Silene undulata “African dream root”, whole pieces of root

Silene undulata (Silene capensis), also called “African dream root”, is a plant growing in the Republic of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The Xhosa ethnic group there consider this plant sacred. The root of this plant is used by them to induce vivid lucid dreams, which are considered prophetic. The substances responsible for this effect are the abundant triterpenoid saponins in the plant. This rare ethnobotanical herb is considered by Xhosa shamans to be “ubulavu”, in other words a healing root, which they call “undela ziimhlophe”, which can literally be translated as white paths. African cults, which believe that essential messages from the ancestors are communicated to them in dreams, traditionally use plant helpers. The root of Silene capensis is considered in Africa as their “best-know”.

Many people consider Silene capensis to be a more powerful dream aid than Calea zacatechichi.

Country of origin

SAR (Republic of South Africa)