This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== UNIT 6: Materia Medica 2 ====== ===== Introduction ===== This is the second of three Materia Medica Units in which we consider 5 more valuable medicinal plants in the herbal materia medica: * Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna Jacq. * Marigold, Calendula officinalis L. * Lime Blossom, Tilia europea L. * Lavender, Lavendula angustifolia Mill. * Nettle, Urtica dioica L. ==== Overview ==== * Deepen your understanding of major plant compounds, research, safety and efficacy * Explore case histories, plant tastings, simple home recipes and practical pharmacy * Consider Western Herbal Medicine's approach to the treatment of conditions of the nervous system, the circulatory system, the skin and allergies * Gain knowledge of common pharmacy preparations including tinctures, salves, ointments and plaisters ==== Learning Outcomes ==== === By the end of Section 1, you will have an understanding of === * The structure of this Unit, and some central concepts underpinning Western Herbal Medicine * Get to know five more important medicinal plants * Recognise that the circulatory system is given particular emphasis in traditional herbal medicine as it is a key area of action and benefit for many medicinal plants * An introduction to the concepts of tonics and adaptogens * Understand that the health and treatment of the skin is viewed as an ecology of health in Western Herbal Medicine and that there are many herbs with a huge capacity for wound healing. === By the end of Section 2, you will have an understanding of === * Revisit the method of contemplative plant tasting introduced to you in Unit 2 * Consider how you would make a tea with each of the five herbs in this unit, and record your findings from following the tasting methodology * Learn how to share your five key words from your plant tastings on the LMS === By the end of Section 3, you will have an understanding of === * The rose family, including hawthorn * The parts used, main constituents, main therapeutic actions, methods of preparation and use, cautions and care, and research relating to the plant * The central role of hawthorn as a heart medicine * Cardiotonic cordials. === By the end of Section 4, you will have an understanding of === * Tinctures and how they may be more or less suitable for certain people, and at different stages of life. * What the terms menstruum and marc mean in relation to tincture making * Marker compounds. * Get to know 5 more important medicinal plants in Western herbal medicine, (particularly how and why they are used) * Deepen your understanding of major plant compounds, research, safety and efficacy, case histories, plant tastings, simple home recipes and practical pharmacy * Consider Western herbal medicine’s approach to the treatment of conditions of the nervous system, the circulation, the skin, and allergy * Gain knowledge of common pharmacy preparations, including tinctures, salves, ointments and plaisters. === By the end of Section 5, you will have an understanding of === * The asteraceae family including marigold * The parts used, main constituents, main therapeutic actions, methods of preparation and use, cautions and care, case history and research relating to the plant * The central role of marigold as a wound healer * Marigold and the management of cancer * Ointments and plaisters. === By the end of Section 6, you will have an understanding of === * The basic botany of lime flowers * The parts used, main constituents, main therapeutic actions, methods of preparation and use, cautions and care, case history and and research relating to the plant * Tonics and adaptogens * The role of lime flower as a tonic for the nervous and circulatory systems. === By the end of Section 7, you will have an understanding of === * The basic botany of lavender * The parts used, main constituents, main therapeutic actions, methods of preparation and use, cautions and care, and research relating to the plant * The adaptable nature of lavender as a first aid medicine * Allergy and gut flora * How to make a lavender and oatmeal bath sachet === By the end of Section 8, you will have: === * The basic botany of nettle * The parts used, main constituents, main therapeutic actions, methods of preparation and use, cautions and care, and research relating to the plant * The central role of nettle as a food-like herb in herbal medicine at all stages of life * Skin, and the role of blood in keeping skin healthy. === By the end of Section 9, you will have: === Shared with your fellow students, your five tasting words of the five plants covered in this unit. ==== Additional Information ==== This unit contains Reference and Resources lists as well as the tutor’s own tasting notes.