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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

Equisetum laevigatum "teethed leaves"

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Equisetum laevigatum: History, Collection, Naming, and Medicinal Properties Equisetum laevigatum is a plant species commonly known by the name, Smooth Horsetail. Materia medica that documents the specimen dates back to the 1800s and details its vast medicinal use in ancient Greek and Roman times. Traditionally, this plant was used to stanch, heal wounds, and treat tuberculosis and kidney problems. Beyond its proclaimed uses, E. laevigatum's relationship to its colloquial name, Smooth Horsetail, requires further research and comparative analysis. Thus, this project explores materia medica, the specimen’s collection records at the UCLA Herbarium, as well as historical accounts, and outside resources to reveal distinct characteristics, commonalities, and differences between Equisetum laevigatum and its alias, Smooth Horsetail. -By Denise Llera, Chelsea Okoro, and Grace Randall Equisetum laevigatum was collected in the Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles, California by sandy banks near a stream. This specimen was collected on May 7, 1998 and recorded at the UCLA Herbarium. This is a frequent collection with 11K plants collected according to CCH2 records. Equisetum laevigatum, also known as Smooth Horsetail, is often pictured as brown throughout literature although it is seen as green throughout nature. This plant has two main components: the long stem which makes up the majority of the plant and its acorn-like cone at the top. The stem is green, which can grow 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 6 feet wide and can be fertile or sterile depending on the presence or absence of a cone. Moreover, the stem is thick and is circled by black teethed “leaves” every 2 to 6 inches. According to Southwest Colorado Wildflowers’s website, Equisetaceae, the specimens scientific family, are the sole survivors of a line of plants going back three hundred million years and gave rise to many of North America's coal deposits. E. laevigatum, or smooth horsetail or scouring rush, is widespread throughout North America, Canada, and Southern Mexico. In the UCLA Botanical Garden, another species from the Equisetecae family is found. Equisetum hyemale, known as Tall Scouring Rush, is very similar to Equisetum laevigatum. It also has black teeth but has a black band around the base of its gray sheath and tip.

The Materia Medica covering the Equisetum species dates back to the 1800s as documented in the Wellcome Collection. Based on the other works of John Curtis found in the Wellcome Collection, this image of Equisetum must be part of a compilation of plants and their associated insects during the 1830s. It may have been used as an educational material or material for plant/insect enthusiasts. Only the upper half of the plant is drawn but we notice that the plant is brown versus green, which is how it is depicted in most internet searches. Moreover, the plant appears hard, yet brittle and dry. It is important to note the beetle next to the plant because the plant's structure looks similar to the anatomy of the beetle. For example, the plant has multiple sections along its stem which mimics that of a beetle’s leg. Additionally, this plant has an acorn-like opening at the top that seems to spread out and may possibly have nutrients for insects. Another E. laevigatum specimen was also collected in the Missouri Botanical Garden on October 17 1976 and recorded at the Missouri Botanical Garden Herbarium. This specimen was collected by George Englemann in August 1942 and annotated 15 years later in 1957 by Emily L. Hartman. Some of the distinct characteristics observed in the aforementioned Materia Medica as well as the specimen in the UCLA Herbarium and Botanical Garden are also seen in this record. The curved and segmented stem is particularly notable in this image. However, this specimen lacks the leaves seen in the UCLA Herbarium record, indicating it is a fertile stem.

This plant's is common name, smooth horsetail, was inspired by some key characteristics. For example, the long and branched stems fan out from the root-like hairs of a horse’s tail. The long thick stems are further intertwined with shorter thin stems making the plant denser. The root is thick yet flexible which parallels the tail of a horse: it is usually thicker closer to the rear end and flexible for mobility. Furthermore, the segmentation of this species stems give it a curved stature similar to a tail's anatomy, especially in the Herbarium records. This specimen could also be deemed multi-purpose, much like the hair of a horse's tail. This specimen is not only known for its medicinal uses, but was also once used to scour and clean surfaces. The Equisetum stems also contain high concentrations of silica, which has benefits for hair, skin, and nails. While many specimens in the Equisetacea family are referred to as Horsetail, Equisetum Laevigatum is specified with the adjective “smooth.” This is likely due to the smooth nature of the stem in between its teethed ridges.

The medicinal uses of Horsetail date back to ancient Roman and Greek times. The smooth horsetail was used as a treatment for various ailments. Traditionally, it was used as a diuretic. Horsetail helps the body get rid of excess sodium and water, and it stimulates the kidneys to release sodium into the urine. Eventually, increasing urine output. Aside from being a diuretic, it has antioxidant properties that could help prevent cell damage by protecting against free radicals. Additionally, smooth horsetail was used as a contraceptive; and as a treatment for hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, backaches, and colds. Traditionally, Equisetum laevigatum comes in liquid form (horsetail infused water). Currently, it can also be found in capsule form. Topically, it was used to treat allergic reactions from poison ivy.

WORKS CITED
Curtis, John. 1830. “A Horsetail Plant (Equisetum Species) with an Associated Beetle and Its Anatomical Segments. Coloured Etching, c. 1830.” Wellcome Collection. August 1, 1830. https://wellcomecollection.org/works/r9tueb3s.
Mount Sinai New York. n.d. “Horsetail Information.” Mount Sinai Health System. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/horsetail.
SEINet Portal Network. n.d. “Equisetum Laevigatum A. Braun.” SEINet Portal Network. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=1980.
Southwest Colorado Wildflowers. n.d. “Equisetum Laevigatum.” Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Fern%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/equisetum%20laevigatum.htm.
Tropicos.org. n.d. “Engelmann - s.n. - United States.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed March 7, 2022. http://legacy.tropicos.org/Image/14796.