Chapter 5C and 5D - Traditional Medicine Systems of the World: Australian, Asian, European, Indian, and Middle Eastern

important Australian medicinal plants

kava

Nux vomica

Eucalyptus globulus

Melaleuca alternifolia

Where is Eucalyptus globulus native to?

Australia

common name of Eucalyptus globulus

blue gum tree

What does Eucalyptus globulus look like?

large tree with white, peeling papery bark

What part of Eucalyptus globulus is used?

mature leaves

uses for Eucalyptus globulus

to treat cold, nasal congestion, respiratory problems

mostly external applications

What compounds are in Eucalyptus globulus, and what are their effects?

terpenes: eucalyptol in essential oils

antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant activities

Where is Melaleuca alternifolia native to?

Australia

common name of Melaleuca alternifolia

tea tree

What does Melaleuca alternifolia look like?

medium tree with papery bark

What part of Melaleuca alternifolia is used?

leaves

What compounds are in Melaleuca alternifolia, and what part of the plant are they in?

leaves have >60 terpenoids

uses (and preparations) of Melaleuca alternifolia

essential oils used in creams and ointments: treat skin conditions

high germicidal activity: used in surgery and dental hygiene

used in aromatherapy, cosmetic products

beliefs of traditional Chinese medicine

two theories governing health and longevity: yin and yang, and 5 elements

treatments are based on symptoms and patterns of illness/imbalance

cold symptoms are treated with hot herbs, hot symptoms are treated with cooling herbs

yin and yang

one main concept of traditional Chinese medicine, denoting complementary opposites

when treating illness, goal is to restore balance between them

the 5 elements in traditional Chinese medicine

water, earth, fire, metal, wood

Kampo medical system

Japanese medical system influenced by Chinese and Korean traditional medicines

Chinese materia medica

The Great Native Herbal written by Shen Nong of the Sung dynasty

Modern Day Encyclopaedia of Chinese Materia Medica: most complete reference to Chinese herbal prescriptions, lists ~4,800 plant medicines

selected Chinese medicinal plants

Chinese wormwood

gineng

Chinese rhubarb

Ephedra sinica

Paeonia lactiflora

Where is Ephedra sinica native to?

China

other names for Ephedra sinica

desert tea

ma huang

(another species of the genus is called Mormon tea)

What does Ephedra sinica look like?

wiry, greyish-green shrub

gymnosperm

What parts of Ephedra sinica are used?

aerial parts, mostly the stem

uses for Ephedra sinica

to treat asthma, nasal congestion, bronchitis

What compound was isolated from Ephedra sinica, and what is its use?

ephedrine, isolated by Nagai in 1897

used as a bronchodilator and concentration-enhancer (stimulates CNS)

side effect of Ephedra sinica

continued use may lead to dependency

Where is Paeonia lactiflora native to?

China, Japan, India

What does Paeonia lactiflora look like?

herb with showy white, sometimes pink, flowers

other names for Paeonia lactiflora

Chinese peony

white peony

“physician of the gods”

uses for Paeonia lactiflora

dried roots: treat menstrual disorders, dyspepsia

used to treat dementia, vertigo, or as anticoagulant

What compound is derived from Paeonia lactiflora?

paeoniflorin, a glycoside

effects of paeoniflorin

antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative effects

origins of European medicine

Hippocrates and Aristotle had ideas rooted in ancient Indian and Egyptian beliefs

Hippocrates believed that sickness was caused by bodily problems, not by evil spirits

Aristotle and pupil Theophrastus started botany science with detailed descriptions of species in the botanical gardens of Athens

the four elements in Greek/Roman/European medicine

earth, air, water, fire

the four humors

blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile

believed to influence both health and temperament

associated with either cold or heat, and dampness or dryness, in different combinations

imbalances were restored with herbs

European materia medica

De Materia Medica: 5-volume written by Dioscorides

the first European herbal, describing preparation of 1000 simple drugs

Doctrine of Signatures

book on surgery written by Paracelsus

Doctrine of Signatures

the belief that medicinal plants revealed their uses through clues in their appearance

e.g. walnuts look like brains → must help with brain health or thinking

Dr. William Withering

a pioneer in the experimental approach to herbal medicine

experimented with foxglove extracts for heart problems

selected medicinal plants from Europe

deadly nightshade

fennel

Urtica dioica

Valeriana officinalis

Where is Urtica dioica native to?

Europe and Asia

What parts of Urtica dioica are used?

aerial parts, leaves, and roots are used

common name of Urtica dioica

stinging nettle

effects of Urtica dioica

leaves are antirheumatic, have high mineral content → used as nutritional supplement

roots are urological, help with enlarged prostate

What compounds are found in Urtica dioica? What are their uses, and where are they found?

phenolic compounds in leaves

mild diuretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory action

Where is Valeriana officinalis native to?

Europe and Asia

What parts of Valeriana officinalis are used?

aromatic rhizomes, fleshy roots

What kind of compounds are derived from Valeriana officinalis?

volatile oils

uses of Valeriana officinalis

non-addictive tranquilizer

used to ease PMS and menopausal symptoms

ease sleeplessness and minor nervous conditions (supported by clinical studies)

Ayurveda

India’s traditional medicine system that gives a practical, holistic set of guidelines to maintain balance and harmony between the mind and body

“life” “knowledge/science”

tridoshas

3 body types in Ayurveda

doshas should be balanced in a healthy person through diet, yoga, massage, aroma, music therapy, herbal remedies

5 elements in Ayurveda

water, earth, fire, sky, air

6 tastes in Ayurveda

sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, astringent

herbal remedies are formulated to balance these tastes

all tastes together govern good digestion, each has benefits and negative side effects if in excess

selected Ayurvedic medicinal plants

Indian pennywort (memory enhancer)

sandalwood (diuretic)

chaulmoogra (reminder: leprosy treatment)

sarpagantha

Azadirachta indica

Withania somnifera

Where is Azadirachta indica native to?

India

Azadirachta indica common name

neem tree

What parts of Azadirachta indica are used?

bark, leaves, seeds, twigs

preparations of Azadirachta indica

infusions

seed oil: used in cosmetic products, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, insect repellents

seed oil also has insecticidal and spermicidal properties

What compound is derived from Azadirachta indica?

azadirachtin

Where is Withania somnifera native to?

wider distribution, including India

other names for Withania somnifera

winter cherry

ashwagandha

Indian ginseng

“horse plant” (smells like horse)

what part of Withania somnifera is used?

mainly roots

What compounds are found in Withania somnifera?

steroids, alkaloids, and a complex mixture of >80 compounds

What family is Withania somnifera in?

Solanaceae: the nightshade family (like tomatoes, deadly nightshade, henbane)

uses of Withania somnifera

used as a general tonic, diuretic

effective against many ailments, e.g. neuralgia, cough, gout

What compounds are derived from Withania somnifera?

withasomnine

steroids and alkaloids

What region is known as the “cradle of civilization?”

the Middle East

How were middle eastern herbal remedies recorded in ancient times?

on clay tablets, e.g. by Assyrians, Babylonians, and Sumerians

possibly the oldest known prescription pads (Sumerian)

3 medicinal plants mentioned in the Code of Hammurabi

henbane

licorice

mint

Ebers Papyrus

a 20m papyrus scroll listing over 700 plant-based medicinal recipes

including Cannabis, aloe, castor, mandrake

Avicenna

a middle eastern physician who wrote Canon Medicine, including elements of other healing cultures

Unani-Tibb

an Islamic healing system with a basis from Avicenna’s Canon Medicine

selected Middle Eastern medicinal plants

onion (heart treatment)

safflower (healthy oils)

opium poppy (pain reliever)

castor

fenugreek (legume with cooling effects)

grape (flavonoids, antioxidants)

Ferula assa-foetida

Punica granatum

Where is Ferula assa-foetida native to?

Iran and Asian deserts

What family is Ferula assa-foetida in?

Apiaceae, the carrot family (related to fennel, cumin, dill)

What compounds are in Ferula assa-foetida?

roots secrete oleoresin gums

terpenes and volatile oils rich in sulfurous compounds

uses for Ferula assa-foetida

treat flatulence, dyspepsia, bronchitis

important things about Ferula assa-foetida

smells stinky until cooked

Where is Punica granatum native to?

SE Europe, the Mediterranean

What parts of Punica granatum are used?

fruit rind, tree bark

What compounds are in Punica granatum, and what parts of the plant are they in?

pericarp (fruit wall) has tannins

bark has alkaloids

fruit has antioxidants

effects of Punica granatum

tannins in pericarp are antidiarrheal

alkaloids in bark treat intestinal parasitic worms