Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

-130,000 ORAC

-antimicrobial

-1 of 3 Ayurvedic

-India

Sandalwood (Santalum album)

-used as UTI treatment

-mood enhancer

-calming- aromatherapy

-1 of 3 Ayurvedic

Indian Snakeroot (Rauvolfia serpentina)

-AI: reserpine

-lowers blood pressure

-lowers mortality

-high concentrations may induce suicide

-treats hypertension

-1 of 3 Ayurvedic

Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal)

-exudate

-skin emolient

-used as thickener in many foods

-African origin

Aloe Vera

-sunburn and shallow skin abrasion treatment

-NOT for use with deep cuts

-laxative drink

-African origin

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)

-exudate

-aromatherapy

-"balm of Gilleon"

-antimicrobial

-antiseptic

-anti-inflammatory

-mouth and throat infections

-African origin

Frankincense (Boswellia sacra)

-exudate

-aromatherapy

-expectorant

-antiseptic qualities

-African origin

Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

-use root

-treats rheumatoid arthritis pain

-endangered- cannot be cultivated

-African origin

-flowers often pink, spreads out across desert ground

Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum)

-makes opium, morphine, codeine, heroine

-Afghanistan's #1 commodity and #1 producer

-heroine is morphine w/ 2 acetyl molecules attached, crosses blood-brain barrier more quickly, 3x more potent

-laudenum

-main source of funding for Taliban

Onion (Allium cepa)

-sulfoxides

-heals blisters, boils

-supports immune system

-antimicrobial

-lowers cholesterol

-decreases appetite

-decreases artiosclerosis

-Middle Eastern origin

-onion at bottom of plant, round white flower clusers at top--look kind of like popcorn ball/puffballs

Almond

-making gluten-free flour

-good for diabetics and hypoglycemics b/c stabilizes blood sugar

-Laetrile-isolated-"making of a myth" (supposed cancer cure)

-very hypoallergenic

-oleic acid

-no trans fat, almost totally protein

-Middle Eastern origin

Pomegranite (Punica granatum)

-heart disease prevention

-high in antioxidants

-pericarp is anticancer

-Middle Eastern (book says Southeastern Europe though)

-book also says treats upset stomachs, diarrhea

Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis)

-laxative

-skin conditioner in chapstick, lipstick

-castor beans

-Middle Eastern

-(book says Northeastern Africa and India though)

Senna (Senna alexandrina)

-laxative-esp. used for those taking heavy meds or woman who just had baby

-using leaf- more than 1 tsp= all is lost

-teabag form- 2 bags max ...or all is lost

-Middle Eastern

Sassafras

-anticougulant- like "mini version of warfarin"

-cure for gonorrhea

-North American plant

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

-reduce risk of catching a cold

-boosts immune system function

-fresh or dry for juice, tea

-respiratory problems

-top part (bulb) and leaves used

 -North American plant

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

-may reduce cancers

-reduces inflammation]

-AI: berberine

-young kids and pregnant women should NOT use- can cause jaundice (also called kernicterus)

-cholesterol lowering potential

-North American 

-book says helps stomach problems + diarrhea and bleeding after birth

-picture will look like this flashcard OR have no flower but one single red berry-looking thing (the fruit)

Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)

-chili pepper/ tabasco pepper

-topical pain relief

-used to relieve arthritis pain and post herpetic neuralgia

-North American plant

Coca Plant (Erythroxylum coca)

-active ingredient= cocaine

-used to overcome fatigue, hunger, thirst, reduce pain

-leaves chewed or made into tea- (mate de coca)

-goes straight to the brain

-baking soda gets cocaine out of mixture

-Central and Southern America

Yerba Mate

-made from gourds

-used as anticancer drink

-energy life b/c of caffeine

-mostly in Argentina

-Central and South America

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)

-North American plant native to UT

-used to treat BPH- (Benign Prostrate Hypertrophy- prostrate enlarges b/c of of dihydrotestosterone over time, males 50-85)

-doesn't stop hypertrophy, but does antagonize the symptoms and stops synthesis of dyhydrotestosterone

Guarana (Paullinia cupana)

-popular beverage b/c high caffeine content

-antioxidant

-diuretic

-anti-diarrheal

-book pics differ a lot from google images--you may be given image of lots of red clusters OR a plant with no color and big, bumpy green pods, a picture of big brown seeds that look like buckeyes, or the shiny green leaves of the vine

-Central/South America

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

-dried root used

-treat diarrhea, acne, diabetes, rheumatic disorders

-mainly anti-inflammatory- arthritis

-Central and South America

-could be shown pic of the yellow flowered plant or the vicious looking thorns

Peruvian Bark/Jesuit's Bark/Chinchona Bark

-quinine content-malaria treatment

-plasmodium vivax=organism that causes malaria

-antiarrythmic

-consuming a lot over time, causes yellowing of skin and eyes

-some indicators that people become resistant to it

Guava (Psidium guajava)

-anti-bacterial

-anti-inflammatory

-leaf is active part- most useful

-fruit is also active also -painkiller

-all over Samoa, Hawaii, New Zealand, Polynesian Tahiti

Stevia

-treats heartburn

-300x sweeter than sucrose

-stabilizes glucose in blood

-has zero calories

-NCCAM says may lower blood glucose

-AI:stevioside

Nutmeg

-relaxes the muscles

-helps with indigestion

-fruit w/2 spices- other is mace

-mace is the outer red covering, nutmeg is the nut

-very high antioxidant level

-Australian origin

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum)

-from Polynesia, very important culturally- ceremonies

-muscle relaxant

-anaesthetic

-plant, crushed root, stick all used

-treats anxiety, calming

-roots squashed in one bowl water, passed around in ceremony, numbs mouth

Noni

-from Southeast Asia and the Pacific

-fruit

-boosts immune system

-treats cramping

-regulates bowel

-treat urinary tract problems

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

-Southeast Asia

-helps stomach aches

-pain killer

-high antioxidant level

-dried fruit used

Cocoa Samoan

-drink made like hot chocolate

-diuretic

-mood enhancer

-calming

-Samoa

Homalanthus Nutans

-Samoan healers use bark of this tree to treat hepatitis

-scientists have discovered prostratin compound with potential to heal HIV

1-wood- liver and gallbladder

2-fire- heart and the nervous system

3-earth- stomach

4-water -endocrine system

Chinese Ying and Yang Symbol

-dark/light, hard/soft - system of opposites and balance applied to Chinese traditional medicine

-from ancient times- Greece, Rome, Europe

-blood- spring- air

-yellow bile- fire- summer

-black bile- earth- autumn

-phlegm- water- winter

1-taxal- isolated from yew tree, treats breast cancer

2-digitoxin- isolated from foxglove, for degenetive heart disease

3- atropine- isolated from deadly nightshade

4-morphine- isolated from opium poppy

Ephedera (Ephedera Sinica)

-Chinese medicine

-AI: Ephedrine

-dialates bronchial and dries up sinuses

-primary use asthma and bronchitis

-used for weight loss- but too much gives very serious

kidney and/or liver problems

-illegalized 9 yrs ago by FDA for weight loss use

Ginseng (Panax Ginseng)

-[only true] adaptogen

-Chinese medicine

-AI: gensenosides

-used for stress and anxiety

-may lower blood glucose and possible effects on immune system

-alzheimers, insulin, and cancer related trials

-fresh or dried root used (so you may just see a pic of that)

Gingko (Ginko biloba)

-memory improvement

-AI: Flavinoids, especially Egb-761

-standardized extract = 24% ginkoflavoglycosides, 6% terpenes

-base of leaf and other small areas useful

-200 million years old

-1 species only

-ginkgotoxin in seeds- toxic if eat too many

Chinese Deer Horn Medicine

-from sika and red deer

-thin slices or horn boiled into soup with other ingredients as remedy for sexual dysfunction, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis

-velvet on antlers prized-rich in glucosamine and chrondratin

-contains collagen- largest protein in human body

-New Zealand leading producer of the deer, (China is 2nd)

-may improve athletic performance

-increase testosterone levels- Canadian study

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa)

-high in protein, calcium, vitamins B, E, C, K

-historically-Chinese and Ayurvedic) to treat poor digestion

-plant estrogens-phytoestrogens-mess with hormone balance-shouldn't take if pregnant, breastfeeding, taking estrogen or birth control pills

-affect on cancers unknown- may help or be unsafe

-caution with auto immune diseases

-cougulant properties

-lowers blood glucose and cholesterol

Soybeans (Glycine max)

-phytoestrogens

-diet rich in isoflavone products- 30% lower risk of developing breast tumors

-affects tumor size and growth

-Asian women- less hot flashes, lower cardiovascular, osteoporosis, estrogen cancer incidences

-Chinese traditional medicine

Thundergod Vine (Trypterigium wilfordi)

-perennial vine native to China, Japan, Korea

-use only roots! leaves and bark are TOXIC!

-anti-inflammatory-attributed to AI:triptolide

-triptolide inhibits the cyclooxygenase 1 and 1 enzymes, and communication of white blood cells (migration of these as part of inflammatory response)

-some anti-tumor activity-inhibiting proliferation and migration of endothelial cells

Olive Tree

-Mediterranean region- Spain #1 exporter

-very deep roots, high tolerance to salt, last generations

-FDA says 2 Tbsp./day may reduce risk of heart disease

-healthy monosaturated fat-10:1 ratio of fatty acids 10% omega 6, 1% omega 3 

-lower cholestrol, blood pressure, reduce aging affects

-oleic acid makes up 55-80%

Cranberry (Vaccinium Macrocarpon)

-native to North America

-used by Native Americans for bladder,kidney diseases

-early settlers-appetite loss, digestive problems, blood disorders, scurvy

-very high Vitamin C

-prevent urinary tract infections-prevents bacteria from attaching to walls

-high in antioxidants and proanthocyanids

-oral hygiene

-prevent H. pylori bacteria in stomach from attaching to walls

Marijuana (Cannabis sativa)

-native to Asia

-female flowers and associated leaves used

-intoxicant, sedative, analgesic, anti-emitc

-treat pain, rheumatism, asthma, naseua caused by chemo, depression, lack of appetite in AIDS patients, lower intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma

-hallucogenic, powerful effect on central nervous system-euphoria, relaxation, loss of coordination, slurred speech

1. Benzene- poisons blood-forming tissues

2. Carbon monoxide- similar ro dioxide so replaces CO2 and inhibits ability to breathe

3. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)- will bind to DNA, comtain some of most cancerous causing properties known to man, released anytime you burn anything containing carbon

Black Cohosh (Cimifuga racemosa)

-treatment of menstrual cramps

-native to eastern and central U.S.

-used by Native Americans for female maladies

-AI:triterpene glycosides-may mimic estrogen's effects

-mechanism not known

-mythical "Bio-Identicals" claims- BHRT not "safe, natural HRT alternative,", not recognized as legitimate term by FDA, no more natural than HRT- hormone replacement therapy

-active part of plant= root or rhizome

-promotes bone osteogenoses b/c contains phytoestrogens-estrogen helps migrate calcium into bones

-Remifemin= most widely studied commerical product containing black cohosh

-promotes sleep and relaxation, manage hot flashes, night sweats, uterine cramping

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

-native to Europe

-stamen clusters identify plant- red resin-blood of John the Baptist after beheading,harvested and flowers on St. John's day

-also known as Tipton's weed

- short term, mild-moderate depression treatment-widely known

-AI: Hyperforin-used to treat alcoholism

-extract treats burns, abrasions topically

-treat anxiety and relating disorders

Chocolate (Theobroma Cacoa)

-dates back to Mayans- hot chocolate

-European cure all

-reduces LDL cholesterol, increases HDL

-stimulates endorphin production

-seratonin- anti-depressant

-theobromine- stimulant-like caffeine

-dogs and cats cannot metabolize it!

-lowers blood pressure if it's high

-phenylethamine releases endorphins in brain like when falling in love

-1/3 of -good fat oleic acid, 1/3-good stearic acid, 1/3-bad palmitic acid

-lots of different stimulants

Corn (Zea Mays)

-North American origin

-diuretic made from cornsilk

-tea- stays in system 4 hrs

-antifungal

-high fructose corn syrup- in everything

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

-antiseptic qualities

-antifungal

-anti-acne

-AI: terpinol

-origin: Australia

*pic is just of one branch

Saffron (Crocus sativus)

-medical use: PMS

-AI: Crocetin

-origin: southern Europe, southwestern Asia

Oak (Quercus robar)

-Medicinal use: antimicrobial, antiseptic

-AI: tannins

-origin: Europe

European Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)

-medicinal use: UTI infection prevention

-AI: Proanthocyanidins

-origin:Europe

Umckaloabo (Pelargonium sidoides)

-medicinal use: bronchitis, immune system health

-origin: South Africa

-AI: gallic acid

Aspen (Populus tremuloides)

-medicinal use: anti-inflammatory or pain

-AI: Slicin

-origin: North America

Ivy (Hedera helix)

-Medicinal Use: bronchitis, anti-inflammatory

-AI: hederasaponins

-origin: Western Asia and Europe

Grapeseed (Vitis vinifera)

-Medicinal uses:antioxidant

-AI: Procyanidins

-origin: Mediterranean region

Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)

-medicinal use- eye irritation/ inflammation

-AI: tannins

-origin: Europe

Red Clover

-Medicinal use- menopause symptoms

-AI- Isoflavones

-origin- Europe

Indian Pennywort (Centella asiatica)

-medicinal use- wound healing, alzheimer treatment potential

-AI: triterpenes

-origin- Pan-tropical- Afria, Madagascar, N and S America, ect.

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

-Medicinal use- improving memory

-AI: Galantamine

-origin- Europe