Salvia divinorum, a perennial herb of mint family is native to Mexico. Salvia has more than 500 species which also includes sage plant. The plant grows well up to 3 feet of height and its large green leaves, square but hollow stems and flowers of white and purple color are its distinctive features. Salvia divinorum is one of several vision-inducing plants used by the Mazatec Indians in spiritualism.

Now a days, young adults and adolescents are reviving and taking interest in ethno-botanical plants that can provoke changed stimulations in perception, hallucinations, or other psychologically-induced changes. Since salvia divinorum or its active ingredients are out of Controlled Substances Act list. That is why some on-line botanical companies and traders have advertised salvia as a legal alternative to other hallucinogens plants like “mescaline”.

Salvia divinorum, a mind altering herb, isn’t considered to be addictive, but sufficient clinical trials have yet to be performed — so researchers still don’t know much about the risks or long-terms effects of salvia use.

Salvia divinorum is usually inhaled or chewed. The strong, sometimes unbearable effects of the herb on set quickly with uncontrollable laughter, a sense of not being you and the loss of emotional reactions. And the adverse effects are real, including nausea, dizziness, slurred speech, confusion, paranoia and hallucinations. Although salvia’s effects usually reduce within 30 minutes, but some time it may linger for days.

The duration of effect is far shorter than other psychedelics. The most reported effects of salvia include an increased feeling of looming, an improved mood, a sense of stillness, and a strong relation with nature. As a κ-opioid agonist, it also may work as an analgesic and as a therapeutic tool for treatment of drug addictions.

Salvia is widely available online, and the herb is sold legally in many smoke shops throughout the U.S. and elsewhere, but safety of this herb has still many doubts. If you have children, explain them the risk of drug use. You may involve other family members, a counselor or your child’s physician in the discussion as well.

Other types of salvia include salvia officinalis (commonly known as sage) and Salvia miltiorrhiza (also called danshen) which don’t have the hallucinogenic effects like salvia divinorum. Sage is abundantly used as a cooking spice, as well as a treatment for G.I irritations and various other medical conditions. Danshen also is used to cure various medical problems, including blood circulation malfunctioning and a number of skin conditions.