Sambucus nigra Caprifoliaceae Names: Black Elder, European Elder. Habitat: Europe and the British Isles, commonly growing in hedges. Collection: The flowers are collected in spring and early summer and dried as rapidly as possible in the shade. The...
Inula helenium Compositae Names: Yellow Starwort Habitat: Indigenous to Europe and temperate Asia, naturalized in the USA, and cultivated widely in Europe and also China. Collection: The rhizome should be unearthed between September and October. The...
Eucalyptus globulus Myrtaceae Names: Blue Gum. Habitat: Victoria and Tasmania in Australia, cultivated in USA and Southern Europe etc. Collection: Part Used: Leaves, and the oil distilled from them. Constituents: Volatile oil, the major component of...
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...
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...
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:...
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...
David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMH