African Dream Root, Silene capensis (Ubulawu) Possibly more effective than the better-known Dream herb Calea zacatechichi. Normally only the seeds are available but we have finally managed to locate a supply of the actual root which is used by African shamans for accessing the dream state. This has been gathered by the Sangoma (Shaman) who has traveled 800km to pick it himself. It is the best quality from Eastern Cape This sacred plant which shamans of the verdant river valleys of the eastern cape province of South Africa have the ability to induce remarkably vivid dreams. A web site describes this plant: "This obscure flowering species is regarded by shamans of the South African region as a type of "Ubulawu" or medicinal root that they call "Undela Ziimhlophe," which translates literally as "white paths" or white ways." It is suspected that this sacred plant's oneirongenic, or dream-inducing activity is likely due to triterpenoid saponins contained within its roots.
Relatively small amounts of the root (250 mg range) are reported to be active. The plant exerts only minimal alterations in waking consciousness, yet the effects upon the dream state can be profound. How to prepare Silene capensis (Ubulawu) Method 1 : Half a teaspoon is mixed with half a cup of water. This is drunk early in the morning upon waking, while the stomach is empty. When you feel hungry it is safe to have breakfast. Method 2 : A heaped tablespoon is mixed with half a liter of water, and the water blended until a froth is formed. Keep sucking the froth off the container until you feel bloated with froth, and then go to bed. Expected Results : While sleeping, your dreams will be exceptionally colorful and will be remembered upon awakening. (A good idea is to keep a notebook handy for writing down the results.) Ubulawu is traditionally used to access dream-time and to communicate with one's ancestors. Precautions : Use the recommended amounts only; the actives are active in these doses. Larger amounts will have purgative action, however, there are no fatalities or harmful side effects reported, only good vomiting and cleansing out of the stomach. Small doses over several days will affect even the most insensitive person, so there is no need to take a large amount. Drink it on an empty stomach, and then when you feel hungry, you can eat.
This will give the alkaloids time to travel through your system. The effects will be felt that night. The alkaloids travel quite slowly through the blood system, so they won't get excreted out during the day. Before going to sleep, focus on a question you want to be answered by the ancestors. One of the ancestors will appear in your dream with the answer. This plant is not just used for vivid dreams but as a divination tool. For more insensitive persons, or for people who use other alkaloids or have other alkaloids in their system. A more `clean' person would be more sensitive. The alkaloids from using some over a few days would build up in your system. A personal report from someone who was initiated as a sangoma (traditional healer) says the group he was with used 1/5tsp. (powdered) over the course of a week. He felt effects from day 3, and everyone in the group felt effects during the course of this week. We now offer Silene capensis in an easier-to-use powder form!!
