Salvia divinorum
Scientific names: Salvia divinorum
Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae
Alternate names: Divine Mexican Mint, Diviner's Mint, Diviners Sage, Divinorin, Divinorin A, Feuilles de la Bergère, Feuilles de la Vierge, Herb-of-the-Virgin, Herb of Mary, Herba de María, Hierba de la Virgen, Hierba Maria, Hojas de la Pastora, Hojas de Maria, La Hembra, Leaf of Mary, Leaves of the Virgin Shepherdess, Magic Mint, Menthe Magique, Mexican Mint, Mexican Sage, Mexican Sage Incense, Pipiltzintzintli, Sadi, Sally-D, Salvia, Salvinorin, Salvinorin A, Sage of the Seers, Sauge des Devins, Sauge Divinatoire, Shepherdess, Ska Maria, Ska Maria Pastora, Ska Pastora, Yerba de Maria, Yerba Maria
Actions: Mechanism of action
Background
Salvia divinorum is an herb in the mint family. It has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies by the Mazatec Indians, a native people who live in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Mazatecs believe it is an incarnation of the Virgin Mary. Salvia divinorum possession and use is legal in most states in the US, but it has been labelled as a "drug of concern" by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Salvia divinorum is most commonly used as a recreational drug. It produces hallucinations when inhaled, when the leaves are chewed, or when extracts are placed under the tongue.
Salvia divinorum is most commonly used as a recreational drug. It produces hallucinations when inhaled, when the leaves are chewed, or when extracts are placed under the tongue.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Salvia divinorum is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can cause serious side effects including dizziness, slurred speech, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions.
When inhaled: Salvia divinorum is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can cause serious side effects including dizziness, slurred speech, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions.
Schizophrenia: Salvia divinorum has caused hallucinations and delusions in some people. It is not known if this risk is increased in people with schizophrenia or in people with a family history of schizophrenia. Until more is known, do not use Salvia divinorum if you have schizophrenia or are at risk of schizophrenia.
When inhaled: Salvia divinorum is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can cause serious side effects including dizziness, slurred speech, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Salvia divinorum is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Schizophrenia: Salvia divinorum has caused hallucinations and delusions in some people. It is not known if this risk is increased in people with schizophrenia or in people with a family history of schizophrenia. Until more is known, do not use Salvia divinorum if you have schizophrenia or are at risk of schizophrenia.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Producing hallucinations.
- Diarrhea.
- Depression.
- Headache.
- Rheumatism.
- Bloating.
- Regulating urination and bowel movements.
- Use as a tonic.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of Salvia divinorum depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Salvia divinorum. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Salvia divinorum interacts with any medicines. Before taking Salvia divinorum, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Salvia divinorum contains chemicals that can cause hallucinations when inhaled or taken by mouth. There isn't much information about how Salvia divinorum might work as a medicine.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 17/10/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 29/12/2021 06:06:12. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
