The first thing to remember when using Salvia divinorum is that you can enjoy its effects best during solitary moments. Complete silence or soothing melodies are ideal for inducing visions or meditation and heightening Salvia’s effects, depending on your preferences. There are different methods of Salvia divinorum ingestion, each of which are discussed below.
Mazatec Methods
Natively from Mexico, Mazatecs are indigenous peoples. Shamans from their race use Salvia divinorum using their two methods. The first one is creating an infusion of leaves and water. Fresh leaves are grounded usually in big numbers (approximately around twenty to eighty) since Salvia has poor stomach absorption properties. The juice from the leaves is mixed with water to create a concoction for ingestion.
The second method is the direct chewing of the leaves. Leaves are consumed a little at a time and chewed for half an hour so the juices could permeate the linings of the mouth. The latter method produces a stronger effect than the first one. Both, however, could be unpleasant to taste and chewing could cause a gagging effect.
Smoking
A modern way to ingest Salvia is through smoking. The leaves are smoked using a pipe in extremely hot temperatures (somewhere around 464 degrees Fahrenheit). Ordinary heat sources will work but the preferred heat source is something which could produce higher degrees of heat such as a butane-based lighter. There are many, however, who prefer water pipes. If using ordinary pipes, make sure to hold the heat source close to the leaves to allow the Salvia to vaporize.
It’s best to have someone close nearby while smoking since you might forget the presence of the pipe when the Salvia takes its effect. If this is not possible, make sure to have an ashtray or something similar at hand in which you can lay down your pipe after you have had enough.
Using a Quid
The quid method is another modern way of Salvia ingestion. A quid is a number of rolled or balled leaves which is meant for chewing. A quid of Salvia could be made from either fresh of dried leaves. Fresh leaves are made into a quid as they are but dried leaves should be soaked in water for about ten minutes first.
The usual number of leaves in a quid is between eight and twenty-eight. Fresh leaves give a more bitter taste than dried ones but you can always add flavoring or sweeteners for the quid to be marginally palatable. After you had balled your leaves, start chewing on the quid. The quid should be kept beneath your tongue when not being chewed. The ideal rate of chewing is one chew for every ten seconds that elapse. Hold the juice and the mashed leaves in your mouth without spitting or swallowing for approximately thirty minutes. You may spit it all out afterwards. To achieve maximum effect, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with mouthwash beforehand.
Different people prefer different Salvia divinorum ingestion methods. It all boils down to trying it both out and deciding on the method which works for you.
