New Article: Tisane Listing, Part 3

There's a new article up on VeeTea! It's the third and final installation of the Tisane Listing Series (which started here). Here's an excerpt:


Sarsaparilla (Sasparilla) Root
Though you may not have heard of sarsaparilla root, if you’ve ever tried root beer, you know what it tastes like. Yes, the “root” in root beer is sarsaparilla root. It is traditionally taken for skin conditions, impotence, headaches, weakness, rheumatism, various STDs, and blood purification. It has been shown to be effective for some skin conditions, syphilis, and liver protection, but I strongly suggest talking with an herbalist before using it to treat any of these conditions.

Sassafras Root
Sassafras root has long been used to make candies and tisanes, and it is said to act as an antiseptic and painkiller. I vaguely remember from my college days that sassafras contains a rather large amount of a chemical that is used in the synthesis of many hallucinogenic drugs, including MDMA (“Ecstacy”). You can still buy artificially flavored sassafras tisanes, but these days the “real thing” is outlawed in the U.S.

Skullcap
Skullcap (“Scutellaria”) has around 300 varieties, some of which are used in herbalism and tisanes. One variety has been shown to cause programmed cell death in cancerous breast and ovary cells in vitro. Another acts as a sedative and prevents seizures. A third is used for menstrual cramps, insomnia, fevers, and other problems. Consult an herbalist for more information.

Slippery Elm Bark
The slippery elm’s inner bark has many traditional uses dating back to early Native American cultures. It is said to aid in bronchial/respiratory, menstrual, digestive, and heart problems, among other things. The FDA has approved its use for sore throats and respiratory problems. Slippery elm bark tisane is made from a powdered form of the bark. Technically, slippery elm is not a drug, but a nutrient-rich food.

Sobacha
Sobacha is Japanese buckwheat “tea.” (“Cha” translates to “tea,” though this is a tisane.) It is high in minerals and has a pleasant, mellow, malty taste. It is also high in rutin, an antioxidant which may reduce hemophilia and edema, and which is traditionally used as an emmenagogue/abortifacient.


Check out the rest of the tisane listing and enjoy your tisanes!