Habitat Canada to Florida. Dried roots of S. albidum are imported
into India.
English Ague tree.
Unani Sassafras.
Action Root—used earlier
for rheumatism, gout, kidney complaints and skin diseases.
Safrole is the main constituent of the volatile oil (80—90%), in addition to condensed tannins, resin, cinnamic acid derivatives. Safrole and its metabolite, L-hydroxysafrole are both neuro- and hepatotoxic (carcinogenic in animals). Its internal use is no more advised. Safrole-free extracts are ineffective.
Satureja hortensis Linn.
Family Labiatae; Lam iaceae.
Habitat Native to Mediterranean region; found in Kashmir.
English Summer Savory. Winter Savory is equated with S. montana L.
Action Flowering top—carminative, digestive, laxative, stomachic, diuretic, sudorific and vermifuge. Used in flatulent colic and menstrual suppression. A tea (of leaves) is given as a carminative and expectorant. Essential oil—antibacterial, antifungal, spasmolytic.
The plant gave fluorine, labiatic acid, ursolic acid and beta-sitosterol. Labiatic acid is antioxidant. The volatile
oil consists mainly of carvacrol with pcymene, beta-pinene, beta-phellandrene, limonene and borneol.
The volatile oil of S. montana contains carvacrol, p-cymene and thymol with alpha-and beta-pinene, cineole and borneol.
Sauropus androgynus Merrifi. Family Euphorbiaceae.
Habitat Sikkim, Khasi Hills and Western Ghats, and also grown in South India.
English Star Goose Berry. Siddha/Tamil Thavasai Murungai.
Action Plant known as Multi vitamin Green for its substantial vitamin content. Decoction is given in stricture of the bladder and in fevers; used as a diuretic.
The leaves contain protein 6.8; carbohydrates 11.6; mineral matter 3.4, Ca
0.57, phosphorus 0.20, iron 28.0 mg, carotene (as vitamin A), 9,510 IU, thiamine 0.48, riboflavin 0.32, nicotinic acid 2.6, and vitamin C 247 mg!l00 g.
Saussurea affinis Spreng. ex DC. Family Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat Foot Hills of Eastern Himalayas and in Aka and Laushai Hills.
Folk Ganga-muula (Assam).
