Ok, so remembering now from college horticulture days - salvia is sage...

Sage is used for spiritual cleansing, smudging, burning it (not smoking it as far as I know), Native American tradition, mainly White Sage. Smudging is amazing & calming & moves bad vibes away from an area. It is a healer. And a spice used in many delicious foods. There are many many types. I don't know what they're selling as "Salvia" in the smoke shops.. the kids said it was some type of powder - could have been freaking anything.

Venus, wondering which type is helping your mood?

Here is from Wikipedia:
The name Salvia derives from the Latin salvere ("to feel well and healthy, health, heal"), the verb related to salus (health, well-being, prosperity or salvation); referring to the herb's healing properties. Pliny the Elder was the first author known to describe a plant called "Salvia" by the Romans, likely describing the type species for the genus Salvia, Salvia officinalis.
The common modern English name sage derives from Middle English sawge, which was borrowed from Old French sauge, and like the botanical name, stems from Latin salvere.[5][6] When used without modifiers, the name 'sage' generally refers to Salvia officinalis ("common sage" or "culinary sage"); however, it is used with modifiers to refer to any member of the genus. The ornamental species are commonly referred to by their genus name Salvia.

Many species are used as herbs, as ornamental plants (usually for flower interest), and sometimes for their ornamental and aromatic foliage. A selection of some well known species is below.

• Salvia apiana is the white sage sacred to a number of U.S. Native American Peoples, and used by some tribes in their ceremonies.
• Salvia divinorum, or diviner's sage, is sometimes cultivated for psychedelic drug effects; the legality of its use is under review in some US states.[13]
• Salvia elegans, the pineapple sage, is widely grown as an ornamental shrub or sub-shrub, with pineapple scented leaves.
• Salvia fruticosa, called Greek sage or just sage is commonly grown and harvested as an alternative to common sage.
• Salvia hispanica, commonly known as chia, produces edible seeds which are high in protein and in the omega-3 fatty acid, α-linolenic acid (ALA).
• Salvia leucantha, Mexican bush sage or woolly sage, is grown as an ornamental in warm climates for its drooping flower heads, with white flowers emerging from furry blue or purple bracts.
• Salvia microphylla from Mexico, sometimes called baby sage, is a small shrub grown extensively for its red (sometimes pink or white) flowers, and its fruit scented leaves.
• Salvia miltiorrhiza, Chinese, Red sage, Danshen medicinal herb.
• Salvia nemorosa, Woodland sage, ornamental
• Salvia officinalis, or common sage is used widely in cooking, as an ornamental and landscape plant, and in herbal medicine.
• Salvia sclarea, clary or clary sage, is grown as an ornamental and to some extent for perfume oils.
• Salvia splendens or scarlet sage is a popular ornamental bedding or pot plant.

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Ok, so my next point - Indie's right it was not Salvia, it was someone smoking "Spice" or "Bath Salts" who then ate the guy's face off.

Seems like these smoke shops are selling kids or anyone "Spice" & it's some mixture of bath salts, salvia & who knows what else. Rat poison maybe.

They better not outlaw all Sage over this Spice business.