David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHGeranium maculatum Part Used: The rhizome. Constituents: Tannins including gallic acid, with the level being highest just before flowering. Actions: Astringent, anti–haemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary. Indications: American Cranesbill...
Tanacetum parthenium Part Used: Leaves. Constituents: Volatile oil, containing pinene and several pinene derivatives, bornylacetate and angelate, costic acid, b-farnesine and spiroketalenol ethers Sesquiterpene lactones; the major one being...
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...
Centaurium erythraea Gentianaceae Names: Century, Feverwort. Habitat: Native to Europe, including the British Isles, Western Asia, North Africa and naturalized in N. America. Collection: The foliage should be collected at the time of flowering...
Matricaria recutita Part used: Flowering tops Constituents: There is a wealth of information about the whole range of components. However, this does not tell us much about the value and benefits of the herb as used in healing. The activity of the...
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...
