Salvia divinorum / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Mexican Mint, Magic Mint, Diviner's Sage, Seer's Sage, Ska Maria Pastora, Ska Pastora, Hojas de Maria Pastora (leaves of Mary the Shepherdess), Hojas de la Pastora, Hierba (Yerba) de Maria, Hierba de la Virgen (Herb of the Virgin), Hoja de Adivinacion (Leaf of Divination/Prophecy), la Hembra, Sadi.

Description

Salvia divinorum is one of the rarest shamanic plants known today. It is found in isolated, shaded, and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It grows to well over a meter in height, has large green leaves, and hollow square stems with occasional white and purple flowers. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to "Sage of the seers". It is native to Oaxaca, Mexico. Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries by the local curanderos to facilitate visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions. The plant is also known as Hierba de la Pastora ("Herb of the Shepherdess") or Hierba de la Virgen ("Herb of the Virgin") and could well be the Pipiltzintzintli ("Most notable little Prince") of the ancient Aztec. The main active ingredient of Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A, first isolated in 1982 by Alfredo Ortega. It is the most potent natural product entheogen.(2)

Contents

The main active constituent in Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A. It is a trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid, distinguishing it from most other naturally occurring psychoactive compounds which are alkaloids. Salvinorin A is also unique in its mechanism of action - it is a selective kappa-Opioid receptor agonist. When considered by weight alone, salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive compound known. It is active at doses as low as 200 µg. (1)

Historical

Salvia divinorum is employed as a shamanic inebriant by the Mazatec Indians of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, first described in the ethnographic literature in 1939 by J.B. Johnson, who noted the use of Hierba Maria in Mazatec "witchcraft". The plant is used as a substitute for psylocibian mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.) when the fungi are not available, and as the first step in shamanic initiation. When one wishes to become a healer, one must master "Ska Maria" to "become acquainted with the 'way to Heaven'". Then, the apprentice must learn to use Ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa) seeds, and finally, mushrooms, the most powerful of the Mazatec entheogens.(2)(5)(7)
The history of the plant is not well known, but there are three possibilities as to its origin. Since it is found in one small area and only one indigenous group uses it, it is either native to this area, is a cultigen of the Mazatecs, or is a cultigen of another indigenous group.(4)

Plant Description

Salvia divinorum has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. The plant grows to well over a meter in height. It produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or layering. Although isolated strands of Salvia divinorum exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the Mazatec people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.(3)(4)(7)

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Australia
• Iceland
• Romania
• Belgium
• Italy
• Japan
• Brazil
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Norway

References

(1) Bryan L. Roth, Karen Baner, Richard Westkaemper, Daniel Siebert, Kenner C. Rice, SeAnna Steinberg, Paul Ernsberger, and Richard B. Rothman, "Salvinorin A: A potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist"
(2) Johnathan Ott on Salvia Divinorum, Eleusis, n. 4, April # 31-39, 1996 Psychoactive Card IV
(3) Reisfield, Aaron S. (1993), "The botany of Salvia divinorum (Labiatae)", SIDA, Contributions to Botany 15 (3): 349-366.
(4) Robin Marushia (June 2002), "Salvia divinorum: The Botany, Ethnobotany, Biochemistry and Future of a Mexican Mint."
(5) Sean Whitcomb, "Salvia divinorum, Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess", Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ethnobotanical Leaflets
(6) The Legal Status of Salvia Divinorum
(7) Valdas, Leander J. III; Díaz, José Luis & Paul, Ara G. (May 1983), "Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M", Journal of Ethnopharmacology 7 (3): 287-312.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Salvia divinorum FAQ

Related Products

Cigar-pipes (Cigar-pipes)

Salvia divinorum / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Mexican Mint, Magic Mint, Diviner's Sage, Seer's Sage, Ska Maria Pastora, Ska Pastora, Hojas de Maria Pastora (leaves of Mary the Shepherdess), Hojas de la Pastora, Hierba (Yerba) de Maria, Hierba de la Virgen (Herb of the Virgin), Hoja de Adivinacion (Leaf of Divination/Prophecy), la Hembra, Sadi.

Description

Salvia divinorum is one of the rarest shamanic plants known today. It is found in isolated, shaded, and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It grows to well over a meter in height, has large green leaves, and hollow square stems with occasional white and purple flowers. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to "Sage of the seers". It is native to Oaxaca, Mexico. Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries by the local curanderos to facilitate visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions. The plant is also known as Hierba de la Pastora ("Herb of the Shepherdess") or Hierba de la Virgen ("Herb of the Virgin") and could well be the Pipiltzintzintli ("Most notable little Prince") of the ancient Aztec. The main active ingredient of Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A, first isolated in 1982 by Alfredo Ortega. It is the most potent natural product entheogen.(2)

Contents

The main active constituent in Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A. It is a trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid, distinguishing it from most other naturally occurring psychoactive compounds which are alkaloids. Salvinorin A is also unique in its mechanism of action - it is a selective kappa-Opioid receptor agonist. When considered by weight alone, salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive compound known. It is active at doses as low as 200 µg. (1)

Historical

Salvia divinorum is employed as a shamanic inebriant by the Mazatec Indians of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, first described in the ethnographic literature in 1939 by J.B. Johnson, who noted the use of Hierba Maria in Mazatec "witchcraft". The plant is used as a substitute for psylocibian mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.) when the fungi are not available, and as the first step in shamanic initiation. When one wishes to become a healer, one must master "Ska Maria" to "become acquainted with the 'way to Heaven'". Then, the apprentice must learn to use Ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa) seeds, and finally, mushrooms, the most powerful of the Mazatec entheogens.(2)(5)(7)
The history of the plant is not well known, but there are three possibilities as to its origin. Since it is found in one small area and only one indigenous group uses it, it is either native to this area, is a cultigen of the Mazatecs, or is a cultigen of another indigenous group.(4)

Plant Description

Salvia divinorum has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. The plant grows to well over a meter in height. It produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or layering. Although isolated strands of Salvia divinorum exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the Mazatec people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.(3)(4)(7)

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Australia
• Iceland
• Romania
• Belgium
• Italy
• Japan
• Brazil
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Norway

References

(1) Bryan L. Roth, Karen Baner, Richard Westkaemper, Daniel Siebert, Kenner C. Rice, SeAnna Steinberg, Paul Ernsberger, and Richard B. Rothman, "Salvinorin A: A potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist"
(2) Johnathan Ott on Salvia Divinorum, Eleusis, n. 4, April # 31-39, 1996 Psychoactive Card IV
(3) Reisfield, Aaron S. (1993), "The botany of Salvia divinorum (Labiatae)", SIDA, Contributions to Botany 15 (3): 349-366.
(4) Robin Marushia (June 2002), "Salvia divinorum: The Botany, Ethnobotany, Biochemistry and Future of a Mexican Mint."
(5) Sean Whitcomb, "Salvia divinorum, Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess", Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ethnobotanical Leaflets
(6) The Legal Status of Salvia Divinorum
(7) Valdas, Leander J. III; Díaz, José Luis & Paul, Ara G. (May 1983), "Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M", Journal of Ethnopharmacology 7 (3): 287-312.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Salvia divinorum FAQ

Related Products

Cigar-pipes (Cigar-pipes)

Salvia divinorum / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Mexican Mint, Magic Mint, Diviner's Sage, Seer's Sage, Ska Maria Pastora, Ska Pastora, Hojas de Maria Pastora (leaves of Mary the Shepherdess), Hojas de la Pastora, Hierba (Yerba) de Maria, Hierba de la Virgen (Herb of the Virgin), Hoja de Adivinacion (Leaf of Divination/Prophecy), la Hembra, Sadi.

Description

Salvia divinorum is one of the rarest shamanic plants known today. It is found in isolated, shaded, and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It grows to well over a meter in height, has large green leaves, and hollow square stems with occasional white and purple flowers. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to "Sage of the seers". It is native to Oaxaca, Mexico. Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries by the local curanderos to facilitate visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions. The plant is also known as Hierba de la Pastora ("Herb of the Shepherdess") or Hierba de la Virgen ("Herb of the Virgin") and could well be the Pipiltzintzintli ("Most notable little Prince") of the ancient Aztec. The main active ingredient of Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A, first isolated in 1982 by Alfredo Ortega. It is the most potent natural product entheogen.(2)

Contents

The main active constituent in Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A. It is a trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid, distinguishing it from most other naturally occurring psychoactive compounds which are alkaloids. Salvinorin A is also unique in its mechanism of action - it is a selective kappa-Opioid receptor agonist. When considered by weight alone, salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive compound known. It is active at doses as low as 200 µg. (1)

Historical

Salvia divinorum is employed as a shamanic inebriant by the Mazatec Indians of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, first described in the ethnographic literature in 1939 by J.B. Johnson, who noted the use of Hierba Maria in Mazatec "witchcraft". The plant is used as a substitute for psylocibian mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.) when the fungi are not available, and as the first step in shamanic initiation. When one wishes to become a healer, one must master "Ska Maria" to "become acquainted with the 'way to Heaven'". Then, the apprentice must learn to use Ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa) seeds, and finally, mushrooms, the most powerful of the Mazatec entheogens.(2)(5)(7)
The history of the plant is not well known, but there are three possibilities as to its origin. Since it is found in one small area and only one indigenous group uses it, it is either native to this area, is a cultigen of the Mazatecs, or is a cultigen of another indigenous group.(4)

Plant Description

Salvia divinorum has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. The plant grows to well over a meter in height. It produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or layering. Although isolated strands of Salvia divinorum exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the Mazatec people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.(3)(4)(7)

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Australia
• Iceland
• Romania
• Belgium
• Italy
• Japan
• Brazil
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Norway

References

(1) Bryan L. Roth, Karen Baner, Richard Westkaemper, Daniel Siebert, Kenner C. Rice, SeAnna Steinberg, Paul Ernsberger, and Richard B. Rothman, "Salvinorin A: A potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist"
(2) Johnathan Ott on Salvia Divinorum, Eleusis, n. 4, April # 31-39, 1996 Psychoactive Card IV
(3) Reisfield, Aaron S. (1993), "The botany of Salvia divinorum (Labiatae)", SIDA, Contributions to Botany 15 (3): 349-366.
(4) Robin Marushia (June 2002), "Salvia divinorum: The Botany, Ethnobotany, Biochemistry and Future of a Mexican Mint."
(5) Sean Whitcomb, "Salvia divinorum, Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess", Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ethnobotanical Leaflets
(6) The Legal Status of Salvia Divinorum
(7) Valdas, Leander J. III; Díaz, José Luis & Paul, Ara G. (May 1983), "Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M", Journal of Ethnopharmacology 7 (3): 287-312.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Salvia divinorum FAQ

Related Products

Cigar-pipes (Cigar-pipes)

Salvia divinorum / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Mexican Mint, Magic Mint, Diviner's Sage, Seer's Sage, Ska Maria Pastora, Ska Pastora, Hojas de Maria Pastora (leaves of Mary the Shepherdess), Hojas de la Pastora, Hierba (Yerba) de Maria, Hierba de la Virgen (Herb of the Virgin), Hoja de Adivinacion (Leaf of Divination/Prophecy), la Hembra, Sadi.

Description

Salvia divinorum is one of the rarest shamanic plants known today. It is found in isolated, shaded, and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It grows to well over a meter in height, has large green leaves, and hollow square stems with occasional white and purple flowers. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to "Sage of the seers". It is native to Oaxaca, Mexico. Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries by the local curanderos to facilitate visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions. The plant is also known as Hierba de la Pastora ("Herb of the Shepherdess") or Hierba de la Virgen ("Herb of the Virgin") and could well be the Pipiltzintzintli ("Most notable little Prince") of the ancient Aztec. The main active ingredient of Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A, first isolated in 1982 by Alfredo Ortega. It is the most potent natural product entheogen.(2)

Contents

The main active constituent in Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A. It is a trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid, distinguishing it from most other naturally occurring psychoactive compounds which are alkaloids. Salvinorin A is also unique in its mechanism of action - it is a selective kappa-Opioid receptor agonist. When considered by weight alone, salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive compound known. It is active at doses as low as 200 µg. (1)

Historical

Salvia divinorum is employed as a shamanic inebriant by the Mazatec Indians of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, first described in the ethnographic literature in 1939 by J.B. Johnson, who noted the use of Hierba Maria in Mazatec "witchcraft". The plant is used as a substitute for psylocibian mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.) when the fungi are not available, and as the first step in shamanic initiation. When one wishes to become a healer, one must master "Ska Maria" to "become acquainted with the 'way to Heaven'". Then, the apprentice must learn to use Ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa) seeds, and finally, mushrooms, the most powerful of the Mazatec entheogens.(2)(5)(7)
The history of the plant is not well known, but there are three possibilities as to its origin. Since it is found in one small area and only one indigenous group uses it, it is either native to this area, is a cultigen of the Mazatecs, or is a cultigen of another indigenous group.(4)

Plant Description

Salvia divinorum has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. The plant grows to well over a meter in height. It produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or layering. Although isolated strands of Salvia divinorum exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the Mazatec people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.(3)(4)(7)

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Australia
• Iceland
• Romania
• Belgium
• Italy
• Japan
• Brazil
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Norway

References

(1) Bryan L. Roth, Karen Baner, Richard Westkaemper, Daniel Siebert, Kenner C. Rice, SeAnna Steinberg, Paul Ernsberger, and Richard B. Rothman, "Salvinorin A: A potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist"
(2) Johnathan Ott on Salvia Divinorum, Eleusis, n. 4, April # 31-39, 1996 Psychoactive Card IV
(3) Reisfield, Aaron S. (1993), "The botany of Salvia divinorum (Labiatae)", SIDA, Contributions to Botany 15 (3): 349-366.
(4) Robin Marushia (June 2002), "Salvia divinorum: The Botany, Ethnobotany, Biochemistry and Future of a Mexican Mint."
(5) Sean Whitcomb, "Salvia divinorum, Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess", Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ethnobotanical Leaflets
(6) The Legal Status of Salvia Divinorum
(7) Valdas, Leander J. III; Díaz, José Luis & Paul, Ara G. (May 1983), "Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M", Journal of Ethnopharmacology 7 (3): 287-312.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Salvia divinorum FAQ

Related Products

Cigar-pipes (Cigar-pipes)

Salvia divinorum / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Mexican Mint, Magic Mint, Diviner's Sage, Seer's Sage, Ska Maria Pastora, Ska Pastora, Hojas de Maria Pastora (leaves of Mary the Shepherdess), Hojas de la Pastora, Hierba (Yerba) de Maria, Hierba de la Virgen (Herb of the Virgin), Hoja de Adivinacion (Leaf of Divination/Prophecy), la Hembra, Sadi.

Description

Salvia divinorum is one of the rarest shamanic plants known today. It is found in isolated, shaded, and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It grows to well over a meter in height, has large green leaves, and hollow square stems with occasional white and purple flowers. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to "Sage of the seers". It is native to Oaxaca, Mexico. Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries by the local curanderos to facilitate visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions. The plant is also known as Hierba de la Pastora ("Herb of the Shepherdess") or Hierba de la Virgen ("Herb of the Virgin") and could well be the Pipiltzintzintli ("Most notable little Prince") of the ancient Aztec. The main active ingredient of Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A, first isolated in 1982 by Alfredo Ortega. It is the most potent natural product entheogen.(2)

Contents

The main active constituent in Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A. It is a trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid, distinguishing it from most other naturally occurring psychoactive compounds which are alkaloids. Salvinorin A is also unique in its mechanism of action - it is a selective kappa-Opioid receptor agonist. When considered by weight alone, salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive compound known. It is active at doses as low as 200 µg. (1)

Historical

Salvia divinorum is employed as a shamanic inebriant by the Mazatec Indians of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, first described in the ethnographic literature in 1939 by J.B. Johnson, who noted the use of Hierba Maria in Mazatec "witchcraft". The plant is used as a substitute for psylocibian mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.) when the fungi are not available, and as the first step in shamanic initiation. When one wishes to become a healer, one must master "Ska Maria" to "become acquainted with the 'way to Heaven'". Then, the apprentice must learn to use Ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa) seeds, and finally, mushrooms, the most powerful of the Mazatec entheogens.(2)(5)(7)
The history of the plant is not well known, but there are three possibilities as to its origin. Since it is found in one small area and only one indigenous group uses it, it is either native to this area, is a cultigen of the Mazatecs, or is a cultigen of another indigenous group.(4)

Plant Description

Salvia divinorum has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. The plant grows to well over a meter in height. It produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or layering. Although isolated strands of Salvia divinorum exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the Mazatec people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.(3)(4)(7)

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Australia
• Iceland
• Romania
• Belgium
• Italy
• Japan
• Brazil
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Norway

References

(1) Bryan L. Roth, Karen Baner, Richard Westkaemper, Daniel Siebert, Kenner C. Rice, SeAnna Steinberg, Paul Ernsberger, and Richard B. Rothman, "Salvinorin A: A potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist"
(2) Johnathan Ott on Salvia Divinorum, Eleusis, n. 4, April # 31-39, 1996 Psychoactive Card IV
(3) Reisfield, Aaron S. (1993), "The botany of Salvia divinorum (Labiatae)", SIDA, Contributions to Botany 15 (3): 349-366.
(4) Robin Marushia (June 2002), "Salvia divinorum: The Botany, Ethnobotany, Biochemistry and Future of a Mexican Mint."
(5) Sean Whitcomb, "Salvia divinorum, Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess", Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ethnobotanical Leaflets
(6) The Legal Status of Salvia Divinorum
(7) Valdas, Leander J. III; Díaz, José Luis & Paul, Ara G. (May 1983), "Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M", Journal of Ethnopharmacology 7 (3): 287-312.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Salvia divinorum FAQ

Related Products

Cigar-pipes (Cigar-pipes)

Salvia divinorum / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Mexican Mint, Magic Mint, Diviner's Sage, Seer's Sage, Ska Maria Pastora, Ska Pastora, Hojas de Maria Pastora (leaves of Mary the Shepherdess), Hojas de la Pastora, Hierba (Yerba) de Maria, Hierba de la Virgen (Herb of the Virgin), Hoja de Adivinacion (Leaf of Divination/Prophecy), la Hembra, Sadi.

Description

Salvia divinorum is one of the rarest shamanic plants known today. It is found in isolated, shaded, and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It grows to well over a meter in height, has large green leaves, and hollow square stems with occasional white and purple flowers. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to "Sage of the seers". It is native to Oaxaca, Mexico. Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries by the local curanderos to facilitate visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions. The plant is also known as Hierba de la Pastora ("Herb of the Shepherdess") or Hierba de la Virgen ("Herb of the Virgin") and could well be the Pipiltzintzintli ("Most notable little Prince") of the ancient Aztec. The main active ingredient of Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A, first isolated in 1982 by Alfredo Ortega. It is the most potent natural product entheogen.(2)

Contents

The main active constituent in Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A. It is a trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid, distinguishing it from most other naturally occurring psychoactive compounds which are alkaloids. Salvinorin A is also unique in its mechanism of action - it is a selective kappa-Opioid receptor agonist. When considered by weight alone, salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive compound known. It is active at doses as low as 200 µg. (1)

Historical

Salvia divinorum is employed as a shamanic inebriant by the Mazatec Indians of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, first described in the ethnographic literature in 1939 by J.B. Johnson, who noted the use of Hierba Maria in Mazatec "witchcraft". The plant is used as a substitute for psylocibian mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.) when the fungi are not available, and as the first step in shamanic initiation. When one wishes to become a healer, one must master "Ska Maria" to "become acquainted with the 'way to Heaven'". Then, the apprentice must learn to use Ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa) seeds, and finally, mushrooms, the most powerful of the Mazatec entheogens.(2)(5)(7)
The history of the plant is not well known, but there are three possibilities as to its origin. Since it is found in one small area and only one indigenous group uses it, it is either native to this area, is a cultigen of the Mazatecs, or is a cultigen of another indigenous group.(4)

Plant Description

Salvia divinorum has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. The plant grows to well over a meter in height. It produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or layering. Although isolated strands of Salvia divinorum exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the Mazatec people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.(3)(4)(7)

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Australia
• Iceland
• Romania
• Belgium
• Italy
• Japan
• Brazil
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Norway

References

(1) Bryan L. Roth, Karen Baner, Richard Westkaemper, Daniel Siebert, Kenner C. Rice, SeAnna Steinberg, Paul Ernsberger, and Richard B. Rothman, "Salvinorin A: A potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist"
(2) Johnathan Ott on Salvia Divinorum, Eleusis, n. 4, April # 31-39, 1996 Psychoactive Card IV
(3) Reisfield, Aaron S. (1993), "The botany of Salvia divinorum (Labiatae)", SIDA, Contributions to Botany 15 (3): 349-366.
(4) Robin Marushia (June 2002), "Salvia divinorum: The Botany, Ethnobotany, Biochemistry and Future of a Mexican Mint."
(5) Sean Whitcomb, "Salvia divinorum, Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess", Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ethnobotanical Leaflets
(6) The Legal Status of Salvia Divinorum
(7) Valdas, Leander J. III; Díaz, José Luis & Paul, Ara G. (May 1983), "Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M", Journal of Ethnopharmacology 7 (3): 287-312.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Salvia divinorum FAQ

Related Products

Cigar-pipes (Cigar-pipes)

Salvia divinorum / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Mexican Mint, Magic Mint, Diviner's Sage, Seer's Sage, Ska Maria Pastora, Ska Pastora, Hojas de Maria Pastora (leaves of Mary the Shepherdess), Hojas de la Pastora, Hierba (Yerba) de Maria, Hierba de la Virgen (Herb of the Virgin), Hoja de Adivinacion (Leaf of Divination/Prophecy), la Hembra, Sadi.

Description

Salvia divinorum is one of the rarest shamanic plants known today. It is found in isolated, shaded, and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It grows to well over a meter in height, has large green leaves, and hollow square stems with occasional white and purple flowers. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to "Sage of the seers". It is native to Oaxaca, Mexico. Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries by the local curanderos to facilitate visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions. The plant is also known as Hierba de la Pastora ("Herb of the Shepherdess") or Hierba de la Virgen ("Herb of the Virgin") and could well be the Pipiltzintzintli ("Most notable little Prince") of the ancient Aztec. The main active ingredient of Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A, first isolated in 1982 by Alfredo Ortega. It is the most potent natural product entheogen.(2)

Contents

The main active constituent in Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A. It is a trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid, distinguishing it from most other naturally occurring psychoactive compounds which are alkaloids. Salvinorin A is also unique in its mechanism of action - it is a selective kappa-Opioid receptor agonist. When considered by weight alone, salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive compound known. It is active at doses as low as 200 µg. (1)

Historical

Salvia divinorum is employed as a shamanic inebriant by the Mazatec Indians of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, first described in the ethnographic literature in 1939 by J.B. Johnson, who noted the use of Hierba Maria in Mazatec "witchcraft". The plant is used as a substitute for psylocibian mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.) when the fungi are not available, and as the first step in shamanic initiation. When one wishes to become a healer, one must master "Ska Maria" to "become acquainted with the 'way to Heaven'". Then, the apprentice must learn to use Ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa) seeds, and finally, mushrooms, the most powerful of the Mazatec entheogens.(2)(5)(7)
The history of the plant is not well known, but there are three possibilities as to its origin. Since it is found in one small area and only one indigenous group uses it, it is either native to this area, is a cultigen of the Mazatecs, or is a cultigen of another indigenous group.(4)

Plant Description

Salvia divinorum has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. The plant grows to well over a meter in height. It produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or layering. Although isolated strands of Salvia divinorum exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the Mazatec people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.(3)(4)(7)

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Australia
• Iceland
• Romania
• Belgium
• Italy
• Japan
• Brazil
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Norway

References

(1) Bryan L. Roth, Karen Baner, Richard Westkaemper, Daniel Siebert, Kenner C. Rice, SeAnna Steinberg, Paul Ernsberger, and Richard B. Rothman, "Salvinorin A: A potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist"
(2) Johnathan Ott on Salvia Divinorum, Eleusis, n. 4, April # 31-39, 1996 Psychoactive Card IV
(3) Reisfield, Aaron S. (1993), "The botany of Salvia divinorum (Labiatae)", SIDA, Contributions to Botany 15 (3): 349-366.
(4) Robin Marushia (June 2002), "Salvia divinorum: The Botany, Ethnobotany, Biochemistry and Future of a Mexican Mint."
(5) Sean Whitcomb, "Salvia divinorum, Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess", Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ethnobotanical Leaflets
(6) The Legal Status of Salvia Divinorum
(7) Valdas, Leander J. III; Díaz, José Luis & Paul, Ara G. (May 1983), "Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M", Journal of Ethnopharmacology 7 (3): 287-312.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Salvia divinorum FAQ

Related Products

Cigar-pipes (Cigar-pipes)

Salvia divinorum / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Mexican Mint, Magic Mint, Diviner's Sage, Seer's Sage, Ska Maria Pastora, Ska Pastora, Hojas de Maria Pastora (leaves of Mary the Shepherdess), Hojas de la Pastora, Hierba (Yerba) de Maria, Hierba de la Virgen (Herb of the Virgin), Hoja de Adivinacion (Leaf of Divination/Prophecy), la Hembra, Sadi.

Description

Salvia divinorum is one of the rarest shamanic plants known today. It is found in isolated, shaded, and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It grows to well over a meter in height, has large green leaves, and hollow square stems with occasional white and purple flowers. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to "Sage of the seers". It is native to Oaxaca, Mexico. Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries by the local curanderos to facilitate visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions. The plant is also known as Hierba de la Pastora ("Herb of the Shepherdess") or Hierba de la Virgen ("Herb of the Virgin") and could well be the Pipiltzintzintli ("Most notable little Prince") of the ancient Aztec. The main active ingredient of Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A, first isolated in 1982 by Alfredo Ortega. It is the most potent natural product entheogen.(2)

Contents

The main active constituent in Salvia divinorum is Salvinorin A. It is a trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid, distinguishing it from most other naturally occurring psychoactive compounds which are alkaloids. Salvinorin A is also unique in its mechanism of action - it is a selective kappa-Opioid receptor agonist. When considered by weight alone, salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive compound known. It is active at doses as low as 200 µg. (1)

Historical

Salvia divinorum is employed as a shamanic inebriant by the Mazatec Indians of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, first described in the ethnographic literature in 1939 by J.B. Johnson, who noted the use of Hierba Maria in Mazatec "witchcraft". The plant is used as a substitute for psylocibian mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.) when the fungi are not available, and as the first step in shamanic initiation. When one wishes to become a healer, one must master "Ska Maria" to "become acquainted with the 'way to Heaven'". Then, the apprentice must learn to use Ololiuqui (Rivea corymbosa) seeds, and finally, mushrooms, the most powerful of the Mazatec entheogens.(2)(5)(7)
The history of the plant is not well known, but there are three possibilities as to its origin. Since it is found in one small area and only one indigenous group uses it, it is either native to this area, is a cultigen of the Mazatecs, or is a cultigen of another indigenous group.(4)

Plant Description

Salvia divinorum has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. The plant grows to well over a meter in height. It produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or layering. Although isolated strands of Salvia divinorum exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the Mazatec people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.(3)(4)(7)

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Australia
• Iceland
• Romania
• Belgium
• Italy
• Japan
• Brazil
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Lithuania
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Norway

References

(1) Bryan L. Roth, Karen Baner, Richard Westkaemper, Daniel Siebert, Kenner C. Rice, SeAnna Steinberg, Paul Ernsberger, and Richard B. Rothman, "Salvinorin A: A potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist"
(2) Johnathan Ott on Salvia Divinorum, Eleusis, n. 4, April # 31-39, 1996 Psychoactive Card IV
(3) Reisfield, Aaron S. (1993), "The botany of Salvia divinorum (Labiatae)", SIDA, Contributions to Botany 15 (3): 349-366.
(4) Robin Marushia (June 2002), "Salvia divinorum: The Botany, Ethnobotany, Biochemistry and Future of a Mexican Mint."
(5) Sean Whitcomb, "Salvia divinorum, Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess", Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ethnobotanical Leaflets
(6) The Legal Status of Salvia Divinorum
(7) Valdas, Leander J. III; Díaz, José Luis & Paul, Ara G. (May 1983), "Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M", Journal of Ethnopharmacology 7 (3): 287-312.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Salvia divinorum FAQ

Related Products

Cigar-pipes (Cigar-pipes)

Smilax officinalis / Sarsaparilla / Smilacaceae (Greenbrier family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Description

The species can be found in tropical rainforests and temperate regions in the Americas, Asia, India, and Australia. Sarsaparilla became known in Europe through the Spanish in Mexico and south-America. Smilax has been recognized as a general medicine in traditional cultures in Mexico and south-America, as well as in China and India. Throughout history it has been uses for a variety of purposes. The root is said to improve physical performance(5).

Scent

The fragrance of the root is considered pleasant with a spicy sweet taste.
A different species also known as Sarsaparilla was formerly used extensively as a flavoring agent. Most notably, it was traditionally the ingredient that gave root beer its distinctive taste.

Contents

Sarsaparilla's main plant chemicals include: acetyl-parigenin, astilbin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoyl-shikimic acids, dihydroquercetin, diosgenin, engeletin, essential oils, epsilon-sitosterol, eucryphin, eurryphin, ferulic acid, glucopyranosides, isoastilbin, isoengetitin, kaempferol, parigenin, parillin, pollinastanol, resveratrol, rhamnose, saponin, sarasaponin, sarsaparilloside, sarsaponin, sarsasapogenin, shikimic acid, sitosterol-d-glucoside, smilagenin, smilasaponin, smilax saponins A-C, smiglaside A-E, smitilbin, stigmasterol, taxifolin, and titogenin. (1)

Historical

Sarsaparilla root has been used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of Central and South America. Many shamans and medicine men in the Amazon use sarsaparilla root internally and externally. New World traders found it and introduced it into European medicine in the 1400s. (1)
Sarsaparilla was also used by indigenous people of Mexico, such as the Aztecs. Its nature was considered to be "dry and hot", a reference to the ancient system of characterizing medicinal plants. Mexican Sarsaparilla was introduced to Seville about 1536. Few plants have had the rise and fall in popularity that sarsaparilla has had. When it was introduced it was considered remarkably effective for diverse chronic diseases, and many doctors of the time wrote about its benefits. During its height of popularity, 1831, for example, 176,854 pounds of the herb were imported into England alone. (2)
For use in medicine, sarsaparilla root is dried and chopped, shredded, or powdered. In Chinese medicine, sarsaparilla is combined with a number of other ingredients into an oral compound, while Indian traditional healers apply the juice of sarsaparilla leaves topically. (3)

Plant Description

A Tribe of climbing and shrubby plants, with oval leaves conspicuously veined. Sarsaparilla got its name from two Spanish words: "Zarza" and "Parilla," referring to the thorny vines of the plant. The plant now under consideration is a native of Central America, especially of Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, and New Grenada. Several varieties of the root come upon the market, of which the present species seems most valuable. According to Humboldt and Bonpland, this plant has an angular, twining, and somewhat prickly stem, the young shoots being smooth. Leaves ovate-oblong, acute, smooth, tough, five to seven-nerved, a foot long, on short petioles, with stipules in the form of tendrils. The roots are slender, very long, several from the same collum, reddish-brown, and tough. (4)

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Finland

References

(1) Sarsaparilla, Raintree Plant Database
(2) Sarsaparilla, Innvista
(3) Sarsaparilla, Drug Digest
(4) Smilax Officinalis, King's American Dispensatory
(5) Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, edited by Jeff M. Jellin

Heimia salicifolia / Sinicuichi / Lythraceae (Loosestrife family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Sun Opener, Sinicuichi, Heimia, Plant of the Yellow Vision, Herb of Life, Huauchinal, Anchinol, Xonecuili, Shrubby Yellowcrest.

Description

Native in Highlands from Mexico to Northern Argentina, Sinicuichi is an ancient divination plant. Although many different uses in folk medicine are reported from widely separated parts of its range, only in Mexico as of yet, has the small shrub been valued as a shamanistic herb. Some of the local vernacular names are suggestive of the biodynamic properties of Heimia salicifolia, such as "Abre-o-Sol" (Sun Opener) and "Herva de la Vida" (Herb of Life) in Brazil. Traditionally used to induce trance states, especially for memory and communication with ancestors.

Aromatic Properties

"Sun Opener", "Plant of the Yellow Vision", "Herb of Life". The natives believe that Sinicuichi has sacred or supernatural qualities. Increases communication and listening skills, quietens in order to hear others and understand, lifts emotional burdens from the heart. Joy, creativity. Clearer decision-making, choice of direction. Deep satisfaction and experience of harmony.

Contents

Vertine (cryogenine) is generally regarded as the primary psychoactive component and is also generally the most abundant constituent of alkaloidal extracts.(4) Other alkaloids which have been isolated from Heimia salicifolia are lythrine, dehydrodecodine, lythridine, heimidine, lyfoline, epi-lyfoline, 9beta-hydroxyvertine and (2S,4S,10R)-4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-quinolizidin-2-acetate.(5)

Historical

"This plant was called Sinicuiche or Sinicuichi by the Aztec and is still used by Mexican shamans as a trance-divination catalyst"(1). This plant typifies an hallucinogen of which the hallucinogenic characteristics are auditory, not visual. The natives believe that Sinicuichi has sacred or supernatural qualities, since they hold that it helps them recall events which took place many years earlier as if they had happened yesterday; others assert that they are able, with Sinicuichi, to remember pre-natal events.(2)
"The aerial parts have a wide folk reputation for antisyphilitic, sudorific, antipyretic, laxative and diuretic activity, and are reported to be useful in preparing post partum baths and to enhance wound healing."(3)
Other Mexican names for this plant are Huauchinal, Anchinol and Xonecuili. In English it is called "Sun Opener" or "Shrubby Yellowcrest".

Plant Description

Heimia salicifolia is a shrub with numerous small dark green leaves, and often dozens of tiny bright yellow flowers. It can grow to 3 m tall. The yellow flowers are 5 petaled and 2-3 cm in diameter. The leaves are approximately 1 cm wide and 3-5 cm long. The plant is native to most of the tropical regions throughout the Western Hemisphere, specifically Texas, Mexico, El Salvador, and all areas between Colombia and Argentina - most commonly found in ditches and other wet soils. This plant is cold and drought tolerant, but will not survive a solid freeze.

Legal Remarks

References

(1) Psychedelic Shamanism, Jim DeKorne
(2) The plant kingdom and hallucinogens (part III), Richard Evans Schultes
(3) Heimia salicifolia: a phytochemical and phytopharmacologic review. Malone MH, Rother A, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific
(4) Heimia salicifolia FAQ, Rev. MeO, Auxin, and Erowid
(5) Alkaloids from Heimia salicifolia, Rumalla CS, Jadhav AN, Smillie T, Fronczek FR, Khan IA, National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi

Heimia salicifolia / Sinicuichi / Lythraceae (Loosestrife family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Sun Opener, Sinicuichi, Heimia, Plant of the Yellow Vision, Herb of Life, Huauchinal, Anchinol, Xonecuili, Shrubby Yellowcrest.

Description

Native in Highlands from Mexico to Northern Argentina, Sinicuichi is an ancient divination plant. Although many different uses in folk medicine are reported from widely separated parts of its range, only in Mexico as of yet, has the small shrub been valued as a shamanistic herb. Some of the local vernacular names are suggestive of the biodynamic properties of Heimia salicifolia, such as "Abre-o-Sol" (Sun Opener) and "Herva de la Vida" (Herb of Life) in Brazil. Traditionally used to induce trance states, especially for memory and communication with ancestors.

Aromatic Properties

"Sun Opener", "Plant of the Yellow Vision", "Herb of Life". The natives believe that Sinicuichi has sacred or supernatural qualities. Increases communication and listening skills, quietens in order to hear others and understand, lifts emotional burdens from the heart. Joy, creativity. Clearer decision-making, choice of direction. Deep satisfaction and experience of harmony.

Contents

Vertine (cryogenine) is generally regarded as the primary psychoactive component and is also generally the most abundant constituent of alkaloidal extracts.(4) Other alkaloids which have been isolated from Heimia salicifolia are lythrine, dehydrodecodine, lythridine, heimidine, lyfoline, epi-lyfoline, 9beta-hydroxyvertine and (2S,4S,10R)-4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-quinolizidin-2-acetate.(5)

Historical

"This plant was called Sinicuiche or Sinicuichi by the Aztec and is still used by Mexican shamans as a trance-divination catalyst"(1). This plant typifies an hallucinogen of which the hallucinogenic characteristics are auditory, not visual. The natives believe that Sinicuichi has sacred or supernatural qualities, since they hold that it helps them recall events which took place many years earlier as if they had happened yesterday; others assert that they are able, with Sinicuichi, to remember pre-natal events.(2)
"The aerial parts have a wide folk reputation for antisyphilitic, sudorific, antipyretic, laxative and diuretic activity, and are reported to be useful in preparing post partum baths and to enhance wound healing."(3)
Other Mexican names for this plant are Huauchinal, Anchinol and Xonecuili. In English it is called "Sun Opener" or "Shrubby Yellowcrest".

Plant Description

Heimia salicifolia is a shrub with numerous small dark green leaves, and often dozens of tiny bright yellow flowers. It can grow to 3 m tall. The yellow flowers are 5 petaled and 2-3 cm in diameter. The leaves are approximately 1 cm wide and 3-5 cm long. The plant is native to most of the tropical regions throughout the Western Hemisphere, specifically Texas, Mexico, El Salvador, and all areas between Colombia and Argentina - most commonly found in ditches and other wet soils. This plant is cold and drought tolerant, but will not survive a solid freeze.

Legal Remarks

References

(1) Psychedelic Shamanism, Jim DeKorne
(2) The plant kingdom and hallucinogens (part III), Richard Evans Schultes
(3) Heimia salicifolia: a phytochemical and phytopharmacologic review. Malone MH, Rother A, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific
(4) Heimia salicifolia FAQ, Rev. MeO, Auxin, and Erowid
(5) Alkaloids from Heimia salicifolia, Rumalla CS, Jadhav AN, Smillie T, Fronczek FR, Khan IA, National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi

Dioscorea villosa / Wild Yam / Dioscoreaceae (Yam family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

China root, Colic Root, Devil's Bones, Dioscorea, Huang Yao Tzu, Mexican Wild Yam, Rheumatism Root, Shu Yu, Wild Yam, Wild Yamwurzel, Yabani Hindelmasi, Yam, Yuma.

Description

Wild yam is a climbing vine found in tropical and warmer climates. Historically, people used the root of the plant for food and medicine. Dioscorea contains up to thirteen percent diosgenin. Until 1970, this was the sole source for the producing of anti-conceptive pills. The plant is also used as a herbal medicine in China. Diosgenin has been processed to control fertility. (3)

Contents

Diosgenin, a steroid sapogenin, is the product of hydrolysis by acids, strong bases, or enzymes of saponins, extracted from the tubers of Dioscorea wild yam. The sugar-free, aglycone, diosgenin is used for the commercial synthesis of cortisone, pregnenolone, progesterone, and other steroid products. (4)

Historical

"Early Americans used wild yam to treat colic; hence, the term colic root. Traditionally, it has been used to treat inflammation, muscle spasms and a range of disorders including asthma. Related species of Dioscorea are used in the Amazon and in central America to treat conditions including fever, urinary tract infections, colds, rheumatism (joint and muscle related conditions), arthritis, hemorrhoids, boils, and dysentery."(1)
"In the 18th and 19th centuries, wild yam ( Dioscorea villosa ) was used by herbalists to treat menstrual cramps and problems related to childbirth. The subsequent discovery of a substance contained in wild yams revolutionized the pharmaceutical industry. The tubers, or fleshy, root-like parts, of wild yams (not to be confused with the sweet potato yam) contain diosgenin, a steroid-like substance that is involved in the production of the hormone progesterone. Diosgenin has served a key role in the making of hormones and the development of the birth control pill, two of the major advances in plant drug medicine this century. Wild yam continues to be used for treating menstrual cramps, nausea and morning sickness associated with pregnancy, inflammation, osteoporosis, menopausal symptoms, and other health conditions."(1)
"While the diosgenin found in wild yam created quite a stir in the 1990s as a cure for menopausal disorders and other symptoms of aging in women, the plant itself has no proven hormonal action, nor have any studies shown it to be effective in treating hormone related disorders."(1)

Plant Description

This is an herbaceous, slender vine, found throughout the United States, but more common in the central and southern portions. The stem is a smooth green twiner, about the size of a goose-quill, twining from the right to the left, over fences, bushes, etc. The leaves are symmetrical and heart-shaped, gradually tapering to a sharp, acuminate point, and are borne on leaf stalks from 2 to 4 inches long. The flowers appear in June or July, are dioecious, very small, and greenish-yellow. (2)

References

(1) Wild yam, University of Maryland Medical Center
(2) Dioscorea.—Wild Yam., King's American Dispensatory
(3) Wild yam, Raintree Tropical Plant Database
(4) Diosgenin, Wikipedia