Mildred Using Plants: The Medicinal Value of Plants

1. Mildred Using Plants: The Medicinal Value of Plants Class Period 1 Luanna B. Prevost and Paula P. Lemons, Plant Biology, The University of Georgia

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Mildred Using Plants: The Medicinal Value of Plants Class Period 2 Luanna B. Prevost and Paula P. Lemons, Plant Biology, The University of Georgia

6. 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.

7. Mildred Using Plants Timeline • Today: In groups, discuss and prepare Medicinal Plant Summary. • Next class period: Complete a group In-Class Assignment.

8. 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.

9. Mildred Using Plants: The Medicinal Value of Plants Class Period 3 Luanna B. Prevost and Paula P. Lemons, Plant Biology, The University of Georgia

10. 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.

11. 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?

12. Meet Mildred • Dramatic reading of Mildred story.

13. 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.

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

15. Clicker Question #2: Are the Kava and St. John’s Wort studies comparable? • Yes • No • Yes, with reservations • No, with reservations

16. Clicker Question #3: Assuming her health care providers agree, what herbal treatment would you recommend for Mildred? • Kava • St. John’s wort • Both • Neither

17. 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.

18. Clicker Question #4: How do the drug interactions impact the safety of Kava and St. John’s Wort for Mildred? • Only Kava is safe. • Only St. John’s wort is safe. • Both are safe. • Neither is safe.

19. 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?