Salvia Psychoactive Herb

Salvia divinorum, is popularly known by its genus name of Salvia. It is a powerful psychoactive herb. Member of the sage genus and the Lamiaceae (mint) family, it has been traditionally used as entheogen by native Master shamans, who used it to improve visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions. The plan is also known by other names like Diviner's Sage, ska María Pastora or the Sage of the Seers.

The names Salvia divinorum and Salvia are both Latin and literally imply sage of the seers and to heal respectively. The plant is found in isolated, shaded and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It can grow to over a meter in height and has large green leaves with hollow square stems and occasional flowers that are white and purple in color. It is generally considered to be a cultigen. The main psychoactive constituent of the plant is a diterpenoid called Salvinorin A, which is a potent κ-opioid receptor agonist. Incidentally Salvinorin A is the only naturally occurring substance known to bring on a visionary state this way.

Chewing or smoking Salvia divinorum gives rise to experiences ranging from uncontrollable laughter to more intense and enhanced feeling of insight and good mood. In some cases, it may also cause dysphoria or simply a foul mood. However, the duration of such experiences is typically short-lived.

Salvia divinorum is not considered to be addictive or toxic in nature. As a κ-opioid agonist, it may be useful as an analgesic as well as therapy for drug addictions. The popularity of Salvia divinorum is increasing day by day and today companies selling live Salvia plants, dried leaves, extracts and other preparations are making a brisk business. The popularity of the plan can mainly be credited to the Internet, media and lawmakers. Media stories highlighting the legal status of the plant have grabbed headlines often.

Most countries have legalized the use of Salvia divinorum including the United States, where it is legal in most of the states. However, a few have also called in for its ban. In fact there is a great alarm over the legal status of salvia and in many cases it has been compared to LSD. The plant has distinctive physical features and that include large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. It is not more than a meter in height and also produces few seeds, which usually do not germinate. Salvia