David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHHyssopus officinalis Labiatae Habitat: A common garden plant. Part Used: Dried aerial parts. Collection: The flowering tops of Hyssop should be collected in August and dried in the sun. Constituents: Terpenoids; including marrubiin, oleanolic and...
An abundance of research has been undertaken on this ancient plant, revealing a wide range of profound and important therapeutic effects. They can be grouped into cardiovascular, neurological and metabolic effects. Here we shall focus on the...
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...
Gentiana lutea Part Used: The dried rhizome and root. Constituents: The whole complex of primary plant constituents and a characteristic array of secondary plant constituents are present. Pharmacologically important constituents include iridoids...
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...
Agropyron repens Graminaceae Names: Twitchgrass, Quickgrass, Doggrass. Habitat: Grows in many parts of the world, and all too frequently ingardens. Collection: The rhizome should be unearthed in spring or early autumn. Wash it, carefully dry in sun...
