Calea ternifolia (syn. Calea zacatechichi) is a species of flowering plant in the aster family, Asteraceae. It is native to Mexico and Central America.
It is used in traditional medicine and ritual in its native range.
Uses
In Mexico the plant is used as a herbal remedy for dysentery and fever.
The Chontal people of Oaxaca reportedly use the plant, known locally as thle-pela-kano, during divination. Isolated reports describe rituals that involve smoking a plant believed to be this species, drinking it as a tea, and placing it under a pillow to induce divinatory or lucid dreams due to its properties as an oneirogen. Zacatechichi, the former species name, is a Hispanicized form of the Nahuatl word "zacatl chichic" meaning "bitter grass". Users take the plant to help them remember their dreams; known side effects include nausea and vomiting related to the taste and mild-to-severe allergic reaction.
While quite bitter if brewed in hot water, the bitterness can be considerably masked by brewing with Osmanthus flowers, which have a compatible scent profile.
Chemical composition
thumb|right|Cultivated specimen
Chemical compounds isolated from this species include flavones such as acacetin and sesquiterpene lactones such as germacranolides. The compound that is thought to cause the effects of Calea ternifolia is Caleicine a Prodrug of Eugenol, a potent GABA positive modulator.
- Chlorogenic acid (Lowers blood pressure)
- Α-Pinene (GABA<sub>a</sub> positive modulator)
- Caleicine (Prodrug of Eugenol a potent GABA positive modulator)
- Squalene (Precursor to steroid hormones)
It is thought these compounds, and their respective pharmacological classes create the effects of Calea ternifolia.
Caleicine is a unique sesquiterpene compound found only in Calea ternifolia
Calea ternifolias negative side effects, nausea, vomiting and delirium based hallucinations, are the same that of Eugenol
This plant was banned in Poland in March 2009.
Under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 in the United Kingdom, Calea is technically illegal, however as the mechanisms are not well understood, it cannot be classed as a CNS stimulant or depressant and is therefore legal.
thumb|Calea ternifolia (syn. Calea zacatechichi) dream herb
Nephrotoxicity
One study suggest that the herb may have some toxic properties towards kidneys (nephrotoxicity). This is likely due to the Caleicine in the plant being metabolised into the nephrotoxic compound Eugenol that can cause liver toxicity in high doses.