native to Egypt. It has a respectable history of being used as a natural sedative, euphoric drug and aphrodisiac.

Blue lotus extract has beneficial effects in relieving stress, improving sleep problems as well as inducing lucid dreams and relieving erectile dysfunction.

Despite it’s use around the world for thousands of years, the Food and Drug Administration considers the blue lotus flower ‘toxic’. Thankfully the flowers are still legal, they are just considered medically useless and can not be sold as a supplement for ingestion.

3. Salvia

Salvia divinorum also known as diviner’s sage is a plant that originated in Sierra Mazateca of Oaxaca, a mountainous region of Mexico. This plant is native to this region only and does not grow naturally anywhere else in the world. Indians have been using this plant for spiritual benefits and psychomimetic effects for generations.

Salvinorin A, a diterpenoid present in leaves of diviner’s sage, has potential to induce the feeling of terror or ecstasy. A more mild version of sage tea obtained from the dried crushed leaves of salvia can be used as a healing tea.

To reap maximum psychoactive effects, the best way to use this herb is in the form potent extracts. When these extracts are smoked, the reality of the user can shatter and fall away. Many people find this experience to be horrifying due to the dramatic and unforgiving power of the plant. Salvia divinorum will open one up to the raw infinite universe with no compassion in regard to the user’s ability to deal with it.

4. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a popular and widely consumed plant that has been used by many to enjoy mild euphoric effects. It is also an ingredient in kitchen cabinets and used in various recipes.

Also known as Myristica fragrans, nutmeg is a plant loaded with a wide array of biologically active compounds. It is said that the sprinkling of a small amount of nutmeg on egg milk can begin the feeling of euphoria.

However, an interesting thing about nutmeg is that the type of euphoria it induces is totally different from most other plants and is said to not cause any serious side effects to the body even in large doses.

5. Wormwood

Scientifically known as Artemisia absinthium, wormwood is a plant that originated in Europe, Asia and North Africa. It has been used traditionally to induce sedation and psychoactive effects.

Absinthin, a chemical component in wormwood is used as a Bohemian drink to improve mental clarity, focus and motivation. It helps relax the mind and relieve stress and anxiety, uplift mood and promote euphoria.

6. Klip Dagga

Klip dagga, scientifically known as Leonotis nepetifolia, is a plant that originated in Southern Africa. It has been used traditionally as an effective treatment of fever, headache, malaria, dysentery and snake bite. Klip dagga is also known to have calming effects which help relieve stress and anxiety and relax the mind.

Smoking or orally consuming extracts of this amazing herb induces euphoric effects like pleasure, excitement, improved mood and happiness. The flowers are used for smoking and making tea which have calming effects on the body and mind.

Dried petals of klip dagga have been smoked to get sedative effects and used as an alternative or addition to cannabis for a very long time.

7. Damiana

Damiana, scientifically known as Turnera diffusa, is a magic herb native to Central America and Mexico. It has been used as an herbal remedy to treat a variety of health conditions like depression, digestive problems and sexual dysfunction.

Damiana, when inhaled, produces mild euphoric effects like pleasure, improved mood and happiness and excitement. It is suggested to use this drug in moderate quantities to avoid uncomfortable distortions of reality and potential health risks. The effects of damiana, powerful as it is, is still considered a natural herbal high.

Natural or herbal highs are derived from substances which are grown naturally and consumed as they are, or as natural extracts derived 100% from the plants with no additives. For instance, an herb like salvia that is grown naturally is not adulterated with illegal substances and is considered an herbal high which can be smoked or used in tea. The extracts of salvia, blue lotus, klip dagga or any other natural plant is still considered natural because they are simply a concentration of the alkaloids from within the plants themselves.

The word herbal may make you think that these naturally grown herbs are gentler, but many obscure psychoactive plants are extremely powerful.

Why Are Herbal Highs Needed?

Natural psychoactive substances like nutmeg, salvia, blue lotus extract and klip dagga produce sedative effects in the body. These substances are needed to relieve stress and anxiety, sleep problems and various other mental disorders without need for toxic synthetic pharmaceuticals.

We all experience stressful situations at some point in our lives and everybody responds differently in these situations. In some circumstances, we need sedative help to get relief from depression, stress and anxiety, and “legal herbal highs” have played a significant role in combating these illnesses for as long as history can tell us.

Bottom Line

Legal herbal highs are naturally grown plants which possess psychoactive effects. They help relieve stress and anxiety, increase pleasure, excitement, happiness, improve mood or alter perceptions. While the plants listed here are generally legal around the world at this time, laws are changing every day and so research should always be done before attempting to purchase plant material that may be illegal locally.

Many plants that our ancestors had valued have been forgotten in recent times. And many more have been outlawed by our governments. Still, some extremely useful herbal remedies are once again at our disposal due to our connections to each other through the internet. Now is the time to take advantage of this technology and utilize these magical gifts while herbal highs remain legal.

Even though the Blue Lotus Flower is named as a male creation god, in Egyptian lore, it also associated with the feminine aspects. The Nothingness was named Nu, and she represented the creative potential within chaos. Chaos being a state of potential, a state of not. Even though she represents nothing, and nothing cannot be someone, she is still named as a source of creation…and from this source came a mound of clay.

Pregnant with a Blue Lotus Flower

The ancient Egyptians often symbolized this mound of creation as a Hippopotamus. The Blue Hippopotamus represents the mound from which the blue lotus sprang and she has lotus painted on her back. She is a symbol of birth out of chaos, both at the beginning and the end of life. Symbolized as Nawaret as the birth, and Ammet at the death, this Hippo mother is bound tightly with the Blue Lotus Flower.

As Taweret she is the creation mother, protector of mothers and children. She is the goddess from which life was born. Effigies were kept of here by pregnant mothers and midwives. She is revered by those in the process of birth and being born.

 Defender of the Blue Lotus Barque

As Ammet she is the devourer of the dead. This sounds scary, but she is actually a devourer of the bad spirits. Because of this she is seen as a protector, effigies of this goddess have been kept for good luck and protection from the dark forces. She also serves as a reminder of the resurrection. We should try to keep a light heart so we will not die in death, but live again in happiness. She emerges from the waters in the belly of Maat to eat any bad spirits who escape from the Lake of Fire. She protects the traverse of the Sun Barque in this manner, and she protects you.

Creating and destroying with the Blue Lotus Mother

Hippos lived in the Nile River, the source of life, so they were associated with life. Coming from the water, they are associated with the unknown, the potential. They submerge in the river for a while, re-surface to breathe, then sink again; this behavior of disappearing and reappearing was associated with regeneration and rebirth. The primeval water, the primeval mound, and the lotus flower were thus all connected with creation, life, death, and resurrection.

Another interesting behavior of hippos is that they roar in the morning at sunrise and in the evening at sunset. This behavior could have been interpreted as a greeting and farewell to the sun, a mother celebrating her offspring. It could have been interpreted as a defense cry for the child she created, in contrast. The sun’s travel was seen as an eternal cycle of rebirth that the deceased hoped to join. Blue hippopotamus painted with Blue Lotus Flowers were thus associated with life, regeneration, and rebirth. Effigies and depictions of a hippo could magically transfer these qualities to their owners.

Defying the Second Death of the Blue Lotus Mother

Sometimes broken hippos were found in the sarcophagi. Because a hippo hunt signified the triumph over chaos, the legs of the hippo were intentionally broken and placed in tombs to prevent this deity from devouring the spirit. Presumably, these souls weren’t too confident in their ability to pass through the trial of Maat and may have been afraid to be eaten by Ammet.

Blue Lotus Growing from Within Me

Whether seen as the mound from which creation sprung, or the defender against bad souls, her association with the blue lotus flower can remind us of other aspects of this sacred plant: powerful forces of creation and destruction. These themes are parallel with the masculine symbolisms. Except as the male aspect they are manifested, and as the female aspect they are a force that the male may come from. She is the means of manifestation.

As we participate in the entheogenic experience of Blue Lotus Flower, we may invoke this female aspect of Chaos, Potential, and Protection. Out of our dream state we will find something from which to grow. The entheogenic experience of the Blue Lotus Mother allows us to feel that we can become something when all seems obscure. Invoking the pregnant hippo mother, we may rise like the Blue Louts Flower, growing to fulfill our potential.

Knowing We are the Blue Lotus

And in the trial of our soul, we are defended by this sacred mother. She rises out of the unseen, the obscure parts of our minds to battle against that which would prevent the passage of the Sun Barque across the belly of the night to the Field of Reeds. Defended and protected, we can live again a happy life. Rise from the back of the Blue Lotus Mother and hear her roar.

Egyptian myth is shrouded in symbolism and mystery. This can be challenging when a modern person is trying to find meaningful rituals for their life. The stories growing out of the sacred use of blue lotus flower all share the ideal that self realization is the means to universal awareness and thereby life itself.

Let’s take a trip through the pyramids to see how the gods found themselves to be eternal, and how we can bloom into the corpus of the gods as we understand the significance of this most holy of holy blossoms.

An Entheogen is a plant that induces a spiritual experience. Blue Lotus Flower can be used as an entheogen to manifest our sacred selves. Let’s explore the mysticism of creation, belonging, virility, death, and resurrection. This will be quite an adventure, but do not fret, the Blue Lotus flower will be there gently caring for us as we grow through the mire.

In the Beginning there was a Blue Lotus Flower

In the creation of all that could exist, Blue lotus is both the vehicle and corpus of existence. During the time of nothing, a thought became aware of itself. The story goes like this: When there was nothing, just a vast feminine potential of nothingness, a mound of clay emerged and an idea sprouted. As it realized that it was, a blue lotus bud coiled upwards out of the this nothingness.

As it realized it was something, raising its bud out of the pool, it bloomed, and inside that bloom was a little baby, Atum-Ra. When that baby opened its eyes, light shined out. Everywhere that baby looked, light struck and things came to be. All of existence became visible as the baby became aware of itself and its surroundings.

From Nu, or the feminine potential of nonexistence, came soil, that which existence sprouts from, and from this came a god. As this god became aware of itself, so too did all things come to being. So the Blue Lotus Flower represents the creation of the godhead itself. Symbolically, the creation of your own self and the actions you take to exist.

Because Blue lotus flower is believed to be the actual corpus of the god, and the substance from which that corpus emerged, entheogenic use of the blue lotus flower is a means of communion with this process of self realization. From the realm of dreams, or non existence to our flesh and blood lives.

When I Grow Up I Want to Be with People

The need to be with others, to have children, existed in this God, and so from the Blue Lotus Flower, birthed the pantheon of the Gods and humanity10. In one story he cries to make people, and in another story he masturbates to create the other gods.

Because Blue Lotus Flower manifests this energy, it can be used in the arts of sexuality. Many scenes in the hieroglyphs showed the use of Blue Lotus Flower in acts of sexuality. It was used by elites in ritual orgies, where, in costume manifesting the life of the gods within themselves, they celebrated in euphoric ecstasy the creative forces of the Blue Lotus Flower God State.

Its aphrodisiac influences were also used commonly by the public, but the elites held epic parties famous for their orgasmic ecstasy. When steeped in alcohol for a few days to a week, the effects of this entheogen are magnified, while the affects of the alcohol are reportedly minimized. So, it was also used to create community and togetherness, uniting Egypt in country, body and soul.

Supporting Community Intimacy

Its aphrodisiac powers may be found in the way it makes you feel dreamy and comfortable. Because of this, it can also help with erectile dysfunction, helping the man feel good about what he is doing, and so naturally able to get it up.

Some men report an inability to enjoy sex with Viagra. That is because Viagra causes stimulation in the blood vessels, and disconnects the dream state from the body. While it provides stamina, it removes intimacy. The dream state that Blue Lotus Flower initiates, is a state of intimacy, so it is a great choice for sexy time, and gently encouraging that ability.

It has several properties that provide support to the body, mind and dream state including nutrients and terpenes. Supporting intimacy in community, it can be used to help people in many ways.

Taking Care of Our Family is a Sacred Act

We can learn from the Gods’ themselves how to care for each other. One of these Gods is the grandson of the Creator. Nefertum, is especially happy to use and share the essences of the living gods. This god is all about making life nice for people. Seed of a Blue Lotus grand-father, the son becomes, in essence, the blue lotus flower.

He is depicted as a blue god, or wearing a collar of blue lotus petal. He really likes taking care of the other gods and sharing with the people. Nefertum is representative of the pleasant scent of the lotus flower and of its medical properties. He was known as “Water Lily of the Sun” and was held in great affection.

This grand-son of creation, Nefertum, really loves his grandfather. As his grandfather is getting old and suffering, he comes to him and blesses him with the scent of the Blue lotus, by holding this plant to his nose. This is an act of literally giving the god back to itself, and in so doing providing comfort and self realization as the soul is passing into the next realm.

Using blue lotus flower as an entheogen, we manifest the aspect of caring, comfort and healing as a part of the community. From the example of Nefertum, we can act to care for others by offering them the opportunity to feel both comfort and guidance from this sacred plant.

Healers then and now

The Blue Lotus Flower is used for other medicinal properties. Some of these range from depression and mental health, to tremors and body pain, among other problems. Healers today are working with this entheogen. A psychologist has started to explore this more thoroughly.

You can check out the video on this here. It is research done to see what happens when people partake. She did this so there was recorded research, and so she could better help people with the entheogen.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), “It has been speculated that the flower was used in ancient Egyptian culture as part of healing and shamanistic rituals dating back to the fourteenth century B.C. Today, blue lotus flower is used as a sleep aid and anxiety reliever, but has also been described as a mild stimulant.”

The two main compounds responsible for the flower’s medicinal effects are called apomorphine and nuciferine. The buds and flowers contain the psychoactive components. Apomorphine is a compound that acts as a dopamine agonist, meaning it can give a happy or euphoric feeling.

Nuciferine is a compound believed to act as an anti-psychotic substance that can induce feelings of calmness. So it is easy to see how Nefertum could soothe his aging grandfather with this sacred herb.

Helping our elders age

Nefertum helps his grandfather die in a sacred and respectful way, using this plant. In using Blue Lotus flower to comfort the distressed we are accepting and assimilating ourselves with the cosmic process of death, and in so doing, find comfort ourselves.

This is why, as an aspect of Nefertum and Atum-Ra themselves, Blue Lotus Flower can be used to aid in the suffering of the terminally ill, and why it helps with pain, both physical and mental.

The dying god, in receiving itself back into itself, is not lost in death, but realized again. As a result, Nefertum was described in the Pyramid Texts as “the lotus blossom which is before the nose of Re”. The Blue Lotus Flower was a symbol of eternal life, and we can see hieroglyphs where the Ankh is offered to the nose of the pharaohs and gods.

In this picture the Ankh is held to the nose as described the passage from the Pyramid Texts. So, when you see the image of the Ankh, also think, Blue Lotus.

We die in order to know we are alive

Death is a sacred act of existence. We all know that on some level, but it still seems a little scary. That is why the Egyptians painted stories of passage on their coffins and tombs, so when the soul awoke, it would be reminded of the passage and feel secure in the process.

Some of these paintings depict the protection offered to the passing soul in the form of the four sons of Horus, the sun god. Born out of the Blue Lotus, there are four sons. These sons are protector gods helping the soul with the things it needs: a rope ladder to ascend to the sky, martial defense of the soul, guidance along the path, and assistance with hunger and thirst.

As the soul sits on the barque of the blue lotus waiting for judgment of Maat, four gods are birthed from this sacred bloom to assist the soul during this trial.

A 19th Dynasty relief from the temple of Seti I at Abydos provides a classic example of the use of incense. In the image of this Blue Lotus Ritual, Seti leans forward towards a statue of Atum-Ra, his right hand pouring water over a bouquet of lotus flowers while his left hand wafts smoke from an arm-shaped incense stick towards the god.

The incense signifies reverence and prayer; and on a deeper level it evokes the actual presence of the deity by creating the fragrance of the gods. Traveling through our dream states can seem like a trial of life and death. These stories help us to remember that if we try to keep a light heart, we will be protected and a path made ready for us.

As the Blue lotus flower closes upon life, it becomes a barque. It becomes a means of resurrection. The image of the barque here shows an example of the passage of Atum-Ra through the belly of Maat to the shore of reeds. Life is resurrected in the field of reeds.

As Atum-Ra dies, and realizes himself on a journey, the Blue lotus becomes a barque that transitions the god through the belly of the sky to the sea of reeds and a resurrected life. Traveling through the belly of the sky is fraught with perils of losing the self and not making it to the land of resurrection and renewed life.

There are monsters here to battle. Upon the barque of the Blue Lotus Flower, there is a sturdy footing for defense and allies to assist you. Fighting on the barque of blue lotus against that which seeks to consume the soul allows the dead to continue the process of self realization.

By using the blue lotus flower as an entheogen, we are participating in the battle to defend our soul’s integrity through maintaining self realization so that we may float to the land of happiness and life.

Literal Manifestation or Symbolic Living

Symbolically, blue lotus is the means to travel through the dangers of loosing yourself but also the means to attaining the good life we are destined to enjoy after this death.

Perhaps, this is a literal manifestation of the god process. The story was taken seriously by the Egyptians as exemplified by the way they prepared their dead. King Tut’s body was found to be covered with blue lotus petals when his tomb was opened in 1922.

A version of the Book of the Dead says “Rise like Nefertum from the blue water lily, to the nostrils of Ra, and come forth upon the horizon each day.” Many mummies were sprinkled with Blue Lotus petals, and after thousands of years they still smell nice when the sarcophagus are opened!

Blue Lotus Flower can be seen as a metaphor for birth, life, death and resurrection simply by observing it’s biological processes. Coiling up out of an unknown muck, a little bud rises. It’s bloom is bright blue and it’s center is a bright sunny yellow. It faces the sun and the bud moves to follow the path of the sun.

At night, it closes up, and then starts over the next day. It does this for three days, then makes a seed pod, which enables a new life. Noticing this pattern, the Egyptians chose it to symbolize the birth of God, its realization of self out of nothing, the god head coming to maturity, and then, in closing, his aging, and his death, as the bud travels through the belly of the night, yet to open fresh again in the morning, re-birthed.

This is also the only flower in Egypt that blooms all season. It never dies off. Because of it’s natural process, it is closely associated with the sun, its light, and realization of existence, growth, aging, death and resurrection. Atum-Ra, the creator god, is represented by the Sun, and the Blue Lotus Flower. His grand-son, or young self, called Nefertum, is the symbol of the the Sunrise with a lotus at its base.

As we confront literal and symbolic death in our lives as humans, use of the blue lotus flower directly assimilates us with the the barque of transition, a sturdy and safe place to defend one’s soul as we travel through the challenges of darkness. This symbolizes the becoming of the self once again through the dream state. As an entheogen, we can use the blue lotus flower to assist in lucid dreaming.

You’re Walking the Path of Ra

As an entheogen, we can see the blue lotus flower as a literal assimilation in the processes of life, community, vitality, death, and resurrection. We also have the opportunity to see think metaphorically about our subconscious and dream life waking as the real self. As an aid in Lucid Dreaming and

Entheogenic searching, Blue Lotus Flower provides the physical experience of this metaphor. It facilitates bringing the dream world, our most sincere aspects of our selves, to the light of consciousness, where we can become aware of our true selves through the dream state.

In sleep, or death, we may become aware of who we are, what we are capable of creating, and the importance of this as we face the loss of ourselves, thus loosing ourselves, and regaining ourselves through our selves, and true life after that death. Blue lotus flower lets us become and manifest these aspects of the God head’s experience, ensuring the arrival of the soul to immortal life, enabling the process of realization, growth, shedding of the old self for our true self, and living again as our true self.

Whether or not this is a literal communion with the Gods’ story of existence, death and re-existence, or a means of existential self realization, this sacred entheogen is truly worth knowing about. It is a holy blessing and a sacred medicine if we accept its invitation to become ourselves.

The entheogenic use of Blue Lotus provides a sacred opportunity to die and live again through realization of our own state of non-existence, resurrecting our self through the realm of potential, which is death, that is our dream mind, to wake again, in life, a happier self in flesh.

So, dear dreamer, you are invited onto the path of Ra. Turn your head like the Blue Lotus Flower to the sun, and in sleep, remember your self. May the sweet aroma of this perfume guide your travels.

Other sources of interest:

Goodenough, Simon (1997) Egyptian Mythology

• Kemp, Barry J (1991) Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilisation
• Pinch, Geraldine (2002) Handbook Egyptian Mythology
• Watterson, Barbara (1996) Gods of Ancient Egypt
• Wilkinson, Richard H. (2003) The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt

Klip dagga, scientifically known as Leonotis nepetifolia, also known as “Lion’s ear” originated from Africa and South India. Leaves and flower petals of this plant have been used for thousands of years in African traditional medicine for the treatment of various illnesses. South African tribes would often make tea or smoke the wild dagga leaves and flowers to get benefits from its euphoric effects. According to research on wild dagga users, it is revealed that it has potential to boost moods, improve clarity and increase color perception.

What Is Klip Dagga?

Klip dagga, while very similar in physical appearance and chemical makeup, to wild dagga, is a separate species. It is a flowering plant native to Africa and now grown in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and North America. Wild dagga is also named as Lion’s ear, shandilay, tilleys curse, granatiparani and Christmas candlestick and belongs to the family Lamiaceae. This evergreen large shrub is best known for its medicinal properties. It has traditionally been used for the treatment of fevers, headaches, malaria, snake bite and dysentery.

Health Effects Of Klip Dagga

Klip dagga possesses powerful antinociceptive, strong anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic activities which help reduce pain sensation, relieve inflammation and regulate blood sugar levels in the body. It is also well known to induce sedation and euphoria.

1. May Help In Menstrual Problems

Klip dagga has potential to relieve menstrual problems as it may stimulate or suppress the menstruation when used in different quantities. The entire plant is used to make decoctions which help disinfect the uterus.

2. Has Analgesic Properties

Wild dagga has a respectable history of being used as an Antinociceptive, (which helps relieve pain), potent anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycemic activities. It is widely used for treating arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

3. Has Sedative Effects

Wild dagga inhibits the activity of acetylcholine and produces sedative effects. Dried flower petals are used to smoke as an alternative to cannabis. These dried petals are smoked either alone or in combination with tobacco and produce cannabis-like effects like euphoria, joy and happiness. Alternatively, simple extractions made from the flowers can have the same effects in tiny oral dosages.

4. May Possess Euphoric Effects

Smoking or consuming extracts of this dried herb is known to have mild euphoric effects like increasing happiness, excitement and boosting mood. The flower of this amazing herb is commonly used for smoking and as calming tea. The foliage of this wild dagga is also used as a substitute for cannabis.

5. Cardio protective Activities

Klip dagga and other species are known to have the ability to reduce cardiovascular diseases like heart palpitations, irregular heartbeats and cardiovascular diseases related to hypertension and anxiety.

6. Combats Common Cold and Fever

It is used as an effective remedy for common cold, fever, asthma, influenza, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems.

7. Antispasmodic Properties

Brewed tea of this relaxing plant is used to relieve muscular spasm and acts as antihistamine. Strong tea obtained from flowers, stems and leaves has been used as an enema in various animals and humans. This brew, when given to animals, helps relieve respiratory problems, is applied as lotion, disinfects the wound area and is applied to scratches, bites and stings.

8. Helps Manage Diabetes

Klip dagga has the capability to regulate blood sugar levels. It is used in treatment of type 2 diabetes due to its hypoglycemic and powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Bottom Line

Klip dagga commonly known as “Lion’s ear” has been used for centuries in traditional medicines for treating a wide array of diseases. It has terpenoids, diterpenes and alkaloids which are known to have medicinal effects. The extracts, brewed tea or dried leaves and flowers are used for treating fever, common cold, managing diabetes, preventing cardiac diseases, producing mild sedation and exerting euphoric effects.

If you are just learning about the existence of lucid dreams then maybe not, or not in this context at least. Either way, expert or beginner, these plants can help anyone strengthen their presence in the dream world.

[lwptoc]

Blue Lotus Flower (Nymphaea caerulea)

One of the most famous herbs for dream enhancement. Not to be confused with Nelumbo nucifera which is also called blue lotus. This impostor is commonly mistaken as the ancient Egyptian sacred dream flower. Although they do have many similar active alkaloids, Nymphaea caerulea is absolutely the one you want as an oneironaut

Blue lotus flower is known to bring about a dream-like state of consciousness during waking life. It also relieves anxiety and arouses a sense of peace and tranquility. When taken before bed, it feels to me like the aporphine alkaloid within wanders around my head turning on lights. What I mean is, blue lotus seems to add sharpness to my dream settings. And in my experience, vivid dreams are a great stepping stone towards full on lucidity.

Mexican Dream Herb (Calea zacatechichi)

Widely known as ‘dream herb’ for a very good reason. This plant is an indispensable vegetal companion for serious lucid dreamers. The psychoactive properties of dream herb have been known by the Chontal indians of Mexico for centuries. The Oaxacan Indians would typically make a tea with the leaves despite it’s terrible bitter taste. These days however you can get robust extracts in painless capsule form.

Mexican dream herb is a powerful tool for lucid dream immersion. It is also said to initiate clarity of the dream experience and bring light to a dreams purpose in waking life. If I were to recommend a single plant for lucid dreaming it would probably be Mexican dream herb. That being said, I really prefer lucid dream herbal blends to single plants. More on this later.

Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa)

While this herb can make one drowsy which is often not conducive to expanding awareness, many people swear by it as a powerful assistant for lucid dreamers. Also called ‘opium lettuce’, this plant is mostly known for it’s pain analgesic properties. And for getting you a little high. Wild lettuce is typically smoked despite the harshness of the smoke, although like most herbs, it is also effective in tea form.

The Hopi Indians were said to use the plant for it’s invigorating effects on consciousness during sleep. The idea was that knowledge could be accessed via the altered state of mind if one is able to wake up in the dream realm. And just as the Hopi believed, Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Paul Mccartney, and James Cameron have all claimed to have discovered or built some of their famous works in the lucid dream state.

Huperzine A

(An extract of Chinese club moss): Huperzine A is a sesquiterpene alkaloid extracted from club moss, an ancient SE Asian medicinal plant. Recently huperzine has been used to treat memory disorders and as a tool to increase cognitive function in healthy brains as well as increase energy and stamina. This extract really gets your brain moving.

In large amounts it would be difficult to get to sleep on. However in smaller proportions huperzine gets the right neurotransmitters working to help increase cognition while in the dream space. This is one that does really well to help amplify the effects of other herbs that activate dream realization in other ways.

Mugwort (Artemisa vulgaris)

This is a fairly well know herb for enhancing dream creativity. Mugwort can also help with dream recall. Typically the leaves are brewed in a tea or smoked. It also has a long history of being made into a smudge which is smoldered in order to clear away negative energies. Aside from stimulating dream lucidity, mugwort is also said to increase psychic awareness.

Mugwort seems to improve ones capacity for sleep. The is a great plant for anyone who has trouble getting back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. As a dream aid it effectively adds illumination and texture to dreams. Those who have fragmented and spotty dreams claim to benefit from not only the quality of sleep they are able to get from mugwort, but also the depth and color that is added to their dreams.

African Dream Herb (Silene capensis)

Also known as African dream root, this plant has been utilized in South African spiritual ceremonies for centuries. The plant tends to take some time to work. However, after several evenings of chewing the roots or drinking a tea version, the effects begin to set in.

Regarded as a sacred plant teacher, African dream herb is rumored to induce out of body experiences. The ancient people used this plant to open the door to the world of their ancestors where they would receive prophetic information and answers to problems.

While not everyone who tries these roots becomes lucid or meets their dead great grandma, most people do at least report very vivid, memorable dreams.

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum)

For millennia African natives would ferment this psychoactive herb and then use it like modern chewing tobacco to awaken their spirit animals. These days most people use the plant to induce euphoria, relieve anxiety, induce lucid dreams, or all of the above.

Kanna is described as a natural mood enhancer and anti-depressant. Kanna opens the floodgates for serotonin which is an important neurotransmitter for dreaming. More invigorating in small doses and sedating in large, I find that a medium sized dose works best for use as a lucid dream aid. For you fellow lucid dreamers, this plant can help bring your engagement in the dream world to the next level.

Lucid Dream Herb Blend

After reading through each of these lucid dream catalysts you may now be wondering, “Might it be a good idea to mix a few of these dream herbs for greater effects?” And my answer is decidedly yes!

For a solid piece of dream real estate you might want to try Wings of Morpheus. This is a lucid dreaming formula composed of blue lotus flower extract, Mexican dream herb extract, Kanna extract, Huperzine A, and vitamin b6.

This little oneirogen I’ve created combines some the best symbiotic herbs for lucid dreaming plus a dose of b6 for that extra edge. Pre-measured, perfected proportions of extra strength extracts encased in a convenient 500mg veggie capsule. What more could you ask for? This little concoction is for anyone who wishes to explore the limitless dreamscapes of the human reality and beyond.

So what else? Did I miss any killer dreaming herbs? Let me and everyone know your favorite herbs for lucid dreaming in the comments below.

A quick ‘duck duck go‘ search of Kanna reveals that “Kanna Kamui is one of
the main characters in ‘Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid”… That’s not really
what we’re talking about here though. We want to do a brief dive into the
effects of the Sceletium Tortuosum, how to use it and where to buy kanna.

What is the deal with Kanna?

Kanna, or quite formally, Sceletium tortuosum is a very impressive
plant. Considered a nootropic, this little South African succulent has been
prized for many millennia. The native Africans would gather whole plants,
smash them until they got all pulpy and then set it aside to ferment in bags
for a week or so. They would then use the fermented mush like modern chewing                                                     tobacco. These guys would break out the chew during rituals, using it to awaken their
spiritual animals. But they also used it recreationally when they felt like
inducing joy and tranquility.

The plant has some interesting psychoactive effects. Kanna interacts
strongly with the Serotonin and Acetylcholine receptors thereby elevating the
user’s mood, relieving anxiety and stress, and/or causing euphoric
tranquility. And at lower doses Sceletium tortuosum extract supports cognitive
function, memory, and is actually one of the lesser known natural herbs for
energy. Extracts of the plant are also used by some people as an appetite                                                           suppressant.

Because kanna relieves users of inhibitions and insecurities, the natural
sedating effects offer a sense of peace in a chaotic world. Many users have
described the experience as a kind of emotion disengagement from difficult
situations. This is a similar reaction as seen with dissociatives like
ketamine for example. These experiences can be brought about through
smoking, vaping, eating or snuffing the kanna extract powder.

A tea can also be made by steeping some fermented leaves in hot (but not boiling)
water and adding a little edible acid such as citric acid or lemon juice to
bring down the ph level. An easier method would be to simply add a little                                                                              of the extract powder into hot water or into your favorite herbal tea.

So, what is Sceletium tortuosum extract powder?

The extracted material is made from the dried and fermented roots and
leaves of the kanna plant. The main alkaloids we are interested in here are
mesembrine and also mesembrenone. These are the ones that inhibit the
reuptake of serotonin thereby uplifting the user’s mood. There are several
strengths of this plant’s extract on the market today, with kanna 100:1 extract
probably being the most potent. Weaker extracts can be difficult to smoke
or snuff because it’s difficult to smoke larger amounts of powder or sniff
larger amounts of powder. Although not that difficult. Kanna is very
powerful and a little tends to go a long way.

Where to buy Kanna extract?

If you are looking to buy kanna extract in it’s strongest form then look no further.                                                        We’ve got pure 100:1 kanna extract in
convenient vegetarian capsules. It doesn’t get any better that this for the
purist. However If you’re looking for something a little more complex, you
may be interested in our best selling Lucid Serpent formula. Created with
perfect ratios of 100:1 kanna extract, 200:1 Blue lotus extract, 100:1 Klip
Dagga extract and 30% kavalactones extraction of Kava. These herbal extract
capsules have a powerful mood enhancing aroma. And you will only find them                                                                    at Mythical Herbs. We are your one stop shop for unique herbal extracts and blends.

Blue Lotus Effects 

The exotic Egyptian blue lotus flower is one of those plants that had been discovered and considered magical by ancient people in several very different parts the world. Revered by the ancient Egyptians not only as a party drug but also a powerful sacrament.

Blue lotus effects people as powerfully today as it did back then. The ancient Egyptians, among other ancient cultures, truly prized this flower and possibly treasured it beyond any other wild plants of the area. The ancient Mayan people also revered blue lotus flower as seen reflected in the remains of their art and religious totems.

The blue lotus flower was traded far and wide and became a part of cultures as far as SE Asia where it developed into a powerful symbol in all forms of Buddhism.

When so many people fall in love with a plant for such a long times, it’s a good sign that there is a lot of value in this plant even if modern science (and persecution lobbyists) have yet to catch up.

Blue Lotus Tincture Effects

In ancient Egypt, blue lotus effects were often attained through the mixing of the lotus flowers with wine. Either a blue lotus tincture was consumed along with the wine, or the flowers would be put directly into the wine and left to steep.

After allowing the concoction to sit for several weeks, the psychoactive compounds of the blue lotus are essentially absorbed into the alcohol.

The flowers are finally filtered out and what you have left is a euphoria inducing elixir. The concoction is unique as compared with the stand-alone effects of each of the two substances.

When consumed in this manner, the combination would have a narcotic and mind-bending effect on the ancient users. Alcohol has been known to partner with blue lotus so well that the two are considered by many to have a symbiotic relationship.

When used concurrently, alcohol hits more vigorously and the blue lotus effects come on dynamically stronger. For millennia the Egyptians and the Mayans alike were known to party with lotus wine.

The elixir could be so powerful that it was often utilized as an entheogen as well. Specifically the potion was used as a tool to shift awareness in line with a god’s in order to make communication.

Blue Lotus High

After much speculation, blue lotus has recently been proven to contain the psychoactive alkaloid apomorphine, as well as nuciferine in some varieties. Both of these compounds act upon the central nervous system and in the right dose can ‘get the user high’.

The blue lotus effects have been likened to a natural MDMA-type intoxication, especially when combined with alcohol.

However, it is my belief that because of the constant bombardment of chemicals we deal with in the world of today, the subtlety of the blue lotus effects can feel mild to many of us.

Luckily the world of today also has solutions to this modern chemical tolerance. It’s fairly simple for example, to perform extractions of plants that target active alkaloids while removing many of the non-effective fatty oils and fibers of the plants.

These concentrated blue lotus products are sold as blue lotus extract and come in extract powder or pre-made capsules of varying strengths from 10X-200X. The effects of these blue lotus products will be much more powerful.

Another way of boosting the effect of blue lotus flower is through the making of lotus tea. You can use pure organic flower or lotus flower that has been enhanced with blue lotus extract.

Smoking Lotus flowers

Even if the blue lotus effects on the central nervous system were non-existent, it’s possible that people would have smoked this flower for ages anyway. The scent and taste is very delicate and lightly sweet making it a delicious addition to plain tobacco leaf or other common smokable plants.

However because of its intoxicating properties, the flower has been smoked by people from everywhere since ancient times. When sourcing blue lotus flower for smoking today, it is important to find organic blue lotus flower. This ensures that you are not inhaling pesticides or other potentially dangerous impurities.

Conclusion

For many thousands of years blue lotus flower has been adorned as a special plant. Although largely forgotten in recent history, it is slowly reclaiming the limelight in modern cultures of the west. It is my hope that for years to come we will be able to enjoy these re-emerging magical plants that have been so revered by the ancient peoples.

Many of the sacred visionary plants esteemed by cultures across the lands have recently been demonized and condemned by threat of imprisonment or even death.

Let us not allow this to happen with the few remaining power plants, like the sacred blue lotus flower. This should be the duty of all of us who care for the earth’s plants and our freedom to interact with the natural world with which we are intimately woven.