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
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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 Plants
 Find 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”
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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.
2.
3.
4.
Kava 219; St. John’s Wort: 18
Kava: 18; St. John’s Wort: 219
Kava: 293; St. John’s Wort: 37
Kava: 37; St. John’s Wort: 293
Clicker Question #2: Are the Kava and St. John’s
Wort studies comparable?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Yes
No
Yes, with reservations
No, with reservations
Clicker Question #3: Assuming her health care
providers agree, what herbal treatment would
you recommend for Mildred?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Kava
St. John’s wort
Both
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.
2.
3.
4.
Only Kava is safe.
Only St. John’s wort is safe.
Both are safe.
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?