Ethnobotany and Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants are used in herbalism for their health benefits. The term "herb" stems from Latin "herba" and French "herbe," referring to any plant part. Plants produce phytochemicals for defense, some of which are utilized in herbal medicines.

Traditional medicine thrives due to population growth, lack of drug supply, high costs, synthetic drug side effects, and drug resistance, increasing interest in plant-based remedies. Common plants include Aloe, Tulsi, Neem, Turmeric, and Ginger. Traditional practitioners treat ailments such as diarrhea and hypertension.

Over 50,000 medicinal plants are estimated to be used globally, with significant contributions to pharmaceuticals, as 80% of certain drugs come from plants. Herbal products are viewed as safer alternatives.

Activity: Mini Project - Document traditional herbal plants in Papua New Guinea for future reference.

Laboratory Session - Extract plant cyclotides from Violaceae or Fabaceae families and test their effects on fish or mosquito larvae.

Case Study: Research the antimalarial drugs quinine and artemisinin to explore drug discovery from herbal medicine.