David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHBorago officinalis Boraginaceae Habitat: Indigenous to Great Britain, Europe, and North Africa, naturalized in North America. Collection: The leaves should be gathered when the plant is coming into flower in the early summer. Strip each leaf off...
Betula alba Betulaceae Names : White Birch. Habitat : Commonly found in woods in Britain and Europe. Collection : The leaves are collected in late spring or summer. When collecting the bark, it is important not to ring-bark the tree, in other words...
Acacia catechu Leguminosae Names: Cutch, Dark Catechu. Habitat: India and Burma. Collection: Part Used: Extract from leaves and young shoots. Constituents: Tannins, catechin, phlobatannins including catechutanninc acid Flavonoids including...
Cimicifuga racemosa Ranunculaceae Names: Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Rattleroot, Rattleweed, Squawroot. Habitat: USA and Canada. Collection: The roots are unearthed with the rhizome in autumn after the fruits have ripened. They should be cut...
Leptandra virginica Part Used : Rhizome and root. Constituents : Active constituents largely unknown, however it is known to contain: Volatile oil with esters of cinnamic acid, methoxycinnamic acid and dimethoxycinnamic acid Saponins Mannitol...
Eschscholzia californica Part Used: Dried aerial parts. Constituents: Alkaloids; flavone glycosides. Actions: Nervine, hypnotic, anti-spasmodic, anodyne. Indications: Californian Poppy has the reputation of being a non-addictive alternative to the...
Viburnum prunifolium Caprifoliaceae Names: Stagbush, American Sloe. Habitat: Eastern and Central USA. Collection: The bark from the roots and the trunk is collected in the autumn. The shrubs should be dug out and the bark stripped from roots and...
Ballota nigra Labiatae Habitat: Found growing wild throughout Europe, cultivated in Britain. Collection: The herb should be gathered just as it begins to bloom in July. Part Used: Dried aerial parts. Constituents: Diterpenoids, including marrubiin...
Rubus villosus Rosaceae Part Used : The bark of the root and rhizome Collection : Constituents : 20% Tannin, gallic acid, saponins including villosin. Actions : Astringent Indications : An excellent, safe and gentle astringent remedy that can be...
Fucus vesiculosus Fucaceae Names : Kelp, Seawrack, Kelpware, Black-tang, Bladder Fucus, Cutweed. Habitat : A seaweed common in colder waters. Part Used : The whole plant. Constituents : Phenolic compounds, phloroglucinol, its dehydropolymerization...
