Calea zacatechichi is a plant used by the Chontal Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico to obtain divinatory messages during dreaming. It has been scientifically demonstrated to increase the frequency of lucid dreams. It is also employed by the Chontal Indians against gastrointestinal disorders, and is used as an appetizer, cathartic anti-dysentery remedy, and an agent for reducing fever. Calea produces a feeling of well-being that continues for one or more days.

Crushed dried leaves are steeped in hot water, and the resulting tea is imbibed slowly, after which the native lies down in a quiet place and smokes a cigarette of the dried leaves of the same plant. The Indian knows that he has taken a large enough dose when a sense of tranquility and drowsiness is experienced and when he hears his own heart and pulse beats. There are no reports of hangover or other undesirable side effects. The human dose for divinatory purposes reported by the Chontal Indians is a handful of the dried plant.

The Chontal medicine men, who assert that this plant is capable of "clarifying the senses", call it thlepelakano, or "Leaf of God". Whenever it is desired to know the cause of an illness, or the location of a distant or lost person, dry leaves of the plant are smoked, drunk and put under the pillow before going to sleep. Reportedly, the answer to the question comes in a dream.

Calea zacatechichi is 100% legal in the United States. It is all-natural and does not contain any controlled substances. Calea is an extremely bitter herb, most people prefer to smoke it rather than making it into a tea.