David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHPrunus serotina Rosaceae Names: Virginia Prune Bark. Habitat: Widely distributed throughout Canada and the USA. Collection: The bark is gathered from young plants in the autumn, when it is most active. The outer bark is stripped off and the inner...
Baptisia tinctoria Leguminosae Names: Indigoweed Habitat: Indigenous to Canada and the USA Collection: The root is unearthed in the autumn after flowering has stopped. Clean the root and cut, dry well. Part Used: Root. Constituents: Isoflavones;...
Lactuca virosa Compositae Names: Lettuce Opium Habitat: Indigenous to Central and Southern Europe and Northern Asia, cultivated elsewhere. Collection: The leaves should be gathered in June and July. Part Used: Dried leaves. Constituents: Lactucin, a...
Hamamelis virginiana Hamameliadaceae Habitat: Indigenous to N. America and Canada. Collection: The leaves can be gathered throughout the summer and driedquickly to ensure that they do not become discoloured. The bark is gathered inthe spring after...
Betonica officinalis Labiatae Names: Bishopswort, Betony, Stachys betonica. Habitat: Europe including Britain, in open woods, hedge banks, grasslands and heaths. Collection: The aerial parts should be dried carefully in the sun. Part Used: Dried...
Artemisia absinthum Compositae Habitat: Native to Europe, N. Africa and Western Asia, cultivated in the USA and elsewhere. Collection: The leaves and flowering tops are gathered at the end of the flowering period between July and September. Part...
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...
Rumex crispus Polygonaceae Names: Curled or Curly Dock. Habitat: A common European weed. Collection: The roots should be unearthed in late summer and autumn, between August and October. Clean well and split length ways before drying. Part Used: Root...
Euonymus atropurpureus Part Used: Root bark. Constituents: Cardenolides based on digitoxigenin Alkaloids such as asparagine & atropurpurine Sterols; euonysterol, atropurpurol, homoeuonysterol Actions: Cholagogue, hepatic, laxative, diuretic...
Populus tremuloides Salicaceae Names: Quaking Aspen, American Poplar. Habitat: N. American. Collection: The bark should be collected in the spring, taking care notto ring-bark the tree and thus kill it. Part Used: The bark. Constituents: * Phenolic...
