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unscrupulous pusher will sell that product based on Doctor Hypster’s glittering report, often
handed out as (pseudo) scientific literature based on Dr. Hypster’s world renown. Both hypster
and huckster make money while damaging the images of honest herbs and herbalists. And
sometimes they threaten those who would expose the lack of credibility of some of those studies.
More recently, I see that an edible plant book describes suma as “Brazilian ginseng” a promo-
tional misnomer. “The roots have reportedly been used as a ginseng-like tonic by the Xingu
tribe of Matto Grosso, Brazil for at least three hundred years” (FAC).
SUMATRA BENZOIN (Styrax paralleloneurum Perkins) ++Few taxonomists know the species of Styrax (as with Boswellia, Commiphora, Picea, and Pinus)
even with leaves, fruits, and flowers in hand. Fewer taxonomists, if any, could positively identify
isolated resin. Small wonder that many herbalists aggregate the species. AHP and HHB treat S.
benzoin Dryand., S. paralleloneurum Perkins, and S. tonkinensis (Pierre) Craib ex Hartwich in the
same account. PH2 treats them separately.
Activities (Sumatra Benzoin) — Expectorant (1; PH2).
Indications (Sumatra Benzoin) — Bleeding (f; PH2); Catarrh (f; PH2); Chest Ache (f; PH2);
Childbirth (f; PH2); Gastrosis (f; PH2); Pulmonosis (f; PH2); Respirosis (f; PH2); Stomachache
(f; PH2); Stroke (f; PH2); Syncope (f; PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Sumatra Benzoin) — Class 1 (AHP). None
noted at normal dosage (not given) (PH2).
SUMBUL (Ferula sumbul (Kauffm.) Hook. f.) ++Activities (Sumbul) — Antispasmodic (f; CRC; PHR; PNC); Aperitif (f; CRC); Emmenagogue
(f; PNC); Mucostimulant (f; CRC); Narcotic (f; CRC); Nervine (f; CRC); Panacea (f; CRC);
Sedative (f; CRC; PHR; PH2); Stimulant (f; CRC); Tonic (f; CRC; HHB; PNC); Tranquilizer (f;
CRC); Uterotonic (f; CRC); Vermifuge (f; CRC).
Indications (Sumbul) — Amenorrhea (f; PNC); Anorexia (f; CRC); Asthma (f; CRC; PHR; PH2);
Bronchosis (f; CRC; PHR; PH2); Cramp (f; CRC; PHR; PNC); Debility (f; PH2); Diarrhea (f;
CRC; HHB; PH2); Dysentery (f; CRC); Dysmenorrhea (f; CRC; HHB; PH2); Heart (f; PH2); High
Blood Pressure (f; PH2); Hypertony (f; CRC; HHB); Hysteria (f; CRC); Insomnia (f; CRC; PHR;
PH2); Nausea (f; CRC); Nervousness (f; CRC; PHR; PH2); Neurosis (f; CRC); Pneumonia (f;
CRC; PH2); Uterosis (f; CRC); Worm (f; CRC).
Dosages (Sumbul) — 0.5–4 ml liquid root extract (PNC); 2–4 ml root tincture (PNC).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Sumbul) — Not covered (AHP). None
reported at proper dosage (not indicated) (PH2).
SUMMER CYPRESS (Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Scott) ++Synonyms: Chenopodium scoparia L., Kochia childsii hort., K. scoparia (L.) Schrad., K. scoparia
f. trichophylla (hort. ex Voss) Schinz & Thell., K. trichophylla hort. ex Voss.
Activities (Summer Cypress) — Anesthetic (1; X9353570); Antialcoholic (1; X9301029);
Antiallergic (1; X9401725); Antiinflammatory (1; DAA; X9353570); Anti-itch (1; X9853421);
Antiulcer (1; X10416830); Astringent (f; DAA); Bitter (f; FAY); Cardiotonic (f; DAA; FAY);
Detoxicant (f; FAY); Diaphoretic (f; FAY); Diuretic (1; DAA; FAY); Fungicide (1; FAY); Gas-
troprotective (1; X10416830).