Category: Herbalism

While several plants with purple flowers have medicinal properties, the term 'purple plant drug' is most commonly associated with *Salvia divinorum*, a potent hallucinogenic herb in the mint family native to Mexico. This plant contains the psychoactive compound salvinorin A, which is known for causing intense, albeit short-lived, psychedelic experiences.

Depictions of the blue lotus (*Nymphaea caerulea*) were found in King Tutankhamun's tomb, hinting at its deep cultural significance and historical use in ancient Egypt. This discovery, along with its reported mind-altering effects, prompts the question: **Are water lilies psychedelic?** The answer is complex and depends heavily on the specific species, its preparation, and dosage.

Approximately 2,000 years ago, the highly-valued silphium plant vanished from the wild, making it one of the first recorded instances of human-induced extinction. Therefore, understanding the use of a 'Silphium tablet' requires an exploration of ancient history rather than modern pharmacology.