Salvia divinorum: an hallucinogenic mint which might become a new recreational drug in Switzerland.

Salvia divinorum, a hallucinogenic mint used traditionally by the Mazatec Indians of Mexico, has appeared in Switzerland in illicit hemp plantations and horticulturists' greenhouses. Young people in Mexican cities have smoked its dried leaves as a marijuana substitute. The active compound, salvinorin A, was identified in plant extracts. These findings suggest multiple attempts to use S. divinorum as a recreational drug in Switzerland, possibly because neither the plant nor its active compound are banned under Swiss narcotic law.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Salvia divinorum Epling & Jativa is an hallucinogenic mint traditionally used for curing and divination by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. Young people from Mexican cities were reported to smoke dried leaves of S. divinorum as a marijuana substitute. Recently, two S. divinorum specimens were seized in a large-scale illicit in-door and out-door hemp plantation. Salvinorin A also called divinorin A, a trans-neoclerodane diterpene, was identified in several organic solvent extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The botanical identity of the plant was confirmed by comparing it to an authentic herbarium specimen. More plants were then discovered in Swiss horticulturists greenhouses. All these data taken together suggest that many attempts exist in Switzerland to use S. divinorum as a recreational drug. This phenomenon may be enhanced because neither the magic mint, nor its active compound are banned substances listed in the Swiss narcotic law.