Salvia - The Shamanic Method of Using the Leaves

This text is a translation from the Subreddit r/salvia. It was "raised" by Luxjur in January '22. It refers to the traditional method of using Salvia leaves, the method used by Latin American shamans of the plant. We present the presentation translated almost verbatim.

Introduction

This is not written to tell you not to smoke Salvia. I just want to let people know that it is not the only method and that there is a whole other way of using it with a different range of effects.

Most people actually assume that the TRUE active ingredient in Salvia divinorum breaks down into Salvinorin A & B when the plant is burned, so most people who have used Salvia divinorum in the Western World have not had a "true" Salvia divinorum experience.

The traditional method of consuming Salvia is based on chewing the leaves. Shamans chew it, and this method gives you a longer experience, reducing the "mindfuck" feeling that comes with smoking the extracts. The rise is gradual and the peak EXPERIENCE LAST 1 HOUR as opposed to 5 minutes, giving you time to explore the psychoactive space where the plant takes you. It's much more mature, but it can take you to the same place.

Chewing the leaves

Assuming you have dry leaves available:

1. Soak the desired amount (2-8 grams) in water for a few minutes. Strain the excess water and place the wet plant material under your tongue or between your teeth and lips.

2. Chew periodically creating saliva. Try not to swallow the liquid that forms in your mouth, as Sally's magical active compound is only absorbed sublingually (by the blood vessels under your tongue and in your gums). It is important to keep the wet leaves in the mouth and not to swallow the saliva because the active substances Salvinorin A and B dissolve quickly in the stomach.

3. Keep the leaves in the mouth for 30 minutes. You can spit them out sooner if the experience starts to get too intense, but if you start with lower doses of 2-3 grams you don't have to worry about that. After 30 minutes, you can spit them out. However, try to keep the saliva in your mouth for full results. If you can swallow a small amount periodically, allowing it to absorb into the mucous membrane of your throat, which is also a very receptive site for the absorption of salvinorins!

4. Each wave of absorption takes about 15 minutes to start being felt, so halfway through 30 minutes of chewing you'll probably start to feel the effects kick in gently. They will gradually increase in intensity, with the peak experience ending about an hour after the leaves have been chewed. It is often the case that the dreams that follow the night after the experience will be very intense.

Summary

1. Rinse your mouth with vinegar/alcohol to open up the blood vessels in your mouth.

2. Stick the soaked leaves in your mouth and chew them very well, keeping all the saliva formed in the mouth. As you churn the plant material through chewing, the active compound will be released into your saliva and then absorbed by the blood vessels in your mouth over time. This is a sublingual method of administration, which means that the blood vessels under your tongue and gums and mucous membranes will absorb salvinorin from your saliva and not from your stomach.

3. Hold the leaves in the front of the mouth or under the tongue and use your mouth to rub the leaves on your front gums.

4. Keep the leaves in your mouth for 30 minutes. DO NOT PICK THEM OUT, (unless you feel they are very strong) AND DO NOT SWALLOW THE SALIVA IN YOUR MOUTH until you are ready to spit out the leaves.

5. The best way to experience it in my opinion is in silent darkness, lying down or sitting with your eyes closed. In small doses, this is often the only way to produce distinct effects. Even at higher doses, the most intense effects happen with your eyes closed, letting Salvia take you where she deems necessary.

WARNING: THIS METHOD RELYES ON CONTINUOUS CONTACT (10-30 MINUTES) BETWEEN THE ACTIVE COMPOUND AND THE BLOOD VESSELS IN YOUR MOUTH. ONCE THE LIQUID FORMED IN YOUR MOUTH IS SWALLOWED AND THE LEAVES ARE REMOVED FROM THE MOUTH, THE REMAINING COMPOUND IS DIRECTLY DESTROYED BY THE STOMACH, PREVENTING FURTHER ABSORPTION FROM YOUR MOUTH.

Sally is a beautiful teacher, who has a lot of knowledge to give to those who try to get to know her better. If you're not sure about the dosage, just go with the lowest recommended 2 grams – see where one bite gets you in one session and pop a bigger amount in your mouth next time. It's hard to overdo it compared to smoking. Shamans cringe when they hear that Westerners smoke the leaf extracts instead of chewing them. Chewing is the traditional method of use, much gentler than smoking. Lower your expectations and indulge in the experience. Have fun and learn!