Introduction to Salvia Divinorum

(taken from the Mazatec Garden website. Go to www.mazatecgarden.com for more info on these and other smoking herbs)
Salvia divinorum originated in the Oaxaca region of Mexico and has been cultivated and used for centuries by the Mazatec people for healing and religious ceremonies. It is a powerful visionary herb, or "teacher plant", in shamanistic terms. When ingested properly, and under the appropriate conditions, it produces in the user a state of "divine inebriation". Salvia divinorum is in a class by itself, so it is difficult to compare it with other psychoactive substances. It is a unique and mysterious visionary herb.
Salvia is a consciousness enhancing herb that can be used for vision quests and healing rituals. Given the correct setting, it allows one to experience visions. It is an herb with a long tradition of sacred uses; among these is deep meditation. It is best when taken in a quiet, dark room, or a peaceful, secluded outdoor setting. It is taken in silence, or perhaps with soft, soothing music playing. Anything grounded in this world will only prove a hindrance for those who are serious about their journey with Salvia. Distractions such as television, or idle background chatter from others present in the room, are not favorable to the Salvia experience.
Salvia journeys range in intensity from very subtle to intensely powerful. This is true whether smoking or chewing the leaves. The strength of the session will depend upon the way one takes it, the quantity taken, and one’s unique body chemistry. Salvia experiences differ from those caused by other visionary herbs and drugs and choosing Salvia over these has many advantages. The primary reason among these is that no one has ever experienced a fatal or injurious overdose of Salvia. Furthermore, one needn’t worry about becoming addicted, or the journey lasting too long. Salvia will almost never produce adverse side effects or hangover.
To smoke Salvia correctly, hold the flame directly over the leaves of a medium sized bowl of a short pipe or water pipe. Draw it down into the leaves, igniting them for the entire duration of the inhalation. The amount used will vary from person to person. General starting guidelines are:

• Raw leaf – 3 to 4 inhalations

• 5X – 2 inhalations

• 10X + – 1 inhalation
  These initial guidelines will need to be adjusted to each individual’s preference and tolerance. Make sure that a sober person is in attendance, particularly during the first session, since during the experience, one could drop the pipe or lighter, causing burns or a fire. About 5 or 6 minutes after smoking Salvia, the effects will gradually begin to subside. The total duration of the experience is approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour, if the lingering feeling of relaxation is included in the total time.