CALEA

COMMON NAMES: bitter grass; leaf of God. Mexican calea Scientists claim Calea zacatechichi, a sunflower-family shrub which grows from Central Mexico to Costa Rica, do be one of the "latest" psychedelic discoveries: Not so, say the Chontal Indians of Oaxaca. For centuries, this drug; called Thle-pela-kano, has been used as a tea to induce hallucinations and clarify the the senses, as well as to treat fevers and mild cases of diarrhea.

To prepare a dose, two tablespoons of dried leaves are brewed for about five minutes in a pint of boiled water. After straining, the resulting two cups of tea are sipped slowly. Indians often lie down in a peaceful spot after their sipping is done and top off their-drink with a few token from a joint of: dried calea leaves.

Within a short time, a sense of restfulness and drowsiness is - experienced The user knows he has had enough when he hears the throb of his pulse and heartbeat.

No one knows exactly what the chemical properties of Calea zacatechichi are, but research is underway. At the moment, the drug does not appear to have any negative side effects. .

One problem-the leaves can be purchased inexpensively only at the Oaxaca marketplace. Not too convenient, but if you're in the neighborhood ...