HERBS-S


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SAFFRON

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scientific Name: Crocus sativus

Common Names: Saffron

Family: Iridaceae

Part Used: flower

Habitat: Native to India

Benefits: most expensive spice, cooking, fever, regulate menstrual cycle, epilepsy, digestive disorders, weight loss, antibacterial, anticancer

 

SAGE

244

Scientific Name: Salvia officinalis

Common Names: Sage

Family: Lamiaceae

Part Used: Leaves, stems, flowers

Habitat: native to the Mediterranean, mint

Benefits: digestive aid, colds, fever, antibacterial, astringent , gingivitis, disinfectant, dries breast milk, boost memory, sore throat, antibacterial, anticancer

 

SARSAPILLA ROOT

245

Scientific Name: Smilax sarsaparilla

Common Names: zarzaparrilla

Family: Liliaceae

Part Used: Root

Habitat: Native to South/Central America, China

Benefits:  Gout, arthritis, psoriasis, antibacterial, psoriasis, anticancer, antiviral

 

SASSAFRAS ROOT

246

Scientific Name: Sassafras albidum

Common Names: Sassafras root, Saloop, root beer tree

Family: Lauraceae

Part Used: Root, bark

Habitat: found on ridges and mountainous areas, Native to Eastern coast of North America

Benefits: pain, arthritis, prostate problems, detox, longevity, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer

 

Saw Palmetto

247

Scientific Name: Serenoa repens

Common Names: Sabal palm, palmetto berry, sabal fructus

Family: Palmae

Part Used: Fruit

Habitat: Native to islands of West Indies

Benefits: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), painful urination, male baldness

 

Schizandra

249

Scientific Name: Schizandra chinensis

Common Names: five flavor berry, Omicha, Wu wei zi

Family: Schisandraceae

Part Used: Fruit

Habitat: native to northern China

Benefits: adaptogen, stress, nutrition, energy, skin issues

 

SELF-HEAL

251

Scientific Name: Prunella vulgaris L.

Common Names: Self-Heal, Blue Curls, Heart-of-the-Earth

Family: Lamiaceae

Part Used: Whole herb

Habitat: Native to North America, Europe

Benefits: Carpenters Herb, wounds, herpes, cold sores, sore throat, anticancer, antioxidant, antibiotic, antiseptic, conjunctivitis, sties

 

SENNA

252

Scientific Name: Senna alexandrina Mill.

Common Names: Senna, gyptian Senna

Family: Fabaceae

Part Used: whole plant

Habitat: Native to Egypt

Benefits: Laxative

 

SESAME

253

Scientific Name: Sesamum indicum

Common Names: Sesame

Family: Pedaliaceae

Part Used: Seeds

Habitat: tropical regions around the world

Benefits: hair loss, liver tonic, scalp care, constipation, flavor, oil carrier, cosmetic products

 

SHEPERD’S PURSE

255

Scientific Name: Capsella bursa-pastoris

Common Names: Pickpurse, Casewort

Family: Brassicaceae

Part Used: whole herb

Habitat: Fields, roadsides

Benefits: stop bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, nosebleeds, post-partum herb
CAUTION: Not recommended during pregnancy, the herb can cause uterine contractions. Not for those with liver or kidney disease.

 

Shilajit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scientific Name: Asphaltum

Common Names: Mineral Pitch, Vegetable Asphalt

Part Used: resin

Habitat: Native to Nepal, Tibet

Benefits: increase longevity

 

Siberian Ginseng

257

Scientific Name: Eleutherococcus senticosus

Common Names: eleuthero

Family: Araliaceae

Part Used: Root

Habitat: native to Russia, China

Benefits: energizer, stress reducer, boost memory

 

Skullcap

258

Scientific Name: Scutellaria lateriflora

Common Names: Mad dog, quaker bonnet, hood wort, helmet flower, blue pimpernel

Family: Lamiaceae

Part Used: whole plant

Habitat: Native to Europe, Asia

Benefits: sleep aid, reduce anxiety, relieve muscle spasms, anti-inflammatory, arthritis

CAUTION:DO NOT TAKE while pregnant

 

SOAPWORT

259

Scientific Name: Saponaria officinalis

Common Names: Bouncing Bet, Sweet William, Bruisewort

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Part Used: Rhizome

Habitat: from Europe

Benefits: produces lather with water, psoriasis, eczema, boils, acne, wounds, expectorant, soaps, anti-inflammatory, purgative

 

SOLOMAN’S SEAL

260

Scientific Name: Polygonatum biflorum Syn. P. odoratum

Common Names: Solomon’s Seal

Family: Ruscaceae

Part Used: rhizome

Habitat: Native to North America, China, Japan

Benefits: Lung problems, stomach issues, skin conditions, sedative, cold, fever

 

SPEEDWELL

261

Scientific Name: Veronica officinalis

Common Names: Speedwell, gypsy weed, Fluellin, Paul’s Betony Groundhele

Family: Plantaginaceae

Part Used: flower

Habitat: Dry fields, uplands, open woods

Benefits: cough, expectorant, diaphoretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, eczema, teas, salves, anticancer

 

St. John’s Wort

262

Scientific Name: Hypericum perforatum

Common Names: goat weed, hard hay, klamath weed

Family: Hypericaceae

Habitat: grows in Europe, United States, Australia

Benefits: Nature’s anti-depressant, depression, anxiety, help quit smoking, antiviral

CAUTION: can exacerbate sunburn

 

STEVIA

263

Scientific Name: Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni)

Common Names: Stevia, Sweet leaf

Family: Asteracease

Part Used: Leaves

Habitat: native to Paraguay, Argentina

Benefits: sweetener

 

Suma

264

Scientific Name: Pfaffia paniculata

Common Names: Brazilian ginseng, Para Todo

Family: Amaranthaceae

Part Used: Root

Habitat: native to Latin America

Benefits: increase strength/stamina, stress, balances hormones, boost immune system, anti-inflammatory

 

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