Salvia divinorum, Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess

Salvia divinorum, a member of the mint family native to Oaxaca, Mexico, is used by the Mazatec Indians as a ritual entheogen and divinatory aid, similar to psilocybian mushrooms and morning glory seeds. The plant is propagated vegetatively, with no wild specimens observed. The diterpene salvinorin A is responsible for its visionary effects. It now sees limited use among some in the North as an entheogen akin to LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, sometimes cultivated for that purpose.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Salvia divinorum Epling & J. Tiva-M. is a member of the mint family (or Lamiaceae) native to the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. It is used by the Mazatec Indians of the region, in a manner similar to psilocybian mushrooms and lysergic acid-containing morning glory seeds, as a ritual entheogen (hallucinogen) and divinatory aid. It is propagated vegetatively by the Mazatecs, and no wild specimens of the plant have been observed by researchers. The diterpene salvinorin A is the chemical responsible for the visionary effects of this species. The plant now enjoys limited use among "basement shamans" in the North as an entheogen similar to LSD and psilocybian mushrooms, and is sometimes cultivated for this reason.