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Herb Uses R, S, T Herbs
Saffron (Crocus sativus) Saffron has been cited as a remedy for such diverse ills. In England and the US,
penny packets of saffron threads were sold as recently as 50 years ago in pharmacies to cure measles. Cheaper
and superior herbs are easily found to replicate its ability to induce menstruation, treat period pain and chronic
uterine bleeding and calm indigestion and colic. In Chinese herbal medicine, saffron stigmas are occasionally
used to treat painful obstructions of the chest, to stimulate menstruation and to relieve abdominal pain. They
regard it as a catalyst to be combined with other herbs. It is one of the finest blood vitalizers known. It
counteracts inflammatory conditions associated with excess pitta (fire), while at the same time powerfully
stimulating the circulation and regulating the spleen, liver and heart. It is very sattvic or spiritually balancing
and gives “the energy of love, devotion and compassion. Contains a blood pressure-lowering chemical called
crocetin. Some authorities even speculate that the low incidence of heart disease in Spain is due to that nation’s
high saffron consumption.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) - Sage oil has a unique property from all other healing herbs--it reduces perspiration.
Several studies show sage cuts perspiration by as much as 50% with the maximum effect occurring 2 hours after
ingestion. This effect explains how it developed a reputation for treating fever with profuse sweating. Salysat is a
sage-based antiperspirant marketed in Germany. Sage is a drying agent for the body. Use it as a sore throat gargle
and as a poultice for sores and stings. Use two teaspoons of the herb per cup of water, steep for twenty minutes and
take a quarter cup four times a day. Can also be used as a gargle. It tastes warm, aromatic and somewhat
pungent. Tincture: 15-40 drops, up to four times a day.
Like rosemary, sage contains powerful antioxidants, which slow spoilage supporting its traditional use as a
preservative. This is due to the presence of labiatic acid and carnosic acid. British researchers have confirmed that
sage inhibits the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, thus preserving the compound that seems to help prevent
and treat Alzheimer's.
Sage makes a good digestive remedy. The volatile oils have a relaxant effect on the smooth muscle of the
digestive tract, while in conjunction with the bitters, they stimulate the appetite and improve digestion. Sage
encourages the flow of digestive enzymes and bile, settles the stomach, relieves colic, wind, indigestion, nausea,
diarrhea and colitis, liver complaints, and worms. Its antiseptic properties are helpful in infections such as
gastroenteritis. Sage is a tonic to the nervous system and has been used to enhance strength and vitality.
It has a tonic effect upon the female reproductive tract and is recommended for delayed or scanty
menstruation, or lack of periods, menstrual cramps and infertility. It has an estrogenic effect, excellent for menopausal
problems, especially hot flashes and night sweats. It stimulates the uterus, so is useful during childbirth and to expel
the placenta. It stops the flow of breast milk and it is excellent for weaning. One German study shows sage reduces
blood sugar levels in diabetics who drink the infusion on an empty stomach. It also contains astringent tannins which
account for its traditional use in treating canker sores, bleeding gums and sore throats. Commission E endorses using
2-3 teaspoons of dried sage leaves per cup of boiling water to make an anti-gingivitis tea. Recently published studies
by a team of scientists from the Department of Microbiology and Chemotherapy at the Nippon Roche Research Center
in Kamakura Japan, informed that powdered sage or sage tea helps to prevent blood clots from forming, and is quite
useful in the prevention and treatment of myocardial infarction and general coronary pains.
Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate ) - a tea made of the leaves has been used to treat headache, stomachache,
vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, and as an antidote for poisoning. Some Indians chewed the leaves to ease stomach
gas. A wash made of boiled and steeped leaves was used for treating bullet wounds and cuts, to bathe newborn
babies, and as a hot poultice in treating rheumatism. A poultice was also placed on the stomach to induce
menstruation, to relieve colic and treat worms. The leaves are boiled in water and the steam inhaled as a
decongestant. Warm leaves may be applied to the neck to help a sore throat. The leaves are pungent and have been
preferred for making medicine among other sagebrushes.
Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor) The older herbalists held this plant in greater repute than it enjoys at the
present day. Pliny recommended a decoction of the plant beaten up with honey for diverse complaints.
Dodoens recommended it as a healer of wounds. Gerard wrote that ‘it was a capital wound herb for all sorts of
wounds, both of the head and body, either inward or outward, used either in juice or decoction of the herb, or by
the powder of the herb or too, or the water of the distilled herb, or made into an ointment by itself or with other
things to be kept.’ Turner advised the use of the herb, infused in wine or beer, for the cure of gout and
rheumatism.
TCM: (Officinalis) Indicated for blood in stool and urine, bleeding, dysentery; bleeding hemorrhoids;
menorrhagia. The fresh root is pulverized, mixed with sesame oil and applied to burns, pruritus and eczema
Salep (Orchis mascula ) Once believed to have aphrodisiac powers, purple orchid is now seen as a nourishing
vegetable somewhat similar to the potato. Its current medicinal use is generally confined to the treatment of diarrhea
and irritated gastrointestinal tracts in children. Was once much used for kidney disorders.
Salvia Divinorum Medicinal uses: Traditional Mazatec healers have used Salvia divinorum to treat medical
and psychiatric conditions conceptualized according to their traditional framework. Some of the conditions for
which they use the herb are easily recognizable to Western medical practitioners (e.g colds, sore throats,
constipation and diarrhea) and some are not, e.g. 'fat lambs belly' which is said to be due to a 'stone' put in the
victims belly by means of evil witchcraft. Some alternative healers and herbalists are exploring possible uses for
Salvia. The problems in objectively evaluating such efforts and 'sorting the wheat from the chaff' are
considerable. There are no accepted uses for Salvia divinorum in standard medical practice at this time. A
medical exploration of some possible uses suggested by Mazatec healing practice is in order in such areas as
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