Yerba de la pastora

The plant Yerba de la Pastora is a species of salvia (sage) known by the scientific name Salvia divinorum. It originated in Mexico and was used by the Sierra Mazateca for shamanic visions. They believed that the plant was the Virgin Mary in a incarnated form. It was also used for medical purposes in many different tribes in Mexico, including Sierra Mazateca.

Yerba de la pastora is better known in the United States as Salvia. It is the only psychedelic plant that is legal in the United States. Many teens are starting to turn to it so they can get the same reaction as other drugs but legally. There are many ways to use it including smoking it, eating it, and drinking it. Its effects are best described as those of LSD, Scientist are trying to do experiments to find any health problems that it causes. None have been found yet. It has not been made illegal because it is not part of the Federal Controlled Substances Act. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration otherwise known as the DEA has already flagged this drug as a concern.

Anatomy
Yerba de la pastora has green oval leaves. Under the leaf is a yellowish tint. The leaves generally reach 10-30 cm long. The leaves have absolutely no hair on either side. The Yerba de la pastora reaches lengths of over 1 meter. This plants root system spreads pretty quick and creates a nice and strong root system. This plant rarely produces flowers, but when it does it produces whorls about 30 cm high. A whorl is a arrangement of flowers, petals leaves, and stems that are all connected to the same part on the plant. There can be up to about six flowers on each whorl. The flowers are white and are about 3-4 cm long. The flower is very curvy and has hairs growing off it. The flowers have a sepal on them. A sepal is a part of a flower itself. It sits underneath the petals and are generally green. A flower can be termed a tepal if the flower and sepal are the same color. When this flower blooms its between September and May. 

Reproduction
Yerba de la pastora does not produce many seeds. While its in the wild no seeds have been seen when it flowers. while its in the wild. For some reason that scientist have not found out yet pollen fertility has been greatly reduced. There is no pollen tube in the flower that has been proven active. The most probable explanation for this is something known as Inbreeding Depression. Inbreeding Depression is a reduced fitness in any population. It is caused by breeding related individuals. All populations of this flower seem to be colonial, especially the Mazatec population. The stems of this plant breaks pretty easily. Once it hits the ground it roots very easily at the nodes and internodes.

Ecology
Yerba de la pastora is native to Sierra Mazateca, Oaxaca. It grows manly in the Cloud Forest A cloud forest is also known as a fog forest. Its called this because there is always a low cloud cover in the forest normally around the canopy level. This plant also has been seen growing inn the tropical evergreen forests. It has been known to grow at elevations from one thousand to six thousand feet. It's most commonly along streams, creeks banks, and soil along streams were there already plants, bushes, and trees so they can grow with little light.

Drug Use
There are many species of Salvia. Yerba de la pastor is just one of them. Salvia plants have also been given the name magic mint,. , Diviner's Sage, Ska María Pastora, Seer's Sage.

It is is a herb that is found mostly in Mexico and South America. It has been used for centuries by the Mexican people for medical reasons and to induce visions. The main ingredient in Salvia is known as salvinorin A. This chemical causes certain neurotransmitter receptors in your brain to activate. These receptors are different from normal receptors that are activated through drug use. Salvia is taken traditionally by chewing the leaves or drinking the juices. If you dry the leaves of salvia they can be smoked in a joint, in a water bong, and a vaporizer. Salvia is generally used to induce hallucinations or psychotomimetic experiences. The effects of this drug happen in less than a minute of using and last for about thirty minutes. The affects of this drug include psychedelic-like changes in visual perception, mood, emotional swings, feelings of detachment, a major difference in perception of external reality, and a decreased ability to interact with their surroundings.

Many teens describe all the side affects of Salva and the affects to be similar to LSD. The affects and long term affects of salvia has not been experimented enough for a clear view on how it will impact people's health. So far it hasn't been proven as an addictive drug. Its growing in popularity. There are more high schoolers using Salvia then there are using ecstasy. Even though this Drug is limited there have been recent surveys that show this drug increasing in illegal trafficking in the US. Since this drug is legal many teenagers are turning to it as an alternative to marijuana because it is not listed in the Controlled Substance Act.