Symphytum officinale Boraginaceae Names: Knitbone Habitat: Collection: The roots should be unearthed in the spring or autumn when the allantoin levels are the highest. Split the roots down the middle and dry in moderate temperatures of about 40-60...
Juglans cineraria Part Used: Inner bark. Constituents: Naphthaquinones, including juglone, juglandin and juglandic acid. Fixed and essential oil. Tannins. Actions: Laxative, Cholagogue, anthelmintic. Indications: Butternut is used as a...
Calendula officinalis Compositae Names: Marigold, Marybud, Gold-bloom, Caltha officinalis. Habitat : A common garden plant. Collection : Either the whole flower tops or just the petals are collected between June and September. They should be dried...
Carum carvi Umbelliferae Habitat: Native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, widely cultivated. Collection: The flowering heads (umbels) are collected in July and left to ripen. The seeds are then easily collected as they can be shaken off. Part Used:...
Rhamnus purshiana Rhamnaceae Names: Sacred Bark, Chittem Bark, Cascara. Habitat: Native to the Pacific Coast of North America. Collection: The bark is stripped from the trunk of this tree in the spring and summer and left to age for a few years. Due...
Nepeta cataria Labiatae Names: Catnip, Catnep. Habitat: A common European herb, cultivated in Britain and theUSA. Collection: The leaves and flowering tops are collected between June and September. Part Used: Leaves and flowering tops. Constituents:...
Capsicum minimum Solanaceae Names: Capsicum, Chili or Chili Pepper, Hot Pepper, Tabasco Pepper. Habitat: Tropical America and Africa and widely cultivated. Collection: The fruit should be harvested when fully ripe and dried in the shade. Part Used:...
Apium graveolens Umbelliferae Names: Smallage Habitat: Cultivated widely. The wild variety grows in marshy places. Collection: The seeds should be collected when ripe in the autumn. Part Used: Dried ripe fruits. Constituents: Volatile oil...
Centaurium erythraea Gentianaceae Names: Century, Feverwort. Habitat: Native to Europe, including the British Isles, Western Asia, North Africa and naturalized in N. America. Collection: The foliage should be collected at the time of flowering...
Matricaria recutita Part used: Flowering tops Constituents: There is a wealth of information about the whole range of components. However, this does not tell us much about the value and benefits of the herb as used in healing. The activity of the...
David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMH