Culture, History and Applications of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Japan

Historically, the Japanese began to use aromatic and medicinal plants for ritual activities, food flavor, and treatment of their bodies. The exotic plants, new ideas, and culture associated with medicinal and aromatic plants were introduced to Japan from other countries, primarily via Korea. In this way, experience and knowledge of uses were accumulated, and applications of aromatic and medicinal plants were expanded. The oldest Japanese medicine “Wa ho” leads the way to folk medicine today, and traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo) has spread into modern use. The elegance tradition of “Kodo,” an incense ceremony of Japan, was developed because of the use of aromatic incensed wood in sixteenth century as recreation. Paired along with this ceremony is the Japanese sa-do tea ceremony that the spirituality and esthetic sense are inherited to Japanese today. Japanese green tea is becoming popular in many countries due to the constituent, catechins, that medically treats vascular disease, several cancers, and type II diabetes. Today, the Japanese medical system has new direction, integrating medicine with the adoption of modern western and alternative medicine. Scientific data must continue to be collected for interactions between the two medicinal systems for integrative medicine to be ideal for body, mind, and spirit of humans and nature

Role of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Past, Present, and Future

Before the concept of history began, humans undoubtedly acquired life benefits by discovering medicinal and aromatic plants that were food and medicine. As our early ancestors learned to recognize and consume selected plants, civilization and personal and group health could advance. Traditional medicine would become part of every civilization with medicinal and aromatic plants widely used and applied to maintain life. Undoubtedly, the variety of available plant materials would be tasted and tested to determine whether a plant was valuable as a food or medicine. Today, a variety of available herbs and spices are used and enjoyed throughout the world and continue to promote good health. As the benefits from medicinal and aromatic plants are recognized, these plants will have a special role for humans in the future

A measure of genetic diversity of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) by RAPD analysis

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) is a medicinal plant valued for the treatment of sore eyes and mouths. Although cultivation of the plant has helped meet growing demand, goldenseal is still considered a threatened or endangered species throughout much of its range in North America. In an effort to assess possible conservation strategies for goldenseal genetic resources, levels of genetic diversity within and among cultivated and wild populations were quantified. RAPD analysis was used to examine six cultivated and 11 wild populations sampled from North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The average percentage of polymorphic bands in cultivated and wild populations was low (16.8 and 15.5 %, respectively), and geographic range did not predict the level of genetic diversity. Most of the genetic variation (81.2 %) was within populations; only 3.6 % was partitioned between cultivated and wild populations. Our results differed from a previous study which concluded that genetic differences were greater among than within populations. The results of the current study indicate that, although goldenseal grows clonally and in dense patches, a mixed mating system in which both selfing and outcrossing occur is also operating. We therefore suggest that the ex situ conservation of individual plants within populations, chosen carefully to account for clonal propagation in situ, is an appropriate strategy for sustaining the genetic diversity of goldenseal

A morphometric analysis of Actaea racemosa L. (Ranunculaceae)

Actaea racemosa L. (syn. Cimicifuga racemosa [L.] Nutt.), Ranunculaceae, commonly known as black cohosh, is an herbaceous, perennial, medicinal plant native to the deciduous woodlands of eastern North America. Historical texts and current sales data indicate the continued popularity of this plant as an herbal remedy for over 175 years. Much of the present supply of A. racemosa is harvested from the wild. Diversity within and between populations of the species has not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to assess the morphological variation of A. racemosa and identify patterns of variation at the population and species levels. A total of 26 populations representative of a significant portion of the natural range of the species were surveyed and plant material was collected for the morphological analysis of 37 leaflet, flower, and whole plant characteristics. In total, 511 leaflet samples and 83 flower samples were examined. Several of the populations surveyed had sets of relatively unique characteristics (large leaflet measurements, tall leaves and flowers, and a large number of stamen), and Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons revealed significant differences between specific populations for 20 different characteristics. No unique phenotype, however, was found. Considerable morphological plasticity was noted in the apices of the staminodia. Cluster analyses showed that the morphological variation within populations was not smaller than between population and that this variation in not influenced by their geographic distribution

Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Medicine of the Caucasus and North America

Medicinal plants and preparations derived from plants in the Caucasus and North America regions have for a long time been used for the treatment and prevention of virtually all human afflictions. Even today, countries and people of these areas continue to test and use plants as medicine. Indeed, the study and application of medicinal plants and plant extracts has formed the basis for treatment of several diseases, pain, and other afflictions. Research has revealed that many plants synthesize and accumulate natural constituents that have active physiological and psychological effects on the human body. A number of plant extracts that have been used as medicines over hundreds of years are constituents in most modern prescription drugs. The arrays of environments within the Caucasus Mountains and North America have produced a diverse flora with an assortment of medicinal properties. Due to curative powers, a number of these plant species continue to be used in folk medicines

Dietary Supplements: The New Herbalism

The passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act in 1994 made the use of supplements more acceptable in the U.S., increasing demand for botanicals to use in health care and maintenance. These botanicals, primarily medicinal and aromatic plants, currently represent about 25% of the dietary supplement market in the U.S. Although much of the market for botanicals traditionally has been met through collection of plants in the wild, enhanced cultivation of several species will be essential to bring standardized, quality plant materials into the marketplace

Dietary Supplements: The New Herbalism

The passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act in 1994 made the use of supplements more acceptable in the U.S., increasing demand for botanicals to use in health care and maintenance. These botanicals, primarily medicinal and aromatic plants, currently represent about 25% of the dietary supplement market in the U.S. Although much of the market for botanicals traditionally has been met through collection of plants in the wild, enhanced cultivation of several species will be essential to bring standardized, quality plant materials into the marketplace