Botanical information Salvia splendens: An annual plant, it grows to a height of 0.6m
with a spread of 0.3m. The stems are erect and branching; the leaves are oval-acuminate
and smooth, with crenate margins; the flowers are bright scarlet and tubular,
occurring in long, terminal spikes and appearing in summer.
A native of Brazil, it prefers fertile, well drained soils in an open, sunny
position, and is drought and frost tender.
Propagation is by seed sown in spring.
Traditional uses
None reported..
Pharmacology Salvia splendens: The presence of diterpenes (compare Salvia divinorum)
has been documented, but little is known whether these are responsible for the
mild activity. Daniel Siebert concluded from his controlled experiments that
any activity is probably due to placebo effect. However the percentage of placebo
was stated at well above scientifically accepted limits. Upon correction of
this data, it appears that Salvia splendens is active in at least some proportion
of trialled subjects. Those people who confirm activity also state that not
all varieties are active. In our experience we found that 'Bonfire' and 'Blaze
of fire' are active, while the multicoloured 'Sizzler' series is not.
It took many years to confirm the validity of the psychoactive claims of Salvia
divinorum, which was complicated by a number factors, including administration
techniques (especially combustion temperature) and 'set & setting'. Salvia
divinorum is now generally accepted as a very strong and effective hallucinogen,
even though there are still many people who fail to get effects from it. Salvia
splendens has a much, much weaker effect and thus it is reasonable to assume
that it's effects will not be felt by everyone - possibly not even by the majority
of subjects. This should however not discredit the many positive results people
have obtained from it. Research on this and several other salvias continues.....
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