David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHApium 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...
Vitex agnus-castus Verbenaceae Names: Vitex, Chasteberry. Collection: The very dark berries should be picked when ripe, which is between October and November. They may be dried in sun or shade. Part Used: The fruit. Constituents: Iridoid glycosides...
Stellaria media Caryophyllaceae Habitat: A common weed, it grows everywhere in moist places and frequently in gardens. Collection: This common `weed’ can be collected in spring, but may be found throughout the year. Part Used: Dried aerial...
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...
Sarothamnus scoparius Leguminosea Names: Scotch Broom, Irish Broom, Broomtops, Besom. Habitat: British Isles, Europe and naturalized in North America, SouthAfrica and parts of Asia. Collection: May be gathered throughout the spring, summer and...
Tussilago farfara Compositae Names: Coughwort, Horsehoof, Foal’s Foot. Habitat: A common wild plant in Britain and Europe, growing in dampplaces. Collection: The flowers should be gathered before they have fully bloomed (end of February to...
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...
Marsdenia condurango Asclepiadaceae Names: Eagle vine. Habitat: Ecuador and Peru. Parts Used: Dried bark. Constituents: Glycosides based on condurangogenins, which are esterified polyoxypregnanes, known as condurangoglycosides. Miscellaneous:...
