Salvia divinorum (Labiatae) is a rare and sacred plant, rich in history and lore, used by the Mazatec Indians of the Sierra Mazateca in Oaxaca, Mexico. S. divinorum was introduced to the scientific community in the 1950's, and has since become the subject of ethnobotanical, botanical, and biochemical research. Plant biologists are interested in S. divinorum due to its anthropogenic distribution and limited sexual reproduction, while biochemists have found that S. divinorum contains one of the most potent natural hallucinogens known: Salvinorin A.

Ethnobotanically, the Mazatec shamans used the plant for healing, divination, and shamanic training, and the spiritual qualities of S. divinorum may now contribute to its growing popularity among the general public, as experimental users seeking to “expand consciousness” by ordering S. divinorum over the internet. The many applications and mysteries of Salvia divinorum have led to numerous research opportunities, and the plant may become more important both pharmacologically and socially worldwide.

Follow the series of links on the left to explore the botany and biochemistry of this rare and exotic plant, with information gathered from a great number of sources, many can be found in the Bibliography section of this article, while others can be found on www.sagewisdom.org; the website that is the authority on anything related to Salvia divinorum. A special thanks to Robin Marushia for an extremely well-done paper containing important information regarding the botany of this Magical Mint. 

Although there is great interest in Salvia divinorum, there is still little information available on the internet regarding its origins, as well as the botany of and historical uses of this sacred plant.  We are always open to anyone who wishes to contribute and license articles for use in this section of our website, and are especially interested in photos of Salvia divinorum in its native habitat.

If anyone has conducted biological research or biological studies regarding Salvia divinorum, we would like to hear from you, and we would like to pay you to license your article in this website or other websites that contain important data about this plant that is so dear to us.  With interest growing for this plant, we want to know absolutely everything we can about the botany of Salvia divinorum.