Re: Why is it important to use some parts of the herb?

Just to use Lobelia as one example, I've seen that most people, including Christopher, are advocates of specifically usign the seeds for medicinal value. I think this is just a matter that with some herbs, the most beneficial ingredient[s] tends to be concentrated in certain parts of the plant. With some plants, it's concentrated in the roots and or root-bark (like Sassafras), with others it's in the seeds (like Lobelia), and in others (like Chamomile), it's in the flowers. There are many herbs that Christopher has indicated that pretty much the entire plant (stalk, leaf, roots, seeds, etc) is useable. I've looked at Lobelia for sale on various web sites. The cost per pound of cut & dried leaf is not too bad, but the cost for a pound of seeds is through the roof! Hemp seeds seems to be another good example but in this case, there seems to be as much nutritional value (fats / oils) in hemp seeds as there is medicinal value. Actually, Hemp seeds is a rather unique example. Even besides the nutritional and medicinal properties, it also has (or once did) many other uses, for paints / dies, the stalks can be made into ropes and or fabric (and I think even paper). I think these are among the main reasons why Du Pont helped the government drum up fake charges on "reefer madness"... that evil herb :)

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