Diviner's Sage

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• divining sage
• herb-of-the-virgin
• Diviner's Sage
• Salvia
• Seer's Sage
• Ska María Pastora

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Salvia divinorum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, falling into the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Salvia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Salvia divinoorum, possesses a very specific and limited natural range. Its primary geographical distribution is centered within the nation of Mexico. More specifically, the species is found inhabiting the various landscapes of Southwest Mexico. Because of this localized presence, it is considered an endemic species to that particular region. Consequently, researchers looking for this medicinal plant must focus their efforts on the southwestern territories of the country.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Salvia divinorum is characterized by a decumbent to ascending growth habit, where the stems are distinctly non-woody, maintaining a herbaceous and succulent texture throughout their development. The plant typically features long, square-shaped stems that are quadrangular in cross-section, a common trait among the Lamiaceae family, and they often exhibit a light green to purplish coloration. The leaves are large, opposite, and ovate to oblong in shape, possessing a rugose or wrinkled surface texture with serrated margins and prominent venation. These leaves are arranged in decussate pairs along the flexible, non-woody stems. The inflorescence is composed of verticillasters, which are whorl-like clusters of flowers situated in the axils of the upper leaves, typically presenting small, tubular, two-lipped flowers that vary in color from white to pale blue or purple. The overall architecture of the plant is lush and spreading, relying on its herbaceous, non-woody structure to expand across its habitat.

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Salvia divinorum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Synapse (New York, N.Y.)
2. Forensic science international
3. Journal of psychoactive drugs
4. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
5. Organic letters

Chemicals

Salvia divinorum has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Salvinorin A, Divinorin A, (-)-Hardwickiic acid, (-)-Kolavenol, (-)-kolavenyl diphosphate.

Salvinorin A

1. Synapse (New York, N.Y.)
2. Forensic science international
3. BMC plant biology
4. Journal of natural medicines
5. Planta medica

Divinorin A

1. Forensic science international
2. Journal of psychoactive drugs

(-)-Hardwickiic acid

1. Journal of natural products

(-)-Kolavenol

1. Journal of experimental botany

(-)-kolavenyl diphosphate

1. Journal of experimental botany

Hallucinogen

1. Life sciences

Salvidivin C

1. Journal of natural products

Salvidivin D

1. Journal of natural products

Salvinorin

1. Dr. Duke

Salvinorin B

1. European journal of pain (London, England)

Activities

Salvia divinorum has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hallucinogen, Hallucinogenic, Psychoactive, Analgesic, Antinociceptive.

Hallucinogen

1. Synapse (New York, N.Y.)
2. BMC plant biology
3. Journal of psychoactive drugs
4. Life sciences
5. Frontiers in pharmacology

Hallucinogenic

1. Journal of natural products
2. Forensic science international
3. Human psychopharmacology
4. Journal of medicinal chemistry
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Psychoactive

1. Neurologia (Barcelona, Spain)
2. European journal of medicinal chemistry
3. The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Journal of natural products

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antinociceptive

1. European journal of pain (London, England)

Psychotropic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Salvia divinorum has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include neuropathic pain, chronic pain, epilepsy, epileptic seizures, nociceptive pain.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations