Plant-based diets and medicines are gaining popularity as people seek alternatives to synthetic compounds for treating ailments. One such alternative is the African dream root, known for its traditional medicinal uses and its ability to induce vivid, lucid dreams.
Silene Capensis Plant
Botanical Information
The dream root belongs to the genus Silene within the Caryophyllaceae family of plants. You can find over 300 species within Asia, South America, and the northern hemisphere. The Silene perennial herb grows up to 60 cm tall and is glandular and very sticky. The petals can be pink and/or white. One set of leaves is basilar and resembles an upside-down spatula, reaching up to 15 cm in length. The second set of leaves is smaller, up to 8cm, and lance-shaped.
The “African” dream root is found in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, where locals refer to it as white paths or ubulawu. The root grows easily in a preferably wet environment with moist soil. It can withstand frost and thrives in partial shade to full sun. The flower buds open at night, releasing a strong aroma.
Traditional Use by the Xhosa Tribe
Silene capensis has a long history of traditional use among the Xhosa people of South Africa, particularly among their shamans and healers. The Xhosa tribe, especially the diviners and shamans known as amagqirha, traditionally used Silene capensis as a sacred plant to induce vivid and prophetic dreams, enhance spiritual insight, and communicate with ancestral spirits.
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In the river valley population of the Xhosa shaman, a dream is interpreted to be a straight line of communication from the ancestors to the living world. Traditionally, healing rituals incorporated dreams, with positive dreams interpreted as a line of communication from the ancestors.
The roots of Silene capensis are typically harvested, dried, and ground into a powder, which is then consumed as a decoction or infusion. It is often prepared as a ceremonial drink or used in rituals and ceremonies to facilitate spiritual journeying and divination.
Shamanic Practices
Among the Xhosa people, Silene capensis is revered as a potent tool for accessing the realm of dreams and visions.
In the Eastern Cape of South Africa, the African dream root is the most used ubulawu plant. Wild roots are harvested and sold at street markets.
Xhosa people
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Chemical Composition and Psychoactive Properties
Scientists suggest that the cognitive properties of African dream roots come from substances called saponins, found in the root of the herb. Also found in the root are diterpenoids and alkaloids. When something affects the mind or alters mental status when consumed, it is known as psychotropic or psychoactive.
African dream roots contain triterpene saponin. Studies have shown that saponin causes lucid or vivid dreams in people sensitive to the effects.
For thousands of years, the components of plants have been used globally by shamans and religious believers to receive divine messages via stimulated states of lucid dreaming. The plants used are considered sacred and are known as oneirogens. These chemical compounds can induce a state that alters intellectual, emotional, and behavioral tasks in people.
There’s little research on the composition of the African dream root plant. However, research on plants from the Silene genus suggests these species contain some similar compounds, such as phytoecdysteroids, triterpene glycosides, antioxidants, fatty acids, amino acids, various vitamins and minerals, and more.
The roots of African dream root contain compounds called triterpene saponins. Researchers believe these compounds help stimulate vivid or lucid dreams in people who are sensitive to the effects of the compounds.
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Saponins are plant-based chemicals that get their name because they form a soap-like foam in water. Studies have linked saponins to various health benefits, such as antioxidant properties, reducing inflammation, and lowering cholesterol levels.
Alkaloids and diterpenoids in the root of the plant may also play a role in its psychoactive properties.
Reported Benefits of African Dream Root
African dream root is best known for its ability to stimulate vivid or lucid dreams. Researchers believe this effect is due to compounds called triterpenoid saponins. These saponins form a foam-like substance if you mix them vigorously in water. Traditionally, people would drink this foam, which would stimulate vivid or lucid dreams.
However, the vivid or lucid dream experiences people have reported after taking African dream root are anecdotal. There’s currently no research that explains how African dream root may produce these effects.
Other than potentially stimulating vivid or lucid dreams, the saponins in the African dream root plant may offer additional benefits, such as:
- Antioxidant properties: Research on saponins suggests they may have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are molecules that help protect your cells from oxidative stress, which is linked to various chronic diseases.
- Possible reduced inflammation: Test-tube and animal studies on triterpenoid saponins, such as those in African dream root, suggest they may reduce markers and signs of inflammation.
- Possible lower cholesterol levels: Research suggests saponins may help decrease cholesterol levels by either inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the gut or preventing the reabsorption of bile acids, which help digest fat.
- Possible lower blood sugar levels: Newer research on saponins suggests they may help decrease blood sugar levels by activating cellular processes that help remove sugar from the blood.
Preparation and Dosage
The dream root can commercially be purchased in three ways: as a whole root, as a ground-up root powder, or as capsulated root powder. Universally, there is no regulated dose of the root.
Wild roots are harvested and sold at street markets. The roots are grated or crushed as they produce foam. It is then added to cold water and whisked with an olive branch fork. As the head of white foam grows, it is accessed for proper timing via the approval of the ancestors.
There are two main methods of preparing Silene capensis. The first is the traditional method used by the Xhosa. To do this, the root is pulverized before being put into a cup container of water. The mixture is then whisked until a lot of white foam has been created.
The ‘foam’ method is the traditional way of consumption and the most common one. However, since Silene capensis is best taken regularly for it to take effect, the easiest way is to consume it in capsule form. To do this, you need to grind the root into a powder and put it in gel caps. Generally speaking, you want to consume between 500mg and maximally 3g a day, over a period of a few days. It is best to start with a smaller dose to get used to the plant, and work your way up. It is worth noting that a larger dose doesn’t necessarily cause a greater effect; for this reason 1g tends to be the settled on standard daily dose.
Traditionally, people prepare it by mixing the powder vigorously into water to create foam and then drinking it.
Online videos show the use of a mason jar to agitate the root and create foam, a simple enough method. In South Africa, you leave the root whole and beat it with a sacred wooden fork in a clay pot, while at the same time focusing on your intentions or questions for your ancestors. Even the way the foam is consumed has purpose: “You eat it directly with your mouth from the clay pot, because when you’re training, you don’t use any utensils,” Moyo explains.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Because there’s a lack of research on the safety and side effects of taking African dream root, it’s difficult to analyze the potential downsides of consuming the plant. However, the African dream root plant contains saponins, which form a foam-like substance when mixed with water. If you consume them in excess, saponins may irritate the lining of your digestive tract and cause vomiting.
In addition, people who have taken doses of African dream root that were larger than the typical amount have reported experiencing disturbing or confusing dreams.
If you’re considering taking African dream root, it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional beforehand, especially if you’re taking medications or have any preexisting health conditions. Children, adolescents, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid African dream root due to a lack of safety information for these sensitive populations.
Most herbal and plant-based capsules are not FDA-regulated, so you will not always know what you are consuming. Studies are currently being done, but there are not many available with definitive medical certainty of properties. The US is behind the curve in natural medications for the body, so caution must be taken.
Availability
It is available globally as a medicated herb that produces psychotropic effects. It can be bought easily online and is marketed as African dream root. African dream root as a natural herb is pretty safe. It is easily accessible and inexpensive.
African dream root is available online and at some health-food stores. You can buy it in various forms, including dried root, powder made from the root, and capsules containing the powder.
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Disclaimer: This site merely recounts the traditional uses of specific plants as recorded through history. Always seek advice from a medical practitioner.
Always seek advice from a medical practitioner.
