David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHPlantago major Plantaginaceae Names: Greater Plantain Habitat: A common “weed” in Britain and many other parts of theworld. Collection: Gather during flowering throughout the summer. Dry as fastas possible as the leaves will discolour if...
Brassica alba and Brassica nigra Cruciferae Names: Black Mustard, White Mustard. Habitat: Cultivated in Europe and the USA. Collection: The ripe seed pods are collected in the late summer. Part Used: The Seeds. Constituents: Glucosinolates; Black...
Asclepias tuberosa Asclepiadaceae Names: Butterfly Weed. Habitat: USA Collection: The rhizome should be unearthed in March or April. Clean,split and dry. Part Used: Rhizome. Constituents: * Cardenolides, including asclepiadin * Flavonoids; rutin...
Commiphora molmol Burseraceae Habitat: North east Africa and Arabia. Collection: The gum resin is collected from the bushes that secrete it in the arid regions. Part Used: Gum resin. Constituents: Volatile oil, containing heerabolene, cadinene...
Phytolacca americana Phytolaccaceae Names: Pokeweed. Habitat: N. America Collection: The root should be unearthed in the late autumn or spring.Clean it and split lengthwise before drying. Part Used: Root. Constituents: Triterpenoid saponins; the...
Urtica dioica Urticacea Names: Stinging Nettle Habitat: Everywhere! Collection: The herb should be collected when the flowers are inbloom. Part Used: Aerial parts. Constituents: * Chlorophyll in high yields * Indoles such ashistamine and serotonin *...
Zanthoxylum americanum Rutaceae Names: Tootheache Tree Habitat: Canada and the USA. Collection: The berries are collected in late summer and the bark isstripped from the stems of this shrub in the spring. Part Used: The bark and berries...
Quercus robur Part Used: Bark. Constituents: The whole complex of primary plant constituents and acharacteristic array of secondary plant constituents are present. The 15-20%tannins produce the dominant pharmacological effects. Actions: Astringent...
Trifolium pratense Papilionaceae Habitat: Widely distributed throughout Europe including Britain, naturalized in N. America and many other parts of the world. Collection: The flowerheads are gathered between May and September. Part Used: Flowerheads...
Avena sativa Gramineae Habitat: Widely distributed as a cereal crop. Collection: The fruit and straw are gathered at harvest time, inAugust. The stalks are cut and bound together. Leave them upright to dry andthen thresh out the fruit. The straw is...
