- Origin
- Cloud forests of the Sierra Mazateca in Oaxaca, Mexico; almost only cultivated and rarely grown from seed
- Traditions
- Curanderismo
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 905
Salvia divinorum
Herb · Central America and the Caribbean
Salvia divinorum
Salvia divinorum
A sage with large leaves containing salvinorin A, a very potent substance acting on the kappa opioid receptor. Brings short-lived, often intense changes in perception and the feeling of leaving the body.
Safety notes
Within minutes it can cause confusion, anxiety, restlessness, a higher heart rate and blood pressure and psychotic symptoms; people may fall or injure themselves. The RIVM warns that even the 'recommended' amount can have such effects. Salvia is not on the lists of the Opium Act and is sold in smart shops; in Belgium and many other countries it is banned. This information describes traditional use and is no encouragement or advice. Use is at your own risk; the makers of this site are not responsible for the consequences. Never alone, never together with alcohol, other drugs or medicines, not in pregnancy, with heart disease or mental illness (also in the family), and do not drive. In an emergency call 112.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Healing traditions of the Americas: Intense, unpredictable effects; never without a sober sitter. Use at your own risk; not banned in the Netherlands.
Preparation
The Mazatec chew the fresh leaves slowly as a quid, or grind them on a metate, mix them with water and drink the juice, in a quiet, dark room during a healing or divination ceremony. Outside Mexico dried leaves and extracts are mostly smoked; this acts much faster and more violently than the traditional way.
Use in traditions
In Spanish hojas de la Pastora, 'leaves of the Shepherdess', referring to the Virgin Mary. The Mazatec use the plant for visions in healing and divination, especially when sacred mushrooms or ololiuqui are not available. Jean Basset Johnson described it in 1939; in 1976 Schultes still wrote that no active substance had been found, but salvinorin A was isolated in 1982.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Healing traditions of the Americas
Attributed effects
For visions in healing and divination.
Preparation and amount
Fresh leaves chewed slowly, or ground with water and drunk as juice, in a quiet, dark room.
Caution: Intense, unpredictable effects; never without a sober sitter. Use at your own risk; not banned in the Netherlands.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Powder and kitchen