Alchemilla vulgaris Part Used: The leaves and flowering shoots. Constituents: Tannins, consisting mainly of glycosides of ellagic acid. Salicylic acid, a trace. Actions: Astringent, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue, vulnerary. Indications:...
Euphrasia officinalis Scrophulariaceae Names: Habitat: Meadows and grassy places in Britain and Europe. Collection: Gather the whole plant whilst in bloom in late summer and dry it in an airy place. Part Used: Dried aerial parts. Constituents:...
Trigonella foenum-graecum Papilionaceae Names: Foenugreek Habitat: North Africa, India, cultivated worldwide. Part Used: Seeds. Constituents: Volatile oil, containing3-hydroxy-4, 5-dimethyl-2-furanone, dihydrobenzofuran, dihydroactinidiolide...
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:...
Capsicum minimum Solanaceae Names: Capsicum, Chili or Chili Pepper, Hot Pepper, Tabasco Pepper. Habitat: Tropical America and Africa and widely cultivated. Collection: The fruit should be harvested when fully ripe and dried in the shade. Part Used:...
Apium 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...
David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMH