Dominican Medicinal Plants: A Guide for Health Care Providers

* See entry for Roble in “Part 3: Dominican
Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more
information, including references.
Sábila*
Aloe, aloe vera (Aloe vera).
Plant Part Used
Leaf, leaf gel.
Dominican Medicinal Uses
Leaf gel: applied topically for skin conditions:
minor abrasions, burns, cuts, fungal infection,
scrapes, sunburn, wound-healing; taken orally
for common cold, flu-like symptoms, pulmonary
infection.
Safety
Results of toxicity studies and published
literature.
Contraindications
Internal use: pregnancy, lactation, children under
12 y, individuals with inflammatory intestinal
disease.
Drug Interactions
Internal use: cardiac glycosides, antiarrhythmic
drugs (potential potassium loss and intensified
drug effect); thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics,
licorice, corticosteroids (risk of potassium loss);
antidiabetic drugs: (risk of hypoglycemia).
Clinical Data
Clinical: anesthetic, antiviral, burn-healing,
wound-healing (leaf gel).
Laboratory & Preclinical Data
In vivo: antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory,
antiulcer, chemomodulatory, hypothyroid,
wound-healing (leaf pulp/gel).
In vitro: antileukemic, antimutagenic, antitumor,
cytotoxic, enzyme inhibition (chemical
constituents).
* See entry for Sábila in “Part 3: Dominican
Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more
information, including references.
Sal
Salt; used as an ingredient in gargles for sore
throat or tonsillitis and as a douche with water
for treating vaginal infections.
Semilla de __________
Means “seed of (plant name)”; look up the plant
name which follows this description of the plant
part used.
Señora Mueller
Manufactured herbal preparation sold at
botánicas and used for women’s health
conditions, including menopause, infertility,
vaginal infections, menstrual irregularities and
uterine fibroids.
Sesame
See Ajonjolí.
Siempreviva
See Bruja.
Sopa
Soup; many different types of soups can be
given as a nourishing food to support the
immune system and strengthen the body to
facilitate healing.
Sorosí
See Cundeamor.
Soursop
See Guanábana.
Squash
See Calabaza.
Star anise
See Anís de estrella.
Sweet potato
See Batata.
Tabaco*
Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).
Plant Part Used
49