Salvia divinorum has long been a part of the traditions of indigenous cultures. It continues to be utilized as an entheogen by the indigenous Mazatec shamans for healing during spiritual rituals. The plant was once discovered in isolated, shaded and moist lands in Oaxaca, Mexico. It was thought to be a cultigen back then.
Indigenous Shamanic healers of Sierra Madre Oriental in Oaxaca, Mexico make use of this plant as their sacred medication. The “Curanderos” as the Spanish would fondly call them movingly believe that there is inevitability to travel around the supernatural world in order to discover the underlying cause of a patient suffering from unexplainable illnesses.
This plant is carried in a ceremonial manner to induce ‘divine inebriation’ and allow a patient to experience a visual dream-like state. In this circumstance, remedies are determined in order to make the patient’s condition better.
Leaves of Salvia Divinorum are taken orally and are consumed fresh and uncooked. They are
consumed in two ways: either by chewing or by drinking water infused with the juice of crushed Salvia leaves. It is sometimes taken by the curandero or served to the patient.
Juices are extracted from about 20 (about 50g) to 80 (about 200g) or more pairs of fresh leaves. Afterwards, they are mixed with water to come up with an infusion referred to as “poyomatli” or “pipilzintzintli.” This infusion is taken to induce visions during rituals and healing ceremonies. Such rituals have likewise served as their extraordinary ways to determine the whereabouts of missing objects. Mysteries are believed to be unfolded using this method. Certain reports have described the manner in which this plant is used by Mazatec shamans. Although it has been barely discussed in the anthropological literature, it is also allegedly used by their immediate adjacent neighbors - the Cuicatecs and Chinatecs.