Citation

Giroud C, Felber F, Augsburger M, Horisberger B, Rivier L, Mangin P. Forensic Sci. Int. 2000; 112(2-3): 143-150.

Affiliation

Laboratoire de Toxicologie Analytique, Institut Universitaire de Médecine Légale, rue du Bugnon 21, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland. christian.giroud@inst.hospvd.ch

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10940599

Abstract

Salvia divinorum Epling and 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.

Language: en