Salvia divinorum, also known as Diviner’s Sage and Sage of the Seers, is a psychoactive herb which can induce strong dissociative effects. It is a member of the Mint family.
Salvia divinorum has a long and continuing tradition of use as an entheogen by indigenous Mazatec shamans, who use it to facilitate visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions.
The plant is found in isolated, shaded, and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It grows to well over a meter in height. It has hollow square stems, large green leaves, and occasional white and purple flowers. Salvia Divinorum produces few seeds, and those that do appear seldom germinate.
Salvia prefers indirect sunlight, do not place the plant under intense sunlight. You can begin to harvest leaves when the plant is about three feet tall. The plant will grow quickly under the right conditions.
Salvia divinorum can be chewed, smoked, or taken as a tincture to produce experiences ranging from uncontrollable laughter to much more intense and profoundly altered states. The primary psychoactive constituent is a diterpenoid known as Salvinorin A.
The duration of effects is much shorter than that of other, more well-known psychedelics; the effects of smoked salvia typically last for only a few minutes. The most commonly reported after-effects include an increased feeling of insight, an improved mood, a sense of calmness, and an increased sense of connection with nature—though, much less often, it may also cause dysphoria (unpleasant or uncomfortable mood).
Salvia divinorum is not generally understood to be toxic or addictive.
Mazatec shamans crush the leaves to extract leaf juices from about 50-200g of fresh leaves (20 to 80 leaves) They usually mix these juices with water to create an infusion or ‘tea’ which they drink to induce visions in ritual healing ceremonies.
Dry leaves can be smoked in a pipe or water pipe. The temperature required to release salvinorin from the plant material is quite high (about 240°C). A regular flame will work, but the direct application of a butane torch lighter, is often preferred. Many people find that untreated dried salvia leaf produces unnoticeable or only light effects.
The leaves can also be chewed; in this case they should be held in the mouth as long as possible in order to facilitate absorption of the active constituents through the oral mucosa. Chewing consumes more of the plant than smoking, and produces a longer-lasting experience.
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