Medicinal plants in the natural landscape Flashcards
What does the safe usage of plants that can provide medicine and food require?
- positive identification
- knowing how to prepare them for eating
- knowing any dangerous properties they might have
- familiarity of botanical structures is vital
What is birthwort used for in traditionl medicine? In what countries?
- to treat arthritis and ease childbirth
- China, and Ancient Greece before that
What is the name of the compound that was isolated by IDR researchers from Quassia amara (a small red flower native to central and south America, and had anti-malaria activity in test tubes and in animal studies?
Simalikalactone E (SkE)
What was the Himalayan mayapple (Podophyllun hexandrum) the original source of?
Etoposide (a powerful anticancer compound)
- has been in the market in the US since 1983
What is vital for proper functional communities that support each other?
- Careful selection and placement of plant species
What is the goal of a therapeutic forest?
People’s spiritual needs are met. The mimicry of natural forest systems is important
What are examples of soil building species?
legumes (clovers, alfalfa, lupins, berries)
What are some dynamic accumulators?
dandelion, yarrow, comfrey, linden trees and others known to accumulate sub-soil nutrients
What is the purpose of aromatic species in therapeutic and edible forest gardens?
to confound pests
What is the purpose of nurse plants?
to grow up quickly to shelter young/ vulnerable species
What species lacks scents to attract insects, and the digestive acids used to dissolve insects is reduced in the elongate pitcher (this space allowing for mothers and juveniles to stay together for several weeks)?
Nepenthes hemsleyana
What are Agrimony? Where are they native to?
upright perennials/ spikes of yellow flowers/ up to 60cm native to Europe, introduced to North America
What is the medicinal use of Agrimony?
stops bleeding of all sorts, helps relieve pain as a wound herb (“ tightens and tones tissues/ also relaxes tension, both physical and mental”)
What is the distribution of birch?
B. pendula is native to northern temerate regions of Eurasia, B. papyrifera is native to North America
What are the medicinal used of birch?
mainly works on the urinary system to remove waste products
What is the distribution of cherry (Prunus avium)?
Native to Europe/ British Isles, introduced to North America
What is the medicinal use of cherry (Prunus avium)?
good for gout or arthritis. Fruit stalks and inner bark used for treating coughs, sore throats and brinchitis
What is the distribution of chickweed (Stellaria media)?
native to Europe and Asia, now found as a weed in North America
What are the medicinal uses of chickweed?
soothing, nutritious and cooling herb, with a reputation for clearing stubborn, long-lasting conditions. Special affinities for the eyes, lungs and chest
What is the distribution of raspberries?
Britain and northern Europe, up to the Arctic circle and in much of Asia and North America
What is the medicinal use of raspberries?
fruits/ antioxidants, leaves and bark used to make tea to treat diarrhea
What is mullein and what is its distribution?
- a biennial plan that grows in the first year as a rosette of downy leaves and sending up a tall spike with yellow flowers in their second summer
- native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia, naturalised in North America
What are the medicinal uses of mullein?
the flowers, infused in oil are a remedy for earache and other nerve pain/ leaves and flowers make a tea to relieve dry irritable coughs/ has an affinity for the spine and helps in setting bones
What is red clover and what is its distribution?
- a herbacious, short-lived perennial plant with purplish-red flowers and a single pale chevron on the leaves
- native to Europe and naturalised in North America
What are the medicinal uses of red clover?
flower heads with upper leaves, collected in early summer are used for chronic constipation, skin complaints and bronchitis. Has been included in many anti-cancer formulae and helps balance hormone levels during menopause (relieves hot flashes)
What is St.John’s wort and what is its distribution?
- a yellow-flowering perennial herb with extensive creeping rhizomes (if soil conditions stay the same, they stay there, if they change then they will die)
- Native to Europe and naturalised in North America
What are the medicinal uses of St. John’s wort?
flowers and leaves used for treating depression and anxiety. it strengthens the nervous system and digestion, protects the liver, is antiviral and reduces pain
What is the distribution of wild-rose and what are its medicinal values?
- native to central North America
- flowers used to emilinate kidney/gall stones. antiseptic
What is the distribution of willow and what are its medicinal uses?
- mainly Europe and North America
- bark contains salicin and asprin-like compounds/ used to treat pain and inflammation, helps to lower fevers, can be used as a gentle pain reliever for headaches, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, muscle aches and lower back pain. honey is good for general health
What is the distribution of golden rod and what are its medicinal uses?
- mainly in North America
- roots used in treatments of burns, tea from flowers used to treat fevers and snake bites and leaf extracts are diuretic and antispasmodic
What is the organic compound found in magnolia and its medicinal use that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for 5,000 years?
Magnolol - an organic compound that is classified as lignin; a kind of polyphenols/ anticancer potential of magnolol for lung cancer treatment
