Latin name: Gentiana lutea Family: Gentianaceae (Gentian family) DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS Part of the Plant Used Root and dried rhizome – Harvest late summer/autumn Ornamental herb with large clusters of big, orange yellow flowers and stiff, pointy, yellow green leaves that resemble those on Lady Slipper. The root has been used since the first century as…
Latin name: Inula helenium Family: Asteraceae (Aster family) DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS Part of the Plant Used Root and rhizome – harvest in Autumn, wash and chop into small pieces before drying CONSTITUENTS Inulin 40% (immunostimulating – stimulates expectoration) Sesquiterpene lactones Triterpenoid saponins (expectorant) Volatile oil – helenin (Anthelmintic), loosens phlegm & debris, also antiseptic Polyacetylenes (antibacterial) Mucilage Alantoin – also high in…
Latin name: Viburnum opulus Family: Caprifolioaceae (Honeysuckle family) DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS Part of the Plant Used Bark. CONSTITUENTS Esculetin (antispasmotic) Viopudial (antispasmotic) Beta-sitosterol (phytoestrogenic sterol) Iridoids, triterpenoids, diterpenoids, sespqiterpenes, coumarins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, organic acids. Salicin, amentoflavone, chologenic acid (mostly in wild species). Resins, Valeric acid Tannins Bitter substance – viburnin Saponins THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS Uterine pain,…
Latin name: Tussilago farfara Family: Asteraceae (Aster, daisy or sunflower family) DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS Part of the Plant Used Roots, stalks, leaves. Flowers, harvested in early spring, and leaves harvested in summer. Chop up leaves BEFORE they are dried and stored. Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara is a very old medicine and has been documented for coughs as…
Latin name: Eschscholzia californica Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy family) DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS Part of the Plant Used Whole plant including roots in fresh state or dried, ariel portions. Has a reputation for being non-addictive, milder substitute for Opium poppy. CONSTITUENTS Alkaloids (0.5-2%) Pavine alkaloids (californidine, escholzine) Protopine (antispasmodic, anti-arrhthymic, anticholinergic {blocksacetylcholine}, binds to GABA) Benzophenanthrides Aporphine alkaloids…