Desert view of Larrea tridentata
1 media/0100_thumb.jpeg 2022-03-09T08:54:22-08:00 Madeline Huttie ed37d79b143b74ce4a1679ca7e866298243829f6 40021 3 Image shows Larrea tridentata in desert habitat. plain 2022-03-09T12:26:01-08:00 Madeline Huttie ed37d79b143b74ce4a1679ca7e866298243829f6This page is referenced by:
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2022-02-16T11:37:43-08:00
The Smelly, Antiseptic Wonder: A look at the history, form and medicinal properties of Larrea tridentata
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Larrea tridentata holds the unique status of being one of the world’s oldest, longest-living organisms. Beyond this natural history, however, lays L. tridentata's rich history as a key ingredient in medical practice. The following work is an 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. The following study of L. tridentata is derived from analysis of an L. tridentata specimen sample from the UCLA Herbarium, research in the Materia Medica, and observation of a living closely related 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
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Larrea tridentata is a plant of many names, commonly known as a creosote bush (named for the plant’s smell's reminiscence to creosote tar) in addition to the multiple local and cultural names by which the plant is referred: chaparral, gobernadora, and hediondilla. While the current scientific name of the plant is Larrea tridentata, this nomenclature has changed over time, first being classified as Larrea mexicana (named in reference to one area the plant is native) in the Materia Medica. Larrea tridentata current species denotation refers to the plant's three-toothed leaves. The plant’s maintanining genic name is named for bishop Juan Antonio Hernández Pérez de Larrea, a patron of science and botanist. Species belonging to the Larrea genus vary in physical characteristic differences, ranging from leaf shape and fruit production to petal shine, defining qualities oft present in a plant's species (Larrea cuneifolia meaning wedge-shaped leaves, Larrea nitida meaning bright).
Looking at the Larrea tridentata specimen from the UCLA Herbarium, collected by E. Armstrong, March 28th, 1934 in the Mojave Desert, Kern County, there are two branches saved, each at a different stage of maturity. In seeing the branch at two places in the plant's cycle comparative observation of the plant at different stages is possible, providing a fuller understanding of the plant's growth and flowering cycle. For example, after a flower is spent, it gives way to a fuzz-covered node.
Observations of Larrea tridentata were supplemented through the observation of living specimen Larrea nitida in the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, and early illustrations of Larrea tridentata, then Larrea mexicana. The UCLA Herbarium Larrea tridentata specimen's discoloration over years of drying made consultation of this imagery and a closely related living specimen paramount to this examination and illuminated the differences between species of the same genus, specifically leaf shape. The value of supplemental comparison can be seen in the recognition that the dense foliage observed on the Larrea tridentata specimen sample likely functioned in part to advantage the bush’s water retention in its native desert climate with little precipitation, a connection only made possible through observing the shallow root system of Larrea nitida.
While Larrea tridentata is now named for a physical trait, it is the plant’s chemical characteristics that endow Larrea tridentata with its particular significance, both as a long-surviving species and within the plant’s medicinal properties. Larrea tridentata, widely known for its resilience in a harsh desert environment, produces chemical compounds which serve to protect the plant from damage insects, pathogenic fungi, and herbivores might otherwise inflict. Larrea tridentata’s chemical constitution of lignans, a protein compound, and flavonoids both of which give the bush antiseptic properties. It is because of the Larrea tridentata’s active antibacterial properties, that the leaves and twigs from Larrea tridentata have traditionally been made into tea, powder, poultice, functioning primarily as an antiseptic to destroy germs, and as an emetic to clear the stomach of harmful substances/toxins by native peoples. Boiling the bush’s leaves into tea treated diarrhea, stomach pain, and served as a mucoactive agent, while topical application would treat chest complaints and skin conditions, including wounds and sores. Larrea tridentata was also historically used to treat toothaches, with the sap from the plant’s shoot tips being dripped into cavities, in addition to wide usage in treatments for rheumatism, venereal infections, urinary infections, and cancers. Acknowledgment of the historic implementation of the Larrea tridentata in medicinal practice has exciting implications for the future of medicine.References
Stein, M. 1998. “Management Recommendations for Threeleaflet goldthread (Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb.)”. Accessed March 8. https://www.blm.gov/or/plans/surveyandmanage/MR/VascularPlants/section7.htm#Ecology
Wikipedia. n.d. “Larrea tridentata”. Accessed March 8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrea_tridentata#Habitat
Hortipedia. n.d. “Coptis trifolia”. Accessed March 8. https://en.hortipedia.com/Coptis_trifolia
Sullivan, Janet. 1992. “SPECIES: Coptis trifolia”. Accessed March 8. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/coptri/all.html#DISTRIBUTION%20AND%20OCCURRENCE
Marshall, K. Anna. 1995. “SPECIES: Larrea tridentata”. Accessed March 8. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/lartri/all.html
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2022-02-23T11:27:56-08:00
Antiseptics in Nature: An explorative analysis of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata
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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 the scientific plant name, 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
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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 are shared. The scientific names given to both species C. trifolia and L. 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.
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.
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.
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.
WORKS CITEDHealth Benefits Times. n.d. “Health benefits of Threeleaf goldthread.” https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/threeleaf-goldthread/Hortipedia. n.d. “Coptis trifolia”. Accessed March 8. https://en.hortipedia.com/Coptis_trifoliaMarshall, K. Anna. 1995. “SPECIES: Larrea tridentata”. Accessed March 8. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/lartri/all.htmlMayeku, Philip Wafula, Ahmed Hassanali, Bernard Turyagenda Kiremire, Josiah Ochieng Odalo, and Christian Hertweck. 2013. “Anti-Bacterial Activities and Phytochemical Screening of Extracts of Different Parts of Thalictrum Rhynchocarpum.” Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 10(5): 341–344. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3847427/Natural Medicinal Herbs. n.d. “Meadowrue Thalictrum polycarpum.” http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/t/thalictrum-polycarpum=meadowrue.phpRxList. 2021. “Rue.” RxList Inc. Last modified June 11, 2021. https://www.rxlist.com/rue/supplements.htmStein, M. 1998. “Management Recommendations for Threeleaflet goldthread (Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb.)”. Accessed March 8. https://www.blm.gov/or/plans/surveyandmanage/MR/VascularPlants/section7.htm#EcologySullivan, Janet. 1992. “SPECIES: Coptis trifolia”. Accessed March 8. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/coptri/all.html#DISTRIBUTION%20AND%20OCCURRENCEVadheim, Constance M. 2017. “Plant of the Month (April) : Fendler’s meadow-rue – Thalictrum fendleri.” Last modified April 4, 2017. http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2017/04/plant-of-month-april-fendlers-meadow.htmlWatson. n.d. “Thalictrum fendleri.” Plants For A Future. Accessed February 12, 2022. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Thalictrum+fendleriWikipedia. n.d. “Larrea tridentata”. Accessed March 8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrea_tridentata#Habitat