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The Complete Guide to Calea Plant: Care Tips, Benefits, and Uses
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance houseplant that’s easy to care for and offers a range of health benefits, look no further than the calea plant.
This tropical species is prized for its soothing properties and beautiful foliage.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, here’s everything you need to know about the calea plant.
What is the Calea Plant?
The calea plant (Calea zacatechichi) is also known as dream herb or Mexican dream herb due to its traditional use in Mexico as an aid in lucid dreaming.
It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is native to Central America.The calea plant is a small shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall.
It has narrow leaves that are green on top with a grayish-green underside.
The flowers are small with white petals arranged in clusters.
Care Tips
- Light: The calea plant prefers bright indirect light but can tolerate partial shade.
- Water: Water your calea plant when the soil feels dry, but be careful not to overwater it.
- Soil: Use well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter.
- Fertilizer: Fertilize your calea plant once every two weeks during the growing season (spring and summer).
- Pests: Watch out for spider mites and mealybugs which can damage your plants.
The Health Benefits of Calea Plant
The medicinal properties of the calea plant have been recognized for centuries.
Here are some of the health benefits that this plant can offer:
Stress Relief
The calea plant has a calming effect on the body, making it useful for managing stress and anxiety.
It contains compounds that act as mild sedatives and can help you relax after a long day.
Sleep Aid
Calea zacatechichi is traditionally used in Mexico as an aid to lucid dreaming.
Some studies suggest that it may also improve sleep quality by reducing the time it takes to fall asleep and increasing deep sleep.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The calea plant contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the body.
This makes it useful for treating conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease.
How to Use Calea Plant?
There are several ways to use calea zacatechichi:
- Dried Leaves: The dried leaves of this plant can be brewed into a tea or smoked.
- Tincture: A tincture is made from soaking the dried leaves of this herb in alcohol or water for several weeks.
- Capsules: You can find calea capsules available on the market which are ready-to-use.
The Bottom Line
Caring for a calea plant is easy, but its benefits go beyond aesthetics: incorporating this tropical species into your routine may provide numerous health benefits like reducing stress levels, helping with sleeping problems, and fighting inflammation.
Whether you’re looking to tie one onto your dreamscape or just want some nature inside your house , including Calea Plant is always worth considering! .
