David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHDioscorea villosa Part Used: Dried underground parts. Constituents: Steroidal saponins, based on diosgenin: dioscin, dioscorin, and others. Actions: Anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, hepatic, cholagogue, diaphoretic. Indications:...
Mitchella repens Rubiaceae Names: Squaw Vine. Habitat: N. America. Collection: Being an evergreen herb, it may be found all year round inthe forest and woodland habitat it likes. It is best collected in flowerbetween April and June. Part Used:...
Anemone pulsatilla Ranunculaceae Names: Pulsatilla, Wind Flower, Meadow Anemone. Habitat: Europe and parts of Russia, cultivated elsewhere. Collection: The stalks should be gathered at the time of floweringwhich is in March or April.. Part Used:...
Parietaria diffusa Urticaceae Habitat: Native to Europe, including Britain. Collection: The parts above ground are collected between June andSeptember. Part Used: Aerial parts. Constituents: * Flavonoids; 3-glucosides & 3-rhamnosides...
Mentha piperita Part Used: Aerial parts. Constituents: The whole complex of primary plant constituents and acharacteristic array of secondary plant constituents are present.Pharmacologically important constituents include an essential oil...
Vinca major Apocynaceae Names: Greater Periwinkle Habitat: Indigenous to Southern Europe Collection: This herb is collected in the spring. Part Used: Aerial parts. Constituents: Indole alkaloids, tannins Actions: Astringent Indications: Periwinkle...
Plantago major Plantaginaceae Names: Greater Plantain Habitat: A common “weed” in Britain and many other parts of theworld. Collection: Gather during flowering throughout the summer. Dry as fastas possible as the leaves will discolour if...
Phytolacca americana Phytolaccaceae Names: Pokeweed. Habitat: N. America Collection: The root should be unearthed in the late autumn or spring.Clean it and split lengthwise before drying. Part Used: Root. Constituents: Triterpenoid saponins; the...
Zanthoxylum americanum Rutaceae Names: Tootheache Tree Habitat: Canada and the USA. Collection: The berries are collected in late summer and the bark isstripped from the stems of this shrub in the spring. Part Used: The bark and berries...
Trifolium pratense Papilionaceae Habitat: Widely distributed throughout Europe including Britain, naturalized in N. America and many other parts of the world. Collection: The flowerheads are gathered between May and September. Part Used: Flowerheads...
