Salvia divinorum

Related Terms

Diviner's mint, diviner's sage, hardwickiic acid, hierba Maria (Spanish), hojas de la pastora (Spanish), hojas de Maria pastora (Spanish), la hembra (Spanish), la Maria (Spanish), Lamiaceae (family), loliolide, magic mint, Mar?a pastora, Mexican mint, mint plant, neoclerodane diterpene, neoclerodane diterpenoids, presqualene alcohol, sage of the seers, Sally-D, salvia, salvinorinyl-2-heptanoate, shepherdess's herb, ska Maria pastora (Mazatec), ska pastora (Mazatec), the female, yerba de Maria (Spanish), yerba Maria (Spanish).

Background

Salvia (Salvia divinorum) is a hallucinogenic plant that is traditionally used by the Mazatec culture in central Mexico. It is grown in California and other parts of the United States where it is used as a legal hallucinogen and is becoming popular with teenagers and young adults. Laws in Finland, Denmark, and Australia prohibit cultivating, consuming, or dealing with salvia.
Most studies have investigated salvia's active constituent, salvinorin A. Currently, there are no high-quality trials investigating salvia's therapeutic uses. Animal studies of salvia have not shown any toxicity even at high doses, but use of salvia can cause central nervous system (CNS) and psychiatric effects due to its hallucinogenic properties. Some researchers believe that salvinorin A may show promise as a psychotherapeutic compound for diseases manifested by perceptual distortions (e.g. schizophrenia, dementia, and bipolar disorders).

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old):
There is no proven safe or effective dose for salvia in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Salvia may have hallucinogenic effects. Salvia may also have additive effects with other opioid drugs and caution is advised when taking certain pain-relieving agents. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional before taking salvia with opioids.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Beguin C, Richards MR, Li JG, et al. Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of salvinorin A analogues: Effect of configuration at C(2) and substitution at C(18). Bioorg.Med Chem Lett 6-12-2006.
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Bertea CM, Luciano P, Bossi S, et al. PCR and PCR-RFLP of the 5S-rRNA-NTS region and salvinorin A analyses for the rapid and unequivocal determination of Salvia divinorum. Phytochemistry 2006;67(4):371-378.
Bucheler R, Gleiter CH, Schwoerer P, et al. Use of nonprohibited hallucinogenic plants: increasing relevance for public health? A case report and literature review on the consumption of Salvia divinorum (Diviner's Sage). Pharmacopsychiatry 2005;38(1):1-5.
Capasso R, Borrelli F, Capasso F, et al. The hallucinogenic herb Salvia divinorum and its active ingredient salvinorin A inhibit enteric cholinergic transmission in the guinea-pig ileum. Neurogastroenterol.Motil. 2006;18(1):69-75.
Carlezon WA Jr., Beguin C, Dinieri JA, et al. Depressive-like effects of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist salvinorin A on behavior and neurochemistry in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2006;316(1):440-447.
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Gonzalez D, Riba J, Bouso JC, et al. Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Drug Alcohol Depend. 5-20-2006.
Harding WW, Schmidt M, Tidgewell K, et al. Synthetic studies of neoclerodane diterpenes from Salvia divinorum: semisynthesis of salvinicins A and B and other chemical transformations of salvinorin A. J Nat Prod. 2006;69(1):107-112.
Kane BE, Nieto MJ, McCurdy CR, et al. A unique binding epitope for salvinorin A, a non-nitrogenous kappa opioid receptor agonist. FEBS J 2006;273(9):1966-1974.
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