Mildred Using Plants: The Medicinal Value of Plants

Class Period 1

Luanna B. Prevost and Paula P. Lemons, Plant Biology, The University of Georgia

Learning Objectives• Name some plants used by humans for medicinal purposes.• Explain how plants use the metabolites that humans also use.• Describe some research questions an ethnobotanist would investigate.• For a plant of interest, determine:

– Where the plant grows, where it was traditionally used, its medicinal/traditional uses, the plant parts used (e.g., leaves, root, fruit) and how the parts are used (e.g., tincture or ointment).

– Other unique or interesting facts about the plant.• Explain how to design a study involving clinical trials, including the use of a control

group, the purpose of randomization and how it is insured, and the use of blind testing. • Explain the concepts of mean, standard deviation, and probability as they pertain to

scientific investigation.• Interpret quantitative data using means, standard deviations, and probability

measures, and draw conclusions from those data.• Analyze data on two herbal remedies used to treat depression and evaluate their

efficacy.• Discuss the implications of this case with peers and your instructor.

Mildred Using Plants Timeline• Case study considered today through next two class

periods.• In class today: Choose your groups and obtain your

“Medicinal Plant of Interest.”• Homework, Part 1: Background Reading with instructions

for Pre-Class Quiz and Group Plant. • Homework, Part 2: Pre-Class Quiz.• Next class period: In groups, discuss and prepare

Medicinal Plant Summary.• One week from today: Complete a group In-Class

Assignment.

Mildred Using PlantsFind a group of 3-5 people to work with.Obtain from each other: names and contact info.Send one representative to the front or back of the room to

pick up a slip of paper with your group’s “Medicinal Plant of Interest.”

Back in your group, everyone obtain the name of your group’s plant.

Homework: Read the Background Reading, which includes instructions about your “Medicinal Plant of Interest.” Complete the Pre-Class Quiz.

Next class period, sit with your group to discuss and prepare a summary of your “Medicinal Plant of Interest.

Mildred Using Plants: The Medicinal Value of Plants

Class Period 2

Luanna B. Prevost and Paula P. Lemons, Plant Biology, The University of Georgia

Learning Objectives• Name some plants used by humans for medicinal purposes.• Explain how plants use the metabolites that humans also use.• Describe some research questions an ethnobotanist would investigate.• For a plant of interest, determine:

– Where the plant grows, where it was traditionally used, its medicinal/traditional uses, the plant parts used (e.g., leaves, root, fruit) and how the parts are used (e.g., tincture or ointment).

– Other unique or interesting facts about the plant.• Explain how to design a study involving clinical trials, including the use of a control

group, the purpose of randomization and how it is insured, and the use of blind testing. • Explain the concepts of mean, standard deviation, and probability as they pertain to

scientific investigation.• Interpret quantitative data using means, standard deviations, and probability measures,

and draw conclusions from those data.• Analyze data on two herbal remedies used to treat depression and evaluate their

efficacy.• Discuss the implications of this case with peers and your instructor.

Mildred Using Plants Timeline

• Today: In groups, discuss and prepare Medicinal Plant Summary.

• Next class period: Complete a group In-Class Assignment.

Summarize “Medicinal Plant of Interest”

• Get into your working groups.• Obtain the Medicinal Plant Summary handout.• Discuss with each other what you found out about your plant. • Begin preparing a group summary of your findings.• Your Medicinal Plant Summary should be turned in no later

than the beginning of next class period.

Mildred Using Plants: The Medicinal Value of Plants

Class Period 3

Luanna B. Prevost and Paula P. Lemons, Plant Biology, The University of Georgia

Learning Objectives• Name some plants used by humans for medicinal purposes.• Explain how plants use the metabolites that humans also use.• Describe some research questions an ethnobotanist would investigate.• For a plant of interest, determine:

– Where the plant grows, where it was traditionally used, its medicinal/traditional uses, the plant parts used (e.g., leaves, root, fruit) and how the parts are used (e.g., tincture or ointment).

– Other unique or interesting facts about the plant.• Explain how to design a study involving clinical trials, including the use of a control

group, the purpose of randomization and how it is insured, and the use of blind testing. • Explain the concepts of mean, standard deviation, and probability as they pertain to

scientific investigation.• Interpret quantitative data using means, standard deviations, and probability measures,

and draw conclusions from those data.• Analyze data on two herbal remedies used to treat depression and evaluate their

efficacy.• Discuss the implications of this case with peers and your instructor.

As you work through the case, keep these questions in mind . . .

• How does this case influence your thinking about the role of plants in your life?

• How does this case influence your thinking about the use of herbal remedies?

• What are some of the questions this case raises about research, health care, public policy, and conservation of biodiversity?

Meet Mildred

• Dramatic reading of Mildred story.

Are Kava and St. John’s Wort Effective in the Treatment of Depression?

• Get into your working groups.• One group member obtain the In-Class Assignment.– Your group will turn in one complete In-Class Assignment

before you leave today.• Follow the instructions to complete Questions 1-4.• Note the Glossary of Terms at the end of the handout.

Clicker Question #1: How many participants were successfully analyzed in each study?

1. Kava 219; St. John’s Wort: 182. Kava: 18; St. John’s Wort: 2193. Kava: 293; St. John’s Wort: 374. Kava: 37; St. John’s Wort: 293

Clicker Question #2: Are the Kava and St. John’s Wort studies comparable?

1. Yes2. No3. Yes, with reservations4. No, with reservations

Clicker Question #3: Assuming her health care providers agree, what herbal treatment would you recommend for Mildred?

1. Kava2. St. John’s wort3. Both4. Neither

Does Mildred take drugs that interact with Kava or St. John’s Wort?

• Read Question 5.• Refer to the handout “Supplemental Information: Drug

Complications and Side Effects” (page 8 of the In-Class Assignment).

• Follow the instructions to complete Question 5.

Clicker Question #4: How do the drug interactions impact the safety of Kava and St. John’s Wort for Mildred?

1. Only Kava is safe.2. Only St. John’s wort is safe.3. Both are safe.4. Neither is safe.

For Discussion . . .

• How does this case influence your thinking about the role of plants in your life?

• How does this case influence your thinking about the use of herbal remedies?

• What are some of the questions this case raises about research, health care, public policy, and conservation of biodiversity?