Aristolochia californica

Taxonomy

• Common Names– California Pipevine– California Dutchman’s Pipe

• Family– Aristolochiaceae– Birthwort family

Growth Habit• Deciduous vine– Found along streams, forest thickets, chaparral

• Large purple flowers– Unpleasant Smelling– Mistaken for carnivorous plant

Cultural Use

• Miwok Indians

• Whole plant boiled to make “tea” in order to cure colds

Active Ingredients

• Aristolochic acid

– composed of a ~1:1 mixture of two forms, aristolochic acid I and aristolochic acid II

– Anti-inflammatory

– Most concentrated in the flowers

Contemporary Uses• Arthritis• Gout• Rheumatism • Festering Wounds

Toxicity

• FDA alert in May, 2000 to stop using products containing aristolochic acid

• Permanent kidney damage / failure

• Cancer of the urinary tract

Cool Fact

• Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly (Battus philenor)

• Caterpillar feeds on Aristolochia species and sequesters Aristolochic acid

• Adult butterflies are toxic to predators

References1. Aristolochia californica. (2010). In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 1, 2010 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristolochia_californica2. Botanical Dermatology Database. (January, 2010). ARISTOLOCHIACEAE. Retrieved November 2, 2010

from http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/ARIS.html3. Calflora. (2010). Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, based on

data contributed by the Consortium of Calif. Herbaria and dozens of other public and private institutions and individuals. Retrieved November 1, 2010 from http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=674

4. Fordyce, James, A. (2000) A model without a mimic: aristolochic acids from the CA Pipevine Swallowtail, Battus philenor hirsuta, and its host plant, Aritocholchia californica. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 26: 2567-2578.

5. Foster, S. and Hobbs C. (2002) Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs. NY: Houghton Mifflin Co. 6. Marin Chapter California Native Plant Society. Aristolochia californica. Retrieved November 1, 2010

from http://www.marin.edu/cnps/pipevine.html7. Miwok. (2010). In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 7, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miwok8. Pipevine swallowtail. (2010). In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 1, 2010 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipevine_swallowtail9. US Department of Health & Human Services, Food and Drug Administration. (2009). Aristolochic Acid:

FDA Warns Consumers to Discontinue Use of Botanical Products that Contain Aristolochic Acid. Retrieved November 1, 2010 from http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/Alerts/ucm096388.htm

10. Volker, M.A., Stiborova and Schemeiser. (2002) Aristolochic acid as a probable human cancer hazard in herbal remedies: a review. Mutagenesis, 17: 265-277.

Sambucus Mexicana

Sambucus mexicana• Family: Caprifoliaceae

(honeysuckle) although some sources say has been reclassified to Adoxaceae due to genetic evidence.

• About 30 different Sambucus species.

• Shrub or small tree with distinctive berries.

• Common Names: Elder, Mexican Elderberry, Blue Elderberry.

Range and Habitat• Thrives in Riparian zones.

Can be found in moist forest habitats such as slopes, canyons, cliff bases, streams.

• Ranges as far north as Oregon and as far south as Mexico. Native to California but extends east to Texas.

• Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle is endangered species. Found in riparian woodlands of San Joaquin Valley.

Active Compounds• Bark and leaves contain alkaloids

including hydrocyanic acid and sambucine which has been shown to act as diuretic and purgative.

• Flowers contain flavenoids and rutin, which are known to improve immune function. Also contain Tannins.

• Berries (from Sambucus nigra spp.) have been researched most extensively to have class of flavenoids known as anthocyanins. Boost production of cytokines, messengers which enhance immune response.

Ethnobotanical Uses

• Acjachemen Indians (Juaneno Band of Mission Indians) traditionally centered around San Juan Capistrano knew Sambucus mexicana as “tree of music” and “tree of life”.

• Uses included: steeping flowers for tea as relief for menstrual cramps, stomachaches, fevers, and colic. Berries used in pies, jams, and wines.

• Stems used as arrow shafts and hollowed out to make flutes and clappersticks.

Ethnobotanical Uses• Clapperstick is an instrument

used to keep rhythm during songs and is culturally important use of elderberry.

• Split and hollowed stick of elderberry.

• Slapped against palm of hand • Traditionally only

Acjachemen tribal singers were allowed to construct the clappersticks. Usually were women.

Modern Uses

• Much of the research has centered on Sambucus nigra species.

• Elderberry syrups used as immune enhancer. Recent studies see efficacy treating influenza infection.

• Still used for foods (jams, wines)

References• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus• http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/intranet/pfs.html• Ethnobotanical Investigation of the Acjachemen Clapperstick from Blue Elderberry,

Sambucusmexicana (Caprifoliaceae)Author(s): Michael Walker, Jacque Nunez, Marion Walkingstick, Sandra Anne BanackSource: Economic Botany, Vol. 58, No. 1 (Spring, 2004), pp. 21-24

ARTEMISIA DOUGLASIANA

Artemisia Douglasiana – CA Mugwort

• Common Names: California Mugwort, Mugwort, Douglas Sagewort, or Dream Plant

• Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)

• Group: Dicot• Habitat: Herb• Duration: Perennial• Elevation: < 2200m• Distribution: All of California,

confined to Western United States.

Artemisia Douglasiana – CA Mugwort• 3 foot perennial with a funny sage

odor• Native on stream banks, ditch banks,

road cuts, or other disturbed areas• Green on top and silvery beneath• Flowers are small and not showy• Planted in sun to light shade• Provides excellent cover, attracts

birds, and is deer resistant.• Note: When the sun’s shining, it

inverts its leaves so pale underside faces the sun, reflecting rays and keeping it from losing moisture

Artemisia Douglasiana – CA Mugwort

Active Compounds:• camphor ( anesthetic,

antimicrobial) • artemisia ketone (antifungal)• artemisia alcohol

(antimicrobial) • thujone (neurotoxin, anti-

helminthic)• Dehydroleucodine (gastric

lesions)• 1,8 – cineole (expectorant,

anesthetic)• Hexanal

Chumash Ethnobotanical Uses• Chumash believe that dreams are an

essential part of health that helps the spirit to be normal and happy.

• Dream Sage/CA Mugwort/”Molush” is used to promote dreams due to the fragrant monoterpenoids.

• Prepare: Gather stalks, leaves, and seeds. Dry them and sew them into a pillow to place under your normal pillow.

• It was considered very romantic for a man to give “Molush” to his significant other so they would have good dreams and hopefully dream about him.

• Chumash also used CA Mugwort to treat pre-menstrual symptoms and menapause.

• In this case a tea was made from a few leaves starting in cold water, and bring it just to a boil. Also, used to douche with.

Miwok Ethnobotanical Uses• The Miwok would place the leaves inside of the nostrils to clear

headaches and by mourners crying over the dead. The pungent odors would aid in congestion.

• Some people would rub the leaves on their bodies to keep ghosts away. Sometimes the women would wear the leaves on necklaces to prevent dreaming of the dead. In addition, the leaves would be rubbed on corpse handlers to ward off ghosts and the deceased.

• Decoctions were made for rheumatism (joint problems). Prepared by a constant boiling and mashing of the leaves to extract the oils.

Kawaiisu Ethnobotanical Uses• Used as an abortifactant by

infusing (boiling) the plant in oil.• They also would wash their hair

with an infusion to prevent hair from falling out.

• After childbirth both the mother and father would bath themselves in an infusion to cleanse their bodies.

• Daughters were also given the CA mugwort in a tea in hopes to prevent a girl from aging too prematurely.

More Ethnobotanical Uses• The Costanoan, Karok, Paiute,

Kashaya, Tolowa, Washo, Yuki, and Yurok tribes all used mugwort for body aches, especially arthritis, back, and severe menstrual pain

• Either a infusion/decoction or a poultice was used to treat pain.

• A poultice is created by chewing or mashing the leaves with heat until they form a big wad that one could apply to the wound/pain with a wrap.

• The Tolowa also had children chew on fresh leaves for pinworms.

Modern/Western uses of CA Mugwort

• Taken as a tea to help gastronomical pain associated with diarrhea, indigestion, or intestinal infections.

• Used to fight sugar cravings.• Used topically to fight

fungal infections.• Used by hikers against

stinging needle and poison ivy.

ReferencesAdams, James and Cecilia Garcia. “Traditional Chumash Healing.” Wilderness Healing. 2006 http://www.abeduspress.com/files/Wildernessway12_4_2006aGeneral.pdf

“Artemisia Douglasiana.” Consortium of California Herbaria. Berkeley, CA: 2010. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=708

“Artemisia Douglasiana.” California Flora Nursery. http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_a/artdou.html

Moerman, Daniel E. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, Incorporated. 1998 Page 94

Poeten, Laurel. “Biogeography of the Mugwort.”San Francisco State University. 2005. http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses/Spring%2005%20projects/MUGWORT/mugwortpage.htm

Eridictyon californicum

Bio 454 L Medical EthnobotanyCalifornia Region: Younjoo Cho

Name means “Holly Weed” by Spanish missionaries who experienced and praised its therapeutic effects

Plant classification: Family Hydrophyllaceae (Water leaf family, perennial woodland shrubs)

Common names: california yerba santa, yerba santa, mountain’s balm, consumptive’s weed, holy herb, sacred herb, bear’s weed

Habitat: originally from California and Oregon, and usually grown in foothill woodland, yellow pine forest, Northern oak forest(more drier region like Sierra and coast)

Up to five feet

Classification and Habitat

Considered as “Fire following” plants; the seeds stored in the soil for decades and germinate readily during the first spring after fire

The plant harvested any time but best in the fall when leaves are aromatic and sticky

Also used as rehabilitating and stabilizing for disturbed area and preventing erosion

Habitat continued,

Chumash Indians and other tribes: extract was drunken, leaves were chewed for pulmonary condition, saliva production, and coagulation of small bleeding, hemorrhoid bleeding, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, allergies, rheumatism

The Kawaiisu drank tea for gonorrhea. The Salidan and missionaries used as eye

balm

Historical usage of the plant

Flavanones: important biological role in pigments, anti-oxidants, anti-cancer◦Homoeriodictyol (1,4) and its Sodium SaltBroad masking taste activity toward

different chemical classes of bitter taste molecules such as quinine (crystalline alkaloid for many medicine pills for analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory)

New taste modifier important in food (eg. Caffeine) and pharmaceutical industries

Active compound & modern usage

The Tea of Yerba Santa makes a good mouthwash (tincture or syrup from the leaves)

The flesh leaves are chewed for their refreshing taste and to relieve thirst.

An aromatic sweet tea is made from the fresh of dried leaves.

An extract of the leaves is used as a flavoring in baked goods, sweets, ice cream and soft drinks.

The leaves have been woven into skirts and aprons.

Current commercial applications

Reportedly beneficial in treating asthma, lung diseases, bronchodilator, expectorant, sore throat, tuberculosis

Cosmetic (facial moisturizer, treatment, anti-aging)

Safety cautions for pregnant women and young children due to lack of scientific evidences

Continued modern usages

http://home.caregroup.org/clinical/altmed/interact http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16028996ions/Drugs/Acetam

inophen.htm http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf903286s http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-

7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&chunkiid=21890 http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/y/yersan07.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriodictyon_californicum http://www.cuesa.org/markets/farmers/farm_10.php http://www.swsbm.com/FOLIOS/YerbaFol.pdf http://herb-magic.com/yerba-santa.html http://www.indianmirror.com/ayurveda/yerba-santa.html http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/eriodictyon-ca

lifornicum

References