Mixing Calea, Mugwort & Valerian Root

[ProNoobi]

Ahoy! I've been using Valerian Root tea before bed, I just bought Calea Z and Mugwort today, I was wondering if you can mix or consume these before bed without an issue? I understand plant interactions are complex so I'm not too sure if I should just use one at a time. Thanks

[Voldmer]

You can certainly mix them. To the best of my knowledge (which isn't too bad in this area) no unfortunate consequences have been observed from mixing these three. I mix them from time to time. But valerian is best taken before bedtime (because it is essentially a sleeping aid), whereas the others are best taken at WBTB time. Calea dramatically increases the amount of REM sleep over non-REM, and therefore taking it before bedtime could have the unwanted consequence of waking up next morning feeling sleepy, and needing further sleep. Mugwort is more subtle (in my experience at least), but it tends to increase the level of awareness - again not something that it really useful in the early part of the night.