Sassafras (sasapras in tagalog)

(Sassafras officinale) Part used: Root, bark. Properties: Alternative, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant. What it affects: Blood, skin, circulation, and intestines.

Preparation and amount: Decoction: Simmer 5-15 min. Take 3 oz. 3-4 times daily. Tincture: Take 15-30 drops 3-4 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/4 to 1 tsp. 3-4 times daily. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3-4 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, sassafras is one of the oldest and most respected herbal remedies in America. It is a spring tonic and blood purifier. After a heavy winter, it thins the blood, stimulates and cleans the liver of toxins, and promotes perspiration and urination. When used to purify the blood, it is usually combined with other alternative herbs. Therefore, it is recommended for rheumatism, gout, arthritis, and skin problems. Indians used it is an infusion t reduce fevers.

• The bark of the root contains a volatile oil that has anodyne and antiseptic properties. The bark has been used as a pain reliever and also to treat venereal diseases. It is given during painful menstruation, and will relieve suffering in childbirth and the after pains.

• For chronic blood disorders, sassafras id often combined with other alternatives-such as sarsaparilla, licorice, burdock, and Echinacea.

Internally and externally, use sassafras to treat skin problems and ulcers of various kinds, including acne. Apply the oil externally as a disinfectant and for rheumatic pains.

 
Warning: The oil can be used externally, but must never be used internally.

Sarsaparilla (sarsaparilya in tagalog)

(Smilax ornate) Part used: Root. Properties: Alternative, carminative, tonic, diaphoretic. What it affects: Blood, skin, circulation, and intestines.

Preparation and amount: Decoctions: Simmer 15-30 min. Take 3 oz 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 5-15 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 2-4 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, sarsaparilla tea increases the flow of urine; and, taken hot, it induces sweating to help break fevers. It is good for skin problems, flatulence, catarrhal problems, and scrofula. It used for disorders of the nervous system. Steep 1 tsp. rootstock in 1 cup water; take 1-2 cups a day. It is used for arthritis, rheumatism, and gout.

• Sarsaparilla tea is a blood cleanser, and is often taken as a “spring tonic”. It promotes the excretion of fluids, increases energy, protects against radiation exposure, and regulates hormones.

• It contains a hormone-like substances which makes it useful in glandular formulas. It is useful for frigidity, hives, infertility, impotence, and psoriases.

Externally, sarsaparilla tea is a good eyewash. Use it as a wash or poultice on ringworm. Pustules and sores may be washed with a tea make from the root. Use it for ringworm and skin eruptions.

Sage (sago in tagalog)

(Salvia officinalis) Part used: Leaves. Properties: Antispasmodic, astringent, anthelmintic, aromatic, vulnerary. What it affects: Bowels, sinuses, bladder, mucous membranes, and nerves.

Preparation and amount: Infusion (leaves): Steep 5-15 min. Take 1 Tbsp. as needed or 1-2 cups daily, hot or cold. Tincture: Take 20-60 drops 3-4 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/4 - 1 tsp. 3-4 times daily. Powder: Take 2-5 #0 capsules (10-30 grains) 3-4 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, sage’s best-known effect is its ability to reduce perspiration, which will begin about 2 hours after it is taken. The effect may last several days. This makes it useful in treating night sweats which often occur in tuberculosis. A nursing mother, whose child has been weaned, can take sage for a few days, to help stop the flow of milk. It also reduces salivation and decreases secretions of the lungs, sinuses, throat and mucous membranes. It also helps eliminate mucous congestion in the respirator passages and the stomach.

• Sage tea is good for stomach troubles, diarrhea, gas, dysentery, colds, and flus. It is good for hot flashes other symptoms of estrogen deficiency, whether in menopause or following hysterectomy. It will expel worms in children and adults. It is used for nervous conditions, trembling, depression, and vertigo. It is used for inflamed throat and tonsils, laryngitis, and tonsillitis.

• Sage tea can be combined with equal parts of peppermint, rosemary, and wood betony for a very helpful headache remedy. It is used for leucorrhea, dysmenorrheal, and amenorrhea. As an astringent, it is used for diarrhea, gastritis, and enteritis.

Externally, sage tea is an excellent gargle when combined with freshly squeezed lemon juice and honey for all amount diseases. It is a good wash for wounds that are slow to heal. It is a useful hair rinse to eliminate dandruff, stimulate hair growth, and promote shine in the hair. As a gargle, the tea is good for laryngitis, tonsillitis, and sore throat. Crushed, fresh sage leaves can be used as first aid for insect bites.

Warning: Extended or excessive use of sage can cause symptoms of poisoning.

Rue (mahambal in tagalog)

(Ruta graveolens) Part used: Herb, leaves. Properties: Antispasmodic, emmenagogue, rubefacient, stimulant. What it affects: Nerves, tendons, circulation, and uterus.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 2 oz. 3 times daily between meals. Tincture: Take 5-20 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Oil: Take 1-5 drops 3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-5 #0 capsules (10-30 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, rue is a valuable antispasmodic herb useful in treating hypertension, nervous complaints, neuralgia, trauma, and bowel cramps. As a warm infusion, it is an excellent help for stomach problems, gas pain, colic, spasms, dizziness, nervousness, and congestion in the female organs. It relieves gouty and rheumatic pains and treats nervous heart problems, such as palpitations in women going through menopause. It improves appetite and digestion. It is a good herb to add to cough medicines, especially when poor digestion and gas are also present. It is widely prescribed as a first-aid medicine for strained tendons and muscles. The Chinese use a tincture of rue for sedation and rheumatism. It is used by them to decrease swelling increase local circulation, and improve metabolism.

Externally, an infusion will help eliminate worms. A poultice placed on the forehead will relieve certain types of headaches. Used as a poultice, the fresh, bruised herb is an irritant which helps sciatica. It is used as a rubefacient increases the flow of blood to the surface and increases redness of the skin.) It is best to first rub a vegetable oil on the body part where the poultice will be placed.

 
Warning: Do not take too much rue at a time; small, frequent doses are best. If adverse symptoms develop from overuse, a small amount of goldenseal root will act as an antidote. Because it is an emmenagogic, it should not be used during pregnancy.

Red Clover (mapulang klober in tagalog)

(Trifolium pretense) Part used: Flowering tops. Properties: Alternative, nutritive, sedative, stimulant. What it affects: Nerves, lungs, blood, liver, and lymph.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 30 min. Take 1-2 oz. frequently or 4-6 cups daily. Tincture: 5-30 drops frequently. Fluid extract: Take 1 tsp. frequently. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) frequently.

Purposes: Internally, red clover is considered among the very best anti-cancer herbs. It is a powerful blood purifier, either used alone or in combination with yellow dock, dandelion root, sassafras, or other blood purifiers. It fights infection, suppresses appetite, relaxes the system, stops spasms, and induces expectoration. It is soothing to the nerves and is good for whooping cough, psoriasis, rheumatism, and stomach problems. It is used for coughs, bronchitis, inflamed lungs, kidney problems, liver diseases, weakened immune system, bacterial infections, HIV, and AIDS.

 
Externally, it can be applied as a poultice or fomentation on cancerous growth.