A to Z, S

Crocus sativus

⚠ Safe as a pinch of culinary spice, but never as a dosed medicine.

Salvia occidentalis

Traditionally turned to for sore throat, mouth infections and digestion.

Salvia officinalis

Traditionally turned to for digestion and women's health.

Sanguisorba minor

Traditionally turned to for the skin and cleansing.

Helichrysum arenarium

Traditionally turned to for digestion and cleansing.

Parthenium hysterophorus

Traditionally turned to for pain, headache and fever.

Achras sapota

Traditionally turned to for diarrhea, dysentery and fever.

Asclepias curassavica

⚠ Whole plant is toxic — cardiac glycosides can disturb the heart and the latex irritates skin and eyes; never ingested without expert guidance.

Cytisus scoparius

⚠ Broom's principal alkaloid, sparteine, acts on the heart — it slows conduction, steadies rhythm, and dilates the coronary vessels — and it stirs the smooth muscle of gut and womb.

Pinus sylvestris

⚠ The turpentine is strongly irritant and toxic in excess; handle it with great care.

Urera baccifera

Traditionally turned to for aches and cleansing.

Hippophae rhamnoides

Traditionally turned to for immunity, the skin and coughs.

Coccoloba uvifera

Traditionally turned to for diarrhea, dysentery and skin infections.

Hibiscus tiliaceus

Traditionally turned to for the skin, coughs and the heart.

Eryngium maritimum

Traditionally turned to for coughs, cleansing and the heart.

Sesuvium portulacastrum

Traditionally turned to for immunity.

Drimia maritima

⚠ Sea squill holds cardiac glycosides that act much like digitalis or strophanthus — they strengthen a failing heart and press the kidneys toward diuresis, easing oedema.

Fucus vesiculosus

⚠ Very high in iodine — don't self-treat a thyroid condition with it, and choose tested sources (heavy-metal risk).

Cassia senna

Traditionally turned to for digestion and energy.

Mimosa pudica

Traditionally turned to for wounds, cuts and bleeding.

Sesamum indicum

Traditionally turned to for skin conditions, wound healing and hair growth.

Rumex acetosella

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and the skin.

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Traditionally turned to for the skin and women's health.

Peperomia pellucida

Traditionally turned to for the skin and aches.

Eupatorium odoratum

Traditionally turned to for wounds, cuts and skin infections.

Betula pendula

⚠ Do not use in reduced kidney function or edema due to cardiac/renal insufficiency.

Potentilla anserina

Traditionally turned to for digestion, the nerves and aches.

Agave sisalana

Traditionally turned to for wounds, cuts and skin infections.

Ocimum micranthum

Traditionally turned to for digestion, nausea and immunity.

Herniaria glabra

Traditionally turned to for the skin, aches and cleansing.

Chiococca alba

Traditionally turned to for fever, snake bites and skin infections.

Galanthus nivalis

Traditionally turned to for energy.

Saponaria officinalis

⚠ Soapwort is rich in saponins, which are potent cellular toxins — they blister the eye on contact and, if they reach the bloodstream, cause severe poisoning and death by respiratory paralysis.

Sorghum vulgare

Traditionally turned to for diarrhea, dysentery and stomach pain.

Citrus aurantium

Traditionally turned to for anxiety, insomnia and digestive problems.

Annona muricata

Traditionally turned to for immunity, anticancer and fever.

Lippia micromera

Traditionally turned to for digestion and coughs.

Veronica officinalis

Traditionally turned to for the skin, coughs and cleansing.

Amaranthus spinosus

Traditionally turned to for diarrhea, wounds and skin infections.

Ononis spinosa

⚠ Do not use in reduced kidney function.

Boerhavia diffusa

Traditionally turned to for digestion, the skin and energy.

Hypericum perforatum

⚠ Major drug interactions — reduces the effect of antiretrovirals, the contraceptive pill, blood thinners, and antidepressants.

Chrysophyllum cainito

Traditionally turned to for diabetes, hypertension and respiratory ailments.

Urtica dioica

Traditionally turned to for leaves, gout adjunct) and nutritive (iron.

Passiflora foetida

Traditionally turned to for pain, arthritis and headache.

Arbutus unedo

⚠ Avoid in pregnancy (insufficient safety data).

Strophanthus gratus

⚠ Documented, never use.

Saccharum officinarum

Traditionally turned to for fever, cough and sore throat.

Helianthus annuus

Traditionally turned to for the skin, aches and the heart.

Gentiana asclepiadea

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and energy.

Scoparia dulcis

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and the skin.

Castanea sativa

Traditionally turned to for digestion, the skin and energy.

Melilotus officinalis

Chronic venous insufficiency.

Acorus calamus

⚠ Contains β-asarone (a carcinogen; banned as a food additive) — use only a β-asarone-free chemotype (the triploid/tetraploid strains) or properly processed root, avoid in pregnancy, and never prolonged or high-dose.

Ipomoea batatas

Traditionally turned to for diabetes, digestive issues and inflammation.

Viola odorata

Traditionally turned to for coughs.

Galium odoratum

⚠ Contains coumarin — fine in small culinary or tisane amounts, but high or repeated doses bring headache, nausea, and dizziness, and it thins the blood; avoid alongside anticoagulants and in pregnancy.

Dodonaea viscosa

Traditionally turned to for immunity and the skin.