Medicinal Plants: Introduction to Botany
NAT 101
Botany
Botany is a branch of biology studying plant life, including: structure, growth, taxonomy, systematics, reproduction, metabolism, physiology, biochemistry, development, diseases, ecology, and evolution of plants.
Plant Divisions
- Bryophytes: nonvascular plants that include liverworts, hornworts, and mosses
- Tracheophytes: seedless vascular plants that include clubmosses, trimerophytes, ferns and horsetails
- Spermatophytes: seed vascular plants that include conifers, cycads, ginkgo, gnetae, and flowering plants
A thallose liverwort Lunularia cruciata
Bryophytes
The hornwort Dendroceros crispus growing on the bark of a tree
Red moss capsules, a winter native of the Yorkshire Dales moorland
Tracheophytes
Lycopodiella inundata
Ferns at Muir Woods, California
Pinaceae: cone of a Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Spermatophytes
Leaves and cone of Encephalartos sclavoi
Ginkgo leaves in summer
Ephedra distachya (male flowers)
Two bees on a flower head of Creeping Thistle, Cirsium arvense
Ethnobotany
Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship between plants and people and their culture.
- William Harshberger (1895-1896 ), botanist in USA, coined term “Ethnobotany”
- Leopold Glueck, 19th century German physician, ethnobotanist
- Richard Evans Schulte, called “father of modern ethnobotany”
Phytotherapy
Phytotherapy is the use of plants or plant extracts for medicinal purposes (especially plants that are not part of the normal diet).
The carotenoids in primrose produce bright red, yellow and orange shades. People consuming diets rich in carotenoids from natural foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are healthier and have lower mortality from a number of chronic illnesses.
Pharmacognosy
Pharmacognosy is the study of all medicines that are derived from natural sources.
The bark of willow trees contains large amounts of salicylic acid, which is the active metabolite of aspirin. Willow bark has been used for millennia as an effective pain reliever and fever reducer.
Phytochemistry
Phytochemistry is the study of phytochemicals produced in plants:
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Amino acids & derivatives
- Phenolic compounds
- Terpenoids
- Steroids
- Alkaloids
Do you want to learn more?
ACHS has a course for you! Make an appointment today to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors and find the program that’s right for you!
- January Term
- March Accelerated
- May Term
- July Accelerated
- September Term
- October Accelerated
- Ongoing
All rights reserved. © American College of Healthcare Sciences 2020
5005 S. Macadam Ave, Portland, OREGON • achs.edu/consumer-disclosures • DEAC ACCREDITED
