I remember reading somewhere that it is tannins in the leaf that produce the bitterness and heat will bring out more tannins. I wish I could remember the source for this information.

My home made tincture definitely doesn't have as bitter a flavour as hot teas I have prepared in the past.

I guess the best thing is to just try doing a cold tea using a french press with rehydrated leaf and see if the flavour is more pleasant and effects are still as strong.

Thanks for the input RhythmSpring

Honestly that dosen't sound right. Tannins produce a bitterness that is markedly astringent. The bitterness in Salvia is more of a dull, "ugh" bitterness (suggesting terpenes) rather than the "agh my tongue and throat" bitterness as, say, a harmala-containing plant would produce (there be tannins, yargh).

Yeah, I wish I could remember where I read it, could've just been a post on a forum somewhere. It'll be interesting to see if the taste is different with a cold press either way. I have read a few people through anecdotal posts that the cold tea isn't as bitter.

It's funny you would mention this:

"In Mazatec ceremonies, it is traditional for Salvia to be prepared by children. For this reason, I have made it a habit to have the tea "blessed" by someone I see with a particularly young/innocent energy. Or, it helps to do it in their vicinity. In the Mazatec ceremonies they keep a very close watch over the people taking the medicine. They sit very close and make sure they stay somewhat rooted in reality."

I was posting in a thread last night about howw salvia can have a very child-like headspace and even clue you into states of mind I believe we've had before our birth here.

Whether there's any correlation there or they just like to start teaching their children young I can't tell you but, what you said there makes me wonder.

What are everyone's thoughts on regular, mild salvia experiences (dare I say even micro-dosing salvia) for therapeutic purposes? It's something that has been nagging my curiosity for awhile now, but I haven't gotten around to experimenting yet.

I did this basically all through college. I would do low Salvia doses like 2 or 3 times a month.

A few things happened:

1. A massive sensitivity (reverse tolerance) developed.

2. I became reliant on it for mental clarity, using it as "spiritual upkeep." Sometimes it even helped me write essays.

3. While it gave me much insight into my own thought processes, an unfortunate side effect was that I could then see other people's thought processes, even ones they weren't aware of, and that became quite stressful.

4. It kinda gave me access to truth without having the tools to do something about it. This is why I now prefer Iboga microdosing to Salvia microdosing--the kappa-opioid insight-within-stillness aspect is therein coupled with an MAOI-like fluidity and a tryptamine push into manifestation. (Whoa I'm weird)

Hope this helps.

That is a superb and very helpful description, RhythmSpring. Thank you!

Yes, excellent summary RhythmSpring. Giving one access to the truth without having the tools to do something about it -- that's exactly what classical psychedelics did for me, for almost a decade after I first tried LSD. However, now that I have become better at handling that truth, I would say I've enjoyed an overall benefit from the effect.

If anyone else has any experience to share, that would be quite groovy indeed.

We were talking earlier in the chat and you sent me this thread link. Well written I will try this thanks for the information, well written.
EDIT: I Had about 11 medium large leaf and I did as you suggested. It was very pleasant peaceful and subtle. Next time I will try 20 leafs. I prefer this method over quid. Thanks for sharing!