Salvia divinorum
Salvia, is a powerful psychoactive herb. It is a member of
the sage genus and the Lamiaceae (mint) family. The Latin name
Salvia divinorum literally translates to "sage of the seers".
The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin salvare,
meaning "to heal" or "to save"
Salvia divinorum has a long 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, has large green
leaves, hollow square stems with occasional white and purple
flowers.
Salvia divinorum is native to certain areas in the Sierra
Mazateca of Oaxaca, Mexico, where it is still used by the Mazatec
Indians, primarily to facilitate shamanic visions in the context of
curing or divination, but also remedially at lower doses for example
as a diuretic, or to treat ailments including diarrhea, anemia,
headaches, rheumatism, and a semi-magical disease known as panzon
de borrego, or a swollen belly.
It can be
chewed or smoked to produce experiences ranging from uncontrollable
laughter to much more intense and profoundly altered states. The
duration is much shorter than for some other more well known
psychedelics; - the effects of smoked Salvia typically lasting for
only a few minutes. The most commonly reported after-effects include
an increased feeling of insight and improved mood, and a sense of
calmness and 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. As a κ-opioid agonist, it may have potential as
an analgesic and as therapy for drug addictions.
Cultivation
Salvia
needs well watered soils and plenty of light. It can be tricky to
get right and can seem to wilt if left without water for a day or
two. However it will revive when it has been watered. Mist
regularly. But keep an eye out for stem rot as it can be prone to
this.
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