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

UCLA Botanical Garden Artemisia Californica

This page has annotations:

This page is referenced by:

The Growth and Wilt of Artemisia californica The three plants, Artemisia Californica from the UCLA Herbarium, Botanical Garden, and the materia medica are California sagebrushes that are supported by a wide branch system, strong root system, and have small needle-like leaves with small budding yellow flowers. The three plants have similar appearances with graying leaves and branches almost appearing wilted with sparse regions of growing green leaves and yellow flowers. In analyzing the significance of their appearance, factors such as climate, medicinal properties, and seasonal growth patterns can be used to understand the key roles of Artemisia Californica as an essential plant to support their local ecosystems and provide insight into drug research benefits. - By Rasika Obla and Stephanie Bottomley Artemisia californica, from the family Asteraceae, is a small shrub plant native to Southern California and Northern Baja California. Colloquially known as California sagebrush, the fragrant plant has small, needle-like leaves and delicate yellow flowers that grow together on strong, thick branches. These branches anchor the plant and help it grow in its characteristic rounded shape. It needs very little water and is considered a hearty plant that can withstand drought, cold, heat, and harsh sun without dying. Under optimal conditions, it can grow very quickly. While it typically is only three to four feet in height, it can be as short as one foot or as tall as eight feet in total.

In Materia Medica, the plant sample was collected by Melanie Howe in San Diego County in 1990. It was found with very little vegetation surrounding it, following burns in the area after a San Diego fire in the 1980s. The actual plant specimen was pressed, dried, and then preserved. This specific sample was inferred to be classified as the genus Artemisia and species Californica under the kingdom Plantae due to being found in the coastal region of San Diego County where it commonly grows and has appearances of sagebrush.

The comparable specimen in the UCLA Herbarium was collected by Arthur C. Gibson on July 25th, 2001 in Ventura, CA in the Santa Monica Mountains. It was taken from the Wildwood Regional Park along a service road going from Canyon Trail to Teepee Road. It was described as an aromatic shrub that first flowers in the early summer months. To provide context for the appearance of the plant, the physical metadata of the specimen indicates that the plant was collected in the summertime, in a harsher climate that contributes to the browned look of Artemisia Californica.

The Artemisia californica plant in the Botanical Garden was only about three and a half feet tall and seemed to appear wilted, most likely due to the fact that we viewed it outside of its natural blooming window, which takes place from April to October every year. It resembled the classic California sagebrush plant, with sparse, delicate flowers, small green needle leaves, and more of a silvery gray color overall during the winter. Its fragrant smell was still detectable, despite its near hibernating appearance.

This plant has several medicinal uses. Its leaves, seeds, and oils can be processed in various ways to treat pain. Its most notable active agent is eucalyptol, a monoterpenoid, which shows antinociceptive activity. Useful in mitigating the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, a liniment ointment is applied to aching joints. Although this treatment has been used by several Native American tribes for centuries, it has recently been put to the test in clinical research. In a 2013 study by the University of Southern California, all 42 patients given treatment containing California Sagebrush reported relief from moderate to severe pain within twenty minutes.

Artemisia californica is an understated but truly remarkable plant. Its contributions to our local ecosystem and its known medicinal properties as well as its potential drug benefits warrant a sustained research effort.
WORKS CITED
NielsenEditor-In-Chief, Lorin. “Types of Sage from Culinary to Colorful.” Epic Gardening, August 24, 2021. https://www.epicgardening.com/types-of-sage/.
“Sage.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Accessed March 8, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/plant/sage-plant.

Howe, M. 1990. "Artemisia californica." Global Biodiversity Information Facility, CCDB-24908-A03.
.
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. The term ‘sage’ refers to a diverse, hearty group of plants that populate most of the world’s mediterranean and arid climates. Most of these will stay small and compact, while others will grow to over eight feet wide. Varieties of sages include organisms ranging from from herbs to aromatic shrubs, non flowering to flowering, and perennial to annual. Able to survive long bouts of drought, they have gained a strong foothold in the local ecological landscape of the California coast and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Currently, there are eighteen sages native to California. Their strong roots provide excellent structure for the dry land, and they act as fantastic attractants for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. As a collective, their various medicinal applications have been harnessed for centuries.

Under the category of sages, Artemisia californica and Salvia apnia are both species of sages found in California. Artemisia californica also known as California sagebrush, is a small shrub plant native to Southern California and Northern Baja California. The fragrant plant has small, needle-like leaves and delicate yellow flowers that grow together on strong, thick branches. These branches anchor the plant and help it grow in its characteristic rounded shape. It needs very little water, and is considered a hearty plant that can withstand drought, cold, heat, and harsh sun without dying. Under optimal conditions, it can grow very quickly. While it typically is only three to four feet in height, it can be as short as one foot or as tall as eight feet in total. Salvia apnia also known as bee sage, or sacred sage, represents an important species of the coastal sage scrub habitat commonly found in Southern and Baja California.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. The white sage species is generally a 3 to 5 foot tall evergreen perennial whose flowers emerge in the summer, blossoming into a white color.

Salvia apiana and Artemisia Californica share a variety of similarities regarding plant structure, appearance, functions, medicinal uses/benefits, and environmental properties. Both of the species are classified as sages, and they are mainly located in Southern and Northern Baja California. Salvia apiana and Artemisia Californica populate areas with mediterranean climates, and they’re both able to grow and survive in dry environments. They can be found along the California coast, and near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

As mentioned before, the sages have a unique structure and appearance that set them apart from others of their kind. They’re both shrubs, growing quickly at an average height of 3-5 feet within their lifetime. Small, delicate flowers bloom during the appropriate season, which benefit pollinators in the surrounding environment.

Salvia apiana and Artemisia Californica are widely known for their medicinal uses and benefits. Remedies containing sage components are heavily used by Native American tribes that reside in Southern California. Different parts of the sages have different benefits, and the parts are processed as oils and pastes. Medicinal uses and benefits involve treating pain, relieving stress and anxiety, and sinus and throat infections. Two specific examples of medicinal benefits would be the remedies prepared using the seeds and roots of Salvia apiana. The seeds of the sage have been used to clean and heal eyes. Seeds would be placed on the eyes of the individual before going to sleep, and the seeds would collect foreign particles off of the eyes. The other remedy prepared was for women who gave birth. The sage’s roots would be infused and would be given to women after giving birth to help reduce pain. Similarly, Artemisia californica’s leaves, seeds, and oils can be processed in various ways to treat pain. Its most notable active agent is eucalyptol, a monoterpenoid, which shows antinociceptive activity. Useful in mitigating the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, a liniment ointment is applied to aching joints. Although this treatment has been used by several Native American tribes for centuries, it has recently been put to the test in clinical research. In a 2013 study by the University of Southern California, all 42 patients given treatment containing California Sagebrush reported relief from moderate to severe pain within twenty minutes.

In terms of differences, Artemisia Californica has a dried, wilted appearance that remains constant throughout the year. Its leaves and stems are woody and dry, with the leaves pointing downwards. The UCLA Botancial Garden plant can be reflective of the dried appearance indicating the need for rain in order to have a lighter green appearance like Salvia apnia. Looking at the CCH2 UCLA Herbarium plant of Artemisia californica, it was collected by Arthur C. Gibson on July 25th, 2001 in Ventura, CA in the Santa Monica Mountains. It was taken from the Wildwood Regional Park along a service road going from Canyon Trail to Teepee Road. It was described as an aromatic shrub that first flowers in the early summer months. To provide context for the appearance of the plant, the physical metadata of the specimen indicates that the plant was collected in the summertime, in a harsher climate that contributes to the browned look of Artemisia Californica.

In contrast, looking at the CCH2 UCLA Herbarium plant of Salvia apiana, it 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, while the leaves of Artemisia californica are longer and stem like. The leaves dangle on its sides while pointed upwards and the plant itself does not appear to have much height.

Furthermore, while both the plants have similar medicinal uses in terms of treating wounds and relieving pain and stress, they use different active agents to do so. For Salvia apnia the seeds of the sage have been used to clean and heal eyes while for Artemisia californica, it uses the active agent eucalyptol, a monoterpenoid, which shows antinociceptive activity that is seful in mitigating the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, a liniment ointment is applied to aching joints.

In conclusion, while the appearances of Artemisia california and Salvia apnia are different, they are essential for understanding their functions in our ecosystems as strong plants for pollination by other animals and to build up the diversity of their ecosystems. In analyzing these two types of sages, there is an increased understanding about how their differing appearances with Salvia apnia blooming with more green leaves and Artemisia californica having a strong root system coincide with each other. In learning more about their blooming patterns and growth cycles, there can be future evaluation and observation in the way their interact with each other and other essential species in the ecosystem.
WORKS CITED

NielsenEditor-In-Chief, Lorin. “Types of Sage from Culinary to Colorful.” Epic Gardening, August 24, 2021. https://www.epicgardening.com/types-of-sage/.

“Sage.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Accessed March 8, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/plant/sage-plant.

Howe, M. 1990. "Artemisia californica." Global Biodiversity Information Facility, CCDB-24908-A03.