Active Ingredients
Herbal compounds belong to a number of different groups of chemicals. Some may be found either throughout the plant or in specific parts of the plants. Most herbs contain more than one active ingredient. Some of these ingredients may have no effect when alone but when working in tandem with other active parts of the plants support and amplify the effects of the other ingredient. Some chemicals within plants produce such strong effects on the body that they are labelled as poisons. Very small quantities of some of these "poisons" are used in the medical and pharmaceutical industries to make very potent drugs.
Essential oils
These oils usual have a characteristic often pleasant smell. They are best taken into the body through water or steam. They are effective as expectorants and on skin and mucous membranes. Medicines with essential oils work well for bronchial complaints and perhaps more surprisingly in digestive disorders and to stimulate the appetite. The umbellifer and legume families are especially rich in these oils.
Alkaloids
These tend to be rather strong and have varied physiological effects. In medicine they are very useful and examples include codeine and morphine from the Opium Poppy. Alkaloids also include caffeine, nicotine and the opium derived heroin. Medicinal plants common in Europe that are rich in alkaloids can be found amongst the members of the lily, buttercup, poppy and nightshade families. This group contains some of the most poisonous compounds known, so should not be handled by the amateur.
Tannins
Are found in a wide range of plant families. They break animal proteins up so that they don't rot and are therefore used to tan leather. They were used to treat cuts, wounds and rashes externally. They are also used internally for inflammation of the stomach or intestines.
Flavonoids
Are mainly yellow coloured and normally bound to sugars. They have an unusual affect on the walls of fine blood vessels and are therefore used in mainstream medicine for treating veins, high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.
Bitters
Are a group of bitter tasting compounds. They are used to aid digestion and appetite. They also speed up fermentation and putrefaction. They are commonly found in the mint and gentian families.
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Anaphylaxis - Severe allergic reactions to food 
