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...
Galium aparine Rubiaceae Names: Goosegrass, Clivers. Collection: The plant should be gathered before flowering and dried in the shade. Parts Used: Dried aerial parts and the fresh expressed juice. Constituents: Glycoside asperuloside, gallotannic...
Sarothamnus scoparius Leguminosea Names: Scotch Broom, Irish Broom, Broomtops, Besom. Habitat: British Isles, Europe and naturalized in North America, SouthAfrica and parts of Asia. Collection: May be gathered throughout the spring, summer and...
Tussilago farfara Compositae Names: Coughwort, Horsehoof, Foal’s Foot. Habitat: A common wild plant in Britain and Europe, growing in dampplaces. Collection: The flowers should be gathered before they have fully bloomed (end of February to...
Barosma betulina Rutaceae Names: Bucco, Agathosma betulina. Habitat: S. Africa. Collection: The leaves should be collected during the flowering and fruiting stage. Part Used: Leaves. Constituents: Volatile oil, diosphenol (=buchu camphor), pulegone...
Marsdenia condurango Asclepiadaceae Names: Eagle vine. Habitat: Ecuador and Peru. Parts Used: Dried bark. Constituents: Glycosides based on condurangogenins, which are esterified polyoxypregnanes, known as condurangoglycosides. Miscellaneous:...
Lycopus europaeus Labiatae Names: Sweet Bugle, Water Bugle, Gypsywort. Habitat: Eastern USA- L. virginicus. Europe-L. europaeus. Collection: It should be collected just before the buds open. Part Used: Aerial parts. Constituents: Phenolic acid...
Zea mays Graminaceae Collection: The stigmas should be collected just before pollination occurs, the timing depends upon climate. It is best used fresh as some of the activity is lost with time. Part Used: Stigmas from the female flowers of maize...
Arctium lappa Compositae Names: Lappa, Beggar’s Buttons. Habitat: Grows in hedges and ditches in Europe, parts of Asia, N.America; cultivated in Japan. Collection: The roots and rhizome should be unearthed in September or October. Part Used:...
David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMH