Medicinal Plants

By: Tendayi Kuumba

Ms. Passmore

2^nd Period

Echinacea

Biological name?:

Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia

Other Names?:

Narrow-leaved purple coneflower, Sampson root, Red sunflower, ECT.

Part of the plant it comes from?:

The root

Active Compounds?:  

Echinacea supports the immune system. Several constituents in Echinacea team together to increase the production and activity of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages. Echinacea also increases reduction of interferon, an important part of the body's response to viral infections such as colds and flu.

Where can it be found?:

Echinacea is a wildflower native to North America.

Catnip

Biological Name?:

Nepeta cataria, Labiatae (Mint family)

Other Names?:

 Catmint, catnep, catswort, field balm,etc.

Part of the plant it comes from?:

flowers and leaves

Active Compounds?:  

The essential oil in catnip contains a monoterpene similar to the valepotriates found in valerian, an even more widely renowned sedative. Animal studies (except those involving cats) have found it to increase sleep. The monoterpenes also help with coughs.

Where can it be found?:

From Europe to China, catnip had been used medicinally for at least 2000 years.

Aloe

Biological Name?:

 Cassia acutiplia, Cassia angustifolia, Cassia senna, Leguminosae

Other Names?:

 Senna, Rajavriksha, Fan xia ye, American senna, locust plant, wild senna, Fan xie ye

Part of the plant it comes from?:

leaves, pods (milder)

Active Compounds?:

In the leaf; sennosides A and B based on the aglycones sennidin A & B, senosides C & D which are glycosides of heterodianthrones of aloe-emodin and rhein. Others include palmidin A, rhein anthrone & aloe-emodin glycosides, some free anthraquinones and some potent, novel compounds of as yet undetermined structure. C. Senna usually contains more of the sennosides.In the fruit; sennosides A and B and a closely related glycoside sennoside A1.

Where can it be found?: