Medicinal Plants and Their Recognition
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is the acquisition of basic notions on the different tools and their application methods for the recognition, identification and classification of medicinal plants.
The course also provides basic knowledge for the recognition and description of selected medicinal species belonging to different botanical families (Fagaceae, Oleaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Papaveraceae, Ranunculaceae, Malvaceae, Ginkgoaceae, Pinaceae, etc.), with special emphasis on the diagnostic features, and of selected drugs or parts of medicinal plants.
Numerous practical activities are planned in order to allow the recognition of selected medicinal species through the use of herbarium samples, traditional dichotomous keys and web tools.
The visits to the Città Studi Botanical Garden (Milan) and to the Ghirardi Botanical Garden (Toscolano Maderno, Bs) and the open-air lessons devoted to the direct observation, botanical illustrations and sketching techniques, will allow to complete the course.
The course also provides basic knowledge for the recognition and description of selected medicinal species belonging to different botanical families (Fagaceae, Oleaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Papaveraceae, Ranunculaceae, Malvaceae, Ginkgoaceae, Pinaceae, etc.), with special emphasis on the diagnostic features, and of selected drugs or parts of medicinal plants.
Numerous practical activities are planned in order to allow the recognition of selected medicinal species through the use of herbarium samples, traditional dichotomous keys and web tools.
The visits to the Città Studi Botanical Garden (Milan) and to the Ghirardi Botanical Garden (Toscolano Maderno, Bs) and the open-air lessons devoted to the direct observation, botanical illustrations and sketching techniques, will allow to complete the course.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will be able to acquire theoretical and basic knowledge to:
- describe the main tools and their application methods for the recognition and classification of medicinal plants;
- describe plant species by drawing;
- identify species, genus and family of selected medicinal plants;
- describe the diagnostic features at species and family levels;
- realize herbarium samples and describe their importance and usefulness;
- use traditional dichotomous keys and web tools;
- recognize and describe selected plant drugs or parts of medicinal plants.
The verification of the ability to apply the theoretical and basic knowledge acquired in the course will be carried out by evaluating the results obtained in specific practical experiences in the classroom or in the botanical gardens through the solution of problems involving the knowledge of the topics and the tools indicated in the educational objectives.
- describe the main tools and their application methods for the recognition and classification of medicinal plants;
- describe plant species by drawing;
- identify species, genus and family of selected medicinal plants;
- describe the diagnostic features at species and family levels;
- realize herbarium samples and describe their importance and usefulness;
- use traditional dichotomous keys and web tools;
- recognize and describe selected plant drugs or parts of medicinal plants.
The verification of the ability to apply the theoretical and basic knowledge acquired in the course will be carried out by evaluating the results obtained in specific practical experiences in the classroom or in the botanical gardens through the solution of problems involving the knowledge of the topics and the tools indicated in the educational objectives.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The name of the course: meaning and definition of medicinal plant, recognition, identification, classification.
· Definitions of drug, balsamic time and active principle.
· In the Botanic Garden: observation and description by drawings of unknown plant species: from scientific description to recognition.
· Elaboration of datasheets for the description of botanical families and species with special attention to morphological details and diagnostic characters.
· For the recognition, it is useful to firstly ascribe a species to a family; special attention was therefore paid to the general characteristics of some families, listed hereafter and selected in relation to their flowering time and/or for their presence in the botanic gardens (Ghirardi botanic garden and Città Studi botanic Garden) in order to guarantee the direct observation.agaceae:
Fagaceae: Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Quercus ilex, Quercus robur.
Oleaceae: Olea europaea, Forsythia viridissima, Syringa vulgaris.
Lamiaceae: Lamium maculatum, Phlomis fruticosa, Teucrium fruticans, Thymus vulgaris, Lavandula angustifolia and species belonging to the genera Melissa, Salvia, Origanum.
Ranunculaceae: Aconitum napellus, Helleborus viridis, Nigella damascena.
Ginkgoaceae: Ginkgo biloba.
Pinaceae: Picea abies, Abies alba, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus strobus.
· Recognition using traditional dichotomous key: Veronica persica, Lamium maculatum, Syringa vulgaris, Taraxacum officinale.
· Recognition by means of web-based tools and digital dichotomous keys: Key to Nature and Dryades projects.
· Herbarium samples: realization and utility.
· From the herbarium sample to the description / recognition of the species, the example of Aconitum napellus.
· Recognition of drugs or parts of medicinal plants, from the macro to the microscopic level of investigation, in two phases:
1. exposure of drugs/plant parts without labels and invitation to recognition.
2. description of of drugs/plant parts.
Specie considerate: Syzigium aromaticum - flowral buds, Foeniculum vulgare - fruits, Cuminum cyminum - fruits, Papaver rhoeas/Papaver somniferum - fruits, Aloe barbadensis - juice, Humulus lupulus - infructescenses, Crocus sativus - stygmas, Piper nigrum - fruits, Elettaria cardamomum - fruits, Myristica fragrans - seeds, Sesamum indicum - seeds, Zingiber officinalis - rhizoms, Cinnamomum verum - bark, Juniperus communis - fruits.
[Program for not attending students with reference to descriptor 1 and 2]:
· The name of the course: meaning and definition of medicinal plant, recognition, identification, classification.
· Definitions of drug, balsamic time and active principle.
· In the Botanic Garden: observation and description by drawings of unknown plant species: from scientific description to recognition.
· Elaboration of datasheets for the description of botanical families and species with special attention to morphological details and diagnostic characters.
· For the recognition, it is useful to firstly ascribe a species to a family; special attention was therefore paid to the general characteristics of some families, listed hereafter and selected in relation to their flowering time and/or for their presence in the botanic gardens (Ghirardi botanic garden and Città Studi botanic Garden) in order to guarantee the direct observation.agaceae:
Fagaceae: Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Quercus ilex, Quercus robur.
Oleaceae: Olea europaea, Forsythia viridissima, Syringa vulgaris.
Lamiaceae: Lamium maculatum, Phlomis fruticosa, Teucrium fruticans, Thymus vulgaris, Lavandula angustifolia and species belonging to the genera Melissa, Salvia, Origanum.
Ranunculaceae: Aconitum napellus, Helleborus viridis, Nigella damascena.
Ginkgoaceae: Ginkgo biloba.
Pinaceae: Picea abies, Abies alba, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus strobus.
· Recognition using traditional dichotomous key: Veronica persica, Lamium maculatum, Syringa vulgaris, Taraxacum officinale.
· Recognition by means of web-based tools and digital dichotomous keys: Key to Nature and Dryades projects.
· Herbarium samples: realization and utility.
· From the herbarium sample to the description / recognition of the species, the example of Aconitum napellus.
· Recognition of drugs or parts of medicinal plants, from the macro to the microscopic level of investigation, in two phases:
1. exposure of drugs/plant parts without labels and invitation to recognition.
2. description of of drugs/plant parts.
Species studied: Syzigium aromaticum - floral buds, Foeniculum vulgare - fruits, Cuminum cyminum - fruits, Papaver rhoeas/Papaver somniferum - fruits, Aloe barbadensis - juice, Humulus lupulus - infructescenses, Crocus sativus - stygmas, Piper nigrum - fruits, Elettaria cardamomum - fruits, Myristica fragrans - seeds, Sesamum indicum - seeds, Zingiber officinalis - rhizoms, Cinnamomum verum - bark, Juniperus communis - fruits.
· Definitions of drug, balsamic time and active principle.
· In the Botanic Garden: observation and description by drawings of unknown plant species: from scientific description to recognition.
· Elaboration of datasheets for the description of botanical families and species with special attention to morphological details and diagnostic characters.
· For the recognition, it is useful to firstly ascribe a species to a family; special attention was therefore paid to the general characteristics of some families, listed hereafter and selected in relation to their flowering time and/or for their presence in the botanic gardens (Ghirardi botanic garden and Città Studi botanic Garden) in order to guarantee the direct observation.agaceae:
Fagaceae: Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Quercus ilex, Quercus robur.
Oleaceae: Olea europaea, Forsythia viridissima, Syringa vulgaris.
Lamiaceae: Lamium maculatum, Phlomis fruticosa, Teucrium fruticans, Thymus vulgaris, Lavandula angustifolia and species belonging to the genera Melissa, Salvia, Origanum.
Ranunculaceae: Aconitum napellus, Helleborus viridis, Nigella damascena.
Ginkgoaceae: Ginkgo biloba.
Pinaceae: Picea abies, Abies alba, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus strobus.
· Recognition using traditional dichotomous key: Veronica persica, Lamium maculatum, Syringa vulgaris, Taraxacum officinale.
· Recognition by means of web-based tools and digital dichotomous keys: Key to Nature and Dryades projects.
· Herbarium samples: realization and utility.
· From the herbarium sample to the description / recognition of the species, the example of Aconitum napellus.
· Recognition of drugs or parts of medicinal plants, from the macro to the microscopic level of investigation, in two phases:
1. exposure of drugs/plant parts without labels and invitation to recognition.
2. description of of drugs/plant parts.
Specie considerate: Syzigium aromaticum - flowral buds, Foeniculum vulgare - fruits, Cuminum cyminum - fruits, Papaver rhoeas/Papaver somniferum - fruits, Aloe barbadensis - juice, Humulus lupulus - infructescenses, Crocus sativus - stygmas, Piper nigrum - fruits, Elettaria cardamomum - fruits, Myristica fragrans - seeds, Sesamum indicum - seeds, Zingiber officinalis - rhizoms, Cinnamomum verum - bark, Juniperus communis - fruits.
[Program for not attending students with reference to descriptor 1 and 2]:
· The name of the course: meaning and definition of medicinal plant, recognition, identification, classification.
· Definitions of drug, balsamic time and active principle.
· In the Botanic Garden: observation and description by drawings of unknown plant species: from scientific description to recognition.
· Elaboration of datasheets for the description of botanical families and species with special attention to morphological details and diagnostic characters.
· For the recognition, it is useful to firstly ascribe a species to a family; special attention was therefore paid to the general characteristics of some families, listed hereafter and selected in relation to their flowering time and/or for their presence in the botanic gardens (Ghirardi botanic garden and Città Studi botanic Garden) in order to guarantee the direct observation.agaceae:
Fagaceae: Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Quercus ilex, Quercus robur.
Oleaceae: Olea europaea, Forsythia viridissima, Syringa vulgaris.
Lamiaceae: Lamium maculatum, Phlomis fruticosa, Teucrium fruticans, Thymus vulgaris, Lavandula angustifolia and species belonging to the genera Melissa, Salvia, Origanum.
Ranunculaceae: Aconitum napellus, Helleborus viridis, Nigella damascena.
Ginkgoaceae: Ginkgo biloba.
Pinaceae: Picea abies, Abies alba, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus strobus.
· Recognition using traditional dichotomous key: Veronica persica, Lamium maculatum, Syringa vulgaris, Taraxacum officinale.
· Recognition by means of web-based tools and digital dichotomous keys: Key to Nature and Dryades projects.
· Herbarium samples: realization and utility.
· From the herbarium sample to the description / recognition of the species, the example of Aconitum napellus.
· Recognition of drugs or parts of medicinal plants, from the macro to the microscopic level of investigation, in two phases:
1. exposure of drugs/plant parts without labels and invitation to recognition.
2. description of of drugs/plant parts.
Species studied: Syzigium aromaticum - floral buds, Foeniculum vulgare - fruits, Cuminum cyminum - fruits, Papaver rhoeas/Papaver somniferum - fruits, Aloe barbadensis - juice, Humulus lupulus - infructescenses, Crocus sativus - stygmas, Piper nigrum - fruits, Elettaria cardamomum - fruits, Myristica fragrans - seeds, Sesamum indicum - seeds, Zingiber officinalis - rhizoms, Cinnamomum verum - bark, Juniperus communis - fruits.
Prerequisites for admission
The basic knowledge of Plant Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany acquired during the homonymous course at the first year constitutes an essential tool for understanding the covered topics.
Teaching methods
Lectures and numerous practical exercises both in the classroom and in the field, aimed at macroscopic and microscopic recognition of plants through the use of dichotomous keys, digital instruments, herbarium samples, are provided. Open-air lessons are conducted at the Botanic Garden of Città Studi (Milan) and the G.E. Ghirardi Botanic Garden (Toscolano Maderno, Bs), both belonging to the University of Milan. These lessons are dedicated to live observation, botanical drawing and sketching technique. The hands-on method is used (touching with the hands, knowing through doing): the students become the architects of the lesson itself, researching, observing, using the 5 senses, drawing, recognizing, proposing and even planning. On some occasions the products of this activity become lessons given by the students themselves.
Every year two study days are proposed in May at the G.E. Ghirardi Btanic Garden, entirely dedicated to medicinal plants, on the occasion of the international event Fascination of Plant Day.
Every year two study days are proposed in May at the G.E. Ghirardi Btanic Garden, entirely dedicated to medicinal plants, on the occasion of the international event Fascination of Plant Day.
Teaching Resources
There is no book adopted because the course is mainly based on direct observation of plants. Study support material is elaborated together during the course or provided by the teacher. Students are advised to use the text of Pharmaceutical Botany (Maugini, Maleci Bini, Mariotti Lippi, 2014 - Piccin Editore, Padova).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination modalities foresee an oral examination related to the covered topics with recognition and identification tests of the medicinal species and of the herbal drugs treated during the course. The test is considered passed with a score equal to or greater than 18/30.
BIO/15 - PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Giuliani Claudia
Shifts:
-
Professor:
Giuliani ClaudiaProfessor(s)