Medicinal Plants: Central Nervous System-Analgesics (Pain Relievers)

Question 1

White Willow

BOTANICAL INFORMATION:

Answer 1

• Europe
• Moist habitats
• Tree species

Question 2

White Willow

HISTORY AS A MEDICINAL PLANT:

Answer 2

• Medicinally in Eurasia and North America (Indigenous people)
• Europe (Ancient Greeks)-bark used for chronic pain, fevers, headache, gout
• Leonhart Fuchs-bark used for gastrointestinal pain and chronic inflammation
• Phenolics-Salicin and salicylic acid
  
  • Anti-pyretic-release of body heat following peripheral blood flow
• Analgesic-central nervous system depression
• Anti-inflammatory-joints, muscles, and tendons
• Side effects-gastric discomfort and nausea
• Bayer-based in Germany
  
  • Semi-synthetic-Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
  • Fewer side effects-people over 70 bleeding in the brain, gastrointestinal tract, and increase risk of cancer
  • Aspirin
  • Reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, colorectal and other cancers, angina

Question 3

White Willow

MODERN UTILIZATION:

Answer 3

• Efficacy in treating chronic pain and inflammation

- Mixture of compounds more effective

Question 4

Capsicum Pepper

BOTANICAL INFORMATION:

Answer 4

• Perennial herb
• Solanaceae (Tomato)
• South and Central America
• Pungent flavor-oblong fruits
  
  • Tabasco type and lantern-shaped type

Question 5

Capsicum Pepper

HISTORY AS A MEDICINAL PLANT:

Answer 5

• Alkaloid-capsaicin
  
  • Found in placental tissue (seeds attached here)
  • Responsible for the “hotness”
  • Absent of seeds, leaves, stems, and roots
  • Irritant in mammals
  • Binds to vanilloid ion-channel receptors that normally respond to excessive heat or physical abrasion, “mimics” sensation of excessive heat, stimulating the release of endorphins (pleasure sensation)

Question 6

Capsicum Pepper

MODERN UTILIZATION:

Answer 6

• Used topically to relieve pain in ointments
  
  • Increases peripheral blood flow relieving muscles aches, pains, arthritic pain, muscle strains, and sprains
  • Relief of pain, itching, inflammation of skin rashes and diseases or peripheral nervous system damage (ex. shingles)
• Anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties
  
  • Kills prostate cells, and inhibits growth of leukemia cells
• “Pepper” sprays