Natalie Geary MDModern medicine is just beginning to acknowledge the fact that 80% of the immune system is localized in the digestive tract. Ayurveda has recognized that for thousands of years. Ayurveda, the “Science of Life”, describes the immune system as the...
David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHPrunus serotina Rosaceae Names: Virginia Prune Bark. Habitat: Widely distributed throughout Canada and the USA. Collection: The bark is gathered from young plants in the autumn, when it is most active. The outer bark is stripped off and the inner...
Baptisia tinctoria Leguminosae Names: Indigoweed Habitat: Indigenous to Canada and the USA Collection: The root is unearthed in the autumn after flowering has stopped. Clean the root and cut, dry well. Part Used: Root. Constituents: Isoflavones;...
Lactuca virosa Compositae Names: Lettuce Opium Habitat: Indigenous to Central and Southern Europe and Northern Asia, cultivated elsewhere. Collection: The leaves should be gathered in June and July. Part Used: Dried leaves. Constituents: Lactucin, a...
Hamamelis virginiana Hamameliadaceae Habitat: Indigenous to N. America and Canada. Collection: The leaves can be gathered throughout the summer and driedquickly to ensure that they do not become discoloured. The bark is gathered inthe spring after...
Betonica officinalis Labiatae Names: Bishopswort, Betony, Stachys betonica. Habitat: Europe including Britain, in open woods, hedge banks, grasslands and heaths. Collection: The aerial parts should be dried carefully in the sun. Part Used: Dried...
Artemisia absinthum Compositae Habitat: Native to Europe, N. Africa and Western Asia, cultivated in the USA and elsewhere. Collection: The leaves and flowering tops are gathered at the end of the flowering period between July and September. Part...
Achillea millefolium Compositae Names: Milfoil Habitat: Native to Eurasia and naturalized in North America, found intemperate zones. Collection: The whole of the plant above ground should be gathered when in flower between June and September. Part...
Rumex crispus Polygonaceae Names: Curled or Curly Dock. Habitat: A common European weed. Collection: The roots should be unearthed in late summer and autumn, between August and October. Clean well and split length ways before drying. Part Used: Root...
Euonymus atropurpureus Part Used: Root bark. Constituents: Cardenolides based on digitoxigenin Alkaloids such as asparagine & atropurpurine Sterols; euonysterol, atropurpurol, homoeuonysterol Actions: Cholagogue, hepatic, laxative, diuretic...
