Mod 1.1 Flashcards
(126 cards)
1
Q
What is Botany?
A
The study of plants, including their structure, classification, ecology, and distribution.
2
Q
Why are plants important?
A
They provide food, shelter, medicine, clothing, ornaments, and are crucial for life through photosynthesis producing oxygen.
3
Q
What is Horticulture?
A
The study and cultivation of plants that humans grow intentionally, often managed in gardens and farms.
4
Q
What is Agronomy?
A
The science of crop production, soil management, and farming techniques.
5
Q
What is Forestry?
A
The planting and protection of plantations and forests.
6
Q
What is Ethnobotany?
A
The study of how people use and relate to plants, including traditional knowledge, cultural uses, medicine, food, and rituals.
7
Q
What is Phytochemistry?
A
The study of chemicals produced by plants, called phytochemicals.
8
Q
Name two types of phytochemicals.
A
Alkaloids and flavonoids.
9
Q
What roles do phytochemicals play in plants?
A
Protecting plants from pests, helping growth, and giving colour and smell.
10
Q
What is a Rhizome?
A
A type of underground stem that grows horizontally.
11
Q
Name three plants that have rhizomes.
A
Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).
12
Q
What is wild harvesting or wildcrafting?
A
The traditional way of collecting herbs and medicinal plants.
13
Q
Why is wild harvesting still practiced?
A
It remains a practical method for collecting herbs.
14
Q
How do wild harvesting techniques vary?
A
They vary culturally, seasonally, and technologically.
15
Q
What did all cultures practising wild harvesting also practise?
A
Sustainable harvesting techniques.
16
Q
What do many herbalists do today besides wild harvesting?
A
Grow their own herb gardens.
17
Q
What does modern wild harvesting involve?
A
Stewardship, identification, quality assessment, and preparation (Adams & Tan, 2012/2021, p21).
18
Q
What does the quality of medicine depend on?
A
The quality of the plant harvested.
19
Q
What should you check for when harvesting plants?
A
Local pollution, insect damage, and yellowed leaves (which often indicate soil or water depletion).
20
Q
When is the best season to pick leaves?
A
In spring.
21
Q
When is the best season to pick bark and flowers?
A
In summer.
22
Q
When should roots be harvested?
A
In autumn when they are strongest.
23
Q
Why should dead flowers be removed from plants?
A
To help the plant grow more leaves.
24
Q
What is the best time of day to harvest leaves and flowers?
A
Between 8am and 10am, after the dew has dried and before the sun reaches its zenith.
25
Why is harvesting leaves and flowers later in the day less ideal?
Plants can be sun-stressed, especially in summer.
26
When is the best time to harvest roots?
Late afternoon, as plant vitality returns to the roots.
27
Which plants are recommended to be harvested in the evening and why?
Plants high in oils and resins like Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort) and Calendula officinalis, because moisture is reduced by sun exposure.
28
What traditional phase do many herbalists consider when harvesting and preparing plants?
The lunar (moon) phases.
29
Why do biodynamic herb farmers follow lunar phases?
For harvesting and preparation of tinctures, macerations, and pressings.
30
What weather conditions should be avoided when harvesting?
Rainy days, especially when harvesting oily plants.
31
What does stewardship mean in herbalism and wild harvesting?
Taking care of the environment, land, or resources by managing and protecting them for the future.
32
How does stewardship benefit herbalists?
It allows for deeper knowledge of herbs and their actions.
33
Give examples of stewardship in practice.
Caring for land to keep it healthy and preserving plants, animals, and ecosystems.
34
What should be considered before harvesting wild plants?
The local environment and the needs of future harvesters.
35
What percentage of a plant should you harvest to ensure sustainability?
Up to 50% at very most.
36
What environmental factors should you note when wild harvesting?
Altitude, environment type, moisture preferences, and light variation.
37
Why should you be careful about sharing your wildcrafting locations?
To protect the sustainability of the plant populations.
38
Name some ideal equipment for harvesting herbs.
Large basket or bag with handle, paper/cloth bags, sharp knife, hand pruner, trowel, scissors.
39
What footwear is recommended for harvesting?
High top rubber boots.
40
What tools help with plant identification during harvesting?
An accurate plant identification guide, hand lens, and a map or phone GPS.
41
What additional equipment is important for safety and organisation in harvesting?
Safety clothing, labels, and writing implements.
42
What is the ideal moisture content for stored herbs?
About 10%; herbs should feel dry and a bit brittle.
43
How should herbs be stored to keep them safe?
Protected from moisture, light, and insects.
44
What type of containers are best for herb storage?
Glass jars, especially amber ones; sealed bags for short-term storage.
45
How long do flowers and leaves last if stored well?
About 1 year.
46
How long do roots and bark last if stored well?
Around 2 years.
47
Should herbs be stored whole or ground?
Stored whole and ground only when needed.
48
What is the benefit of snap freeze drying herbs?
It helps preserve active compounds, aroma, colour, and flavour.
49
Does repeatedly freezing and thawing herbs affect them?
No, it does not affect the herbs.
50
Why should plastic be avoided for herb storage, especially for peppermint?
Essential oils seep into plastic and degrade it.
51
What is a good alternative to plastic for storing herbs?
Foil packages.
52
What is a disadvantage of dried herbs?
They have a relatively short shelf life and are prone to oxidation.
53
How should herbal extracts be stored?
In airtight amber glass jars, away from sunlight, and under 30°C.
54
How long do fresh juice extracts (Succi) last?
About 24 hours without ethanol; 6 months with ethanol added; up to 12 months in the fridge.
55
How long do dried plant tinctures last?
Usually around 2 years.
56
What lids should be avoided for herb jars and why?
Lids with foam inserts or rubber seals, as foam must be sterilised and rubber seals degrade.
57
What type of jar lids are preferred?
White plastic lids without foam.
58
What factors should be considered when assessing herbs?
Harvest plants growing well and in large amounts, free from chemical fertiliser or pesticide residue, correct harvesting, drying, and storage techniques, and understanding the growing conditions.
59
Why is it important to consider nearby roads or farms when harvesting herbs?
To avoid contamination from non-organic or biodynamic farming practices and pollution.
60
When do plants start to lose quality?
As soon as they are picked.
61
What is organoleptic testing?
Using your senses to judge a plant.
62
What should you check for when assessing a plant by sight?
Original colour (e.g., chamomile should be yellow, not straw), identifiable plant parts (leaves, stem, petals), absence of contaminants, and correct plant part.
63
What should dried plants smell like?
Fresh and clean.
64
How can you release a plant's scent for smell testing?
Rub a piece between your fingers, which should leave a little oily feeling.
65
Why is smell important in plant identification?
Many herbs have unique smells that help identify them (e.g., osha, hemlock).
66
When should you taste an herb?
Only if you are sure of its identity.
67
What does taste testing help confirm?
The herb’s identity.
68
What does a slimy taste in a plant indicate?
A smooth and slippery texture.
69
What does a sticky taste in a plant indicate?
A thick and glue-like texture.
70
What does an astringent taste cause?
A dry, puckering sensation.
71
What kind of taste is bitter?
Sharp and unpleasant.
72
What does a spicy or sharp taste indicate?
A strong, pungent flavour or smell.
73
What should you feel when touching dried herbs?
They should be dry but not powdery; roots and bark should snap easily; herbs that bruise easily are often fresh.
74
What does it mean if roots or bark are too soft or crumbly?
They may be old or low quality.
75
What is Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) used for in herb quality testing?
Separates chemical parts in a liquid to create a unique band pattern identifying the herb.
76
How does Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) work?
A plant sample is placed on a surface, a special liquid is added, and the resulting band pattern is compared to a standard.
77
What is High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) used for?
Separates plant compounds and shows their levels on a computer graph to identify the plant and check medicinal strength.
78
What does microscopic examination involve in herb quality testing?
Looking at powdered plant cells under a microscope to compare with standard images and check structure and active parts.
79
What is macroscopic examination in herb quality testing?
Recognising the plant’s shape and structure (morphology) and using sensory checks like sight, smell, and touch.
80
In what forms can dried herbs be used?
Powders, suspensions, pills, and capsules.
81
Why is drying herbs beneficial?
It helps them last longer and reduces their weight by up to 90%.
82
When should you dry herbs?
Right after picking them.
83
How should delicate herbs be stored before drying?
They can be kept in the fridge to check moisture.
84
Which types of herbs can be hung to dry?
Woody or dry herbs like sage, rosemary, lavender, and lemon balm.
85
Where is the best place to dry herbs?
A place with good airflow and little sunlight.
86
What are home alternatives if drying space is tight?
Small dark-screen dryers.
87
How can roots and tough plants be dried?
In the oven at low heat with the door slightly open.
88
What is a sign that the drying temperature is too high?
You can smell the herbs while drying.
89
What is the recommended maximum temperature for oven drying herbs?
Under 40°C.
90
How long can dried herbs stored in amber glass last?
A year or more.
91
Can a dehydrator be used for drying herbs?
Yes.
92
How can a microwave be used to dry herbs?
Place clean leaves between paper towels, microwave 30 seconds to 1 minute, then let cool.
93
What should the dried herbs feel like after microwaving?
A bit brittle but still retain their colour.
94
What should you do if the leaves are thick before microwaving?
Air-dry them for a few days first.
95
What are soft capsules made of?
One-piece, gelatine-based shell, used to encapsulate liquid or semi-liquid.
96
What are hard capsules made of?
Two-piece, made from gelatine or cellulose (Vegi-caps), usually filled with dried herbs or concentrated solid extracts.
97
Can hard capsules be made at home?
Yes, they are easy to make at home.
98
How much powder does a size 00 capsule hold?
Approximately 0.5 grams.
99
Why do commercial capsules have advantages?
They provide a measured dose and last longer than some other forms.
100
Which herbs benefit from being taken in capsules to avoid irritation?
Cayenne and turmeric (they can irritate mucous membranes).
101
Why are capsules good for herbs like slippery elm?
Because the whole plant including fiber is useful.
102
Why is milk thistle best taken as capsules or tablets rather than alcohol extracts?
Because it is used for liver issues and alcohol isn't good for the liver.
103
Which plant parts are often used as powders, especially in Ayurvedic medicine?
Roots, barks, seeds, and some herbs.
104
Which herbs work well as powders because they contain mucilage?
Herbs like slippery elm (Ulmus fulva).
105
Why are tannin-rich herbs suitable for powders?
They work well in powder form but should be kept separate from some medications.
106
Give examples of tannin-rich herbs used as powders.
Oak bark (Quercus robur) and raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus).
107
Can herbal powders be used externally? Give an example.
Yes, slippery elm poultice for dry or irritated skin.
108
What are positives of using herbal powders?
Contains the whole herb and is easy to combine into formulas.
109
What are negatives of using herbal powders?
Not great for weak digestion, shorter shelf life, some taste bitter or are hard to swallow.
110
What are common ways to use herbal powders internally?
Swallow with a drink, mix into food/drinks, or fill into capsules.
111
How were herbal powders traditionally used as snuff?
Inhaled through the nose for sinus or nasal issues (traditional use, not common today).
112
What clothing and equipment should be worn when harvesting herbs?
Enclosed shoes or gumboots, gloves, and optionally hairnets.
113
How can microbial contamination be prevented during herb handling?
By always washing hands before handling, keeping tools and equipment clean, and maintaining hygienic workspaces.
114
What type of surfaces are best for processing herbs?
Easy-to-clean surfaces like plastic chopping boards, not wooden ones.
115
What cleaning agents are ideal for disinfecting surfaces?
10% bleach solution or 70% alcohol solution.
116
How should storage containers be sterilised?
Clean, rinse, then oven dry at 150°C for an hour or use a dishwasher.
117
What practices should be avoided to prevent contamination of herbal products?
Drinking directly from bottles, putting unclean fingers into ointments, or touching droppers to sores, eyes, or mouth.
118
Why is proper storage important for herbs?
To keep them fresh, safe, and prevent mixing with wrong herbs or contaminants.
119
What cleaning product is approved by organic certification for plant handling?
Bleach.
120
Which plant is the source of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)?
Willow (Salix alba) bark.
121
What drug is derived from Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)?
Digitalis.
122
Taxol, a chemotherapy agent, is derived from which plant?
Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia).
123
Which plants are sources of caffeine?
Coffee (Coffea arabica) and tea (Camellia sinensis).
124
Vincristine, used in chemotherapy, comes from which plant?
Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus).
125
Morphine is derived from which plant?
Poppy (Papaver somniferum).
126
How are botanical names presented in relation to common names?
Botanical names (universal names) are shown in brackets next to the common name.
Example: Coffee (Coffea arabica).
