(Calea zacatechichi)
INTRODUCTION :
Calea zacatechichi is a hallucinogenic plant that has been used in Mexican folk medicine since precolombian times; C. zacatechichi probably is identical with the 'chichixihuitl'; a dream inducing plant that was employed medicinally by the ancient Aztec people. 2 This herb is still employed by the Chontal Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico.
The name zacatechichi comes from Nahuatl and means 'bitter grass' (a reference to the intens bitterness of the plant material).
Effects :
Oneirogenic effects; enhancement of all sensory perceptions, an increase in imagery, somnolence followed by sleep during which lively dreams have been reported.2,3,4
Autonomic changes: salivation, retching, increase of slow wave sleep and a decrease of REM sleep.
Duration :
The effects appear within 30-60 minutes after taking the infusion and last for a few hours. When smoked, the effects are milder and last shorter time.
Dosage and preparation :
Calea herb can be smoked or imbibed as a tea. An effective oneirogenic dose consists of 25-40 grams of plantmaterial (foliage and stems).
After taking the 'Calea infusion', the Chontal Indians usually smoke a cigarette of dried Calea leaves.
 Figure: Calea herb
Botanical aspects :
C. zacatechichi, which belongs to Compositae; subfamily Heliantheae; Tribus Galinsoginae, is indigenous to the Central Mexican highlands and Costa Rica.
This shrub has small opposite oval leaves, yellow flowers and usually grows 1.5 meters in height. It can be propagated via viable seeds, although the seeds are difficult to germinate
Figure: C. zacatechichi
Phytochemistry :
C. zacatechichi contains sesquiterpene lactones: germacranolide, calaxin, ciliarin, caleicins A and B, caleocromenes A and B and several other chemical analoques. 3, 4 Analysis of the Calea's chemical composition has also shown that a psychoactive compound of unknown structure is present.2,4 Various C. zacatechichi samples show differences in chemical composition, thus chemical taxonomy may be helpful in reclassifying the Calea genus.2
The active constituents are watersoluble and might also dissolve in alcohol
Pharmacology :
The pharmacological actions of Calea's psychoactive constituents are not well understood, so further studies are necessary.2, 4
Modifiers :
Modifiers of the Calea experience and adverse reactions are unknown due to lacking of pharmacological data.
References
1. [Gottlieb]
2. [Hoffmann/ Schultes, 1973]
3. [Mayagoitia/ Contreras, 1986]
4. [Ratsch, 1998]
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