David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHDaucus carrota Umbelliferae Names: Queen Anne’s Lace, Bird’s Nest Weed, Devil’s Plague (!) Habitat: Europe, Asia, North America and N. Africa. Collection: The aerial parts of the herb should be collected betweenJune and August when...
Achillea millefolium Compositae Names: Milfoil Habitat: Native to Eurasia and naturalized in North America, found intemperate zones. Collection: The whole of the plant above ground should be gathered when in flower between June and September. Part...
Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Names: Habitat: Widely distributed throughout the world, particularly Europe. Collection: The ripe, unshrivelled berries should be collected in the autumn and dried slowly in the shade, to avoid losing the oil present...
Althaea officinalis Part Used: Root and leaf. Constituents: In the root: Mucilage, l8-35% Miscellaneous; about 35% pectin, l-2% asparagine, tannins. In the leaves: Mucilage; including a low molecular weight D-glucan Flavanoids such a kaempferol...
Solidago virgaurea Compositae Habitat: A common garden and wild plant in Britain and Europe. Collection: Gather stalks at the time of flowering, which is between July and October, preferably from plants not yet blooming. Dry in the shade or not...
Eupatorium purpureum Compositae Names: Gravelweed, Joe-Pye Weed, Queen of the Meadow. Do not confuse with Boneset: Eupatorium perfoliatum Habitat: USA Collection: The root and rhizome should be dug up in the autumn after the plant has stopped...
Barosma betulina Rutaceae Names: Bucco, Agathosma betulina. Habitat: S. Africa. Collection: The leaves should be collected during the flowering and fruiting stage. Part Used: Leaves. Constituents: Volatile oil, diosphenol (=buchu camphor), pulegone...
Galium aparine Rubiaceae Names: Goosegrass, Clivers. Collection: The plant should be gathered before flowering and dried in the shade. Parts Used: Dried aerial parts and the fresh expressed juice. Constituents: Glycoside asperuloside, gallotannic...
Zea mays Graminaceae Collection: The stigmas should be collected just before pollination occurs, the timing depends upon climate. It is best used fresh as some of the activity is lost with time. Part Used: Stigmas from the female flowers of maize...
Brigitte MarsCranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccus, V. macrocarpon) are members of the Ericaceae (Heath) Family and a relative of blueberries. The genus name, vaccinium is from the Latin vaca, meaning, “cow” as they enjoy this plant. Also known as...
