Classification of Medicinal Plants

Question 1

Different system of classification

Answer 1

Parts used (root, bark, leaves, flowers, seeds, etc.)
Life cycle (annuals, biennials, perennials)
Habitat
Active constituents
Therapeutic value
Usage (medicinal herbs, culinary herbs, aromatic herbs, ornamental herbs)
Botanical classification

Question 2

1. Botanical / scientific classification

Answer 2

Compositae family- Compositae family (AKA Asteraceae family)
Contains the highest no. of MAP compared to other families
e.g., sunflower (Helianthus annuus), Chamomile (Anthemis arvensis), etc.

Labiatae family-Labiatae family (AKA Lamiaceae or mint family)
Are herbs or shrubs often with an aromatic smell
Produce high amount of essential oils that enable them to survive the hot summer season
e.g., lavender (Lavandula L.), thyme (Acinis arvensis), rosemary (Rosmarinus L.)

Leguminosae family -Fabaceae or pea family)
Garden pea (Pisum sativum), False acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Rosaceae family -

Rutaceae family- (Rue family)
Is a small family that consists of cultivated fruit trees and medicinal herbs
e.g., orange, lemon, tangerine
Bael fruit (Aegle marmelos)
The tangerine has a darker reddish-orange skin while the mandarin is lighter orange in color.

Cruciferae family
Caryophyllaceae family
Malvaceae family

(Apiaceae or carrot family)
Umbrella-arranged fruit
Usually produce essential oil (survive during hot summer days)

e.g., fennel (Foeniculum vulgaris), anise (Myrrhis odorata), wild carrot (Daucus carota L)

Caryophyllaceae family (AKA Pink family)
Usually have four-to five-petalled flowers that are usually white or pink in color
e.g., chickweed (Stellaria media), sandwort (Arenaria serpyllifolia)

Grouped according to 
Division
Class 
Order 
Family 
Genus 
Species 
Example
Zingiber officinale (ginger), Saliva officinalis (sage)
Officinale = medicinal

Question 3

Classification based on parts used

Answer 3

Whole plant - Cordyceps sinensis

Root – Inula racemosa (Ruta)

Bark - Cinnamomum verum

Leaf - Aloe vera

Flower - Rhododendron
anthopogon (Balu-karpo)

Fruit - Hippohae salicifolia (Tar-bu)

Seed - Datura stramonium

Bulb - Codonopsis vinciflora (Nge-ba)

Rhizome - Dactylorhiza hatagirea (dbang-lag)

Question 4

Based on Altitude/habitat

Answer 4

High altitude – Aconitum orochryseum (bong-dkar);
Dactylorhiza hatagirea (dbang-lag)
Low altitude – Terminalia bellirica (ba-ru);
Terminalia chebula (aru)
Mid-altitude – Carthamus tinctorius (gurgum); Abelmoschus moschatus (Soma- radza)

Question 5

Based on therapeutic value

Answer 5

Antimalarial – Artemisia annua

Anticancer – Taxus baccata

Anticholesterol – Allium sativum

Antidiarrhoeal – Psidium gujava

Diuretic – Centella asiatica

Question 6

Based on Active constituents (Five types)

Answer 6

5.1 Aromatic – volatile oil (pleasant odor)

5.1.1.Stimulants herb
(increase energy and body activities; e.g., fennel, ginger, etc.)

5.1.2. Nerving herb (soothe nervous system; e.g., ginger)
Nerving = To give strength or vigor or courage to.

5.2. Astringents – have tannins, which binds proteins;
e.g., peppermint
Astringent = any of a group of substances that cause the contraction or shrinkage of tissues and that dry up secretions.

5.3. Bitter – has phenolic compounds, alkaloids, etc.
5.3.1 laxative herbs
5.3.2. diuretic herbs
5.3.3. saponin-containing herbs
5.3.4. alkaloid-containing herbs
Saponin = any of the class of steroid and terpenoid glycosides which foam when shaken with water

Saponin = any of the class of steroid and terpenoid glycosides which foam when shaken 
	   with water

5.4. Mucilaginous
contains polysaccharides, which gives slippery mild taste – becomes sweet in water

5.5. Nutritive
provide nutritive value to food
are true food stuff
e.g., banana, carrot, etc.

Question 7

Based on seasonal growth cycle

Answer 7

Annuals (Artemesia annua)
Biennials [(Carum carvi  (Goned)]
Perennials
Evergreen [(Aquilaria malaccensis (Agaru)]
Deciduous [(Terminalia chebula (Aru)]

Question 8

Culinary herbs

Answer 8

Used as cooking herbs because of their strong flavors:
Mint
Parsley
Basil

Question 9

Aromatic herbs

Answer 9

Pleasant smelling flowers or leaves
Oils from aromatic herbs – produce perfumes, etc.
e.g., mint, lemongrass, rosemary, basil, etc.