Dream Tea

In celebration of the Surrealist Art exhibition showcasing Masterpieces from Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, the Wellington Apothecary and Te Papa have collaborated on a tea designed to aid in the active shaping of the surreal and bizarre landscape of dreams.

Our dream tea contains a blend of herbs used since antiquity to facilitate connections to the divine through magical rites by enhancing the dream state and facilitating lucid or prophetic dreaming.  These herbs, also known as “oneirogens” from the Greek ὄνειρος óneiros meaning "that which produces dreams" and are hypothesised to act by increasing REM duration and frequency, and increasing the number of dreams, their length, complexity, vividness, and lucidity.

Blue Lotus - Nymphaea caerulea

Used by the ancient Egyptians and Mayans, blue lotus played an important role in rituals and rites.  It can be found depicted in the Papyrus of Ani (the book of the dead), and on the tomb of Tutankhamun. Murals of devotees approaching temples of Hours and Osiris are pictured holding lotus flowers and the ancient murals of Bonampak in Mexico depict dancers holding the blue lotus to their noses and foreheads.  

The psychoactive effects of BLUE LOTUS are attributed to the phytochemical aporphine, an alkaloid which acts as a D2 dopamine agonist. This alkaloid is mostly present in the flower and best extracted by steeping in boiled water. Blue lotus is said to produce a feeling of relaxation and euphoria that can last between 20 and 30 minutes    

Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris

Traditionally used to enhance lucid dreaming and dream recall. Mugwort is also a bitter tonic to support digestion and stimulate regularity of menstruation. 

Skullcap - Scutellaria lateriflora

Traditionally used as a tonic for the nervous system. May be used to ease anxiety, calm a restless mind and improve sleep quality. 

Valerian - Valeriana officinalis

Traditionally used as a deeply relaxing tonic for mind and body. Valerian can be taken in the evening to improve sleep quality or to relax tense muscles. 

Rose - Rosa ssp

Traditionally taken as a tea to uplift and calm the heart. Taken as a tea in times of grief to soothe emotional pain.

Ingredients Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris*, spray free Blue Waterlily Nymphaea caerulea*, Skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora*, Valerian Valeriana officinalis* and Rose Rosa ssp*. Organic

Size 25g