Ethnobotany and Medicinal Plants

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to ethnobotany and the use of medicinal plants.

Medicinal Plants

Plants used in herbalism for medicinal purposes and the study of such uses.

Herb

Derived from Latin 'herba', refers to any part of a plant like fruit, seed, stem, bark, flower, leaf, stigma or root.

Phytochemicals

Chemical compounds produced by plants for various purposes, some of which are curative and utilized in herbal medicines.

Traditional Systems of Medicine

Long-established practices that use natural materials, including plants, for healing and treating ailments.

Aloe, Tulsi, Neem, Turmeric, Ginger

Examples of medicinal plants used in traditional remedies for common ailments.

Bioactive Compounds

Compounds exhibiting therapeutic properties, divided into primary metabolites (common to all biological systems) and secondary metabolites (species-specific).

Primary Metabolites

Compounds common to all living organisms, including proteins, fats, and sugars.

Secondary Metabolites

Compounds that are specific to certain species and may have therapeutic properties, such as terpenes, phenolic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins.

Terpenes

A class of bioactive compounds known for their antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer properties.

Artemisinin

An antimalarial drug discovered from the herb Qing-Hao, effective against malaria.

Cinchona Tree

Source of quinine, traditionally used as a medicine to combat malaria.

Documentation of Medicinal Plants

The process of recording information about traditional/herbal plants, including their uses and effects.

Case Study

Research project focusing on specific examples, such as the discovery of quinine and artemisinin as antimalarial drugs.