Herbal Medicine and Therapeutics

This assignment is to reflect a comprehensive understanding in the vital field
of pharmacognosy within the practice of Herbal Medicine and Therapeutics.

PRESENTATION: Typed and presented in a scholarly manner with referencing according to the

Nature Care College referencing guide, marking criteria and assignment
coversheet stapled at the top left corner.

INSTRUCTIONS: Students must write a MINIMUM 150 €“ MAXIMUM 200 words (on EACH
TOPIC), fully referenced and explained concisely on each of the following questions

All components must be completed.

1. Discuss the actions and mechanisms of action of saponin- containing plants. Give the
botanical names of 5 saponin-containing plants. (7 marks)

2. Write notes on the topic: The role of isoquinoline alkaloids in herbal medicine. (7 marks)

3. A number of medicinal plants have been banned as therapeutic substances due to their
content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Discuss toxicity in humans caused by pyrrolizidine
alkaloid containing plants, include notes on their mechanism of action + 3 the botanical
names of 3 plants. (7 marks)

4. Write notes on Plant extracts as antimicrobial agents. Choose 3 medicinal plants that
exhibit this action and discuss their secondary metabolites. (7 marks)

5. Discuss the symbiotic relationship some plants, insects & animals have that form mutually
beneficial relationships (7 marks)

6. Alkaloids have played a crucial role in mainstream medicine for centuries. Give five
examples of alkaloids that have been or still are used in conventional (orthodox) medicine.
For each alkaloid state its botanic source and briefly outline its main actions and uses in
medicine. (7 marks)

7. Outline the pharmacology of salicylate glycosides using willow bark (Salix cortex) as an
outline. Include notes on their fate in the digestive tract, absorption, mechanism of action
and main actions. (7 marks)

8. Discuss actions of the phenylpropanoid found in Curcuma longa. (7 marks)