David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHMarsdenia 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:...
Lycopus europaeus Labiatae Names: Sweet Bugle, Water Bugle, Gypsywort. Habitat: Eastern USA- L. virginicus. Europe-L. europaeus. Collection: It should be collected just before the buds open. Part Used: Aerial parts. Constituents: Phenolic acid...
Zea mays Graminaceae Collection: The stigmas should be collected just before pollination occurs, the timing depends upon climate. It is best used fresh as some of the activity is lost with time. Part Used: Stigmas from the female flowers of maize...
Arctium lappa Compositae Names: Lappa, Beggar’s Buttons. Habitat: Grows in hedges and ditches in Europe, parts of Asia, N.America; cultivated in Japan. Collection: The roots and rhizome should be unearthed in September or October. Part Used:...
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:...
