Course Description
Historical and contemporary significance of herbs, spices, and medicinal plants in human culture and commerce; chemical and biological characteristics; commercial production techniques; application in modern and traditional medical systems.
Athena Title
Herbs Spices Medicinal Plants
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HORT 3440E, ANTH 3440E, PBIO 3440E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. to develop an awareness of the effect of herbs, spices, and medicinal plants on the development of human history and culture 2. to examine the chemical, biological, and ecological characteristics of these plants 3. to examine commercial exploitation and current uses of these plants in modern society 4. to examine the uses of these plants in less technologically developed countries 5. to consider current issues and conflicts in the use of herbal medicines vs. modern pharmaceutical medicines
Topical Outline
The first third of the course will focus on: the historical and cultural significance of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPS); culinary herbs and spices; plant secondary chemistry and human physiological response; and strategies and techniques for drug discovery and development. The second third of the course will examine the specific uses of approximately 50 herbal medicines (the "Herb Cabinet"); the history of herbal medicine use in the USA; current regulations that apply to the production and marketing of herbal medicines; techniques involved in the commercial production of MAPS; and tensions between conventional western medicine and herbal medicine. The final third will emphasize the use of plants in various systems of traditional medicine and issues surrounding medicinal plant conservation. Guest lecturers will discuss the practice of complementary medicine and provide examples of current research on medicinal plants.
Syllabus