Antiseptics in Nature: An exploratory analysis of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata
Native American Medicinals of Coptis trifolia and Larrea Tridentata
Both the Coptis trifolia and the Larrea tridentata have a past history of being valued by the native Indians and are commonly used in modern herbalism nowadays. Many of the native Indians used these flowering plants as herbs to relieve pain and to treat sores and wounds. Both the flowering plants include alkaloid berberine, which is a mild sedative, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Because of the alkaloid berberine, Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata promote heart health, bone and joint health, brain health, digestive health, liver health, and are beneficial for the respiratory system. However, each flowering plant was also used for other medicinal purposes.In other words, the native Indians used the flowering plants commonly to treat sores and pain, but each flowering plant had its own strengths that can be used for other medicinal practices, applicable to treating certain diseases. The Coptis trifolia is known to help with gastrointestinal, skin, and mouth problems, while the Larrea tridentata is known to be a powerful herb to treat various illnesses that involve either the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems.
Medicinal Uses
As mentioned above, the flowering plants have distinct characteristics when used as a herbal remedy. The Coptis trifolia is used as a gargle for sore throats and made into tea for use as eyewash. It is also known heavily to cure alcoholism and protect against irritated tissue by being a soothing mechanism. For this specific flowering plant, it is known to be helpful to treating gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and bacterial dysentery. That being said, Coptis trifolia is regarded to be the most powerful for gastrointestinal issues, treating mouth sores such as canker sores, swollen gums, and tongue ulcers, and for the skin. In terms of skin, it is used topically to treat acne, boils, carbuncles, burns, and infected cuts. On the other hand, Larrea tridentata has its own medicinal properties. Larrea tridentata treats maladies, including sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, chicken pox, dysmenorrhea, and snakebite. The leaves of this flowering plant are very strong as they are used for stiff limbs and menstrual cramps. As the Coptis trifolia is known for gastrointestinal, skin, and mouth issues, the Larrea tridentata is known to treat various illnesses involving the cardiovascular system, immune system, and the nervous system. Larrea tridentata consists of antioxidant properties that help to prevent diseases by decreasing the radical level in the body. In other words, it protects the blood vessels and arteries from the damage caused by high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The herb has an ethanolic extract that reduces the total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and enhances the sensitivity of insulin. With the immune system, the flowering plant suppresses and inhibits certain viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus, influenza virus, and human papilloma virus. For the nervous system, Larrea tridentata inhibits the production of oxidative stress by free radicals. It has been recommended as a potential treatment for epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
A Comparative Look at the Nomenclature of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata
Both Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata are flowering plants, however, each belongs to a different order and family, respectively Ranunculales, Ranunculaceae and Zygophyllales, Zygophyllaceae. Despite the plants’ differences the origin of their species names is familiar. The scientific names given to both species Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata provide species categorization on the basis of physical form, criteria for which many other plant species have been named for. What makes the similarity notable in this instance, however, is that the two antiseptics were named for the same morphological segment, their leaves. “Trifolia" refers to the number of leaves on the plant, 3, the name meaning “three-leaved or three leaflets”. “Tridentata” similarly refers to the number of the plant's toothed leaves, 3. The assigned scientific nomenclature of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata calls to attention three things: (1) that the taxonomical names assigned to the plants are based in outstanding identifiable traits; (2) that the plants share one morphological characteristic pertaining to their foliage; and (3) that both plants are visually set apart within there genus on the basis of their foliage.
Habitat and Ecology
While both plants observed in this analysis contain antiseptic properties, there are stark differences in the areas to which these plants are native. Coptis trifolia growth is wide, the plant’s native geographic range spanning from Eastern Siberia to the Russian Far East, and Subarctic America to North Central and the North East regions of the United States. In contrast, Larrea tridentata’s distribution is far more localized than that of Coptis trifolia, with its native growth being only Mexico and the southwest and central south regions of the United States. Similarly, the native habitats greatly vary between the two antiseptics. Where Larrea tridentata grows in dry, desert environments, Coptis trifolia is at home in bog-like, wet, and wooded areas. The main differences of these habitats are overt: temperature, coverage, and precipitation. Larrea tridentata’s desert environment is prone to extreme temperature fluctuations, some localities ranging from 5ºF to 117ºF annually. While Coptis trifolia’s preference is for cool areas, it too can survive a range of extreme weathers, reportedly enduring temperatures as low as -49ºF. Coptis trifolia, an undergrowth, prefers low light and at least partial shade coverage which contributes to maintaining idyllic cool temperatures. When growing in a wooded area, this canopy coverage also contributes to soil water retention. Coptis trifolia’s prominent preference for a moist environment is juxtaposed by Larrea tridentata’s characteristic dry environment. Where Coptis trifolia experiences 60-90 inches of precipitation a year in some areas of its distribution and thrives in poorly drained soil conditions, Larrea tridentata has been reported to experience an average as little as 4 and at most 12 inches of precipitation annually depending on the area of distribution. Because of these water levels, the plant's survival is rooted in the deserts’ alluvial soil, a soil defined by its high porosity and therefore need for less water.
WORKS CITED
Health Benefits Times. n.d. “Health benefits of Threeleaf goldthread.” https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/threeleaf-goldthread/