Using a combination of traditional or popular and Western scientific knowledge, each of you will contribute one entry on a medicinal plant for the class to learn. You will first interview a family or community member to learn about a plant remedy that he or she knows. Then you will use the scientific literature to identify and describe the plant and its bioactive components.
Organize all the data you collect into a clear and concise form. Your work cannot exceed three pages and it must include a drawing of the plant. If you can, bring in samples of the herb for the class to look. Also include a brief evaluation of the plant remedy from the Western scientific perspective. You will make a short oral presentation to class about your herbal remedy.
| During your interview here are a few questions to start you on your way. You are not limited to these questions. In fact the more questions you ask the better the interview and information will be. The name of the plant. Bring in the plant or herbal remedy if possible. The part of the plant that is being used. How the remedy is prepared and administered. How your informant learned about this remedy. What country does the herbal remedy come from. How often they use the remedy and for how long. How successful has the herbal remedy been. What types of unusual reactions have people had using this herbal remedy. What folktales or legends do they know about this plant. |
| During your library ot interent search find out the following:
Scientific name and family of the plant Other common names for this plant Origin and habitat of the plant Interesting facts about your plant Properties or actions of the active compounds Any other research on this plant as a drug or potential drug Legends, myths or folklore associated with this herbal remedy Describe how an ancient culture may have used this herb Include a bibliography that contains both text references and websites that you used.Remeber to use use your own words when writing the paper. Do not cut and paste information information from the websites and claim it as your own.This is plaguarism and is not allowed. |
| You may find these web sites of use: Common Name Index of Herbals The Herbal Information Center Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases |
These books are on reserve in the library:
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