SIMARUBA / Simaruba amara. West Indies. Actions: A fine Tonic. Cultivation: A small tree. Product: the Bark is used. Used to Treat: Appetite - Loss: as a Tonic. Debility: as a Tonic.  

SKULLCAP - Scullcap / Scutellaria lateriflora. USA. Actions: Calming and especially good as a Nervine Tonic safe for persons of any age. Cultivation: A herb of insignificant appearance with pale blue flowers Produces skull like seed - pods. Product: the whole herb above the ground is used. Tea: 1 teaspoon dried or 2 teaspoons fresh herb to a cup of boiling water.

Horses: Extremely useful Nervine herb specifically for horses who Adrenalise easily, characterised by Nervous episodes where the Heart Rate rises and does not return to normal easily. N.B: Requires specialist prescription as the dosage rate is extremely critical and too much may throw Horses into even more frenzied behaviour.  

    Used to Treat: Anxiety: combined with other herbs assists also with restlessness over worries and responsibilities. Excitability: Specific. Epilepsy: Specific. Head - Aches: combined with other herbs. Insomnia: combined with other herbs. Nervous Tension: as a Nervine Tonic. Premenstrual Syndrome: Bitter taste encourages the Liver to remove Toxins from the Body including excess Hormones often responsible for this Condition. Spasms: Specific. St. Vitus Dance: as a Nervine Tonic. Tension: combined with other herbs. 

SKUNK CABBAGE / Symplocarpus foetidus. USA. Actions: excellent Diaphoretic and Expectorant. Cultivation: A small herb of bulky appearance and foul odour. Product: the Leaves are used. Used to Treat: Fevers: used in a formula to reduce. Influenza: Specific. Temperature: used in a formula to reduce.   

SLIPPERY ELM POWDER / Ulmus fulva / Ulmus rubra. North America. N.B: Do not use Capsules except for Constipation as these would be no good for Oesophagus or Upper Stomach Conditions as they take too long to break down. N.B: Avoid commercial made up mixtures as they only have a small % of Powder in them. N.B: Always buy 100% Pure Slippery Elm Powder.

Main Use: Soothing Nutritive Demulcent for the Digestive Tract. Actions: Anti - Tussive, Astringent, Demulcent, Emollient and Nutritive Tonic.  

    Constituents: Mucilage and Tannin. Cultivation: A great tree of spreading growth. Product: the Bark from young Saplings used or from the Inner Bark of the Elm Tree stripped from the trunk and the large branches of a 10 year old tree in the Spring. *Also available as Capsules and Tablets. Added to water it becomes Mucilaginous and Slippery. Can be mixed with Milk and boil and simmer for 10 minutes then flavour with Cinnamon, Mace or Nutmeg and sweeten with Honey. Can be mixed with a 1/2 of a mashed Banana as they too have Mucilaginous properties. Good to use during Convalescence. Mix with Aloe Vera Juice as a drink to promote Internal healing & Digestion. Drink plenty of Fluids with it, as much as you like. Also good as a Bulking agent. Decoction: One part Powder to 8 parts water mixed well in and bring to the boil and simmer gently 10 - 15 minutes. Drink 1/2 a cup 3 times a day. Also 1 x teaspoon Powder mixed with warm water (Honey to taste.) until a thick gruel, and drink immediately.

Horses: the Powder is exceedingly high in Mucilage and Nutrients and is specifically indicated for Scouring and the prevention and treatment of Gut Ulceration. It is soothing, mildly Astringent & anti - Inflammatory and given at the right dosage rates will not have the opposite effect. Some will not eat the Powder in their feed and it can be given in an Extract form. Externally it is good for Poulticing as it is soft and sticky when water is added and can be used on its own or with other ingredients.

 Used to Treat: Abrasions: as it covers them in the Walls of the Gut. 1 to 2 teaspoons of the Powder 2 or 3 times a day every 8 hours. Abscesses: Externally - with a Poultice by adding enough warm water to make a Paste. Boils: Externally - with a Poultice by adding enough warm water to make a Paste. Burns: as it is a valuable Demulcent & Emollient of the greatest possible healing value. Chilblains: use a Poultice of 3 parts of this herb and 2 parts Cayenne Pepper and apply to the area. Colds & Flu: as it is a valuable Demulcent & Emollient of the greatest possible healing value. Colitis - Inflamed Colon: Ideal for Inflammation of the Stomach Lining. Constipation: as it is a valuable Demulcent & Emollient of the greatest possible healing value. Cough: as it is a valuable Demulcent & Emollient of the greatest possible healing value. Crohn's Disease: Ideal for Inflammation of the Stomach Lining. Diarrhoea: as it quickly normalises Bowel functions and can be utilised by either spreading the Powdered Bark over Cereal or made into a gruel with water and a little Honey. Diverticulitis- Inflammed Pockets on the Colon Wall: Ideal for Inflammation of the Stomach Lining. Duodenal Ulcers: Ideal for Inflammation of the Stomach Lining. Gastritis: Ideal for Inflammation of the Stomach Lining. Gastric Ulcers: as it covers Ulcerations in the Walls of the Gut. Gut Abrasions: as it covers Ulcerations in the Walls of the Gut. Haemorrhoids: as it is a valuable Demulcent & Emollient of the greatest possible healing value. Hiatus Hernia: as it reduces the pain. Heart - Burn: as it assists when inflamed or painful. Ileitius - Inflammed Small Intestine: Ideal for Inflammation of the Stomach Lining. Internal Ulceration: as it covers Ulcerations in the Walls of the Gut. Internal Pain: 1 to 2 teaspoons of the Powder 2 or 3 times a day every 8 hours. Intestinal Thrush: Ideal for Inflammation of the Stomach Lining. Invalid Food: Nutritive as the best known. Mucous Membranes  -  Inflamed: Ideal for Inflammation of the Stomach Lining. Demulcent, Emollient, Anti - Tussive & Nutritive Tonic that affects the whole Body as it is rich in Mucilage, acting rapidly to sooth the Inflamed surfaces of a variety of Mucous Membranes and is especially beneficial for the Lungs, Stomach and Intestines. As a Mucilage it combines with Fluids in the Digestive Tract and covers the Mucous Membranes with a protective layer by Stimulating normal Mucosal Secretion and improving & normalising the Digestive function. Useful for both External & Internal use for Conditions in the Colon, Small Intestine and Stomach. Oesophagitis: as it assists when inflamed or painful. Skin Conditions: as it is a valuable Demulcent and Emollient of the greatest possible healing value. Sore Throat - Sore as it is a valuable Demulcent and Emollient of the greatest possible healing value. Stomach Ulcers: Ideal for Inflammation of the Stomach Lining. Ulceration: as it covers Ulcerations in the Walls of the Gut. Ulcers: Externally - with a Poultice by adding enough warm water to make a Paste. Internally: Mix equal parts of this dried herb with Marshmallow Root & Liquorice and take 2 Capsules of this mixture just before meals 3 times a day. Ensure that you have a well balanced diet, low in Red Meat  & Spices, with larger portions of Vegetables and whole Grains. Vaginal Douche: combine 28gm of this herb with 28gm Golden Seal, 28gm Comfrey, 28gm Squaw Vine and 28gm Chaparral and take 30gm of the mixture to 600ml of water, cover and simmer for 30 minutes then cool and strain. Add 14ml of Apple Cider Vinegar and use once daily for 1 - 3 days.

SMALL FLOWERED WILLOW HERB / Epilobium parviflorum. Product: Use the whole herb above the ground. 

SNAKE ROOT / Aristolochia reticulata. USA. Actions: One of the quickest known Anodynes, Anti - Spasmodic, Diaphoretic, Nervine and Stimulant . Cultivation: A climbing plant with bold white flowers. Product: the Rhizomes are used with many beneficial uses.  

SNEEZEWORT / Centipeda cuninghamii. Cultivation: Easy to grow. Product: Use the whole herb above the ground. 

SOAP TREE / Quillaia Bark / Quillaja saponaria. South America. Actions: one of the strongest known Sternutatories to produce Sneezing. Cultivation: A small tree. Product: the Bark is used.

Used to Treat: Bronchitis - Chronic: to sooth and relieve. Hair Growth: one of the best aids applied as an Infusion to the Scalp. 

SOAPWORT / Country Soap / Fuller's Herb / Saponaria officinalis. Europe. One of the best sources of Saponins - soapy substances. Cultivation: A small herb with pink flowers. Product: the Roots are used in either grated or powdered form. Used to wash delicate silks and also used in Brewing. Shampoo: combine 2 Tablespoons of grated or powdered Soapwort Root with 300ml of boiling water and mix and allow to cool with 1/2 cup used as a Shampoo especially for greasy Hair. Do not use metal containers, but china or glazed pottery and stir with a wooden spoon. 

Used to Treat: Bronchitis: Hair - Cleansing - Shampoo: as an ingredient by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 2 heaped teaspoon of the fresh / bruised Leaves - or 1 heaped teaspoon of the dried herb and steep for 24 hours and strain off the liquid. Add the Infusion to a mild organic shampoo or dissolved unscented soap. Laryngitis: Rash - Poisonous Plants: used to prevent. Skin Conditions: to soothe and cure. 

SOLOMON’S SEAL / Polygonatum multiflorum. Britain. 

  Actions: Astringent, Demulcent and Tonic. Cultivation: A tall plant with strap like leaves and flowers similar to Lily of the Valley. Product: the Rhizomes are used. 

 Used to Treat: Allergic Reaction - Plants: use the Root to make a strong Tea and cool and use as a dressing or wash. Bruises: use the crushed Root as a Poultice or steep the peeled, crushed Root in Beer and apply on a clean Compress. Complexion: as a Lotion. Diarrhoea: use a Tea made from the Root. Eyes - Bruises: use the crushed Root as a Poultice or steep the peeled, crushed Root in Beer and apply on a clean Compress. Gastric Upsets: use a Tea made from the Root. Haemorrhoids: use the Root to make a strong Tea and cool and use as a dressing or wash. Inflammation: use the Root to make a strong Tea and cool and use as a dressing or wash. Skin Allergies: use the Root to make a strong Tea and cool and use as a dressing or wash. Swelling: to reduce make a soothing rub by crushing a 5cm piece of the Root and mix with 255ml of Wheat Germ Oil and strain before using. Women's Conditions: Astringent & Demulcent to alleviate. Wounds: use the Root to make a strong Tea and cool and use as a dressing or wash.

SORREL / Garden Sorrel / Rumex acetosa. Europe in marshy regions. Also see French Sorrel below. N.B: use with caution as it is one of the few natural remedies if taken in large quantities that contains high levels of Oxalic Acid. Cultivation: A small perennial plant 75 - 100 cm high producing a rosette of arrow shaped light green leaves that grows from early Summer on. Product: the Leaves are used as a potherb and in Salads and Soups. See French Sorrel below for proper Cultivation.  

Used to Treat: Fevers: Specific to reduce. Menstruation: as a Tonic for Women during and after.

SORREL, French / Rumex scutatus. N.B: use with caution as it is one of the few natural remedies if taken in large quantities that contains high levels of Oxalic Acid. 

    Actions: mildly Astringent and Tonic. Constituents: Rich in Vitamin C. Cultivation: Easy to grow 50 - 60cm plant from early Summer on grown in full sun in well drained, moisture retaining, rich soil and is much more tasty and succulent then the Garden Sorrel. Divisions, Roots and Seeds used to propagate in Spring or Autumn in punnets 15cm apart or in sow seeds in clumps 15cm apart and thin out to the strongest seedling. Older plants can be divided in late autumn or Winter and side dressing of nitrogen fertiliser or liquid feeds every 3 - 4 weeks while growing to promote the Leaves. Product: the large heart - shaped Leaves are used. Used in Salads, cooked as a potherb or made into a Soup while the Sauce is used with Fish, boiled Potatoes, cold Poultry and as a filling for Omelettes. Used with Meat dishes as a condiment due to its citrus flavour. Tea:  has a cleansing and cooling effect on the System.

Used to Treat: Bladder Conditions: used as a Tea or Soup for those recuperating from these Conditions. Kidney Conditions: used as a Tea or Soup for those recuperating from these Conditions. Scurvy: by chewing the Leaves. Skin Conditions: use a Poultice of warm wetted Sorrel Leaves to soothe due to the Vitamin C content having a mildly Astringent and Tonic effect. Wounds - Minor: use a Poultice of warm wetted Sorrel Leaves to soothe. 

SOURSOP / Annona muricata. Used to Treat: Fainting:  

SOUTHERNWOOD / Lad's Love / Maiden's Ruin / Old Man / Artemisia abrotanum. Europe. Actions: Stimulant but weak in its effect. Cultivation: An upward growing small bush to 90 cm with thread like, finely divided  leaves that have a lemon and camphor scent  that is easy to grow. Product: the Leaves are used. Rinse: 3 Tablespoons of Southernwood, 1 Tablespoon of Clary Sage Oil, 250ml of Apple Cider Vinegar, 50ml of Whisky, combine all in a jar with a tight lid and steep for 2 weeks, strain and re - bottle. 

Used to Treat: Bath: used for its Lemon tang to invigorate. Hair - Loose - Scalp Dryness: to create growth by dabbing an Infusion directly onto the Scalp to ease Irritations, Dandruff & Flaking as a rinse after Shampooing. Menstruation: Infusions taken to encourage. 

SOYA BEANS / Glycine max. China. Actions: Unfortunately it is also a Hydrogue and can also dehydrate the Body by voiding water from the Tissues. Cultivation: A tall and strong growing bean with the Oil and Soy Flour used and one of the most valuable edible plants. 

Used to Treat: Dandruff: Endometriosis: Menopause: Osteoporosis: Premenstrual Syndrome: Shingles: Warts:

SPANISH NEEDLES / Bidens pilosa. Used to Treat: Swelling:  

SPANISH PEANUT / Arachis hypogaea. Used to Treat: Varicose Veins:

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