Secret Herbal Formulas - Herb Listing

Illustrated herbal encyclopedia

S - Herb Listings

Alphabetical Herb Listing

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Saffron
Crocus sativus

Common Names: Autumn Crocus, Spanish Saffron.

The Greeks used saffron to produce a royal dye color and to perfume streets, buildings, baths, and homes. From the 14th to 18th centuries, spice dealers were known as "saffron grocers." Saffron is the world's most expensive spice. It takes over 200,000 dried stigmas from more than 70,000 flowers to make one pound. Used today in rice, chicken, and bread, producing a bright yellow color and a delightful pungent flavor.

Properties and Uses: Anodyne, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, appetizer, emmenagogue, expectorant, sedative. Used for coughs, whooping cough, stomach gas, insomnia, gastrointestinal colic, to stimulate the appetite. This herb should never be taken in large doses as it can cause kidney damage.

Sage
Salvia officinalis

Common Names: Garden Sage.

Properties and Uses: Antihydrotic, antispasmodic, astringent. Used to reduce perspiration, night sweats, tuberculosis, to stop the flow of milk, trembling, depression, vertigo, leucorrhea, dysmenrrhea, amenorrhea, diarrhea, gastritis, eneritis, as a gargle for sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis, mucous elimination, insect bites. Not to be used in large doses.

Sarsaparilla
Similax ornata

Used to make a soft drink elixir which was very popular in the 1800's. Also used in herbal bath mixtures.

Properties and Uses: Carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, tonic. Used for gout, rheumatism, colds, fever, catarrhal ailments, flatulence, scrofula, ringworm, tetter, and as a spring blood purifier.

Sassafras
Sassafras albidium

Common Names: Ague Tree, Cinnamon Wood, Saxifrax.

The red-brown bark has a root-beer scent and makes a wonderful soft drink if made weak and only used occasionally.

This was used for hundreds of years by country folk as a hot tea drink they called a 'spring tonic' to thin the blood after a long cold winter.

Properties and Uses: Anodyne, antiseptic, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant. The hot infusion is used as a blood purifier, to promote perspiration and urination, rheumatism, gout, arthritis, skin ailments, ulcers, relieve pain, venereal diseases, reduce fever.

Saw Palmetto Serenoa repens

Common Names: Sabal. Sabal serrulata.

Properties and Uses: Diuretic, expectorant, tonic. Used for colds, asthma, bronchitis, catarrhal ailments, mucous congestion, to build strength after a long illness, and as an aphrodisiac, and to tone the male reproductive system. It is also said to be of benefit in problems of the prostate by effecting male sex hormones. Saw palmetto contains poly saccharides which boost the immune system. It is said to reduce inflammation, correct pelvic sluggishness and control mucus discharges which is beneficial in controlling incontinence in adults and children.

Schisandra
Schisandra chinensis

Common Names: Wu Wei Zi

Said to be able to protect the liver cells and have a balancing effect on the metabolism, ease fatigue and increase one's natural resistance, boosting the immune system. Schisandra is also said to intensify mental alertness and activity, regulate blood pressure, tone the whole cardiovascular system, and regulate the stomach. A very valuable herb in today's high stress societies.

Scullcap Herb
Scutellaria lateriflora

Common Names: Virginia Scullcap, True Bleu, Mad-dog Scullcap, Madweed,Blue Scullcap, Helmet Flower, Toque.

Properties and Uses: Antispasmodic, diuretic, sedative, tonic. Used for spasms, convulsions, genneuralgia, delirium tremens, and to promote menstruation. Said to be very useful for insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, migraine headaches, painful menstruation, and neuralgia.

Senna
Cassia angustifolia

Common Names: American Senna, Locust Plant, Wild Senna.

Senna is enjoyed as a tea, and is especially good with slices of ginger. The small, rather flat pods and whole leaves are sometimes used in potpourri.

Properties and Uses: Cathartic, diuretic, vermifuge. Used as a laxative, to expel worms, as a mouthwash for halitosis.

Sheep Sorrel
Rumex acetosella

Common Names: Field Sorrel.

Properties and Uses: diuretic, refrigerant, anti-tumor, astringent, diuretic, laxative. Used for hemorrhage of the stomach, excessive menstruation, gravel, stones, ulcers, kidney diseases, cutaneous tumors, and cancer.

Shepherd's Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris

Common Names: Cocowort, Pick-pocket, St. James' Weed, Shepherd's Heart, Toywort.

Properties and Uses: Diuretic, styptic, vasoconstrictor. The extract is use to coagulate blood in cases of internal and external bleeding. The infusion used to raise blood pressure, regulate blood pressure and the heart, whether the blood pressure is low or high, for menstrual ailments, to promote uterine contractions during childbirth and expulsion of placenta afterwards, and promote bowel movements.

Slippery Elm
Ulmus rubra

Common Names: English Elm, Common Elm, European Elm.

Cosmetically Slippery Elm is used to soften and protect the skin.

Properties and Uses: Astringent, demulcent, diuretic, vulnerary. The bark of younger growth is made into a decoction or tincture and used for herpes, scruf, itch, and other skin ailments. A wash for skin is made from soaking the bark and bruised leaves in vinegar. The bruised leaves laid on an wound will speed healing.

Shitaki Mushroom
Lentinus edodes

These mushrooms have almost twice as much protein as vegetables, and are an excellent source of fiber. A natural source of polysaccharides. Said to boost the immune system.

Spearmint
Mentha spicata

Common Names: Lambmint, Mint, Our Lady's Mint, Sage of Bethlehem.

Mentha was a nymph, who because of Pluto's love for her was metamorphosed by Persephone into the plant we now call mint, or so the Greek myth goes. A popular tea her, and is also used to flavor chewing gums, soaps, confections, and in making mint juleps and jelly. Its cool, aromatic fragrance is a favorite bath scent.

Properties and Uses: Antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic. Used as peppermint and also good for suppressed menstruation, painful urination or combined with horehound for children's fever.

Spikenard
Aralia racemosa

Common Names: American Spikenard, Indian Root, Life-of-man, Nard, Spignet, Spikenard.

Properties and Uses: Diaphoretic, expectorant, stimulant. Used for rheumatism, asthma, coughs, skin ailments, to make childbirth easier, backache, wounds, bruises, swellings, inflammations, chest pains. Contains phytosterols which are similar to Ginseng's neural hormonal effects which helps to fight stress in the brain.

Squawvine
Mitchella repens

Common Names: Partridge Berry.

This is said to be used during the last few weeks of pregnancy in combination with Cramp Bark to facilitate and easier childbirth.

St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum

Common Names: Amber, Goatweed, Johnswort, Klamath Weed, Tiption Weed.

It is one of the best known of a group of herbs which were smoked in fires on St.John's Eve in medieval times. The purpose was to purify the air of evil spirits. The flower of this plant have been used to produce both yellow and pink dyes.

Properties and Uses: Antispasmodic, astringent, expectorant, nervine, vulnerary. Used for bedwetting, insomnia, nervous conditions, melancholy. Used for colic, stomachache, intestinal ailments, congestion. Also used for anemia, headache, insomnia, jaundice, chest congestion, and catarrh. A great all around herb for PMS. It is great for uterine cramps and menstrual problems. It is very soothing on burns, wounds, sores, bruises, and other skin ailments.

Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana

Contains the substance stevioside which is used to sweeten diet soft drinks and foods. An excellent herb sugar substitute.30 times sweeter than sugar. Contains carbohydrates, calcium, fiber, iron, proteins, potassium, sodium, zinc, rutin, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Said to regulate blood sugar to balance it in hypoglycemia, inhibits the reproduction and growth of bacteria which causes gum disease and tooth decay for which it is good to add to toothpaste just before brushing, and diluted in water as a mouthwash. Said to lessen the desire for food when taken before meals, and may even 'reset' the hunger center in the brain. Also used to improve digestion, soothe nausea, and reduce the desire for alcohol and tobacco.

Strawberry
Fragaria vesca

Properties and Uses: Laxative, diuretic, astringent used rheumatic gout, diarrhea, dentifrice and in cosmetics.

Suma
Pfaffia paniculata

Used to prevent degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's Disease and Altheimer's. Said to improve circulation, lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood pressure, alleviate depression, reduce inflammation, regulates menopause and poor digestion, cancer, including breast cancer, leukemia, and diabetes. An overall nutritive for the entire body which creates a sense of well-being. Said to improve the memory, restore energy levels, alleviate stress, and restore a weakened immune system after prolonged illness or chemotherapy.

Sumac
Rhus glabra

Common Names: Dwarf Sumac, Mountain Sumac, Scarlet Sumac, Smooth Sumac.

Properties and Uses: Astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant, tonic. Used for sore throat, diarrhea, leucorrhea, urinary ailments, inflammation of the bladder, fever, sores and irritations of the mucous membranes, gonorrhea, poison ivy, and to stop bleeding after childbirth.

Sunflower
Helianthus annuus

Sometimes used for texture and color in potpourri, and as an ingredient in herbal hair rinses. An infusion of the tea makes a good addition to an herbal insecticide for the garden as sunflowers are a natural insecticide.

Disclaimer:

Everything written in this book is for for educational purposes only and is not intended as treatment, diagnosis, or prescription of any kind. What the individual who reads this information does with that information, is solely that individual's responsibility.