New World Salvia History

The modern history of salvia is very limited due to the small number of genetic variations and the slow rate at which the popluarity of using salvia divinorum has grown. This is a brief introduction to salvia history after its rediscovery by the explorers Hoffman and Wasson.

The first New world researcher to become interested in the history of Salvia, was Jean B. Johnson, who, while on a field trip with a group of anthropology students, watched Mazatec Indians make a tea from the leaves of ?hierba Maria? for the purpose of telling the future. He was unable to identify the plant but referred to it as a ?magic plant?, and was intrigued by its reputedly prophetic visions. R. Gordon Wasson, as a research fellow of the botanical museum of Harvard University, Albert Hoffman, the chemist behind the discovery of LSD, and, Roberto G. Weitlaner , Jean B. Johnson?s father-in-law, can be thanked for first bringing Salvia Divinorum back to the new world to be identified. They were studying the shamanic use of hallucinogenic mushrooms in Mexico starting in 1953. While the northern Mexican state of Oaxaca they heard of a herb that was used as an alternative to mushrooms when they were not in season or could not be found. Since their study of the mushrooms proved to be a lengthy endeavor, it wasn?t until 1962 that they finally sent viable live specimens of the plant back to Harvard. Where Carl Epling, renowned New World sage expert, was able to analyze the plant and document the new species.

In Epling?s report, published alongside Wasson?s field essay on Salvia history in a Harvard Botanical Museum Leaflet, he notes: ?An examination of material from the Mazatec country indicates that the plant in question is an undescribed species of Salvia? Epling goes on to name the newly discovered sage Salvia Divinorum and list the plant?s botanical and genetic features.

Beginning in 1983 a researcher named Leander J. Vald? III wrote on the ethno pharmacology and history of salvia. His work represents the basis of what we know about salvia?s use prior to Wasson?s ?discovery?. He rebuffs the notion that Wasson asserts, and points out that cannabis is most likely the Aztec ?pipiltzintzintli?, not salvia. He also documents the various healing and traditional uses of salvia.