Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M.)

Abstract

Salvia divinorum is a perennial labiate used for curing and divination by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. The psychotropic effects the plant produces are compared to those of the other hallucinogens employed by the Mazatecs, the morning glory, Rivea corymbosa L., Hallier f. and the psilocybin-containing mushrooms. A discussion of the role of ska María Pastora in the native "pharmacopeia" is based on previous reports and fieldwork by the authors, with a Mazatec shaman.