Scrophularia nodosa (Figwort)

Scrophularia nodosa is a medicinal herb with limited nutritional value as a food source; its profile is dominated by bioactive phytochemicals rather than macronutrients. Macronutrient content is negligible in typical medicinal preparations. Key bioactive compounds include: iridoid glycosides (harpagoside and aucubin, estimated 0.1–1.5% dry weight of aerial parts and roots), which are the primary pharmacologically active constituents; flavonoids including diosmin, acacetin, and luteolin (collectively estimated 0.5–2% dry weight); phenylpropanoid glycosides including acteoside (verbascoside, approximately 0.3–1.0% dry weight); saponins present in trace to moderate concentrations (specific quantification limited in literature); phenolic acids including caffeic acid and ferulic acid derivatives (estimated 0.2–0.8% dry weight); alkaloids present in very low concentrations (specific types and quantities poorly characterized); small quantities of cardioactive glycosides have been historically noted, warranting caution. Mineral content includes modest potassium, calcium, and magnesium typical of herbaceous plants, but no significant micronutrient contributions at typical medicinal doses. Bioavailability notes: iridoid glycosides are generally water-soluble and extractable via aqueous infusions; harpagoside bioavailability is enhanced in alcoholic tinctures compared to water-only preparations; flavonoids exhibit moderate gut absorption with significant inter-individual variation due to microbiome-dependent metabolism. Most quantitative phytochemical data is extrapolated from related Scrophulariaceae species due to limited species-specific analytical studies.