Herbarium: Medicinal Plants as Information Main Menu Introduction Student Projects 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 Antiseptics in Nature: An exploratory analysis of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata The following research studies common properties of plants used as potential antiseptic medicinal use. Explained more in depth later on, the first page introduces the plant Coptis trifolia, and its common characteristics with a similar plant, Thalictrum fendleri. The second page studies Larrea Tridentata found at the UCLA Herbarium and its living species at the UCLA Botanical Garden. The pages also examine other species found at the UCLA Botanical Garden, with references of possible characteristics which may allude to the specificity and uniqueness of the plants and objects. These three species studied share a common use as an antiseptic. - By Neha Shetty, Simran Athwal, Mariah Ghodrat, Madeline Huttie, and Liam Kordmahale-Izaddoust 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 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

Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica effects on Cardiovascular System

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The three specimens known as Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica all exhibit medicinal properties that have an immense effect on the cardiovascular system. Some of these effects include anti-inflammatory responses, protection against hypertension, treatment of infections, antihypertensive, and antibacterial properties. Amongst the overlapping medicinal properties in Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica, is an understanding of how the plants play a role in numerous cardiovascular processes.


Crataegus douglasii has been used to help protect against heart disease and help control high cholesterol as well as high blood pressure. Numerous studies have shown that Crataegus douglasii improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, and increases coronary artery blood flow. The specimen has also been used to treat boils and sores. This plant contains different flavonoids, such as rhamnosides and schaftosides. Flavonoids are phytonutrients found in almost all fruits and vegetables that have anti-inflammatory effects to protect cells from oxidative damage. Due to the flavonoids' presence, Crataegus douglasii has a positive inotropic effect on the heart by strengthening the force of the heartbeat. The plant has leaves that are broad, long, and serrated at the tip. It has dense clusters of white flowers in the spring and edible fruits that mature to black in the late summer. Crataegus douglasii's flowers have an unpleasant fragrance which tends to attract pollinators such as midges and butterflies. Crataegus douglasii can also be planted for erosion control. This specimen is self-fertile, which indicates that both male and female parts can be found on the same individual plant. The best method of propagating Crataegus douglasii is through seeds and wind dispersal. The specimen is native to wetlands, open moist areas, bluffs, slopes, meadows, ditches, and streams in a large geographic territory. Lastly, Crataegus douglasii is most commonly found in the Pacific Northwest.  


Urtica dioica subspecies Holoser, or stinging nettle has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Its leaves are initially hostile, but can be cooked similar to a vegetable for both nutritional and medical value. The leaves can also be burned into a tea, producing a health tonic filled with flavonoids. As aforementioned, flavonoids have cardiovascular properties, and the tonic is also anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. U. dioica can produce hypotensive responses, through a vasorelaxant effect mediated by the release of endothelial nitric oxide and the opening of potassium channels, and through negative inotropic action. It can also be turned into a pulp and used externally as a poultice. There are claims that it helps with eczema, urinary tract problems, and cardiovascular benefits, but these claims are less substantiated than health claims related to internal consumption. The plant itself has leaves rich in cellulose, polyphenol compounds, vitamin C, and minerals. They are high in fiber and can be used within basic construction. The stinging nettle can self-reproduce, as it grows with both male and female reproductive organs. It also spreads easily within its locality, with widely spreading rhizomes and stolons. In fact, it is often planted to reduce soil erosion and help the environment in which it is planted. However, it is native to subtropical and tropical Asia, and is common especially in China. However, it can still be found in the North Americas, particularly on the West Coast. Here, hikers often see stinging nettle on trails or bordering neighborhoods, as the name ‘stinging’ implies less danger than what is actually to be feared.

For centuries, Bidens pilosa has been documented to have a myriad of diverse medicinal uses. Historically, the plant is believed capable of treating over forty different diseases, disorders, and conditions including inflammation, immunological disorders, digestive disorders, infectious diseases, cancers, metabolic syndromes, and wounds. In addition to these more well known and documented uses, the bioactive compounds produced by Bidens pilosa have also exhibited the potential to successfully treat cardiovascular diseases and disorders. This includes lowering systolic blood pressure, reducing cardiac hypertrophy, and the treatment of diseases such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. The plant possesses these unique medicinal properties as it is rich in phytochemicals such as polyynes, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and phenolics that, in addition to treating tumors, inflammation, diabetes, viruses, microbes, and gastrointestinal diseases, have also been found effective in treating cardiovascular diseases and disorders. Flavonoids, in particular, present many cardiovascular health-promoting properties. Bidens pilosa possesses an abundance of flavonoid compounds, with over sixty different flavonoids being produced by the plant at a time. These flavonoids include bioflavonoids and quercetin derivatives which exhibit antioxidant properties that function to reduce the harmful impact of free radicals in the body. Through a series of chemical reactions, free radicals (derived from metabolic processes or through an outside source such as pollutants or chemicals) damage cellular components, leading to an increased risk for the development and further progression of cardiovascular diseases and disorders. Medical research has found that by extracting these flavonoids and constituting them with acetate, butanol, and water, free radical scavengers are produced, these are substances that function to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. In addition, Bidens pilosa is rich in essential oils. These essential oils contain compounds such as monoterpenes and phenolics believed to have anti-hypertensive properties.

WORKS CITED

Bartolome, Arlene P., Irene M. Villaseñor, and Wen-Chin Yang. 2013. “Bidens Pilosa L. (Asteraceae): Botanical Properties, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine  2013: 340215.
Rubick, Jade. 2009. “Crataegus Douglasii - Lindl.” Plants for the Future. https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Crataegus+douglasii

This page has paths:

  1. Student Projects Tabetha Nicole Sanchez

Contents of this path:

  1. Bidens pilosa and Roldana petasitis: adaptations designed to enhance reproductive success
  2. Crataegus douglasii & Cardiovascular Effects
  3. The Nettle Sisters: Urtica dioica & Boehmeria nivea

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