David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHChondrus crispus Rhodophyta Common name: Carragheen, Carrageenan. Habitat: The Atlantic coast of Europe and North America. Part used: The dried thallus. It is a seaweed. Collection: It is collected from rocky coastlines around the North Atlantic...
Artemisia vulgaris Compositae Collection: The leaves and flowering stalks should be gathered just at blossoming time, which is between July and September. Part Used: Leaves or root. Constituents: Volatile oil, containing linlool, l, 8-cineole...
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...
Hydrastis canadensis Ranunculaceae Names: Orange Root, Yellow Root. Habitat: Native to North America, it was used extensively by Native Americans as an herbal medication and clothing dye. Its medicinal use centered around its ability to soothe the...
Grindelia spp. Compositae Names: Gum Plant, Gum Weed, Tar Weed. Habitat: The USA and S. America Collection: The aerial parts are collected before the flower buds open. They are dried as soon as possible in the sun. Part Used: Dried aerial parts...
Guaiacum officinale Zygophyllaceae Names: Guaiac, Lignum vitae. Habitat: W. Indies, Florida and S. America. Collection: The resin of the woods exudes naturally and is often collected and used as such, otherwise the heart-wood itself is cut into...
Crataegus oxyacantha & C. monogyna Part used Whilst the berries are the most often used part of this shrub, the flowers and leaves may also have a role to play. Constituents Its constituents highlight the importance of flavones and flavonoids in...
Viola tricolor Violaceae Names: Wild Pansy. Habitat: A common British wild and garden plant. Part Used: Herb. Constituents: Flavonoids, including violanthin, rutin, violaquercitrin. Methylsalicylate Miscellaneous; mucilage gums, resin, saponin...
Humulus lupulus Part Used: Flower inflorescence. Constituents: Volatile oil, composed mainly of humulene (= x-caryophyllene), with b-caryophyllene, myrcene, farnesene, 2-methylbut -3-ene-2-ol, 3-methylbut-2-ene-l-al, 2, 3, 5-trithiahexane and...
