Plant Based Medicines

• The following notes cover culture, medicinal benefits, parts used, and clinical studies of various plants.

Student Presentation Plants

• Honeybush: Studies indicate it reduces wrinkles, lowers blood sugar levels, and has anti-tumor abilities.
• Henna: Used for skin decoration, hair and nail dye, and wound treatment. Research explores its potential in treating skin cancers and as a mouthwash.
• Dandelion: No information provided about the third student presentation plant

Grocery Store Plants

• Pomegranate: Native to North Africa and the Mediterranean. The fruit rind, stem, and root bark are used for medicinal purposes.
  • Historically, used as a tapeworm remedy.
  • Early studies suggest potential benefits for coronary heart disease and cancer, but results are mixed.
  • High in antioxidants and vitamin C.
• Almond: Originates from the Middle East and South Asia. The oil is used for treating dry skin and improving complexion.
  • Studies suggest anti-inflammatory, immunity-boosting, and anti-hepatotoxicity effects.
  • Potential cardiovascular benefits and support for skin rejuvenation and post-operative scarring.
  • Evidence for improved bowel transit and colon cancer reduction.
• Pumpkin: Native to Central and South America. Ripe dried seeds or seed oil are used.
  • Traditionally used as a vermifuge and diuretic.
  • Clinical studies indicate symptomatic relief for enlarged prostate and effectiveness against tapeworm and bladder issues.

Campus Walk Plants

• Dandelion: Native to North America, with various parts used for different purposes.
  • Used as a diuretic with promising research for metabolic diseases and type 2 diabetes.
  • May decrease cellular damage.
• Ginkgo: Used for a long time, treating sores externally and diarrhea and heart/lung issues internally.
  • Leaf extracts are currently used for memory disorders, Alzheimer's, Lyme disease-related thinking disorders, and depression.
  • Some evidence suggests improvement in Alzheimer's/dementia symptoms, color vision, and breast pain during PMS.
• Ivy: No information provided about the third campus walk plant

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Plants

• Ginkgo: Already covered in previous section.
• Black Tea: Fermented leaves used to improve mental alertness and memory. Contains caffeine.
  • May decrease cardiovascular disease.
  • Functions as an antioxidant and could reduce cholesterol.
• Desert Tea: Traditionally used for asthma, bronchitis, nasal congestion, and sinusitis. Marketed for weight loss and athletic performance enhancement.
  • CNS stimulant with bronchodilation effects.
  • Can lead to dependency with prolonged use.
  • Investigated by the FDA due to reported deaths and banned by organizations like the NFL.

Southeast Asian Plants

• Nutmeg: No information provided.
• Clove: No information provided.
• Java: Dried leaf infusion used as a diuretic and for kidney/bladder inflammation.
  • Displays antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties in vitro.

Australian Plants

• Tea Tree: No information provided.
• Eucalyptus: No information provided.
• Java: Dried leaf infusion used as a diuretic and for kidney/bladder inflammation.
  • Displays antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties in vitro.

Indian Plants

• Pepper: Ripe, mature, and dry fruits are used.
  • Used in Ayurvedic medicine to stimulate the digestive system and treat nausea/appetite loss.
  • Essential oil is applied topically for toothache, rheumatic pains, and ectoparasites.
  • Early clinical studies suggest potential against microbes and to increase digestive juice flow, but may promote liver or other forms of cancer.
• Snakeroot: Overharvested in the wild and now banned for export. Powdered dried roots or extracts are used for mild hypertension and anxiety.
  • Used traditionally for constipation, insomnia, liver disease, and rheumatism.
  • Used in the 1950s for high blood pressure, schizophrenia and mental health disorders. However, side effects of prolonged use may include depression and increased risk of cancer.
  • Used to regulate heartbeat, but does not assist in cancer treatment.
• Henna: Powdered leaves are used for decoctions, infusions, and skin/hair applications.
  • Traditionally used to treat wounds, sores, and skin infections.
  • Functions as antimicrobial and astringent.
  • Modernly, it is used for coloring hair and nails, and traditionally by brides on hands and feet.

Middle Eastern Plants

• Frankincense: No information provided.
• Sausage Tree: No information provided.
• Toothbrush Tree: No information provided.

African Plants

• Coffee: No information provided.
• Devil’s Claw: No information provided.
• Hibiscus: No information provided.

Cultural Medicine Summaries

• Chinese: TCM uses herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies such as moxibustion, cupping, massage, and dietary therapy.
  • TCM foundation is Qi, which flows through meridians related to specific organs.
  • Blood and Qi are inseparable.
  • Yin/Yang Theory states everything is composed of interconnected yin and yang energy.
    • Five-Element Theory involves wood, fire, earth, metal, and water and is a bedrock principle of TCM.
• India: Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system based on humors.
  • Uses talams, yoga, and rasa shastra.
  • 5 elements of earth, water, fire, air, and sky.
  • 3 humors of vatha, pitha, and kaptha.
    • Talams are medicated pastes applied to the crown or forehead.
    • Rasa shastra involves adding minerals to herbal medicine.

India Conservation Efforts

• Wild medicinal plants threatened by overexploitation due to demand.
• Conservation efforts including rapid threat assessments and conservation assessments and management prioritization.
• Rauwolfia collection is banned except with a permit.
• MPCAs have been established.

Additional Information

• 70-80% of people in Africa use traditional medicine.
• Middle Eastern medicine was well documented in written text.
• Permits are required for commercial collection of any plant and should account for regeneration capacity.
• Conservation spending is about 17 billion.
• IUCN Red List categories assess the conservation status of species.

Multiple Choice Question Information

• Plants at risk for extinction in the US include American ginseng, black cohosh, bloodroot, echinacea, eyebright, goldenseal, slippery elm, and wild yam.
• Clinical study types include double-blind studies and the standard 3 phases of trials.
• Knowledge of preparation types and DSHEA is needed.

IUCN Red List Categories

• Critically Endangered (CR)
• Endangered (EN)
• Vulnerable (VU)
• Near Threatened (NT)