Salvia divinorum is a herbal plant native to the southwestern region of Mexico. A relatively unknown species, it’s been gaining interest by the scientific community for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Aside from medicinal and religious practices by Mazatecan culture, Salvia divinorum has been largely used as a recreational drug outside of its native Mexico. It is relatively fast acting and causes ‘disconnection from external reality, induced elaborate visions and auditory phenomena, and modified interoception’ when ingested.
It also can be used for illnesses that cause chronic inflammation such as abdominal swelling, diarrhea, and intestinal spasms. Other areas of research are also showing its potential as an analgesic agent. The main question that every researcher is trying to answer now is, can we isolate and extract the healing properties of this plant without the hallucinogenic effects?
More research on this fascinating species can be found here.