The Salvia divinorum Research and Information Center - Shroomery

Daniel Siebert Speaks…
prove well worth the wait. The book is quite comprehensive
and covers virtually all aspects of the subject: history, botany,
horticulture, ethnobotany, chemistry, biochemistry, the
phenomenology of its effects, preparation and safety, methods
of use, the importance of ritual, etc. I am toying with the idea
of publishing two or three sections of the book separately and
prior to completing the entire work. One of these would be a
book on the botany and horticulture of Salvia divinorum and
another would be on the phenomenology of its effects.
Will: In researching the book, have you traveled to México?
Daniel: Yes, I spent some time in the Sierra Mazateca in the
spring of 1999 conducting interviews, taking photographs,
exploring Salvia divinorum's native habitat, and participating
in traditional ceremonies with two well-respected shamans.
The trip was quite magical, and fruitful. It greatly deepened
my respect for this herb and my appreciation for the
indigenous healers who work with it. I learned a great deal
about Salvia divinorum from the Mazatec perspective and I
will be sharing some of what I learned in my forthcoming
books. It is an extraordinary region and I anticipate returning
regularly to conduct further research and to visit my new
friends there.
Will: Do the shamans you met in México know of Salvia
divinorum's growing popularity worldwide? Did you mention
this to them? If so, what do they think of this?
Daniel: The curanderos I spoke to seemed unaware that ska
María Pastora was growing in popularity abroad. Most of the
foreigners that come to their region are interested in the
hongitos and, to a lesser extent, the morning glories. They do
occasionally get people who are interested in Salvia
divinorum, but they are very few and far between. They
seemed genuinely surprised that I was so interested in
learning about Salvia divinorum. Although it is becoming
increasingly well-known in the world, it is still quite obscure
compared to magic mushrooms. I think it will take awhile
before the Mazatecs start seeing much Salvia divinorum
tourism. I had an interesting conversation with a Doña
Julieta. I explained to her that most people experimenting
with Salvia divinorum these days smoke the leaves. She was
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