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

Coptis trifolia habitat

This page is referenced by:

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
Native American Medicinals of Coptis trifolia and Larrea Tridentata
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.

Medicinal Uses
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.

A Comparative Look at the Nomenclature of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata
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 is familiar. The scientific names given to both species Coptis trifolia and Larrea 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.

Habitat and Ecology
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.

WORKS CITED
Health 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_trifolia
Marshall, K. Anna. 1995. “SPECIES: Larrea tridentata”. Accessed March 8. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/lartri/all.html
Mayeku, 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.php
RxList. 2021. “Rue.” RxList Inc. Last modified June 11, 2021. https://www.rxlist.com/rue/supplements.htm
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
Sullivan, Janet. 1992. “SPECIES: Coptis trifolia”. Accessed March 8. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/coptri/all.html#DISTRIBUTION%20AND%20OCCURRENCE
Vadheim, 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.html
Watson. n.d. “Thalictrum fendleri.” Plants For A Future. Accessed February 12, 2022. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Thalictrum+fendleri
Wikipedia. n.d. “Larrea tridentata”. Accessed March 8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrea_tridentata#Habitat