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 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

Flowers of Bidens pilosa

This page is referenced by:

Bidens pilosa and Roldana petasitis: adaptations designed to enhance reproductive success Through the use of plant specimens and information from historical materia medica, the UCLA herbarium, and the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden of UCLA, this project aims to understand and explore the history, plant collection process, unique characteristics, and medicinal properties of two plants within the Asteraceae family. This project explores these topics in regards to Bidens pilosa, a specimen collected for the UCLA herbarium, and Roldana petasitis, a live specimen found at the UCLA botanical garden, with an emphasis on the the similar physical traits and characteristics designed to enhance the overall reproductive success of these plants. Traits that enhance seed dispersal, increase pollination, and significantly decrease water loss in hot and temperate climates will be explored. Furthermore, the details concerning the plant collection process will be presented along with both modern and historical medicinal plant uses. - By Lilliane Martin and Rere Huang The reproductive success of a plant is often determined by effective seed dispersal, maturation, and high rates of pollination. Both Bidens pilosa and Roldana petasitis possess these features critical to their survival. Bidens pilosa with barbed seeds and Roldana petasitis with light fluffy seeds, can both undergo effective seed dispersal through means of animal-mediated dispersal, water, wind, or soil. Furthermore, the floral cues and the presence of abundant florets on both plants significantly increases visitation from pollinators, enhancing reproductive success. However, in addition to these characteristics, plants growing in tropical and temperate climates further require unique traits that allow them to efficiently transport and store water, reducing transpiration and increasing overall fitness. Both Bidens pilosa and Roldana petasitis, native to Middle America, exhibit various traits necessary to survive hot and tropical climates. For example, both plants exhibit fur-like hair on the underside of their leaves in addition to extensive venation, both of which function to significantly reduce water loss. Bidens pilosa and Roldana petasitis have evolved features that enhance their reproductive fitness and adaptation to their unique climate conditions, referenced in the historical Materia Medica and UCLA herbarium and botanical garden respectively.

Biden pilosa L. from historical Materia Medica was collected in the 1930s from waste and cultivated ground in Puerto Rico and was classified as the Asteraceace family by Nathaniel Lord Britton. Britton uses Carl Linnaeus’ Species Plantarum, published in 1753, as a reference in helping to identify the species. The contextual reasoning behind Britton’s plant collection process was to further enhance scientific knowledge and provide information in regards to plant distribution and biodiversity in Puerto Rico. Britton’s documentation of plant diversity in Puerto Rico allowed him to develop a forest policy plan for the Puerto Rican government in order to promote reforestation and conservation (NYBG's Scientific Research in Puerto Rico: More Than a Century of Fruitful Collaboration).

The flower of Roldana petasitis collected under the plant bushes in the UCLA Botanical Garden near Jewel Terrace on Feb 4, 2022 was identified as Roldana petasitis of the Asteraceae family using the plant identification cards present in the garden. The contextual reasoning behind the plant collection process was to perform a comparative analysis between two plants of the same family, Roldana petasitis with Bidens pilosa. The Bidens pilosa specimen from UCLA’s Herbarium was collected along a sidewalk/bike path parallel to Interstate 405 and VA properties by Anthony Baniaga and identified as Bidens Pilosa L of the Asteraceae family. The specimen may have been identified as Bidens Pilosa L using bencao literature review, botanical origin identification, macroscopic and microscopic identification, and physical and chemical identification. Since the specimen was collected in Nov 10, 2021, it is likely that Bidens Pilosa L was identified using botanical origin identification. Similar to Britton’s contextual reasoning behind the plant collection process, the specimen was also collected to further enhance scientific knowledge and provide information in regards to specific plant distribution and biodiversity of the area.

Bidens pilosa has been most commonly used, medicinally, among the indigenous people of the Amazon. Historically, they used it to treat foot-and-mouth disease, angina, diabetes, menstrual disorders, hepatitis, laryngitis, intestinal worms, and for inflammation, both internal and external. In general, Bidens pilosa has been reported to be useful in treating more than forty diseases and disorders. Used both internally and externally, this includes inflammation, immunological disorders, digestive disorders, infectious diseases, cancers, metabolic syndrome, and wounds. In addition to these more well known and documented uses, the bioactive compounds produced by Bidens pilosa such as polyynes and flavonoids 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. Today, the plant is well-known for its medicinal uses throughout South America with much of their modern plant research functioning to validate and verify the original indigenous uses of the plant. Unlike South America, the plant is not medicinally used in the U.S. as it is not as widely available.
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 (July): 340215.
Frances W. Horne Papers (PP)Horne, Frances Worth, 1873-1967. Archives & Manuscripts The LuEsther T. Mertz Library,The New York Botanical Garden.
“NYBG's Scientific Research in Puerto Rico: More Than a Century of Fruitful Collaboration.” New York Botanical Garden.
“Picao Preto.” Picao Preto - Bidens pilosa Database in the Tropical Plant Database of herbal remedies.
WFO Monographs Details, The William & Lynda Steere Herbarium.