- Sabatia angularis
- Saccharum officinarum
- Safflower
- Sagina procumbens
- Sagittaria sagittifolia
- Sagittaria subulata
- Sagittaria trifolia
- Salicornia europaea
- Salicornia virginica
- Salix alba
- Salix arbuscula
12.Salix aurita
14.Salix caprea
- Salix myrtilloides
- Salix pentandra
- Salix phylicifolia
- Salix purpurea
- Salix reticulata
- Salix triandra
- Salix viminalis
- Salsola soda
- Salvadora persica
- Salvia aethiopis
- Salvia africana-caerulea
- Salvia africana-lutea
- Salvia canariensis
- Salvia dominica
- Salvia glutinosa
- Salvia hispanica
- Salvia indica
- Salvia lyrata
- Salvia officinalis
- Salvia pratensis
- Salvia sclarea
- Salvia urticifolia
- Salvia verbenaca
- Salvia verticillata
- Salvia viridis
- Sambucus canadensis
- Sambucus ebulus
- Sambucus nigra
- Sambucus racemosa
- Samolus valerandi
- Sanguinaria canadensis
- Sanguisorba canadensis
- Sanguisorba officinalis
- Sanicula canadensis
- Sanicula europaea
- Sanicula marilandica
- Santalum album
- Santolina rosmarinifolia
- Sapindus saponaria
- Sapium glandulosum
- Saponaria ocymoides
- Saponaria officinalis
- Sarracenia flava
- Sarracenia purpurea
- Satureja hortensis
- Satureja montana
- Saururus cernuus
- Saw-wort
- Saxifraga aizoides
- Saxifraga aspera
- Saxifraga bryoides
- Saxifraga cernua
- Saxifraga cespitosa
- Saxifraga cotyledon
- Saxifraga granulata
- Saxifraga hirculus
- Saxifraga rivularis
- Saxifraga rotundifolia
- Saxifraga stellaris
- Saxifraga tridactylites
- Scabiosa atropurpurea
- Scabiosa ochroleuca
- Scabiosa stellata
- Scandix pecten-veneris
- Scheuchzeria palustris
- Schoenoplectus lacustris
- Schoenoplectus mucronatus
- Schoenus nigricans
- Schwalbea americana
- Scilla bifolia
- Scilla peruviana
- Scleranthus annuus
- Scleranthus perennis
- Scleria terrestris
- Scolymus hispanicus
- Scolymus maculatus
- Scoparia dulcis
- Scorpiurus muricatus
- Scorzonera hispanica
- Scorzonera humilis
- Scorzoneroides autumnalis
- Scots pine
- Scrophularia auriculata
- Scrophularia marilandica
- Scrophularia nodosa
- Scutellaria alpina
- Scutellaria galericulata
- Scutellaria lateriflora
- Secale cereale
- Securigera varia
- Sedum acre
- Sedum album
- Sedum dasyphyllum
- Sedum sexangulare
- Selaginella apoda
- Selaginella rupestris
- Selenicereus grandiflorus
- Sempervivum arachnoideum
- Sempervivum tectorum
- Senecio congestus
- Senecio elegans
- Senecio glaucus
- Senecio nemorensis
- Senecio squalidus
- Senecio sylvaticus
- Senecio viscosus
- Senecio vulgaris
- Senegalia tenuifolia
- Senna alata
- Senna auriculata
- Senna bicapsularis
- Senna marilandica
- Senna obtusifolia
- Senna occidentalis
- Senna sophera
- Senna tora
- Serapias lingua
- Serratula tinctoria
- Sesame
- Sesamum indicum
- Shepherdia canadensis
- Sherardia arvensis
- Sibbaldia procumbens
- Sida cordifolia
- Sida rhombifolia
- Sideritis syriaca
- Sideroxylon inerme
- Sigesbeckia orientalis
- Silaum silaus
- Silene antirrhina
- Silene armeria
- Silene conoidea
- Silene coronaria
- Silene gallica
- Silene noctiflora
- Silene nutans
- Silene rupestris
- Silene virginica
- Silphium asteriscus
- Silphium laciniatum
- Sinapis alba
- Sinapis arvensis
- Sisymbrium altissimum
- Sisymbrium irio
- Sisymbrium officinale
- Sisyrinchium bermudiana
- Sium latifolium
- Sium sisarum
- Smilax aspera
- Smilax bona-nox
- Smilax china
- Smilax herbacea
- Smilax laurifolia
- Smilax pseudochina
- Smilax rotundifolia
- Smilax tamnoides
- Smilax zeylanica
- Smyrnium olusatrum
- Solanum bahamense
- Solanum campechiense
- Solanum carolinense
- Solanum diphyllum
- Solanum dulcamara
- Solanum incanum
- Solanum lycopersicum
- Solanum mammosum
- Solanum melongena
- Solanum nigrum
- Solanum pseudocapsicum
- Solanum trilobatum
- Solanum tuberosum
- Solanum virginianum
- Soldanella alpina
- Solidago altissima
- Solidago caesia
- Solidago canadensis
- Solidago flexicaulis
- Solidago rigida
- Solidago sempervirens
- Solidago virgaurea
- Sonchus arvensis
- Sonchus asper
- Sonchus oleraceus
- Sonchus palustris
- Sonchus tenerrimus
- Sophora tomentosa
- Sorbaria sorbifolia
- Sorbus aucuparia
- Sorbus domestica
- Sorrel
- Sparganium erectum
- Sparganium natans
- Spartium junceum
- Spearmint
- Spelt
- Spergula arvensis
- Sphaeranthus indicus
- Spinach
- Spinacia oleracea
- Spiraea tomentosa
- Spiranthes cernua
- Spiranthes spiralis
- Spondias mombin
- Stachys palustris
- Stachys sylvatica
- Staphylea trifolia
- Stellaria graminea
- Stellaria holostea
- Stellaria media
- Stellaria nemorum
- Sternbergia lutea
- Stewartia malacodendron
- Stipa avenacea
- Stipa pennata
- Stone pine
- Stratiotes aloides
- Strychnos nux-vomica
- Subularia aquatica
- Summer savory
- Suriana maritima
- Sutherlandia frutescens
- Swamp dewberry
- Sweet pea
- Swertia perennis
- Symphoricarpos albus
- Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
- Symphyotrichum cordifolium
- Symphyotrichum ericoides
- Symphyotrichum laeve
- Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Symphyotrichum novi-belgii
- Symphyotrichum puniceum
- Symphytum officinale
- Symphytum tuberosum
- Symplocarpus foetidus
- Syringa vulgaris
- Syzygium aromaticum
- Syzygium jambos
- Syzygium malaccense
Salix matsudana
- Willow bark (Salix spp.)
- In TCM: liǔ (S. babylonica, 柳) or shuǐ yáng (S. purpurea, 水杨)<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-read-12">
- Used for: pain relief (and is effective, obviously).
- Harmful effects: may include stomach upset, digestive system upset, itching, an increased risk of children developing Reyes syndrome, ulcers, stomach bleeding, and liver toxicity.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-213"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-wb-214"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-215"> (No better than aspirin, then.) Side effects from overdosing may include skin rash, stomach inflammation/irritation, nausea, vomiting, kidney inflammation, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-wb-214"> Willow bark can be anywhere from .% to .% salicin (the active ingredient).<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-wb-214">
Stevia rebaudiana
- Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)
- Used as a sweetener.
- Usually no side effects, but rare ones may include bloating, nausea, dizziness, muscle pain, and numbness.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-203">
Spinacia oleracea
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
- In TCM: bō (菠)<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-read-12">
- May contribute to kidney stone formation by increasing the amount of oxalate in the urine.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-201">
Salvia officinalis
- Sage (usually Salvia officinalis, also Salvia lavandulaefolia, occasionally others )
- Also called: garden sage, common sage
- Used in: vaginal steaming, aromatherapy
- Claimed to: move blood and chi through physical and emotional obstructions, reduce loss of appetite, reduce flatulence, reduce stomach pain, reduce diarrhea, reduce stomach bloating, reduce heartburn, reduce overproduction of perspiration, reduce overproduction of saliva, reduce depression, reduce memory loss, reduce Alzheimer's disease, reduce painful menstrual periods, reduce excessive milk flow during nursing, and reduce hot flashes during menopause, (when applied topically) help cold sores, gum disease (gingivitis), sore mouth/throat/tongue, swollen nasal passages, and (when inhaled) reduce asthma.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- Beneficial effects:
- May potentially improve learning, memory, and information processing for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- May improve memory and attention.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- Appears to remove cold sores slightly slower than medical products.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- May reduce "bad" cholesterol.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- May reduce symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- In one study, sage extract significantly reduced ultraviolet-induced erythema.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-193">
- Unproven effects:
- Not known if sage reduces lung cancer.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- Not known if sage helps sore throats.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- Not known for other conditions.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- Harmful effects:
- Salvia officinalis contains thujone. Thujone can be poisonous in sufficient doses, and can cause seizures, damage to the liver, and damage to the nervous systems. The amount of thujone varies with the species of plant, the time of harvest, growing conditions, and other factors.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- If pregnant or breastfeeding, the risk of thujone poisoning is especially high.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- For persons with higher risks of seizures, thujone is especially dangerous.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- Sage may reduce blood sugar, affecting patients with diabetes and patients undergoing surgery.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) may affect estrogen-receptive growths, such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) might increase blood pressure in those with high blood pressure, while common sage (Salvia officinalis) might lower blood pressure in people with low blood pressure.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
- Sage can cause drowsiness.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WMDSage-192">
Sassafras albidum
- Sassafras (Sassafras spp.)
- Used for: "blood purifying", promoting sweating and urination, pain relief and venereal disease<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-theherbbook-7"> joint pain and preventing colds and flus.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-194"> There is no evidence to support its use for these conditions.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-sassa-195">
- Harmful effects: Sassafras is poisonous, and even ml can be fatal. Side effects may include cancer, liver damage and miscarriages. Also, sweating and hot flashes. "High amounts can cause vomiting, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and more severe side effects. It can cause skin rashes when used on the skin."<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-sassa-195"> Sassafras had a long traditional use in the United States in foods, root beer, and tea. Sassafras was banned from interstate trade by the FDA in because of its high safrole content after safrole was discovered to be carcinogenic.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-dietz-140"> Subsequently, sassafras has returned to the interstate food market after technology to remove safrole was implemented.
Serenoa repens
- Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
- Extract of the fruit of a fan palm. Taken for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) a.k.a. Getting up times at night to piss. Some studies assert its effectiveness. Has been suggested as a treatment for male pattern baldness, mainly since finasteride, the first-line treatment for MPB, is also effective against BPH. Evidence for the latter use is inconclusive, so if you're losing your mane, finasteride and minoxidil remain your best bets.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-196">
Senna alexandrina
- Senna (Senna alexandrina)
- Effective for: constipation<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-senna-197">
- Harmful effects: Short-term use may cause stomach discomfort, cramps, and diarrhea.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-senna-197"> Long-term use (over two weeks) can stop the bowels from functioning properly and cause dependence; it may also cause heart function disorders, muscle weakness, liver damage, and other side effects.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-senna-197">
- Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) See Eleuthero
- Skullcap: See American skullcap, Chinese skullcap. European skullcap is used there as a substitute for American skullcap, and has similar ingredients.
- Soursop (Annona muricata)
- A tropical fruit touted as a "wonder cure" for cancer.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-198"> Despite some promising results, there are no definite conclusions in this area.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-199"> There are, however, definite indicators of a neurotoxic effect, with symptoms similar to Parkinsonism.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-200">
Silybum marianum
- Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
- Used for: liver, stomach, gall bladder and spleen problems,<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-theherbbook-7"> and sometimes for irritable bowel syndrome.
- Harmful effects: may include diarrhea, nausea, bloating, gas, and upset stomach.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-157">
Scutellaria lateriflora
- American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
- Also called: blue skullcap, mad dog skullcap
- Claimed to: Be good for tension, anxiety, insomnia, neurasthenia, panic, headaches, fatigue, depression, melancholy, convulsions, jerking muscles, epilepsy, wobbliness, heart trembles, depression, arthritis, fever, snake bites, diuresis, sedation, increasing vigor, rabies, and for PMS when used with chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus ) or false unicorn (Chamaelirium luteum ).<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-theherbbook-7"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-15">
- Research: Not much research has been done on the herb, so these claims can't be evaluated.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-skull-16">
- Harmful effects: High doses can cause giddiness, stupor, mental confusion, twitching, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-skull-16"> American skullcap has, on occasion, been contaminated with germander, which can cause liver damage.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-skull-16"> American skullcap has been implicated in some cases of liver damage.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-17">
dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum
- Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)
- In TCM: Dīngxiāng, 丁香.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-read-12"> It is used for nasal polyps, ulcers, cracked nipples, carious teeth, and scorpion stings.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-stuart-5">
- In Western herbal medicine: topical anesthesia in pre-modern dentistry. Also used as an antimetic and antiseptic.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-theherbbook-7">
- Harmful effects: Large amounts of cloves or clove oil may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, burns in the mouth and throat, sore throat, seizures, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, sleepiness, intestinal bleeding, and liver or kidney failure.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-cloves-67"> More serious side effects may occur in children, even when small amounts are used.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-cloves-67"> "Excessive application of undiluted clove oil on or near the teeth may cause irritation or damage to the gums or mouth and may damage the dental pulp, the soft core of the tooth, made up of living soft tissue and cells. … Undiluted clove oil may cause skin irritation, rashes, or even burns. Clove oil can cause blindness in laboratory animals, so keep clove preparations away from the eyes."<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-cloves-67">
Symphytum officinale
- Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
- Usage: pain relief, secretion reduction, soothing and softening tissues, bleeding reduction, cooling and wound healing; it is used internally for stomach problems and topically for wounds.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-theherbbook-7"> Several randomized controlled trials have confirmed efficacy for treatment of pain, contusions and sprains.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-76">
- Harmful effects: Can cause liver damage leading to cancer and death.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-comfrey-77"> Comfrey contains compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), which have been shown by animal studies to cause liver tumours, so the plant may also cause cancer in humans. In humans, comfrey has been associated with veno-occlusive liver disease.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-78"> Even topical use may lead to a dangerous build-up in the body of some of the herb's poisonous substances, so long-term use is not advised.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-comfrey-77"> Oral comfrey products are banned in the U.K., Australia, Canada, and Germany.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-comfrey-77"> Due to the danger of PA, only commerically-produced PA-free comfrey products should be consumed.
Sida cordifolia
- Country mallow (Sida cordifolia)
- Not enough research to evaluate efficacy.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-mallow-79"> Used in Ayurvedic medicine.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-80">
- Harmful effects: Country mallow contains ephedrine, which is also found in ephedra, and may cause ephedrine-related side effects like high blood pressure, heart attacks, muscle disorders, seizures, strokes, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, and death.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-81"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-mallow-79"> Other side effects may include dizziness, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, headache, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, flushing, tingling, difficulty urinating, kidney stones, and pounding heartbeat.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-mallow-79"> May make anxiety, thyroid problems, and angina worse.
Senecio vulgaris
- Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris)
- Claimed to: be an "Anthelmintic; Antiscorbutic; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Emmenagogue; ... Poultice; Purgative", and claimed to be good for stomach problems and worms.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-120"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-groundsel-121"> There is not enough evidence to evaluate these claims.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-groundsel-121">
- Groundsel is very toxic, and can cause liver damage, cancer, and birth defects.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-groundsel-121"> It should not be used.