Ethnopharmacology of ska Maria Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling AND Jativa-M.)

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