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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

Salvia apiana buds

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White Sage with Medicinal and Healing Properties: Salvia Apiana In analyzing Salvia apiana from three different sources of the UCLA Herbarium, the UCLA Botanical Garden, and the Materia Medica, the project will provide a comprehensive review of the characteristics, historical context, and medicinal properties of white sages. Although the leaves have long wilted in the species displayed by the UCLA Herbarium, the three plants all have similar attributes in leaf structure and stem consisting of dried out flowers that are in a bud-like conical shape. By surveying the similarities and differences in these features across the three sources, we are able to compose literature that traces the growth patterns, evolutionary features, climate, and medicinal properties in order to understand its significance and role within the ecosystem. - By Tony Ong and Balpreet Sond
Salvia apiana, also referred to as White Sage, is a plant specimen found in Southern and Northern Baja regions in California. This sage is unique to California, and its kind are not found outside of the state. Salvia apiana is typically found in several areas ranging from high to low temperatures. Some of these locations include deserts, canyons, pine forests, and areas up in higher elevations. Like others of its kind, the plant needs sunlight to go through photosynthesis. Moisture levels are very low, and the plant has a high tolerance to colder temperatures (up to 0 degrees Fahrenheit). Plants receive some of their nutrients from the soil they are planted in, and this sage thrives in soils with a pH of about 6-8. The texture of the plant adds to its unique appearance, with small, soft fur-like hairs coating the leaves and stems of the plant.
White sage is classified as a shrub, and its dimensions vary from species to species. On average, Salvia apiana is about 3-5 feet tall and 3-8 feet wide. Unlike large plants and trees, sages can grow quickly from the time they are planted. At first sight, the plant resembles a typical lawn plant, but when given a closer look, it has distinct features and structures that set it apart from other shrubs. For instance, the plant possesses thick and thin stems that provide the leaves and flowers with nourishment. The stems have a small curve to them, allowing them to grow and spread openly in the space they are present in. Additionally, the plant has wooden branches that shoot up from the soil, and these provide the Sage with protection and physical structural support. The leaves have a unique feature: they are bright green when they first grow, but turn gray as they age. Small white flowers bloom from the plant when temperatures are cooler, giving the sage its strong-fresh fragrance. With all the components combined, the sage plant serves as a food source for wildlife in the area.
In the UCLA Herbarium, the image shows Salvia apiana that was collected by Henry J. Thompson on May 14, 1960. The species is originally from Santa Monica Mountains and appears to be collected on a highway. The species is from the family Lamiaceae and has a chaparral habitat. The metadata from the digital media displays its description being subshrub and woody. In the Materia Medica, the image discovered depicts Salvia apiana as a light-green plant with narrow and thin leaves. The leaves dangle on its sides while pointed upwards and the plant itself does not appear to have much height.
The Salvia apiana species in the Botanical garden were around three and a half feet tall with fresh, green leaves that were, themselves, long and narrow. This is slightly different from the features of the Materia Medica, which potentially could be the result of the preservation of the plants for its distinct and unique features. The leaves all appeared to point upwards, perhaps as an adaptive mechanism to the more sunny dry slopes and almost gravelly soil that it inhabits. There were no flowers blooming possibly because of the Spring season as some of the clustered leaves had dried out conical flower stems.
As mentioned above, Salvia apiana grows primarily in the Southern and Northern Regions. Among these regions reside multiple Native American tribes, and they use the sage plant for various purposes. Because this species is a white sage, there has been historically multiple medicinal usages from various Native American tribes. For instance, individuals of the Chumash Indian tribe have utilized the plant species for healing practices, relaxation purposes, and have used the plant in multiple remedies. Salvia apiana seeds were used to clean and heal eyes. The seeds would be placed on eyes during bedtime, and the seeds would swell up and collect any foreign substances on the eyeballs. Women from certain tribes would drink an infusion of Salvia apiana roots to promote internal healing after giving birth. Furthermore, some tribes in those regions believe that the sage is sacred, and they use the plants for purification ceremonies. These religious practices include collecting and burning parts of the plant during large gatherings and ceremonies. More contemporary usages of Salvia apiana is through sage tea that decreases sweating, salivation, milk secretions, and mucous secretions of the sinuses, throat, and lungs.

Salvia apiana has a unique appearance along with its unique features. The species is extremely important to the environmental ecosystem as well as represents a key aspect of culture. In particular, Salvia apiana has deep roots and influences in the lifeways and cultures of indigenous communities of the region that it naturally occurs in. The white sage species is a food source to bees, butterflies, and birds, all of whom share a mutualistic relationship as they too in return are pollinators of white sage. It provides many benefits to its surrounding environment, including nutritional, healing, medicinal, and pharmaceutical advantages. It has adapted to grow in changing environments, and its cultivation practices will change accordingly.

Works Cited:
Douglas, D. 1985. "Salvia apiana Jeps." Plants of the World Online.
Salvia Apiana, White Sage. https://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/604--salvia-apiana. Accessed 9 Mar. 2022.
Salvia Apiana White Sage or Bee Sage. https://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/salapiana.htm. Accessed 9 Mar. 2022.
White Sage, Salvia Apiana. https://calscape.org/Salvia-apiana-(White-Sage)?srchcr=sc5dc62433e57e5. Accessed 9 Mar. 2022.