This site requires Javascript to be turned on. Please enable Javascript and reload the page.

Herbarium: Medicinal Plants as Information Worthy Worts: Comprehensive Comparison of the Histories, Structures, and Therapeutic Uses of Plants in the Scrophulariaceae and Asteraceae Families In order to better understand the “worts'” categorization, an analysis of the plants within the Scrophulariaceae family (Scrophularia californica, Scrophularia scorodonia, and Galvezia juncea) and two plants within the Asteraceae family (Artemisia douglasiana and Artemisia campestris) was conducted. Through research thus far, it was found that these aforementioned plants share structural similarities in terms of aspects that include venation of the leaves. The most prominent common denominator of the wort category is that they all have therapeutic uses. Among the historical therapeutic uses found in the literature are anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antioxidant uses. These benefits have been utilized from societies ranging from the American Indians to the Europeans. -By Chris Leung, Catly Do, Fady Tawfik, and Sean Jamali. Exploring the Sages: Medicinal Properties and Appearances of Artemisia Californica and Salvia Apiana Both plants Artemisia Californica and Salvia apiana under the category of sages play important roles in maintaining the growth of their local ecosystems with similar habitats, medicinal properties, and flowering appearances during the times of collection. However, they also share important differences in their flowering and growth patterns as well as the active agents used for their medicinal properties. In analyzing the similarities and differences between these two plants regarding appearances, climate, medicinal properties, and growth patterns, the similarities in how they are able to provide and support their local ecosystems is the big picture idea that can be understood. - By Stephanie Bottomley, Rasika Obla, Tony Ong, and Balpreet Sond. Tea Time: Exploring the Medicinal Properties of Bark-Use Plants from a Traditional Ecological Knowledge Context This page discusses three different plants that contain significant medicinal properties in their bark and have been historically used by indigenous communities throughout North America: Populus tremuloides, Frangula californica subsp. californica, and Amelanchier alnifolia. These species will be compared on a global scale by examining the bark-based applications of two related species from Africa and East Asia: Dovyalis caffra and Rhaphiolepis umbellata. Despite their phenotypic differences and the differences in their medicinal properties, all five of these plants have been used to help relieve symptoms of communicable and chronic diseases through the direct digestion of tea like remedies made from the boiled bark of these plants. -By Saja Zidan, Maha Ulhaq, Kate Santoso, Gillian, Miller, Anna Jovin, and Luc Lorain The History, Comparison, and Analysis of Parasitic Plants Our project presents the process of collecting and researching the special characteristics of parasitic plants. We explore each plant's respective medical practices and compare them to epiphytic plants that are similar to our original plants of interest. In each project, we individually explain how the plants were collected, identified, translated, and classified. The contextual reasons behind this process are also presented and connected to the general unique characteristics of parasitic plants. Each page provides a collection of media images that visually represent the main plant of interest, the epiphytic plant, the historical materia medica image, and the individual journal observations that we made of our respective plants. We offer comparative analysis and highlight important parts of each specimen throughout these photos. - By Khang Vo, Jessica McLaughlin, Alastair Sterns, and Dania Alkoraishi Combating Coughs: The Respiratory Remedies across North America Bioprospecting and the application of materia medica have played central roles in the remedy of physical ailments in humans throughout history. From ancient cultures utilizing extracts from leaves and roots to modern medicinal practices extracting medicinal properties from plants to put into pills and other therapies, materia medica has and remains a relevant and growing practice. Here, we examine various plants from North America and their varied characteristics, though they share similar medicinal properties.- By Raymond Ko, Mari Williams, Elizabeth Pham, Julia Tang, Cienna Henry Milton, and Emma Barrall Plant Specimen and their Alias : Exploring the Identity of Plants with Animal in the Name Lycium torreyi and Equisetum laevigatum, both plant species with an animal in their name, were explored for their characteristics and relationship to their respective animals. Through extensive research, we deduce several similarities and differences between our plants that led us to an understanding of why each plant earned their colloquial name, or alias. Lycium torreyi and Equisetum laevigatum, alias Wolfberry and Smooth Horsetail, respectively, have several commonalities and differences to their corresponding animal including physical and character traits as well as their medicinal qualities. Images, observations and outside research portray the many queries and answers to their common name. By Frieda Anastopulos, Alexa Hernandez, Denise Llera, Chelsea Okoro, Grace Randall Precious Polygonaceae: Insight into the Historical Collection and Therapeutic Uses of Polygonum, Eriogonum, and Rumex Genera This comparative analysis took to exploring six species under the Polygonaceae plant family, half of which are housed in the UCLA Herbarium and half of which are located in the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA. Although they shared a meaningful commonality, these plants fell under a total of three genuses, which seems to explain their differences in morphology - as observed in the physical herbarium specimen sheets and the botanical garden visit - and utility, as unveiled by various Materia Medica entries. However, with an understanding of both historical and modern collection processes, this analysis also postulated that such differences could relate to how these plants were collected and their associated metadata. - By Moryel Yashar, Lexie Baughman, Nicole Cohen, Yair Tabibi, Tabetha Sanchez, and Leah Tabibi Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica effects on Cardiovascular System Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica are medicinal plants that have been found to contain a myriad of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenol compounds. These compounds are known to have significant effects on the cardiovascular system by primarily targeting systolic hypertension. Plant extracts and their derivatives ameliorate oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension associated with cardiovascular disease. This association is due to the characteristics of anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, and antiviral activity within the specimen. These medicinal outcomes are elicited to prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases risk factors. Overall, Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica play a crucial role in cardioprotective effects and health benefits. - By Salma Fawzi, Anaeli Guzman, Rere Huang, Lilliane Martin, Isabel Nakoud, and Sriha Srinivasan A History and Analysis of Antiviral Medicinal Plants Medicinal plants vary wildly among cultures around the world, and proper identification, collections, and bioprospecting of these plants expand upon modern medicine and provide new possibilities of drugs. Exploration of historical materia medica, preserved herbarium specimens, and observation of plants both in adaptations and chosen environment allow for the discovery of new medical leads. Three plants in particular, Eclipta prostrata, Astragalus nuttallii var. Nuttallii, and Sambucus canadensis, have historically been documented and used in medicine for their antiviral properties. Through the process of observation as well as investigation of historic cultural uses, much can be learned about these medicinal plants that carry these critical properties. - By Allison Wang, Joanne Kwak, Nina Do, Nicolo Villasis, Sabrina Huang, and Hamza Mojadidi

Antiseptics in Nature

Body

This page has paths:

Contents of this path:
Contents of this path:
1. Worthy Worts: Comprehensive Comparison of the Histories, Structures, and Therapeutic Uses of Plants in the Scrophulariaceae and Asteraceae Families In order to better understand the “worts” categorization, we analyzed three plants within the Scrophulariaceae family (Scrophularia californica, Scrophularia scorodonia, and Galvezia juncea) and two plants within the Asteraceae family (Artemisia douglasiana and Artemisia campestris). For each plant, we investigated the historical background, physical structures, and therapeutic uses. In our research thus far, we have found that these aforementioned plants share structural similarities with the most prominent common denominator being that they all have therapeutic uses for anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antioxidant needs. -By Chris Leung, Catly Do, Fady Tawfik, and Sean Jamali.
2. Exploring the Sages: Artemisia Californica and Salvia Apiana By: Stephanie Bottomley, Rasika Obla, Tony Ong, Balpreet Sond. Both plants Artemisia Californica and Salvia Apiana under the category of sages play important roles in maintaining the growth of their local ecosystems with similar habitats, medicinal properties, and flowering appearances during the times of collection. In analyzing the similarities and differences between these two plants regarding appearances, climate, medicinal properties, and growth patterns, the similarities in how they are able to provide and support their local ecosystems is the big picture idea that can be understood.
3. Exploring the Medicinal Properties and Significance of Bark Use in an Indigenous North American Context While Indigenous communities have historically used a diverse array of plants for their medicinal properties, plants that contain their medicinal properties in their bark should be highlighted due to their historical significance for both Native American groups and colonialists. In this discussion, we will be highlighting three plants that contain medicinal properties in their bark and have been historically used by indigenous communities throughout North America: Populus Tremuloides, Frangula californica, and Amelanchier alnifolia. Despite their use by indigenous communities, these plants have also been research and explored by colonialists for bioprospecting purposes according to historical records. We will explore the differences between the indigenous uses of these bark use specimens and the uses of colonialists who arrived in North America to analyze how of each these three plants were used amongst different groups. -By Group 3: Saja Zidan, Maha Ulhaq, Anna Jovin, Gillian Miller, Luc Lorain, Kate Santoso
7. Animal in the Name By: Frieda Anastopulos, Chelsea Okoro, Grace Randall, Alexa Hernandez, and Denise Llera. Throughout Society and Genetics 180: Materia Medica we have researched various characteristics and intersections of our plants with an animal in the name, Lycium torreyi and Equisetum laevigatum. Our extensive research allows us to deduce several similarities and differences between our plants that may lead us to understanding why each plant was named after their respective animals, wolfberry and smooth horsetail. In these pages we will illustrate the commonalities and differences between our plants and the animals in which they are named after. Through images, observations, interpretations and outside research we will portray the various qualities of our plants.
9. Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica effects on Cardiovascular System (Group 9) Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica are medicinal plants that have been found to contain a myriad of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenol compounds which are known to have significant effects on the cardiovascular system primarily targeting systolic hypertension. Plant extracts and its derivatives ameliorate oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, hypertension that are associated with cardiovascular disease due to their anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, antiviral activity that are elicited to prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases risk factors. Cardioprotective effects and health benefits of Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica will be discussed._By: Salma Fawzi, Anaeli Guzman, Rere Huang, Lilliane Martin, Isabel Nakoud, Sriha Srinivasan
10. A History and Analysis of Antiviral Medicinal Plants By Allison Wang, Joanne Kwak, Nina Do, Nicolo Villasis, Sabrina Huang, and Hamza Mojadidi. Medicinal plants vary wildly among cultures around the world, and proper identification, collections, and bioprospecting of these plants expand upon modern medicine and provide new possibilities of drugs. Exploration of historical materia medica, preserved herbarium specimens, and observation of plants both in adaptations and chosen environment allow for the discovery of new medical leads. Three plants in particular, Eclipta prostrata, Astragalus nuttallii var. Nuttallii, and Sambucus canadensis, have historically been documented and used in medicine for their antiviral properties. Through the process of observation as well as investigation of historic cultural uses, much can be learned about these medicinal plants that carry these critical properties.

Contents of this path:

By Neha Shetty, Simran Athwal, and Mariah Ghodrat. Our page discusses antiseptic medicinal properties of the plants found in the UCLA Herbarium, Botanical Garden, and historical Materia Medica. Coptis Trifolia was studied in the UCLA Herbarium and historical Materia Medica. The second plant studied was Thalictrum fendleri, found in the Botanical Garden. These two plants appeared to be similar in shape and appearance. Due to some similarities and characteristics found in both plants, our group had noted possible similarities in medicinal uses. Thalictrum fendleri was used by the Native Americans to treat cold sores, colds, and gonorrhea, for example. Coptis trifolia has been used previously to treat microbial organisms which lead to infections and other diseases. These two plants are explored through multiple lenses which note some significant correlations between them.
Larrea tridentata is known for its resilience, holding the unique status of being one of the world’s oldest, longest living organisms. However, beyond this natural history, L. tridentata has a rich history of application in medical practices. The following work is our examination of L. tridentata, describing the plant’s physical attributes and covering the desert bush’s past and potential future medicinal use as an antiseptic. Our study of L. tridentata is based in analysis of an L. tridentata specimen sample from the UCLA Herbarium, research in the Materia Medica, and observation of a closely related living plant, Larrea nitida. This more comprehensive study has enabled us to paint a fuller picture of the plant Larrea tridentata. -By Madeline Huttie and Liam Kordmahale Izaddoust