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...
Chamaelirium luteum Liliaceae Names: Starwort, Helonias Root. Habitat: USA Collection: The underground parts are unearthed in the autumn. Part Used: Dried rhizome and root. Constituents: Saponins; the glycosides chamaelirin and helonin, basedon...
Viburnum opulus Part Used: Dried bark. Constituents: Hydroquinones; arbutin, methylarbutin and traces of free hydroquinone Coumarins, such as scopoletin and scopoline Tannins; mainly catechins. Actions: Anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, nervine...
Foeniculum vulgare Part Used: The seeds. Constituents: The whole complex of primary plant constituents and a characteristic array of secondary plant constituents are present. Pharmacologically important constituents include volatile oil, major...
Geranium 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...
Bellis perennis Compositae Collection:The flowers may be picked between March and October. Part Used: Fresh or dried flower heads. Constituents: Saponins Tannin Essential oil Flavones Bitter principle Mucilage. Actions: Expectorant, astringent...
David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMH