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Leaves and Associated Chemicals

• Aromatic Nature of Leaves
  • Leaves contain chemicals that are aromatic, meaning they have qualities that make them volatile and detectable by smell, unlike the aromatic definition in organic chemistry.
  • Examples of the use of aromatherapy with these aromatic compounds.

Efficacy of Aromatherapy

• General Use
  • Aromatherapy utilizes various plant extracts, including oils, for therapeutic purposes.
• Clove Oil
  • Used in aromatherapy and flavoring due to its powerful analgesic properties.
  • Contains active compounds called terpenoids.

Terpenoids in Common Plants

• Cinnamon
  • Derived from the bark of a tree, contributes to its distinctive flavor and aroma through terpenes.
• Citrus Oil and Ginger
  • Demonstrated strong antibacterial properties attributed to terpenoids.
• Camphor
  • Recognizable scent associated with products like Vicks VapoRub.
  • Edible forms are used as flavoring in many Indian desserts.
• Menthol
  • Commonly used to alleviate chest congestion and as a flavoring agent.
  • Variations in mint species result in different terpene combinations leading to diverse flavors from strong peppermint to sweet mint.
• Salvinorin A
  • An active diterpene from Salvia divinorum, known for its hallucinogenic effects, differentiated from typical alkaloid hallucinogens.
  • Historically used by Mexican curanderos in divination ceremonies.
  • In 2010, labeled as a dangerous drug in Georgia, though still able to grow in the wild.

Glycosides

• Definition and Taste
  • Glycosides contribute to the bitter flavor in many vegetables, notably those in the Brassicaceae family (mustard family).
• Examples:
  • Common members include kohlrabi, broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts.
  • Bitter flavor generated from glucosinolates, which serve as natural pesticides for plants.
• Health Implications
  • Low concentrations of glucosinolates have anti-cancer properties, notably present in broccoli sprouts.
  • High levels can lead to toxicity, as seen with mustard gas.

Medicinal Use and Toxicity of Glycosides

• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
  • Contains digitalins used for treating congestive heart failure but can be toxic in higher concentrations.
  • Caution advised when planting due to potential toxicity to pets and children.
  • Doctor William Withering's 1775 documentation of foxglove for heart conditions as a pioneer of herbalist medicine.
• Prunus Species
  • Bitter almonds, apple seeds, cherries, and peaches contain amygdalin, which can lead to cyanide poisoning.
  • Almond smell associated with cyanide as a warning sign.

Conservation and Ethnobotanical Issues

• Threats to Medicinal Plants
  • Noted decline in rainforest biodiversity, with less than 1% of plant species evaluated for medicinal properties.
  • Deforestation and wildcrafting as significant threats to species existence.
  • Overharvesting of plants like ginseng impacting availability.
• Universal Health Care and Access
  • Approximately 80% of the global population relies on traditional plant-based medicines due to limited access to conventional healthcare.
• Bioprospecting and Ethical Concerns
  • Researcher and pharmaceutical companies identifying plants for drug development often face criticism regarding fair benefit sharing.
  • Term "biopiracy" refers to exploitative practices of obtaining indigenous knowledge without fair compensation.
  • Merck's INBIO project in Costa Rica presents both opportunities and challenges in bioprospecting.

Recommendations for Further Research

• Ethnobotanical Research
  • Refer to resources like James Duke's phytochemical database, Green Pharmacy, UMD Native American ethnobotany repository, and US Forest Service.
  • Distinguish traditional use from commercial recreational use in research (e.g., vision quests versus smoking marijuana).
  • Detailed exploration of plants highlighted in the presentation will require extensive research and accurate specifics.