Herbs and plants are an integral part of the life that exists on our planet on every level. Plants are our food, our medicine, and are also catalysts to the expansion of our consciousness.

Throughout our daily lives we are more likely to coast by using our automated behaviors and modes to experience our reality, but at night those boundaries are broken down and our spirits fly.

These 7 plant allies can stimulate our consciousness to expand opening us to alternate experiences of reality and new ways of perceiving our selves and surroundings;

1. Xhosa Dream Root – Vivid and Prophetic Dreams

Xhosa Dream Root is most associated with the Xhosa people of South Africa who are knows to ingest this herb to induce vivid and prophetic dreams.

This herb is often used by the Xhosa in the initiation rites of shamans and is believed to open up pathways of communication to ones ancestors. It is believed that the ancestors are most likely to communicate in the dream state.

The root is ground into a powder which is mixed with water and drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. The effects are apparently slow to be induced and will take effect by the nighttime.
According to entheology.com,

“The effects of S. capensis usually manifest during sleep as prophetic lucid dream states that are rich with significance. Individuals do not usually perceive any effects in the waking state, although one individual did report perceiving wavy lines of light in the air about twenty minutes after consuming the root. The dream state is often compared to going under water by the Xhosa. Interestingly enough, it is said that the plant has no effects on individuals who are not meant to be diviners.”

2. Celastrus Paniculatus – The Elixir of Life

This amazing herb is not only known to promote the incidence of lucid dreaming and dream recollection for those who take it, but has often been called the ‘intellect tree’ because of its long history of use in ayurvedic medicine as an herb to help with mental focus, longevity, and memory.

Users have reported that by adding 10-15 Celastrus paniculatus seeds into their daily regimen, they notice a marked improvement in cognitive function, ability to focus, and sharpness.

3. Blue Lotus – Mind Body Spirit Herb

Blue Lotus was among the most sacred of plants to ancient Egyptians. It grew throughout Egypt where its consciousness-enhancing properties were well known and taken advantage of. The Blue Lotus was associated with the origins of life and the divine perspective.

According to iamshaman.com the plant was used in Egypt to stimulate the sex drive and:

“Egyptian medicinal practitioners also used this flower to stimulate blood flow, and as an anti-aging treatment. The ancients worshipped Blue Lotus as a visionary plant and it was the symol for the origins of life. When this flower was soaked in water or wine, and then ingested it acted as an intoxicant.”

Considered very sacred, the Blue Lotus was used to reach euphoric states of visionary consciousness.

4. Wild Asparagus Root – Fly by Night

Wild Asparagus root, according to some old legends throughout Asia, allows the consciousness to fly during sleep. Journeying into other dimensions and places while asleep are common associations with this adaptogenic herb.

Adaptogenic herbs help the body better adapt themselves to stresses that they face. This herb is also a respiratory and kidney tonic, helping to heal the body while letting the mind soar.

5. African Dream Bean – Master Spirit Connections

Growing along the coasts of Madagascar, Southern Africa, Australia, and Asia, this common bean is used in a wide variety of ways by an array of people groups throughout the world. Its uses vary from a skin treatment to a food given to teething babies to relieve pain.

However this bean’s most well-known and interesting use is its traditional use in South Africa to induce intense lucid-dreaming states in which a person is able to communicate with the spirit realm. For its consciousness-altering properties, the meat inside the bean is eaten.

6. Mexican Tarragon – Grow a Garden of Herbs for Dreaming

Mexican Tarragon is commonly grown in gardens and used as an herb for flavoring in cooking. Also known as Mexican Marigold, its flowers are associated with Dia De Los Muertos celebrations and observances.

The herb can be used in a variety of ways to induce lucid dreaming from burning as incense, smoking before bedtime, or infused in water as a tea.

7. Mugwort – A Versatile Dreaming Herb

Throughout the ages Mugwort has been a widely used herb in Europe associated with treating digestive or parasitic troubles and as a dream herb.

Mugwort, like Mexican Tarragon, can be smoked, burned as an incense, or drunk as a tea. Mugwort is known to also stimulate lucid and meaningful dreams. It can also cause things deep in the subconscious to be exposed during dream-time.