Introduction:

Herb, salvia divinorum belongs to mint family, found abundantly in Mexico. The plant can grow up to three feet in height and has large green leaves, square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. This plant can also be cultivated successfully outside of this region. Salvia divinorum has already been used by the Mazatec Indians for its divination and healing properties. The most potent ingredient of salvia divinorum is known as salvinorin A. Neither salvia nor its active ingredient has been approved for medical use in the U.S.

Pharmacology of salvia

Salvinorin A, or divinorin A, is the ingredient, considered to be liable for the hallucinogenic effects of salvia. Chemically, it is a neoclerodane diterpene found concentrated in the leaves than stems. Although many chemicals have been isolated from the plant but none of them have shown any psychoactive property.

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Salvia divinorum, also known as Diviner’s Sage, Sage of the Seers, or simply by the genus name, Salvia is a psychoactive herb which can induce strong dissociative effects. It is a member of the sage genus and the mint family. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to “sage of the seers.” This cultivated Mexican mint species has a long history of use by the Mazatecs.

Its primary psychoactive constituent is a diterpenoid known as salvinorin A, which is a potent ?-opioid receptor agonist. Salvinorin A is unique in that it is the only naturally occurring substance known to induce a visionary state this way. This herb can be chewed, smoked, or taken as a tincture to produce experiences ranging from uncontrollable laughter to much more intense and profoundly altered states.

Mechanism

The duration of effects is much shorter than that of other, more well-known psychedelics is the effects of smoked salvia usually 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, much less often, it may also cause dysphoria. Salvia is not generally understood to be toxic or addictive. As a ?-opioid agonist, it may have potential as an analgesic and as a therapeutic tool for treating drug addictions

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