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...
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Ericaceae Names : Uva Ursi Habitat : Britain, Central and Northern Europe, North America. Collection : The evergreen leaves may be collected throughout the year, but preferably in spring and summer. Part Used : The leaves...
Borago 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...
David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMH