Silene capensis (African Dream Root)

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African Dream Root [root (3) shredded]

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Silene capensis / African Dream Root / Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed Family)

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This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Silene undulata, African Dream Root, Undlela Ziimphlophe (Xhosa)

Description

Silene capensis is native to the river valleys of the eastern cape province of South Africa. This obscure flowering species is regarded by local shamans as a type of "Ubulawu" or medicinal root that they call "Undlela Ziimhlophe," which translates literally as "White paths" or "White ways." Its root is traditionally used to induce vivid (and according to the Xhosa, prophetic) lucid dreaming, classifying it a naturally-occurring oneirogen similar to the more well-known dream herb Calea (Calea zacatechichi). The plant exerts only minimal alterations in waking consciousness, yet the effects upon the dream state can be profound. (1)(2)

Historical

Silene capensis has been used by Xhosa diviners of South Africa for centuries. They grind the root to prepare a thick white froth, which novice diviners consume on an empty stomach to enhance lucid dreaming. Novices consume it until they fill their stomachs, washing themselves with the remaining dregs, over a three-day period at full moon. A diviner chews a small piece of the root, which has a pungent taste and smell, and spits it out on the threshold to attract clients. Diviners and novices who ingest it regularly exude a musky scented odour, not unlike that of the flower, which is attractive and even mildly hypnotic especially when they perspire after performing any vigorous activity, such as dancing or foraging for medicines. (1)

Plant Description

Silene capensis has a white, erect, trichotomously panicled flower with obtuse lobes. In spring and autumn the flower opens in the evening to exude a scented perfume and it is cross-pollinated by moths. The stem and leaves of the plant are clothed with long spreading hairs. After good rainfall, it is found growing in grassy verges on well-watered slopes and particularly on riverbanks. (1)

References

(1) Dreams and Medicines: The Perspective of Xhosa Diviners and Novices in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by Manton Hirst
(2) Silene capensis, Wikipedia

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Dreams
Lucid Dreaming
Oneiromancy

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Shredded, top quality "White" African Dreamroot, wildharvested from mature plants, in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

View all African Dream Root products.

			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	root (3) shredded South Africa, excellent quality, limited stock [details] [ view ]			x
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African Dream Root [root (3) cut & sifted, fine ]

Usage / Preparation

More Information

Information

Silene capensis / African Dream Root / Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed Family)

Information

Other Names

Silene undulata, African Dream Root, Undlela Ziimphlophe (Xhosa)

Description

Historical

Plant Description

References

(1) Dreams and Medicines: The Perspective of Xhosa Diviners and Novices in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by Manton Hirst
(2) Silene capensis, Wikipedia

Articles

Dreams
Lucid Dreaming
Oneiromancy

Related Products

Dreamherb (Calea zacatechichi)
Guayusa (Ilex guayusa)
Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea)

Back

Top quality "White" African Dreamroot, wildharvested from mature plants, in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Finely cut & sifted.

View all African Dream Root products.

			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	root (3) cut & sifted, fine South Africa, excellent quality, limited stock [details] [ view ]			x
	Back to Top		* You are viewing prices in US Dollars ($).

African Dream Root [root (3) finely powdered]

Usage / Preparation

More Information

Information

Silene capensis / African Dream Root / Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed Family)

Information

Other Names

Silene undulata, African Dream Root, Undlela Ziimphlophe (Xhosa)

Description

Historical

Plant Description

References

(1) Dreams and Medicines: The Perspective of Xhosa Diviners and Novices in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by Manton Hirst
(2) Silene capensis, Wikipedia

Articles

Dreams
Lucid Dreaming
Oneiromancy

Related Products

Dreamherb (Calea zacatechichi)
Guayusa (Ilex guayusa)
Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea)

Back

Top quality "White" African Dreamroot, wildharvested from mature plants, in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Finely powdered.

View all African Dream Root products.

			Amount/Price *	Quantity
	root (3) finely powdered South Africa, excellent quality [details] [ view ]			x
	Back to Top		* You are viewing prices in US Dollars ($).

Maya Ethnobotanicals.com

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Silene capensis (African Dream Root)

Pages: 1

Silene capensis / African Dream Root / Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed Family)

Silene capensis / African Dream Root / Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed Family)

Silene capensis / African Dream Root / Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed Family)