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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 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 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

The Cough Remedy of the Santa Monica Mountains

The Eriodictyon Crassifolium Benth, or commonly known as the Thickleaf Yerba Santa, is a medicinal plant known to treat respiratory illnesses. Using the information from UCLA herbarium, historical Materia Medica, and the UCLA Botanical Gardens, this project aims to better understand the process of collecting, identifying, and classifying the Eriodictyon Crassifolium Benth and other species within the same plant family. Additionally, it will compare the physical properties between these plants within the same plant family and explore their historical uses as a herbal remedy to treat respiratory illness and disease in Native American populations. - By Elizabeth Pham and Julia Tang

The Eriodictyon crassifolium (Benth) is a thick wooly shrub that is part of the Hydrophyllaceae family. A specimen of the plant was digitally collected and stored at the UCLA Herbarium, giving us greater insight on the physical characteristics and the environmental niche of the plant specimen. The digital herbarium details how the Eriodictyon Crassifolium Benth was collected by Peter H. Raven and Henry J. Thompson in the Santa Monica mountains by the borders of burned chaparral. It is identified as a corollas lavender, with distinct features in its flower patterns and thick, leathery leaves. The flowers are pale lavender in color with a bell-shape that grow in small clusters. The leaves are dark green with a thick, sticky texture that surround the woody branch and stems. These distinctive features will be further analyzed and compared to other plants within the Hydrophyllaceae family in addition to its medicinal properties.

This plant specimen was found in the Santa Monica mountains with high elevations of about 640 meters above the ground, requiring researchers to climb and hike up the mountains to collect this specimen. These plants were identified with a field guide, hand lens, binoculars, metric ruler, metric tape, altimeter, and a compass. They were then further classified using a set of rules of why, when, and how the plant specimen was identified. According to the Encyclopedia Britannia (1832), taxonomy was defined as a branch of botany that had a combination of all observations on plants. This gives us a better understanding of our specimen with the use of a sophisticated optical lens. This lens allows researchers to study specimens at a much greater depth, such as observing the buds and predicting and flowering patterns. Once the plant has been identified, plant specimens are then pressed flat between newspapers and dried in a plant press. Once the plant is dried, they are put on acid-free paper. The collector can then label and classify the specimen on the acid-free paper, then file it away.

Once the Eriodictyon crassifolium Benth, is collected and put into the herbarium, investigating the medicinal properties of the specimen becomes much easier. Its medicinal and traditional uses are detailed in the historical Materia Medica. It is known that the active ingredient in Eriodictyon crassifolium Benth is flavonoid sterubin. This means that the plant can be used to improve respiratory breathing, coughs, and fevers by turning its leaves and flowers into tea or syrup. Traditionally, Native American tribes utilized the Yerba Santa to treat lung conditions and stop minor bleedings from the 1800s to 1960s. This plant was very popular among the Native populations, even after California became colonized by the Europeans. It wasn’t until this century that the specimen was becoming an outdated remedy for respiratory illness.

Other plant species within the same family have very similar characteristics and properties. At the live observations at the UCLA Botanical Gardens, the Heliotropium Arborescens, was identified to have these similar features. It contained similar long, narrow leaves and lavender funnel-shaped flowers with small buds sprouting near the top of the plant. Field notes were also obtained of the plant observation with notes of its physical characteristics compared to the neighboring plants. The overall plant size was very tall and thin, with the lavender flowers being its most distinctive feature, compared to the other plants. There were five items collected that were found on the floor near the Heliotropium Arborescens to better observe its characteristics and habitat features. The comparison between these two plants allows us to better understand the properties and potential medicinal uses of species within the same plant family.

WORKS CITED

Backwater Botanics. 2014. “Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon Californicum).” WordPress, June 6, 2014. https://backwaterbotanics.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/yerba-santa-eriodyction-glutinosum/.

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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
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1. The Cough Remedy of the Santa Monica Mountains The Eriodictyon Crassifolium Benth, or commonly known as the Thickleaf Yerba Santa, is a medicinal plant known to treat respiratory illnesses. Using the information from UCLA herbarium, historical Materia Medica, and the UCLA Botanical Gardens, this project aims to better understand the process of collecting, identifying, and classifying the Eriodictyon Crassifolium Benth and other species within the same plant family. Additionally, it will compare the physical properties between these plants within the same plant family and explore their historical uses as a herbal remedy to treat respiratory illness and disease in Native American populations. - By Elizabeth Pham and Julia Tang
2. Where the Prunus Paths Converge A look at plants to treat coughs reveals the highly variable species, Prunus. Over the past several weeks, we have taken an in-depth look at three different Prunus species collected and studied in three different contexts, each revealing characteristics that solidify distinct Prunus features. First, we looked at an herbarium specimen from the UCLA Herbarium, collected from Dr. Cora King’s archive. This specimen showed a preserved specimen of the Prunus virginiana species. Next, we observed the Prunus campanulata species, alive, growing, and blossoming in the UCLA Botanical Garden. Finally, we observed historical records of Materia Medica from a lithographic print from 1856 portraying Prunus avium. - By Mari Williams and Raymond Ko
3. From Vibrant Flowers to Cough Suppressants: The Rhus Ovata Has It All The Rhus ovata is an evergreen shrub that is native to Southern California, Baja California, and Arizona. Commonly known as sugarbush, the Rhus ovata has characteristic white flower clusters and deep red berries during the Spring. The alluring shrub is a member of the Anacardiaceae family. It proliferates on dry slopes away from the coast and can survive with little water. These conditions are frequently met in desert conditions hence their prominence in Mediterranean climate. The Rhus ovata’s low maintenance status makes it widely available for collection. It has been collected and recorded over one thousand times in the CCH2.

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