Sage (Salvia Officinalis) Extract
Sage is an anti-inflammatory, gentle astringent and has been used as
a lotion to treat wounds. An extract of the plant is particularly useful for oral complaints such as inflammation of the mucosa (e.g. inflamed or bleeding gums), mouth ulcers and other conditions. The fresh leaves have been recommended for relieving the discomfort of insect bites. A sage lotion has also been suggested as a hot foot bath to ease weary, strained and sore ankles and feet. The name Salvia comes from the Latin Salvare meaning "to save" and without doubt sage will provide protection and help in a multitude of conditions.

Sage (Salvia Officinalis) Oil
Sage oil is another stalwart like rosemary and has properties that are not too dissimilar. It is used as an embrocation for sore and aching muscles, and in cases of rheumatism and sciatica. A diluted form of the oil has been used with some success on cold sores.

Sandalwood (Santalum Album) Extract
Sandalwood extracts can often be bright red in colour depending
on the way that they are extracted. It is used as a skin softener,
anti-inflammatory, to improve circulation in the skin, and as a skin protectant. It has been used on rashes, sores and wounds, since according to many sources, it improves the rate of wound healing.

Sandalwood (Santalum Album) Oil
The inner heartwood is used to prepare this essential oil, which is traditionally used to treat dry, inflamed or irritable skin. It is antiseptic and is used externally for the treatment of problem skin conditions.
The aroma of sandalwood is a rich woody oriental note, which is considered by aromatherapists to be relaxing. Scientific studies have shown it to be totally deactivating, since it greatly reduces activity in
all of the major centres measured.

Sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santolinus) Wood Extract
This is the red sandalwood rather than the other commonly used white sandalwood. The Council of Europe describe these materials as being astringent, cooling, and tonic. It also has a traditional use as an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and for the treatment of skin diseases.

Sea Salt (Maris Sal)
Sea salt is a complex blend of minerals and beneficial trace elements, unlike table salt, which is mainly sodium chloride. It is believed that the skin needs trace elements for cells to function at peak performance.
The growing number of scientific papers describing the successful treatment of skin diseases with sea salt would support its use in preference to normal salt.

Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii)
This butter is very similar in benefits to cocoa butter (see above), but does not have the same chocolate smell associated with it. It has been studied in the treatment of burns, dermatitis, wounds, and inflammatory skin conditions. It is a rich skin emollient, which is used traditionally (by the tribes who collect and prepare it) to accelerate wound healing.
The presence of a small amount of a component called allantoin (which is a well-proven healing agent) might justify this effect. The butter melts at body temperature and is quickly absorbed by the skin to leave it soft and supple.

Silt
It has been recognised since Roman times, that the treatment of the skin with muds or silts has a therapeutic, rejuvenating and revitalising effect on the skin. Today the thermal muds are still recommended for troublesome skin conditions and dermatologists are increasingly interested in them.

Spearmint (Mentha Viridis) Oil
Similar to peppermint but with a more energising fragrance and lighter action. It contains Carvone (also found in Caraway), which is responsible for its soft taste and odour, but unlike peppermint it does not contain menthol.

Styrax Benzoin (Gum Benzoin Oil)
See under benzoin.
Sucrose Palmitate
This is a naturally derived emulsifier and skin conditioning agent that not only holds the components of the emulsion together but also has skin emolliency.

Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) Seed Oil
The sunflower originally came from Peru in the 16th century, where a number of varieties grow in the wild. It was a plant highly prized by the people, who adorned their temples with sunflowers made of pure gold. A substantive oil produced from sunflower seeds, it is pure enough to eat. It contains a rich blend of glycerides and fatty acids, which will moisturise and protect the skin. Externally sunflower oil is used on bruises and dry scaly skin conditions. Protects and preserves the skin from moisture loss and helps to keep it soft and smooth.

Sweet Almond (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis) Oil
One of the oldest and most respected natural oils, it still is listed in the British Pharmacopoeia and most of the major pharmacopoeias around the world. It is a clear, almost colourless oil that moiturises and protects the skin from precious loss of hydration. The oil is fast penetrating and does not leave a greasy residue.

Sweet Marjoram (Origanum Majorana) Extract
This traditional herb has been reported to have antiviral activities against herpes simplex in vitro. It shares similar properties to thyme and has a mildly astringent, antiseptic and sedative effect. A herb pillow is said to be of benefit in some cases of insomnia and rheumatic pain. The oil extracted from the plant is an excellent application to sprains, bruises and rheumatic or muscular pain, where it also helps to reduce swelling.

Sweet Orange (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis) Oil
Sweet Orange oil is obtained from sweet orange fruit peel and the essential oil captures the freshness of freshly peeled oranges.
The psychological investigations on this oil have shown it to be stress reducing, relaxing and to improve the power of concentration, which would confirm the aromatherapy use for bringing about peace of mind.