Salvia is the biggest genus of plants found within the mint family. Culinary sage is called Salvia officinalis, but when most people mention the name ‘Salvia’ they aren’t referring to the sage people cook with. Salvia divinorum or Diviner’s Sage is what most people are talking about when they mention the name ‘Salvia’. Here are 5 facts on Salvia you should know.
5. Mazatec Shamans Used It to Receive Visions
Salvia divinorum is a native plant to Oaxaca, Mexico, namely the Sierra Mazateca. The Mazatec shamans used this herb to perform rituals for curing people and to receive visions during various rituals.
4. Salvia Has Healing Properties
Low dosages of Salvia are used as a diuretic and to treat headaches, diarrhea, rheumatism, and anemia. Studies done on Salvia indicate that it could potentially be used to treat people with severe drug addictions.
3. This Herb Was Discovered in 1939
Jean Basset Johnson was an anthropologist from America who did most of his field studies in Mexico. He came across this herb while studying Mazatec shamanism. His encounter with Salvia was documented and he reported the physical effects the herb had on him when he used it. The psychoactive mechanism in Salvia wasn’t identified until around 1990.
2. Blooms Are Rarely Seen on Salvia Plants
When these plants do finally bloom, which doesn’t happen very often, the flowers are white and covered with little hairs. It is also hard to find any viable seeds on the Salvia plant. There hasn’t been any finding of seeds on Salvia plants in the wild as of yet.
1. Most Propagation is Performed by Cuttings
In order to produce more Salvia plants, cuttings are made and rooted in plain tap water. These cuttings are then planted and allowed to grow to full-sized plants. Since seeds are rare, most Salvia plants are merely clones of one another.
I thought these facts were rather interesting. Most people talk about the effects of Salvia, which only last about 8 minutes, but I thought it would be more interesting to learn a bit more about this herb from Mexico. What have you heard about the Salvia plant?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Salvia?
- Salvia is a genus of plants in the mint family. It's not just one plant, but a whole range of them! Some are used in cooking, some are decorative, and some have special properties.
- Are all types of Salvia safe to grow?
- Most types are totally safe and even beautiful additions to your garden. But be aware, some species, like Salvia divinorum, have psychoactive effects and should be handled with care.
- Can Salvia have effects on the brain?
- Yes, particularly Salvia divinorum. It contains a compound called salvinorin A, which can cause powerful, short-lived hallucinations. It can really affect your brain for a bit, so be cautious!
- Is Salvia easy to grow?
- Generally, yes! Salvia plants are hardy and not too picky about soil. Plus, they attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, so they’re great for your garden.
- What are some fun facts about Salvia?
- Salvia is super diverse – there are nearly 1,000 species! Some are culinary herbs like sage, some are medicinal, and others are purely ornamental. So many varieties to choose from!